‘From you?’ Her tone was deliberately teasing, preferring to move on to something less fraught with angst and unlikely romantic fantasies.

‘Who else?’ An amiable, wholly immodest response from a man who could do anything.

She grinned. ‘How much time do we have?’

‘Not that much time. But I can zip, buckle, whatever.’

‘I’m definitely interested in the whatever,’ she playfully said.

He glanced at the clock, frowned slightly. ‘Later, I promise. A car will be out front soon. Here, you sit and I’ll find you something to wear.’

A moment later, he lifted a grey wool dress off a hanger, tossed it on the bed, rummaged through the bureau drawers and pulled out a bra and panties. ‘Something conservative to go with a conservative dress. Since you’re a business associate you should look the part.’

‘Is that what I am?’ Sliding her hands under her breasts, she raised them into lush mounds. ‘Are you sure?’

He gave her a pointed look. ‘I’m sure for the next few hours because if you fuck with me, you’ll be sleeping alone.’

She dropped her hands. ‘Jeez, don’t get surly.’

‘You don’t want to see me surly,’ he murmured and crooked his fingers. ‘Let’s get this show on the road. Seriously, babe, if I could fuck you now, I would. People are waiting, that’s all.’ His voice went soft. ‘And I want you with me.’

Such simple words but divinely beautiful in her ears, capable of persuading her to be anything he wanted her to be. She rose from the chair.

He hooked the sensible white cotton bra, she put on the white cotton panties, he slid the sheath dress over her head, zipped it up, adjusted the small black satin cap sleeves on her shoulders, pulled the black-satin-lined scooped neckline up a fraction of an inch to cover the strip of white bra that showed and handed her a black satin belt. ‘Choose some shoes,’ he said, turning to the closet. ‘I’ll get dressed.’

After slipping on plain black pumps, she clasped the jet studded belt buckle, and surveyed herself in an ebony and gold framed cheval glass. ‘This bra still shows,’ she grumbled, tugging the neckline higher.

Dominic shot her a look as he buttoned his shirt. ‘Don’t bend over like that and it won’t show.’

‘I should wear a black bra.’

He smiled. ‘I like the contrast, that hint of plain white cotton is real sexy.’

‘For you and everyone else.’

‘Just don’t bend over, Katherine.’ He held her gaze as he reached for his trousers. ‘Understand?’

A ruinous tremor stirred inside her, a flush rose on her cheeks at the stark authority in his voice. She inhaled sharply as hot desire ignited, bust into flame; she struggled to suppress it.

‘I expect you to behave tonight, so keep that hot body of yours in check. Got it?’ He shoved his shirt into his trousers with a few swift thrusts, pulled up his zipper. ‘Damn it, Katherine, I need an answer.’

His gaze was as uncompromising as his voice. ‘Yes, yes, I understand.’ She took a breath, felt the ripples slow, regained her emotional footing once again.

‘Good.’ He buckled his belt. ‘I’ll introduce you to Olivia when we get to the house. You already know Max. They’ll see that you meet whomever you wish to meet. I’m keeping my distance so your reputation won’t be compromised. That’s about it.’ He slid a smoke-grey and carnelian check tie under his collar and smoothly tied it. ‘Any questions?’

‘No, but I need a better tone of voice or I’m not moving from here.’

He swung around from the bureau mirror, dazzled her with a smile and said, silken soft, ‘Please accept my apology. I’d really like you to come with me. I want to show you off.’

She unclasped her arms that had been folded across her chest. ‘That’s better.’

‘You look stunning, Katherine.’ He slipped his arms into a black jacket, shrugged his shoulders to adjust the fit, buttoned one button, then held out his hands. ‘Come here, babe. I’m the lucky guy with the best-looking girl at the party.’

She’d pulled her hair up with a diamond-studded clip, leaving a few wild tendrils to escape. A touch of dark eyeshadow and a splash of brilliant red lipstick dramatized the paleness of her skin.

‘You clean up rather well yourself,’ she said, keeping it casual rather than offering him her undying love.

‘So we’re good now?’ He cupped her hands in his. ‘No tantrums?’

‘Don’t look at me. I’m Miss Mellow.’

‘I wish I were. I’d like nothing better than to rip off that dress and fuck you all night.’ He groaned. ‘Unfortunately …’ He gave his head a shake. ‘OK, I can do this.’ He released her hands and crooked his arm. ‘May I escort you to two hours of hell, Miss Hart? I promise to make it up to you.’

‘In that case, Mr Knight,’ Kate said with a sweet smile, ‘I’d be delighted.’

Max and Olivia were at the house to greet them when they arrived. After Kate and Olivia were introduced, Olivia gave them a tour through the various reception rooms that had been readied for the occasion. The staff was still busy with last-minute arrangements: setting out food trays, adding a few more vases of flowers, stocking the two bars that had been set up – all under Leo’s cool orchestration. Dominic thanked Leo for his Herculean effort in such a short time frame, praised the gala splendour of the rooms, said he hoped they could hustle everyone out the door by nine – to which Leo responded with an eye roll.