Free One Night in the Orient by Robyn Donald Page B

to New Zealand they could resume the distance they’d kept for the past five years.
    At least he’d have her co-operation. Apart from her wild response to his kiss she’d been pleasantly distant, without a hint of fluttering lashes, no lingering glances or significant silences.
    He frowned, punched his pillow with more force than was necessary, and settled down to summon sleep, slowly sliding into a dream where Siena faded into a dark distance that swallowed her up.
    Feeling rather like an extra on a film set, Siena waited until she was alone with Nick before allowing herself to gaze around the sitting room in the hotel suite. Arriving in Hong Kong with him had been almost surreal.
    Met at the airport by a limousine, they’d been driven through teeming streets to a hotel parking area with its own lift. There they’d been greeted by a smartly suited man who’d accompanied them to the penthouse suite and checked them in.
    All very private and discreet.
    Now the door had closed, she turned slowly to take in the huge room, furnished with a superb collection of classic colonial furniture mingled with magnificent Chinese pieces. The skilful blend of colours and forms made for a tranquil haven far above those busy streets.
    Withdrawing her gaze from what was probably a priceless antique Chinese cabinet, she glanced across the room at Nick. Her heart jumped and she felt his formidable impact right down to her toes.
    Tall, immaculately dressed in casual clothes, his hawkish features not softened by a smile that held more than a hint of sardonic appreciation, he was completely at home in all this sophisticated beauty.
    Hastily she said, “I didn’t think anything could outdo the plane, but this—” she flung out her arms to encompass the room “—this is
amazing.
Stunningly lovely without being ostentatious.”
    “It’s all part of the image—very important in some areas of the world. Check out the view. Hong Kong does views magnificently.”
    His calm voice made her feel she was overreacting.
    From a wide balcony she absorbed a breathtaking panorama over Hong Kong—the harbour streaked by the wakes of a multitude of boats, and all around towering buildings that almost blocked out a backdrop of forested hills.
    “Beautiful and very impressive,” she said. “And so—so
vibrant!
I’m buzzing as though someone’s given me a double shot of adrenalin!” She turned to find him barely a pace behind her. Again her heart somersaulted.
Be sensible,
she ordered it.
    He asked, “How are you feeling? Tired?”
    “Wonderful! Nothing—believe me,
nothing
—like I did after I reeled out of cattle class in Heathrow several days ago.” She shuddered, and took the opportunity to step sideways, keeping her gaze fixed on a ferry bumbling across the harbour.
    “I should hope not,” Nick said, taking his time about inspecting her face. “The whole idea of private jets is to get their human cargo to a destination in as good a condition as possible.”
    Colour washed delicately up through her skin. “They do the job well.”
    “You look better,” he observed. “To use a cliché, as fresh as a daisy.”
    All Siena could think of was a boring, “So do you.” And because his nearness was kindling tiny brushfires in every nerve she added with a brief smile, “I need to unpack.”
    “A maid will do that for you.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve ordered a meal, and after that I’ll be in a meeting for the rest of the day. What would you like to do to fill the time?”
    “Look around,” she said promptly. “I saw some sort of market not very far from the hotel.”
    “I’ll get someone to organise a trip there for you.”
    Taken aback, she said, “I won’t need that—I can walk.”
    Nick’s brows met above his arrogant nose. “You’ve never been here before, and trust me—it’ll be more fun bargaining with a local on your side.”
    Matching his frown with one of her own, she began, “Nick—”
    “Siena,