‘Don’t think I didn’t notice your out-of-sight-out-of-mind ploy,’ she muttered, giving him a disapproving look. ‘I could have wiped up the floor.’

‘No you couldn’t have wiped up the floor. I wouldn’t let you. Don’t start, OK? It’s a stupid fight.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Thank you,’ he said curtly. ‘Oh, God, now what did I do?’

Her eyes were suddenly wet with tears. ‘Nothing. Really, you didn’t do anything.’ Then her tears spilled over.

‘Jesus, don’t cry,’ he whispered, pulling her against his body, holding her close. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t snap at you.’

‘I shouldn’t argue all the time.’ Her voice was muffled against his chest.

‘I don’t mind, really. I’ll try to be better.’ If anyone in Knight Enterprises had heard Dominic’s response, they would have thought their CEO had finally gone over the edge into some neurotic psychosis due to overwork. I’ll try to be better. Mea culpas weren’t his style. Although if anyone had had the nerve to point it out to him, he would have brushed them off. She was unhappy, he would have said. Why wouldn’t I soothe her?

‘I’ll try to be better too.’ Kate’s words were barely audible, although her little hiccuping delivery was revealing.

Lightly cupping her chin, Dominic lifted her face, lowered his head and gently licked away her tears. ‘Baby, don’t cry. Maybe we can make it less than two hours at the party?’ His voice was low, husky. ‘Would that help?’

‘Maybe,’ she said on another hiccupy little breath, not even sure why she was crying, her nerves shaky, her body in wistful overload, her emotions caught up in a riptide of frightening, tumultuous change. Because she was stupidly falling in love with a man who wouldn’t remember her name in a month … or probably a week.

He kissed her then, not deeply, just an affectionate, tender nuzzle.

And suddenly, a part of her was scared, knowing time wasn’t on her side. ‘Do we have to go? I know we do.’ She tried to smile. ‘Sorry, I’m losing it, for some reason.’

‘Hey, count me in. It’s the last thing I want to do.’ He kissed the tip of her nose. ‘Better times in a couple hours – right?’

She chewed on her lip, nodded.

Moments mattered in life; you missed them or they zipped by too fast, or you were looking the other way when you should have been paying attention. Either way you missed them. Dominic had learned that the hard way. So, vague misgivings aside, he wouldn’t look back on this moment with regret. Taking Kate by the hand, he drew her to a chair, sat down with her on his lap, his blue gaze half shuttered by his lashes. He took a small breath before he spoke. ‘I don’t want to fuck this up.’ He saw the sudden wariness in her face so he chose his words carefully. ‘There’s something I’d like to tell you. I’ve been thinking about me, us’ – he sighed – ‘my fucking calendar. I have to leave Hong Kong soon.’

Her heart stopped beating; it’s absolutely true what they say. Fear can make your heart stand still.

‘I’ve pushed everything aside for five days. I can’t do that for any length of time. So I thought –’ he paused, sure of what he wanted, not completely sure about his approach ‘– and this is just a proposal …’ Her silence, the stubborn tilt of her chin causing him to pick his words as if he were negotiating a ceasefire after a ten-year war. ‘I understand you don’t want to work for me. I wish you would – you know that – but if you’d rather not, at least come with me when I leave Hong Kong.’ Her mouth was starting to tighten. ‘Hey, don’t get hot till you hear me out. You set the guidelines, the rules, the game plan. Time, place, how often I can touch you. See, I really mean it. I’ll agree to whatever you want. I want you with me. On your terms. You’re in the driver’s seat on this one, babe.’ A man of action, he didn’t question his motivation, nor her willingness – only her stubborn streak. And he’d manage that too like he managed everything else in his life.

Her heart started beating again. She was being offered any version of paradise she wished to draft. An exceptional, extraordinary paradise with a man who in only a few short days had become essential to her happiness. To her continuing and future happiness. One starring Dominic Knight if she wished.

As the silenced lengthened, he dipped his head, held her gaze. ‘Say something.’

She could feel her heart pounding. ‘I’d like to think about it,’ she whispered. ‘If life didn’t get in the way I’d unequivocally answer yes. But –’ she dragged in a small breath, seriously overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the man and his life, not entirely sure she could stand up to the tidal wave of power, not sure she even wanted to when she loved him so much – ‘I don’t know about—’

‘Nana?’

‘For one, yeah.’ She bit her lip; he hadn’t mentioned love once. But maybe that was asking too much. ‘And I left a few job offers hanging.’

All manageable. ‘Understood.’ Dominic had only lost once in his life and if he’d been with Julia that day, he would have saved her. Other than that, he’d always won. He was confident of ultimate success. Why wouldn’t he be? A woman had never said no to him. ‘Take your time. Think about it. We’ll talk later.’ His smile was boyish, open and warm. ‘Now, would you like help dressing?’