Castles of Sand Page 20

  ‘I know so,’ he said huskily, his hands seeking and finding her breasts. ‘He came to New York to conciliate, and he finds he is actually pleased at the way things are going.’

  Ashley sighed, sliding her arms around his neck. ‘I liked your friends the Fareins. Did you say they lived in Cairo?’

  ‘Hmm.’ Alain was loosening her hair from its knot, letting it fall about her shoulders. ‘Do you remember, they were the family I once tried to persuade you to take a position with. But you turned me down.’

  Ashley drew back to look at him. ‘Oh, yes.’ She frowned. ‘Why did you do that?’

  Alain grimaced. ‘Can you not guess? I had some idea of visiting the Fareins and seeing you again, without your really being aware of it. I was so confused at that time. I just knew I had to see you again.’

  Ashley smiled. ‘Oh, darling! That makes what I have to tell you that much easier.’

  ‘What you have to tell me?’ Alain looked puzzled. ‘What is it?’

  Ashley hesitated. ‘I’m pregnant. I—I wasn’t sure until today, but I saw Dr Raphael this after—’

  She didn’t finish. Alain’s mouth had captured hers, and his urgent possession made her weak with longing for him. There was no censure in his kiss, only an overwhelming passion, and her senses spun beneath the probing caress of his mouth.

  ‘When?’ he asked at last, when he let her get her breath, and her tongue appeared in unknowing provocation.

  ‘In about thirty weeks,’ she replied, after a moment’s hesitation. ‘You don’t mind? You’re not angry?’

  ‘Well, as I did not object when you refused to consider any sensible precautions, how could I?’ he whispered, with wry humour. ‘Oh, darling, of course I do not mind. I can think of nothing more satisfying than looking at you and seeing you grow big with my child.’

  ‘Alain!’

  ‘Do I shock you?’ His lips teased. ‘Ashley, you had our first child without my love and support. Be assured that will never happen again.’

  And he took pains to prove it.

  ISBN-13: 9781460347607

  CASTLES OF SAND

  © 1981 Anne Mather

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