She might be right.
But Peter was not about to give up on what he felt with this woman. The sense that he’d bemissing out was stronger than ever.
Wonderful winged horses were flying through Erin’s mind as she quickly negotiated her way to the ladies’ room—five of them: white, grey, chestnut, dark brown and black, with beautifully coloured wings, like butterflies. The Mythical horses of…of…Mirrima. That sounded right. They were going to make a marvel ous, magical story.
She’d been constructing the opening verse for it when Peter had called her out of her creative reverie. This wasn’t the time or place for her to go on with it but she wanted to get these first thoughts into her notebook for later. Luckily she had transferred everything from last night’s handbag to the new black one she’d bought this morning. It was automatic—never going anywhere without a notebook and pen.
As soon as she reached the ladies’ room, she had them out, writing down the ideas that had come to her. They were exciting and she had to quel the urge to keep playing with them. Peter Ramsey was her top priority today and she didn’t want to put him off her. If she hadn’t already by tripping somewhere else in her mind.
Not good, Erin chided herself. She’d had the amazing luck to meet an amazing man and what he’d given her so far was much better than any imaginary world.
Stupid to put it at risk by acting oddly. Their differences would no doubt end it soon enough, but she’d much prefer it to be later than sooner.
“Giving Peter Ramsey a rating in your little black book?”
The mocking drawl snapped Erin’s head around. A beautiful blonde, spectacularly dressed in a Colette Dinnigan creation with a gorgeous fascinator pinned to her hair, was eyeing her with such malicious spite, Erin was momentarily speechless with shock.
“So where did he find you?” the blonde bored in.
Erin swiftly found wits enough to say.”I beg your pardon. Have we met?”
“Since you don’t run with the usual crowd and Peter has been steering you clear of me today, no, we haven’t. I’m Alicia Hemmings, Peter’s very recent ex.”
And obviously smarting from rejection or she wouldn’t have sought this confrontation. Erin couldn’t help wondering what had caused Peter to end the relationship. Had the designer clothes come from him? Had Alicia Hemmings got too greedy, wanting more and more?
“I’m sorry,” she said.”I know nothing about this.”
“You’re obviously very new on the scene,” Alicia jeered.
“Yes,” Erin agreed.”I haven’t been in Australia for quite a while.” That left everything nicely vague, nothing for this woman to seize on and tear apart.
“Brought you back from London with him, did he?”
She wasn’t going to stop, though whatever satisfaction she was looking for, Erin wasn’t about to give it.”This really is none of your business, Alicia,” she said bluntly.”If you’ll excuse me…”
“No doubt he swept you off your feet, being a billionaire and all that goes with it,” Alicia mocked as Erin hastily stowed the notebook and pen in her bag.
“But let me tell you he’s a strait-laced bastard who wants his pound of flesh unblemished, so better give up any dirty little habits you have if you want to hang onto him.”
Curiosity got the better of Erin’s sense of discretion.”I don’t know what you mean,” tripped off her tongue.
“Oh, come on. The London party scene is rife with ecstasy and cocaine. I’ve been there, done that.”
“And Peter doesn’t do drugs?”
“Squeaky clean, darling. A total control freak. And no patience with anyone who isn’t.” A nasty smile curled her mouth.”Just thought I’d warn you what you’re in for.”
“Thank you,” Erin said, curiosity completely satisfied.
Apparently Alicia was satisfied enough with having delivered her piece of poison to let Erin make her exit from the ladies’ room without throwing any more nasty darts. No doubt she had been all sweetness and light with Peter, doing her utmost to hang onto him, and was bitter about having been caught out indulging herself with designer chemicals. He was well rid of her, Erin thought. And she didn’t mind one bit about Peter being a control freak—being inclined that way herself—as long as he didn’t try to control her.
It was one thing to choose, quite another to be pressured into complying with someone else’s will.
Peter had been completely fair in his dealings with her so far. Even last night on the balcony of his Bondi Beach penthouse…she paused for a moment, her thighs squeezing together at the exciting memory of being touched so erotically, touching him, her stomach contracting as her mind relived being totally out of control with the wild, hungry passion he’d evoked in her.
Her heart actually quivered as she caught sight of him breaking from a group of people, his vivid blue eyes trained purposefully on her as he made his way to where she stood. Her entire body seemed to hum with pleasure at just this minor connection with him. He was such a magnificent man, and as fabulous as he looked in his superb suit, Erin couldn’t help mentally stripping him of it, revelling again in his splendid physique. She wanted him. Again and again and again.
Her consciousness was so swamped by the desire he stirred, she didn’t pick up his tension until he was right in front of her, his eyes searching hers with sharp intensity.”Are you okay, Erin?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she quickly assured him, belatedly recalling her distraction with the horses and hoping he would let it slide.
“You weren’t subjected to an unpleasant scene in the ladies’ room?” The hard, ruthless edge to his voice woke her up to the fact he was bristling from his failure to protect her from his ex.
“Oh, that!” She smiled, relieved at hearing the different concern, and loving his caring for her.”No problem, Peter. Though I’d have to say your ex is not a very nice person.”
His grimace was both rueful and apologetic.”I saw Alicia hot-footing it to the ladies’ room but was too far away to run interference.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She stepped forward, hooking her arm around his.”Let’s go back to the terrace. It must be time for the next race.”
“You’re not bothered by anything she said?” he asked, falling in with the suggestion and hugging her arm tightly to his side as they moved on together.