Free Knight's Mistress by C. C. Gibbs Page A

women – like an explosion of colour in a brown and grey world caught your attention. That captivated the hell out of him. Jesus – captivated?
What the fuck?
    He grimaced, looked away, felt a sudden guilt as though he were cheating on Julia. He softly swore, called himself every kind of fool, then deliberately asked Max a question and ignored Miss Hart for the remainder of the drive. Fun and games were fine. Anything else wasn’t.
    When they reached the house, Dominic jumped from the car, then waited for Max to step out. ‘I’d appreciate it if you’ll see Miss Hart to her room. Tell her someone will wake her at twelve thirty. Breakfast is at one. We leave at one forty-five.’ A quick glance to see that Kate still slept. ‘Also, if you could talk her into wearing something of Greta’s for the meeting at the bank, I’d be grateful enough to order wheels up for Hong Kong as soon as we’re done at the bank.’
    ‘Deal.’
    Dominic grinned. ‘I wish I had your charm.’
    ‘You’ve got charm enough if you’re in the mood, but what can I say?’ Max quipped. ‘She likes me.’
    Dominic’s eyelids dropped a fraction. ‘Just so long as she doesn’t like you too much.’
    A flash of a grin. ‘What would you do if she did?’
    ‘The polite answer or the truth?’
    ‘Don’t bother,’ Max drawled. ‘I’m years past intimidation.’
    ‘I’m serious.’
    ‘Good. Glad to hear it. That means you give a damn. It’s been a while since you have.’
    When Kate walked into the sunny breakfast room shortly after one, both men seated at the table came to their feet.
    Dominic smiled. ‘I hope you were able to sleep, Miss Hart.’
    ‘I did. The house is amazingly quiet.’
    Dominic pulled out a chair for her. ‘The gardens blunt the noise of the city.’
    ‘They’re fantastic,’ she said, setting her laptop on the table. ‘It’s a tropical paradise outside, the colour and variety of flowers, the heady scents. I’ve only seen the kind of birds you have here in the zoo.’
    ‘We’re fortunate to have the acreage so close to the city centre.’ As she sat, he pushed her chair in. ‘Tell her, Max, how we constantly have to fight off developers.’
    While Kate was served, the discussion turned on the history of the old trading station constructed in the traditional style with large overhanging roofs, open-air porches, bedrooms with garden views and a central courtyard protected by tall, sturdy, iron-strapped gates. She learned that Singapore had been a major port for the colony when it was English, still served that purpose for the independent city state and the trading station had come into Dominic’s hands nine years ago when the former owner had gone back to England.
    Two white-coated, unobtrusive servants saw that everyone had what they needed. Dominic had already eaten. He drank coffee while Kate and Max had their breakfasts. It was a cosy gathering in an exotic venue, the sensation of having every whim quietly satisfied by soft-spoken servants as close to a fantasy world as Kate could imagine.
    How easily one could be seduced by such luxury. How easily one could be enticed by a man like Dominic Knight, who offered that luxury with a kind of casual disregard. Not that his looks alone wouldn’t guarantee him legions of women at his beck and call. Including those in that unforgettable blog she wished she’d never seen.
    ‘Ready?’
    Jolted from her musing, she managed a quick smile. ‘Yes, of course. Thank you for breakfast.’
    ‘You managed without bacon,’ Dominic said, his voice amused.
    ‘Because you managed not to have it served.’
    ‘You could have had it if you’d asked.’
    ‘Then I will next time.’
    He liked it that she alluded to a future breakfast. ‘If you ever want something, Miss Hart, just ask. I’m more than willing to oblige.’
    ‘Please. You’re the least obliging man I know.’
    ‘I could change.’
    She snorted.
    Max decided it was time to retreat. He had no intention