Free THE REBEL AND THE RICH GIRL by Emma Daniels Page B

there.
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Nicole spent half of the following day sleeping off the rest of the after-effects of her illness. She didn’t wake until Trisha returned to rouse her for lunch. Knowing that she hadn’t eaten for over twelve hours, she forced her uncooperative limbs into motion.
    “Besides a certain dark-haired sailor has been inquiring about your welfare,” Trisha said with a grin, as Nicole headed for the bathroom to wash the sleep from her eyes.
    “Oh?” she murmured, feigning indifference.
    “I think he cares about you.”
    Nicole had been too weary the previous evening to ask Trisha why she’d changed her mind about him. Now seemed as good a time as any, she thought, as she reemerged from the bathroom.
    “Before we left you’d captured his interest, and you seemed just as keen. Now you’re besotted by a certain blonde-haired sailor. What gives, Trish?”
    “I was wondering when you were going to ask that. I realized the night we all went out that Philip’s mind was on anything but me, and when everyone started joking about what had happened on the yacht, it became obvious he had his sights set on you. Everybody could see it. Jim must have decided then the coast was clear, and that he stood a chance with me. To tell you the truth I prefer him anyway.”
    Nicole pulled on another one of her voluminous t-shirts and a comfortable pair of leggings. “Well, he does seem to be more easy-going and more down-to-earth. I take it you’re hoping for something long term?”
    Trisha smiled, crossing her fingers for Nicole to see. “So, what are you going to do about Philip?”
    Nicole shrugged, slipping her feet into her joggers. If the truth be known, she was more confused than ever. Yes, she had found real pleasure in his kiss, and being in his big strong arms had made her feel safe and protected, but getting involved with him would provide anything but security. More like fire-works of sensation and a roller-coaster of emotional turmoil.
    “Oh, come on, Nic. Give him a chance. Let go of the past. Live a little. Enjoy what he’s got to offer.”
    “Which isn’t a great deal,” Nicole muttered peevishly. “He’s got a one track mind, and you know what I think of that kind of relationship.”
    “You don’t know that for sure. Perhaps in time he might decide he wants more. He is thirty after all. Most men at that age start thinking about settling down.”
    “Not him. He’s made it quite clear what he wants.”
    “Well, didn’t you yourself say you didn’t want to get married because - let me see if I can recall your words - it is an outdated institution designed to keep women subjugated.”
    “I said I didn’t want a marriage like my parents.”
    Trisha sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if you know what you want, Nicole.”
    It was Nicole’s turn to sigh. Sure, he’d aroused the most beautiful sensations within her, but did she really want what Philip was offering? Should she step into the bliss of sexual fulfillment he promised? Would it in fact turn out as exciting as he seemed to think? There was only one way to find out, of course; get to know him better, and she had to admit she was tempted - very tempted.
    “Let’s get some lunch and then head down to the Dock. I heard that they’ve got a market day on at Salamanca Place,” she suggested finally.
    “That’s right, avoid the issue, but you won’t be avoiding him tonight,” Trisha insisted.
    “Yes I know.” Her father had booked a table at an exclusive restaurant near the hotel to see the new year in. Everyone who had anything to do with Gail Warning had been invited.
    Yachts were still arriving at Constitution Dock, and the concourse was busting with activity. There was no one aboad her father’s yacht when Nicole and Trisha headed past it. No doubt they were all resting in anticipation of a long night of revelry.
    They stopped to look at art works on display in the park on their way to the markets. Even though there