She hid in the bathroom while he cleaned away his clothes, waiting until he left the room before she came out. She slipped out of her suit and into a long green-cotton nightgown, then snuggled deep into her covers, squinting her eyes closed and praying for sleep. But she might as well have prayed for the moon.
The headache that had been threatening came on full force. Her head was pounding like the surf on jagged rocks. She couldn't think straight, she couldn't plan what she was going to do about Ross Bennington-and she certainly couldn't sleep.
Finally she gave up, turned on her light and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't go on this way.
Listening very care fully, she couldn't detect a sound from the rest of the apartment. Maybe he'd gone to bed, too. Maybe she could risk a foray into the kitchen to get herself some aspirin.
Slipping silently from the bed, she walked softly to the door and opened it a crack. There was no light on in the living room or kitchen. She opened the door all the way and stood very still, listening intently and staring out into the darkness.
Though she couldn't see him, Ross was sitting in that darkness. He'd turned off all the lights and then sunk down into one of the Regency chairs to think things over.
What the hell was he doing here, anyway? He had a very large urge to pack up and go back to his own comfortable beach condominium.
Then he heard a noise, and when he looked up he saw Charity silhouetted in the doorway of the bedroom. She stood with the light at her back, and her loosened hair floated around her shoulders like spun gold. He couldn't see her face, but her long cotton nightgown was just thin enough to let light through so he could see all the rest of her clearly. Her legs were long and silky, her hips round and her full breasts peaked with hard, dark tips. His stomach turned over as he watched her. Hot, surging de sire coursed through him. Suddenly he realized why he was staying here, and it didn't have anything to do with his consortium.
"Hi," he said into the darkness, making her jump. He grimaced, afraid she was going to run away again.
But she didn't retreat into the bedroom. Instead she focused in the dark until she could see him.
"I was just going for aspirin," she said.
"Headache?"
"Yes."
He rose. "I've got a better idea. Let's share that bottle of wine."
"Oh, I don't think so...."
He erased the distance between them with a few quick strides. She stood paralyzed as he took her hand.