"Nonsense." Kirsty briskly stacked both sets of dishes onto one tray. "You'd have managed. It would just have taken you a bit longer."
"Kirsty." He caught hold of her wrist, his eyes serious. "Please don't let what's happening at the hotel color your judgment of me."
"We'll talk about it later." Gently disengaging his fingers she busied herself with the trays. "Now, your cupboards are a bit low, so I'll pop into Orewa for some shopping." She looked steadily at him. "You're to stay in bed. Only get up if you need to use the bathroom, then straight back here. Understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Reeve grinned, but his voice held a trace of concern as he continued. "You will come back, won't you?"
"Of course I will. I need to get you some groceries or you'll starve to death."
Kirsty went to her own house first and luxuriated in a warm shower then put on fresh casual clothes. On impulse she packed a small bag with underwear and extra tee shirts and shorts, and placed this in the boot of the boot of her car. Kirsty hesitated. Why the extra clothes? They wouldn't be needed if she was coming home tonight. A small nagging thought told her Reeve might take a turn for the worse, and if he did, her bag of clothes would be needed. Firmly closing the boot she drove off to the supermarket.
Less than two hours had passed when she stopped her car in Reeve's drive, but a bored and restless patient confronted her when she entered his bedroom.
"I can't stand this." His irritability overflowed when he saw Kirsty. "I've got to get out of this room before I go stir crazy!"
Kirsty would not be browbeaten into letting him get dressed. She did allow him to get out of bed and go to the living room, but made him lie down on the sofa and covered him with a blanket.
"Don't you move off there. It won't hurt you to stay off your feet for one day. I'll put the heater on and turn on the television for you. I'm not sure what's on, but there must be something on the box to keep you occupied."
Kirsty dumped the remote control on his blanket, and left the room. She straightened his bed, then busied herself in the kitchen making sure there was plenty of cake and biscuits in the tins, and freshly squeezed juice in the fridge. As soon as she had tidied the kitchen she busied herself making him a cheese omelet.
"Reeve, I have to go soon." She placed the tray on his lap. "Eat this up, then I'll help you back to bed before I leave."
"Can't you stay another night?" His grey eyes pleaded with her. "I don't feel ready to go back to bed yet. I seem to have been in it forever. Please, Kirsty, stay just one more night."
Kirsty looked at him. His pale face, with the beginnings of a dark beard, did look haggard without the vibrant energy he usually exuded. He was weak when she'd helped him to the sofa and definitely had an exhausted look. She gave in to his pleading against her better judgment.
"Okay, but only for one more night. I do have things to do, you know."
"Like what?" His cheeky tone and happy happiness were obvious now he'd got his own way. "You don't have to go to work until next Monday."
"Look, Reeve." Kirsty sat in the chair at the other end of the sofa. "I know you said I still had my job, but no matter what you say Chef won't let me back in his kitchen again so I'll have to find another position. I can't leave it too long or I'll run out of money."
"Please, Kirsty, trust me." Reeve looked at her intently. "I promise you everything will work out all right. Give me time to sort things out."
"I believe you'll try your best, Reeve, and if it works—fine. You have to understand it may not be possible for you to sort out this mess. This is the reason I have to start looking for another job."
"Will you stay if I can find a solution?" Reeve stared deeply into her eyes. Her stomach churned as she felt he searched her soul for the answer.
Kirsty nodded. "Yes, I will." Her voice came out so low it was almost a whisper.
They spent the evening watching television, and it was still quite early when Kirsty helped Reeve to the toilet, then back to bed.
The next morning, Kirsty prepared breakfast before getting dressed. A pleasant tune floated in her mind and emerged as a hum, but a cough made her look up. Reeve stood in the kitchen doorway.
"What are you doing out of bed?" Embarrassment flooded through her at the thought of him seeing her in tee shirt and panties. "You should've waited until after you'd eaten your breakfast. It would have given you more strength."
"I'm feeling a lot better, strong enough to visit the loo on my own. I stopped here to make sure you were preparing enough breakfast for yourself as well as me. I enjoyed it when we ate together yesterday and wanted a repeat performance." He looked like a guilty schoolboy, caught stealing apples.
"I'll only join you if you go back to bed." The tea towel in her hand flapped in his direction. "Now, shoo!"
Kirsty prepared a more substantial breakfast this morning, scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, marmalade, juice and coffee. Reeve sat propped up in bed eating his food, with her in a chair beside him, a tray on her lap.
"This is pleasant, isn't it?" He sighed contentedly as he finished eating. "Nice company, good food and the sun shining through the window."
"Thanks for the compliment." Kirsty grinned and leaned forward to take his tray from him.
"Kirsty, I..." Reeve hesitated, uncertainty clouding his eyes.
"No thanks are necessary." Kirsty anticipated his words. "I couldn't let the boss stay sick when he's my only chance of keeping my job, could I?"
"Oh, damn!" he exclaimed. "Every time I try to get close to you and try to tell you how I feel about you, work gets in the way. Now you're deliberately misunderstanding me. Come here, you silly woman!"
"I will not!" Kirsty stared at him in surprise. He'd never displayed anger like this before. Even when he'd been annoyed with her at the hotel, it had been controlled. This time he appeared to have lost all restraint as he lunged across the bed and grabbed her wrist, his movement spilling the tray of dirty dishes onto the floor.
Kirsty opened her mouth to protest, but Reeve placed a hand behind her head and pulled her toward him, his kiss sealing the words within her. She lost her balance and fell onto the bed, her lips still locked with his. A thrill of excitement passed through her body, but her mind told her this couldn't be allowed to happen. Her reluctant struggles were weak, without any real force in her movements.
Reeve still clasped her wrist, but his other hand caressed the back of her neck and his lips softened as they pressed against hers. The warmth of his embrace melted her resistance and she nestled into the comforting strength of his arm as he released her wrist and encircled her body. Ripples of warmth ran up and down her skin as he drew her to him until they were lying beside each other on the bed. Kirsty made a half-hearted attempt to rise. Reeve rolled on his side and looked down at her. He kissed her again and the passion rose up inside her, making the blood roar through her veins as she moved closer into his embrace.
He moved away to lie on the bed beside her. Disappointed she glanced across at him. His skin had a grey tinge and a faint mist of sweat. Remorse filled her at this indication he had still not fully recovered from his illness.
"Are you all right?" She propped herself up on one elbow. "You haven't had a relapse, have you?"
"I feel absolutely exhausted." He grinned at her. "I think you're right—this flu has taken more out of me than I thought. I'm afraid any passionate interludes will have to wait."
Kirsty understood what he meant. She had to work hard to hide her disappointment from him. Her passion cooled rapidly, and she swung her feet to the floor.
"You have a sleep. I'll tidy up the kitchen and get some laundry going."
His only response was a grunt as he shut his eyes and rolled over.
REEVE ROLLED AWAY AND pulled the duvet up over his shoulder, trying to appear unconcerned by his weakness. He heard Kirsty leave the room and quietly shut the door behind her, then turned onto his back, hands behind his head.
Fool. Couldn't wait until you'd got you
r strength back, could you? Now she'll either think you're a sex maniac or not interested.
A voice in the back of his mind told him to stop being stupid, but in his weakened state, he didn't believe it and only when sleep overtook him did his restless mind relax.
Chapter Nine
Kirsty didn't go home during the next two days. The day after the passionate kisses Reeve was stronger, and they breakfasted on the front veranda. It could have been the fresh air or the company, but the juice and toast had never tasted so good.
"What would you like to do today?" Reeve asked as they lingered over their coffee.
"Doesn't matter what I'd like to do. It depends more on how you're feeling." Her hands reached above her head, and she stretched luxuriously. "Personally, I feel like lazing around and doing nothing. All work and no play makes Kirsty a very exhausted girl."
"You've been doing nothing but work these last few weeks. I think we should follow your suggestion and stay in bed all day."
"I said no such thing! Besides, you said you couldn't wait to get out of bed." Kirsty glared at him, then saw the laughter in his eyes. "Stop teasing me. Anyway, if you want something to eat I'll have to spend some time in the kitchen."
"Let's go for a walk first." Reeve helped her stack the dirty breakfast dishes, and together they carried them through to the kitchen.
"Are you sure you're up to it? Wouldn't you like a shower first to freshen up after the fever?"
"I'll have one when I come back. I think I'll be all right as long as we don't go too far," he replied, drawing her arm through his. "Leave the dishes and we'll do them later."
Arm in arm they wandered through the overgrown garden.
"You really should get someone to see to this." Kirsty tugged herself free from a rose which had rambled too far over the path. "If you leave it much longer, you'll have to have it re-landscaped."
"Somewhere in amongst this jungle is a garden seat." Reeve picked up a stick and whacked indiscriminately at the nearby plants. "Ah here we are."
Under a layer of rampant convolvulus Kirsty could just make out a wrought iron garden seat, but when Reeve at last cleared a space, the covering of green slime prevented them from sitting down.
"Well, it was a good idea while it lasted." Reeve shrugged, then held out his hand palm up. "I think it's starting to rain."
He'd hardly said the words when the heavens opened and the rain poured down, turning the overgrown garden into a quagmire. They ran back to the house, slipping and sliding. It was only a short distance, but by the time they got there, they were soaked through to the skin.
"Phew!" Kirsty shut the door and leaned against it to get her breath back. She glanced across at Reeve and noticed his heavy breathing. "Are you okay?"
"Just a bit winded," he panted. "Haven't got my strength back properly yet. Where are you going?"
"To run you a bath. If you don't get warm and dry, you'll catch a chill." Reeve's chuckle stopped her as she headed out the door.
"In case you hadn't noticed, I haven't got a bath. Only a shower."
"I hadn't really noticed. I've been using the one in the laundry area to make sure I didn't disturb you. Warming you up is the important thing, and a shower will do just as well. Now get under the warm water, and I'll grab you some dry clothes."
Kirsty heard him turn on the water and with dry clothes in hand she entered the bathroom. Her assumption he would be behind the shower curtain or door, could not have been further from the truth. The modernized bathroom had the shower as an integral part of the room, with no door to cut it off from the other areas. Reeve stood under a strong stream of steamy water, and Kirsty caught her breath as her eyes devoured every detail of his body.
He stood with his head bowed, his back toward her, with hands leaning against the wall of the shower, legs apart so the water streamed over his back in rivulets.
"Enjoying the view?"
Kirsty blushed and rushed from the room. Too embarrassed to face Reeve she rushed out onto the covered veranda and breathed in the damp air to calm herself. When she returned to the house Reeve sat on the sofa watching the television. He made no mention of the shower incident.
"Come and sit beside me. I think you'll enjoy this program."
When she nervously lowered herself next to him, he leaned back and placed his arm around her shoulder. A glance toward him caught his attention and he leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.
Day by day, Reeve's strength grew and their passion grew alongside this. His touch brought them into each other's arms, their lips touching, arms holding each other in a loving embrace. One evening, he lit the log burner and they sat on the floor in the circle of warmth, Reeve leaning against a chair with Kirsty propped between his thighs.
"Do you own this property?"
"Yes, I bought it for the peace and quiet." Reeve grinned down at her. "I lease out the paddocks, though, all but the top one. There's such a stupendous view I couldn't bear not to be able to go up there when I feel like it. If the weather's good we could climb up there tomorrow."
"Only if you feel up to it." Kirsty was still curious. "Where do the rest of your family live?"
"I think I told you my sister lives in Sydney. She's married with a little boy. I try to get over to see them as much as possible. "
Kirsty glanced up and saw a wistful look in Reeve's eyes.
"Not as often as I'd like to, though. How about you? Anybody else but you and your parents?"
"Nope. Oh, there're aunts, uncles and cousins, of course, but apart from them, there's only me, Mum and Dad."
"Ah, the makers of the delicious Mansion vintage. I'd like to meet them some day. They must be nice people if they can make such a fine wine." He stretched his arms above his head, then brought them down around Kirsty and kissed the top of her head. "They also made a lovely daughter."
"How about your parents? Did they live in New Zealand?"
"Yes." The word lacked emotion, and she glanced quickly at him.
"Sorry, but it still hurts. They were killed in a car accident about eight years ago. It's the reason I own the Garden Group of hotels. They started it and left it to me to carry on."
They talked for a while longer, then Kirsty realized Reeve hadn't spoken for some moments. Looking up, she saw he had fallen asleep and she slipped from his arms and knelt beside him.
"Reeve, come on, sleepyhead. It's time for bed."
He groaned in his sleep, but then his eyelids flickered open, and she helped him get up and go into the bedroom.
"Reeve, you need to get some rest. You've been overdoing things and a good night's sleep won't hurt you."
He didn't reply and when she turned back after removing his shoes, he had fallen asleep. A smile on her lips, she pulled the covers up to his chin.
Saturday afternoon the sun shone brightly and Reeve took her up through the paddocks to the top of the hill. As they ambled along in the sunshine with arms entwined, he sighed.
"It seems such a shame I have to go back to the hotel tomorrow."
"You could always leave it until Monday, then we'd have the whole weekend before we even have to think about work." Kirsty crossed her fingers hoping he would agree.
"No, my love." Reeve planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Much as I'd love to stay here with you and forget the rest of the world, I'm afraid I've got to get back to the office and sort things out."
"Oh, all right." Kirsty pouted, not willing to let go of these halcyon days. "You don't want me to come in until Monday. Have I got it right?"
"You don't mind, do you?" Reeve glanced down at her, his eyes suddenly serious. "Chef Antoine will be easier to handle if I'm not being distracted by your beautiful face." He turned her to face him and bent his head to kiss her lips. His hands began to roam over her back.
"Stop it, Reeve. Somebody might see us." Kirsty laughed, a feeling of breathless anticipation stealing over her.
"Nobody can see us here, we're miles from the nearest road,
and the closest house is mine." Reeve continued stroking her body but suddenly stopped.
"Reeve. What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?" Kirsty squirmed round so she could see his face.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had a thought."
Kirsty snuggled into his arms, relieved he hadn't had a relapse. He kissed the top of her head.
"You know I think a lot of you, don't you?"
"I sort of got the idea."
Where is this leading? Think a lot of me, is he telling me this is as good as it gets?
"This isn't going to sound right, but I need you to keep your distance from me when we get back to work."
"Why?"
"Remember I asked you to trust me." He looked at her and Kirsty nodded. "I need you to have faith in me for a little bit longer. I can't tell you why, but no one must know how I feel about you."
Kirsty struggled to sit up then looked him straight in the eye. His expression told her how serious his words were, but his eyes looked at her with such love and longing she couldn't refuse his request.
"I'll do as you ask, Reeve. I don't like being deceitful, but I'll do it."
"Thank you." He pulled her toward him and kissed her hard and long. When he released her Kirsty felt dizzy with passion.
"Reeve, I love you."
Now her reaction to his touch fell into place. She'd been falling in love with the man. Gloriously, wonderfully in love.
"Happy?" Reeve hugged her close and stroked her hair.
"Very." Kirsty snuggled into his arms.
A breeze blew up, forcing them to get up and return to the villa hand-in-hand. They spent their last evening together curled in each other's arms in front of the fire then went to their separate beds. The next morning they parted with fond looks and a touching of hands as Reeve drove off to the hotel, and Kirsty returned to her small Orewa house.
Her rooms shone after a morning of thorough cleaning. Reeve had promised to call in to see her after he finished work, and she wanted her home to look its best. After deciding on a menu, Kirsty cooked. The duchess potatoes were ready for their final browning, the vegetables sat in a pan of water, and the Burgundy beef in red wine simmered in the oven. A delicious mixture of aromas drifted through the house. She concentrated on dessert, remembering Reeve's comment about starters, and was whisking up egg whites for a pavlova when the phone rang.
Recipe for Romance Page 14