Seduction Assignment: The Seduction Season / The Marriage Deal / The Husband Assignment. HELEN BIANCHIN

       CHAPTER FOUR

      SEVERAL friends were aware of Anneke’s mobile listing, but she hadn’t told anyone of her whereabouts or given out Aunt Vivienne’s number. And no one she knew would make a nuisance, heavy breathing, non-speaking call then hang up.

      She had no enemies, and no one she knew would wish her harm. So who? A frown creased her forehead. A misdialled number? Once, maybe. But twice indicated it to be premeditated.

      The microwave digital display indicated a few minutes before six. Damn. There was no reason to front the day at such an early hour, and yet she felt too unsettled to simply sit around and do nothing.

      A jog along the length of the beach followed by a swim in the cool, clear ocean would clear her mind, then she’d drive into Byron Bay and explore the shops for an hour or two. After lunch she’d mix the Christmas cakes and consign them into the oven.

      This early there was a fresh newness to the day, apparent in the warmth of the sun’s rays, the golden sand crisp from its tidal cleanse.

      Anneke set a leisurely pace along the Bay’s gentle curve to the outcrop of rocks before turning to retrace her steps.

      It was then she saw a lone male figure closing the distance between them, his pace measuring hers in relaxed style but covering the sand more quickly due to a longer stride.

      There was no disguising the tall, muscular frame, and if there was any doubt the dark hair sleekly bound at his nape provided recognition.

      Sebastian.

      Clad in dark sweat-shorts and singlet, he looked like something out of a health and fitness magazine. The sweatband round his head lent a credible likeness to an Apache brave.

      The mental switch in image brought a smile to her lips and lit her eyes with a mischievous sparkle.

      She watched with detached admiration as he drew close: the fluid flex of well-honed muscle and sinew, the lithe, animalistic grace of perfectly co-ordinated body movement.

      At this stage most men would have bunched up their pectoral muscles, flung back their shoulders in an effort to impress a female of the species.

      Sebastian merely slowed his stride and came to an easy halt. Lacking was the expected sheen of sweat; nor was there any evidence of shortness of breath.

      ’Bonjour.’

      ‘Hi.’

      The easy smile deepened the vertical crease in each cheek, and there was an appreciative gleam in those dark eyes.

      ‘I didn’t expect to see you out this early.’

      Dammit, why did it take one glance at his mouth to bring vividly to mind how it felt to have it cover her own? And why, a silent voice taunted, should some internal flame ignite and flare into deep, pulsing life with anticipation that it might?

      ‘I rarely sleep in.’ She hadn’t meant to sound defensive.

      Touchy. Definitely touchy. And he wondered why. ‘I wasn’t aware I’d implied that you do,’ he said quietly.

      Oh, hell. She had the distinct feeling he could see inside her mind, and meaningful conversation at this hour of the morning wasn’t her intention.

      ‘Must keep the heart-rate up,’ she indicated, preparing to sprint away from him.

      ‘We could run together.’

      ‘Sorry,’ Anneke declared without compunction. ‘I run for fun. You,’ she said with certainty, ‘adhere to a more professional pace.’ She even summoned a slight smile. ‘And I wouldn’t suggest you alter it solely for my benefit.’ She broke into a light sprint, then slowed her pace when she had put some distance between them.

      It wasn’t easy to ignore the faint prickle of awareness teasing the hairs on her nape.

      His very presence irked her. He made her feel vulnerable, and she didn’t like it any more than she liked him.

      There were no messages on the answering machine, but her mobile showed one missed call, and when she checked voice mail all she heard was an indistinct whisper followed by the silent click of a replaced receiver.

      Her stomach gave a small lurch, then settled.

      Adam? Even as the thought intruded, she dismissed it. Adam Lloyd Chambers was a legal eagle of impeccable lineage, admired by his associates and a pillar within his social community.

      The fact he had a penchant for sexual dalliances didn’t alter the fact he was an unlikely candidate to make nuisance calls. Besides, she couldn’t see him doing anything to jeopardise his career or his partnership.

      Anneke made for the bathroom, showered and washed her hair, then dressed in tailored shorts, added a cotton top. She cut up a selection of fruit, added cereal, then followed it with a poached egg on toast for breakfast.

      She put a small load of washing through the machine, and after completing some essential housework she caught up her keys and drove into Byron Bay with the intention of browsing through the many craft shops, maybe taking time out to sip a cappuccino at one of several outdoor cafés before purchasing a selection of fresh fruit and a few staple vegetables.

      The aroma of freshly baked bread was irresistible, and she entered the shop, purchased a baguette and a few savoury scrolls, then emerged out onto the pavement.

      Some ham, a wedge of Brie, and a delicious salad would suffice as lunch. Then she’d curl up in the capacious cane chair on her aunt’s porch and lose herself in a book until it was time to prepare dinner.

      ‘Well, now, girl, what’s that you’ve got there?’

      She heard the voice, took in the thin face, the long, unkempt hair, the nose-stud, the eyebrow-ring, and a range of studs and earrings attached to each ear. The loose-flowing shirt looked as if it hadn’t been washed in weeks, likewise the frayed and slashed jeans.

      One glance at those eyes was enough for her to determine this was no peace-loving New Age devotee. They were dark, beady, and mean.

      Trouble. Unless she handled him carefully.

      Anneke lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. ‘Bread, fruit and vegetables.’ She made to move past him, and saw the subtle shift of his body as he stepped close.

      Damn. ‘You’re in my way,’ she stated calmly.

      ‘That’s a problem?’

      ‘It could be.’

      ‘So, what you gonna do, pretty girl?’ he mocked.

      ‘Any one of a number of things.’

      He leered at her, and ran the tip of his tongue over his lower lip. ‘Such as?’ His mouth parted in a soundless laugh. ‘Scream?’

      ‘How’s your pain level?’ Anneke countered matter-off-actly.

      An arm curved along the back of her waist while another deftly removed a carry-bag. ‘Chérie. My apologies.’ She felt the heat of Sebastian’s frame as he leaned in close and brushed his lips to her cheek in a warm caress. ‘Have you been waiting long?’

      She turned her head and met a pair of steady dark eyes, glimpsed their warning flare, and controlled the unexpected flip her stomach executed as she became lost in the devastating warmth of his smile.

      Only a fool would have ignored the hard-muscled body beneath the open-necked shirt and stonewashed jeans, or dismissed the ruthless intensity behind his deceptively mild expression.

      Anneke had the distinct feeling he was poised for action. It was evident in his stance, the sharp stillness apparent in his eyes. For one infinitesimal second she almost felt sorry for her aggressor.

      ‘Sebastian. C’est opportun.’