Ava was incapable of speech. All she could do was cling to him, digging her nails into his b.u.t.tocks as an intolerable pressure built up within her body. His urging her not to move was ignored as she searched for release, all her insides squeezing tight as her back arched, her hips revolving against his.

When Ava suddenly tumbled over the edge, her mouth gasped wide, her head twisting from side to side on the pillow as a succession of violently pleasurable contractions seized her, their force compelling Vince into an explosive climax that had him shuddering into her for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, with a raw groan of utter satiation, he slumped between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Ava lay beneath his sagging weight, stunned by the experience, her limbs going limp as a curious wave of exhaustion washed through her. They stayed that way for ages, till Vince startled her by lifting his head to send a wet tongue down the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, then trailing it over to slowly encircle a nipple. It immediately strained upwards, her breath catching.

'You are the most deliciously responsive woman,' he murmured. 'And you have the most luscious b.r.e.a.s.t.s. I adore them. Don't you let Giuseppe ever talk you into modelling for him. I won't have my girlfriend parading around naked for other men's eyes. You're for my eyes only, do you hear me?'

Vince's proprietorial possessiveness, plus his calling her his girlfriend, thrilled Ava. Any concern that their affair might be a very short one was pushed firmly aside. 'Yes, Vince,' she agreed meekly.

'Good,' he said, and settled back down on to her body, his face resting between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his warm breath fanning her right nipple. Ava was shocked by her immediate and very intense desire to have him make love to her again, only a glance at her bedside clock radio distracting her from her desire.

'Vince. . .' She gently shook him on the shoulder.

'Mmm?'

'We have to go to Byron's party. . .'

'Soon,' he said, stunning her when he started licking the nearby nipple, making it glisteningly hard in seconds. 'Parties don't start till ten at least.'

'But it's nearly nine. Vince, please. . .'

Her stomach curled over when he did the same to her other nipple before glancing up at her. She stared up at his moistened mouth and ached to have it all over her.

'Your wish is my command,' he sighed. 'Mind if I use the bathroom first?'

He was gone in a flash, scooping up his clothes on the way. Ava was left lying there feeling oddly empty.

Vince's withdrawal from her body had reminded her that he'd used protection, with nothing of him remaining inside her. Stupid as it seemed, she didn't like the feeling. Was it that it echoed how she would feel after their affair ended, as it inevitably would. . .?

When depression hovered, she brushed it ruthlessly aside. Ava had no patience with such feelings tonight. Tonight she had become a real woman. Tonight she had started really living. Tonight she refused to be anything but happy.

Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, she encountered a reflection of herself in the dressing-table mirror that she would never in her wildest dreams have imagined encountering. Semi-naked body, tousled hair, puffy mouth, wet swollen nipples, and an ache between her thighs that was a mixture of having been ravaged and wanting to be ravaged some more.

But it was her perception of that semi-naked body that surprised her the most. Suddenly she saw her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s as lush, not heavy, her rounded stomach as feminine, not flabby, her whole shape as quite desirable, not repulsive.

Who had changed her perception? Vince. . .

She had so much to be grateful to him for. So much.

Her chest contracted with the realisation that she did love him, no matter what he said about her feelings being only s.e.xual. But she would not say she loved him again. She suspected their affair would be very short if she persisted with that tack.

Her one consolation to the inevitability of a broken heart was that there would be no going back to the timid unfulfilled female she had once been. No one would look at her with pity in future, as though she were a naive little fool who knew nothing of life and love, who'd been nowhere and done nothing. She was going to make Vince show her everything he knew about life and about s.e.x, she decided. Every single thing!

The sound of the shower gushing forth sent a sudden thought to her mind. Automatically, she shrank from being so bold, till another glance in that mirror reminded her of all she had just resolved. Gathering every ounce of courage she owned, she stripped off all her clothes, then went bravely but somewhat breathlessly into the bathroom.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

'I'VE ordered that carpet for the stairs,' Ava said as t hey walked hand in hand down the marble steps just as the grandfather clock donged nine-thirty.

'That's good,' Vince said. 'When it comes, we'll have to christen it.'

Ava stopped and stared at him. 'Do you mean what I think you mean?'

'You don't fancy making love on a staircase?'

Heat zoomed into her cheeks at the image he was evoking. 'Wouldn't it be rather uncomfortable?'

'I'd work something out.'

No doubt he would, she gulped. Hadn't he just shown her that making love did not have to happen in a bed, or necessarily with intercourse as a finale? When she'd dared to join him in the shower, she hadn't known exactly what to expect. A burst of renewed nerves had almost made her turn and run at one stage, but she had steeled herself and taken the plunge.

Vince had been delighted, quickly dashing any worry that he might not find her lush curves so desirable when she was standing up. He seemed to revel in the fullness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and hips, delighting in soaping up her whole body before inviting her to do the same to him. She'd been a little shy at first till having free rein to touch him at will brought an excited arousal that had her doing things that hadn't featured in any of her fantasies.

Vince had happily abandoned himself to her attentions, leaning back against the tiles while she unwittingly but quite shamelessly brought him to climax, after which he'd willingly returned the favour. A shiver rai down her spine at the memory of her gasping shuddering release, her legs apart, Vince between them. She would never be able to go into that shower again without recalling her utter abandonment, or Vince's expertise.

She licked suddenly dry lips and felt a surge of renewed desire. His a.s.sertion that her feelings for him were strictly s.e.xual began to take on a disturbing element of truth. It was all she could think of when she looked at him, all that she seemed to want now.

'We. . .we must go, Vince,' she said, a hunted look coming into her eyes.

'I suppose so,' he agreed reluctantly. 'But only if you kiss me first.'

She groaned but did as he asked, opening her lips to his demands, moaning softly when he crushed her to him. Suddenly, he put her aside, his expression almost angry. 'I always said this house was dangerous. I'm beginning to think it's more dangerous than even I realised.'

'What. . .what do you mean?'

'Nothing,' he muttered. 'Let's go.'

Ava was glad of the cool night air in her heated face, though she ground to a startled halt when she saw the sleek red sports car in the driveway. It looked very expensive.

'Is this your car?'

'Something wrong with it?'

'No, it's just that I thought. . .I mean. . .'

'You thought I was a poor lawn-mowing man with dirt under my nails, nothing between my ears and no prospects.'

'I did not!' she protested. 'You're very intelligent and I'm sure you have great prospects!''

'Such blind faith. But you happen to be right. I do have excellent prospects. The car's leased, by the way. I write the rental off as a tax deduction against the family company. I often use it for business calls. You've no idea how it impresses a certain type of woman client.'

Ava shook her head at him. 'You're a wicked man.'

He hauled her to him and kissed her again. Quite savagely. 'You'd better believe it, honey,' he ground out. T can be wicked where women are concerned. Don't you ever make the mistake of falling in love with me, do you hear? All I'm good for where you're concerned is what I've just given you, so take it while it's going and when I'm gone say thank heavens for small mercies! Then find yourself a nice man who'll marry you and give you kids and never a moment's worry. There's no future with me.'

Ava swallowed and looked him straight in the eye. That sounds awfully boring, Vince. I think I'll take what's going with you if you don't mind, and to h.e.l.l with the future for now.'

He glared at her for a few seconds then grinned that s.e.xy grin of his. 'A woman after my own heart. Let's go, lover. The ogre awaits!'

They both piled into the Mazda RX7, Ava giving Vince directions to Jade's and Kyle's houseboat - about a twenty-minute trip a t this time of night. It would be ten by the time they got there, which would no doubt bring mutters of criticism all round. But Ava rather suspected her being late would be the least of her family's worries once they saw Vince.

Before he'd arrived tonight, she'd been terribly nervous over what they would think. But Vince's lovemaking and the discovery of her own uninhibited s.e.xuality had sparked a recklessly rebellious spirit in her that was as exhilarating as it was a little crazy. When Vince turned from Belleview's driveway and accelerated away with a rush of speed, she threw back her head and laughed.

'What are you laughing at?'

'I'm thinking of the look on Byron's face when I walk in with you.'

'Oh? And what will that look be like, pray tell?'

She did her best to imitate a shocked, disapproving and suspicious scowl.

'That bad, eh? I presume he'll think I'm after you for your money?'

'Indubitably.'

'More fool him. I've a good mind to let him think it, just to teach him a lesson.'

'You won't have to let him think it, Vince,' Ava said, drily. 'He'll do it of his own accord.'

'But why?'

'I didn't always look as presentable as I look tonight, Vince. A little while ago I was much fatter. I was a frump.'

'G.o.d, not that again, Ava. You really do have a complex about your weight, you know that?'

'I could show you photographs, if you don't believe me.'

He sighed. 'You would still have been a very pretty woman. Besides, a lot of men like women with a bit of flesh on them.'

'Maybe. . .'

'No maybe about it. Your brother must be as blind as a bat if he thinks no man would want his little sister for reasons other than money. Now look, you're the one who said you're a new woman. In that case, then throw away all those old ideas about your inability to attract a man. h.e.l.l, you're one of the s.e.xiest women I've ever met. Lord knows how you remained a virgin till thirty. Not that I'm complaining mind. I aim to take full advantage of your steam-cooker s.e.xuality.'

'My what?'

'You heard me. You need s.e.x, Ava, and plenty of it. Now don't go giving me one of those reproachful looks. You know I'm right.'

Was he? Ava didn't feel happy about reducing her feeli ngs for Vince to s.e.x. She was sure there was more to it than that. Never in a million years could she imagine doing what she had done tonight with any other man. Love had to play a very large part.

But to say as much to Vince would court disaster. He would run a mile. And she couldn't face losing him just yet.

A rueful smile played on her lips. 'You're a scoundrel, Vince Morelli. But a rather nice scoundrel. And very talented in certain areas.'

'I have an equally talented partner,' he drawled. 'Speaking of talent, I had your painting framed and it's now hanging in a setting befitting its beauty.'

'You did? Where?'

'Not telling. I'd rather show you.'

'When?' she asked excitedly.

'Soon.'

'Oh, you're a tease!'

He smiled. 'Not usually. But I think I could get to like teasing you.'

'If you don't tell me I'll accept Giuseppe's modelling offer,' she tried bluffing.

'No, you won't. I can see that now. You'd be too shy.'

'True,' she sighed.

By the way, Giuseppe said to tell he wants you to drop by the gallery next Monday. I think he wants to show it off to you.'

'He's sweet.'

'He's an old rogue.'

'You like him.'

'Yes,' Vince sighed. 'I do.'

'How did you two become friends?'

'I used to mow his lawns. One day he asked me to change some light bulbs in the gallery. The ceilings are very high and you need a good ladder to reach the light fittings. Anyway, he was having an exhibition at the time and I was really struck by the paintings. I'd never been interested in art much before but I couldn't stop looking at this chap's work. It was so real! I can't stand paintings where you don't know which way is up. Not that I think they should look like photographs either. But I do like to know what I'm looking at. Anyway, I raked up the money to buy one. That started me on my collection and my friendship with Giuseppe.'

'I'd love to see your collection, Vince.'

'You will. Don't worry.'

'When?'

'Soon.'

She sighed her exasperation at him. T can see a change of subject is called for. How old are you?'

'Old enough.'

'Vince!'

'Thirty-two.'