It certainly helped to explain her waif like appearance.
Chloe was a delight, so cute and doll like. A miniature of her father though her hair was blonde. Was that from her mother? Belinda hadn't dared to ask. She was going to be a heart breaker when she grew up. Pity her father when her hormones kicked in.
As for the father Belinda knew analyzing him would be futile. The man was too deep to work out after such a brief acquaintance.
Long enough though for Belinda to recognize and respond to his innate sensuality. The man oozed sex appeal. The lazy drawl, so at odds to his piercing blue eyes, felt like a warm shower trickling down one's spine. His chiseled cheeks and nose contradicted the softness suggested by his full lips. As for that errant lock it seemed to rebel against the neatness that Ethan imposed on the rest of his appearance.
Definitely a man to be watched, and oh so eminently watchable. Was he a heart breaker too? Belinda didn't think she'd like the answer.
Dinner had been a repeat of lunch with Ethan playing the part of the urbane host to perfection.
The setting was very romantic.
Shame there was no romance. A western red cedar outdoor setting was set up next to the pool; the flickering flames of the bamboo torches that bound the pool area added a resort air to the scene. The twinkling lights of the boats rocking on their moorings and the steady glow of foreshore homes and apartments made Belinda think of a fairy land. And she the fairy princess. They dined on a selection of marinated, BBQ seafood and crunchy salad washed down with a fine merlot. She hadn't done justice to the dreamy trifle.
Her yawning hadn't escaped Ethan's keen gaze. She had begun to argue with his suggestion, or rather order to go to bed. Darlene had retired for the night and there were the dishes to be done. She felt obliged to help.
Ethan though was not to be dissuaded.
So here she was snuggled up in bed at only 8pm, too far to hear if Ethan had indeed done the dishes or left them for his housekeeper to "tutt, tutt" over in the morning. Eyes drooping irresistibly she cuddled the teddy bear to her chest ignoring the slightly ridiculous feeling. Maybe it was wishful thinking but she was sure that she could smell Ethan on it.
That was how Ethan found her later. He probably shouldn't have but he felt compelled to check on her before going to bed just as he checked on Chloe every night when at home. He passed though on the usual whisper soft kiss on the forehead.