Carrying her over to the bed, he gently deposited her on the silk coverlet, loosened the nipple clips, softly kissed each pink crest, tossed the clips on the bedside table. Pushing his damp hair away from his face, he dropped into a sprawl beside her. Her eyes were shut, she was motionless, her breathing unsteady. ‘I’m sorry. That was too much.’ He touched her fingertips. ‘You have to say “no” louder when I’m that buzzed. We’ll have to practise.’

She heard the smile in his voice and whispered, ‘Fuck you.’

He laughed. ‘At least you can still talk. I thought I might have to call in a doctor.’

The scary thought jolted her awake. ‘No doctors,’ she hissed, coming up on one elbow, lasering him with her gaze. ‘That better be in my contract.’

‘Whatever you want,’ he said, smiling up at her. ‘I’m in a generous mood.’

A withering glance. ‘I wonder why.’

Half rising in a ripple of hard, toned muscle, he leaned over and kissed her – light, brushing kisses on her temple, cheek, the hollow behind her ear. ‘I’m really sorry,’ he whispered into her silky curls. ‘Don’t be mad.’

‘I should be after all your damned orders, but’ – she sighed and dropped back on the bed – ‘how could I be? I’ve never come – like that … so wildly, and so many times.’

He leaned back on his elbows, thinking it shouldn’t matter whether she’d come like that a thousand times before. ‘How many times have you come before?’ Shocked that he’d asked, he debated countering his question with some bland levity. But didn’t.

‘Never like that – never, never. Other than masturbating, I came – maybe twice before I met you. Although, I’m not sure if they were real orgasms.’

If you’re not sure, they weren’t real. The thought warmed him in a strange and reckless way.

‘Although now that I know how fabulous it feels,’ she said with a soft sigh, ‘I probably didn’t climax with – well … anyway – it didn’t feel like it does when I climax with you.’

‘I see,’ he said politely, his pulse rate spiking. But a heartbeat later, he cautioned himself about overreacting. It didn’t matter when and if she’d come before. Seriously. Case closed. He ran his finger up her inner thigh, purposefully redirecting his thoughts. Told her they could dine on The Glory Girl if she wished or at home – it didn’t matter.

When he received no reply he looked up and saw she was sleeping.

So he covered her and quietly left the room.

CHAPTER 17

Quickly washing up, Dominic put on the white terry-cloth robe hanging from the hook on the bathroom door and retired to his study. His first call was to his captain. He arranged to have The Glory Girl outfitted for a sail tonight with the stipulation that the plans were provisional. Danny Flynn, an Australian ex-surfer with blond dreadlocks who could sail anything with canvas, said, ‘If you show up, you show up. Don’t worry about it. It won’t interfere with my drinking.’

Dominic laughed. ‘Good to know we won’t be cutting into your entertainment.’

‘Bringing a lady, are you? Leo gave me a heads-up. Just in case, he said.’

‘He’s always a step ahead of me.’

‘You pay us enough, he should be.’ Both men had served together in the Australian commandos and had entered Dominic’s employ the same time as Max.

‘We can order dinner from Lung King Heen if we come on board,’ Dominic said. ‘I’ll let you know.’

‘Good fucking, man. I hear she’s fine.’

‘Miss Hart has to be treated with respect,’ Dominic warned.

‘Don’t get your knickers in a twist,’ Danny cheerfully replied. ‘Leo already threatened me. I’ll treat her like the bloody queen. Cheers.’

Dominic’s second call was to Max.

‘Sorry to call on your off time,’ Dominic said, ‘but I need some information. Who takes care of our grants at MIT?’

‘Bill Vandevore.’

‘Have him email me the grant amounts, departments, projects and the names of the participants by tomorrow morning.’

‘For? As if I don’t know.’

‘Then don’t ask.’

Max sighed. ‘I’ll see that Bill gets back to you. I was just about to call you about something.’

‘That tone of voice sounds like Liv needs something.’

‘The philharmonic charity event was supposed to be at the chief executive’s house tomorrow but his wife had a heart attack a few hours ago. I told Liv I’d ask you if we could transfer the affair to your place.’

Dominic groaned.

‘It’s Liv’s pet charity or I wouldn’t ask.’ The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra had been part of the ex-pat community since 1895, was now officially under government sponsorship and unofficially a prestigious charity for the moneyed class in Hong Kong, no matter their origins.

‘Yeah, I know.’ An almost imperceptible pause, then Dominic said, ‘Send the guest list to Leo and tell him what you need. What time do I have to be there?’

‘Six.’

‘What?’

‘It’s cocktails, seven to nine, but you’re the host and some people always come early. The Principessa, for one, when she hears it’s at your house. Her husband just signed an oil tanker deal with China for two and a half billion so Liv wants a big cheque from Antonia. We’re counting on you.’