Despite my distraction, my parents seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. In the car on the way there I’d asked Dad how his meeting had gone with Kasit Yong. He’d said he didn’t want to talk about work on this special family afternoon.
Mum clicked away with her camera, shot after shot of the tall roof and high walls. She especially liked the flower garlands and the rows of candles that burned on the steps. I pasted a smile on my face whenever she ordered me into her shots.
Adjusting the pink-and-lilac silk scarf lying over my shoulders to keep off the burning rays, I poked the toe of my sandal into the gravel outside the gift shop. Impatience was gnawing my guts.
I wanted to see Ty.
I was terrified of seeing Ty.
What if Dad didn’t bear good news about his afternoon with Kasit Yong? If the death sentence was still high on the cards, I didn’t think Ty would be able to continue with his good boy charade.
All hell could break loose.
Finally, Mum declared she’d had enough and Dad called for our driver. Phil, who’d dragged around with us all afternoon, gave a not so discreet sigh as he mopped his brow with a handkerchief. I could only imagine that he’d found the whole experience torturous. The heat, the crowds and Dad’s insistence that we act like a “normal” family were pretty wearing on him at times.
* * * * *
The arctic cool of my hotel room was a welcome relief. The maid had straightened up the bedcovers. The pillows no longer displayed the dents of lovers’ heads, the twisted sheets no longer evidence of tangled bodies.
After a cup of tea I started checking out my wardrobe. What to wear?
I had a pretty pale-blue sundress, my little black number and a more daring, red satin dress I’d brought to wear to dinner in Beijing. It was spray-on tight, had a small stand-up collar and was embroidered with silver dragons and feathery fronds. A row of buttons up the front were covered with the same material and there was a split up the right side, perhaps a little higher than mid-thigh. It was Oriental, dead sexy and I knew it looked damn hot with my high silver heels. I bypassed the other dresses, took it from its hanger and laid it on the bed.
As my bath ran I looked at the dress again. It wasn’t a first-date dress, but this wasn’t exactly a first date. But the evening could almost be construed as that. It would be the first time we’d been out together in public, the first bite of food shared. Okay, so playing the game of not knowing each other and being careful not to slip up would be hard, more than hard, it would be an extreme test of will, but I could do it. I knew I could.
After bathing, I slipped my hot, thoroughly moisturized body into the dress and embraced a new positivity about the evening. It would be all right. It had to be.
“Penny,” Mum called through my door.
“Come in, I’m nearly ready.”
The door opened and she smiled her approval of the dress. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks.” I slotted in a pair of long, silver earrings, thin strands that touched my scalloped collar.
“Your father tells me we have company for dinner. A charming young man you met today at the embassy.”
“Yes.” I delved into my suitcase for my red clutch bag. “That’s right.”
“Well, I’m sure he will be utterly mesmerized by you in that dress.”
“Mm, thanks.”
That is the plan.
“What is his name? Jay?” Mum asked.
“Um, no, Ty, I believe.”
“Ty, what a nice name, and he’s Australian, wants to be a sports teacher, Dad said.”
I dropped a lipstick into my bag and ruffled my fingers through my carefully mussed crop of hair, tried to pull it over my bald patch, but quickly gave up. “I don’t really know, Mum. I wasn’t taking much notice.”
“Oh, but from what Dad said he was taking notice of you. Couldn’t take his eyes off you throughout the whole meeting.”
“Mum, no, I’m sure that wasn’t the case.” That hadn’t been true, had it? He’d been businesslike and efficient in the way he’d offered information about James. Barely acknowledged me at all.
Mum linked her arm with mine and tipped her head to my ear. She smelled of honeysuckle and wisteria, the ingredients in her favorite floral perfume. “Perhaps you should think about dating a nice young man. You haven’t had a boyfriend for a long time now. Not since before you went off on your gap year.”
“I haven’t really got time, I’m so busy with study and—”
“I think it would do you good to have some romance in your life. Take your mind off all the awful things that happened with that evil brute. You can’t let him put you off men forever, you know.” She led me to the door and we stepped into the corridor.
I managed a strained smile at Dad and Phil. If only she knew, that “evil brute” had hardly put me off men. He’d turned me into a lusty, sex-crazed wanton and allowed me to explore one of my fantasies. He’d made me throw common sense and caution to the wind when it came to protecting my heart and now, now he was accompanying us to dinner.
We took the elevator to the ground floor. Dad chatted to Phil about arrangements for when we arrived in Beijing and I fiddled with the clasp on my little bag.
As the brass doors to the lobby slid open, my gaze immediately settled on Ty.
He stood with his back to us, staring out the enormous hotel windows at the darkening terrace. A lump grew in my throat and my stomach tightened. It was a precious, unguarded moment. Him unaware of my presence, me seeing him first for once. It was a moment I would cherish for as long as I lived and, as I devoured his tall outline, I felt my heart swell with a roller coaster of delicious, forbidden emotions.
His suit jacket accentuated the broadness of his shoulders and was temptingly lifted halfway up his pert butt because of the way he’d casually shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. His long legs were slightly spread. I could make out licks of his blond hair brushing the back of the collar.
“I do believe that’s Mr. Winters already here,” Dad said.
We stepped out of the elevator and as it pinged shut, Ty turned.
It was all I could do not to crumple in a heap of longing. Instead of getting used to his smile, every time I saw it anew, I was bowled over. It was such a sinful mix of charm and danger, poise and unpredictability. Everything I knew I shouldn’t want but had to have.
“He looks delightful,” Mum whispered.
“Mmm,” I managed.
Delightfully bad.
“Mr. Winters,” Dad said as we drew up in front of Ty.
“Foreign Secretary.” Ty offered his hand and widened his smile. “Thank you again for inviting me to join you for dinner. It really is very kind of you.”
Dad took his hand. “Not at all, can’t have you eating alone now, can we. Please allow me to introduce my wife, Sarah.” He gestured to Mum. “Sarah, this is Ty Winters.”
Mum inclined her head with a smile.
“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Tipping,” Ty said.
Dad’s eyes sparkled as he turned my way. “And you remember Penny from this morning.”
“Of course.” Ty reached out, cupped my fingers in his palm and drew the back of my hand to his lips. One side of his mouth twitched and a muscle flexed in his cheek as his gaze locked on mine. “And I must say, Miss Tipping, you look exquisite in that dress.” He brushed his soft lips over my knuckles, never once taking his gaze off mine.
Coherent thought escaped me. The touch was like an electric current. It seared through my nerve endings, tugging my clit and my nipples. A rush of heat spread over my chest and heated me to my core.
“Thank you,” I managed, dragging my gaze away from his perceptive eyes.
Damn it, the man knows exactly what he does to me.
“Shall we?” Dad asked, nodding toward the restaurant.
I tugged my hand from Ty’s grasp, turned and led the way to Le Normandie. I heard Dad invite Phil to join us for dinner rather than dining at a separate table.
Chapter Ten
We were seated at a large round table looking out over the Chao Phraya River. Ty sat on one side of me, Mum on the other.
“Did you get a chance to see any of the sights today?” Ty directed at Mum.
“Oh yes, we went to the Emerald Buddha temple, it was quite lovely,” Mum said, spreading her napkin over her lap.
“A little crowded,” Dad added, “but that was to be expected.”
“Did you enjoy it, Miss Tipping?” Ty asked.
“Please, call me Penny,” I said, opening the menu set before me.
“Did you enjoy the Emerald Buddha temple…Penny?” Ty repeated.
“Yes, it was everything I’d hoped it would be.”
He sat back and rested his hands on the lip of the table. Once again I couldn’t help but stare at them. Neat, square nails, a broad span of knuckles and a haze of blond hair emerging from the cuff of his jacket. They were strong hands, hands that didn’t fiddle, hands that could kill a snake at twenty feet and bring me such delicious sensations that just the memory made it hard to breathe.
Phil made a comment about the menu, Dad responded, then Ty settled his gaze on Dad. “Would it be rude of me to ask how your meeting with Kasit Yong went?”
“Not at all,” Dad said, leaning forward and creasing his forehead into a frown. “Though, of course, I’m anticipating that whatever is said around this table is in the strictest of confidence.” He paused. “Can I trust you with that vitally important detail?”
“Yes sir, absolutely, sir.” Ty knotted his fingers and settled them on his lap.
“Jolly good,” Dad said, relaxing his frown.
I glanced at Phil. As was his usual habit, every few minutes, he was scanning the room.
“Well,” Dad said, folding his arms, “obviously no matter how much I feel I can trust you, I can’t give details of a government meeting, but what I will say is that Mr. Yong is hoping for a couple of favors from the UK which has put us in a very good position. Also the interpreter wasn’t needed because of Mr. Yong’s excellent English and I managed to speak for several minutes about James’ case.”
“That’s great news,” Ty said. He fidgeted in his chair. I could just imagine the amount of adrenaline spurting into his system right now. It must be taking a colossal effort to remain seated.
“It’s good news and I called Hans immediately afterwards. He too was hopeful for the outcome of the retrial the week after next.”
“Retrial?” asked Mum.
“Yes,” Ty said, his jaw tight and his shoulders tense. “They’re trying to switch James’ life imprisonment to the death sentence. It’s nuts. Not only does the crime of carrying one joint not match up to such severe punishments but he’s already been through one trial. How they can retry and increase the penalty, in this case to the ultimate penalty, is beyond comprehension.”
“Poor young man.” Mum gave a shake of her head.
“Indeed,” Ty said.
I noticed his thigh twitching as if he was tapping his foot beneath the table.
“Did you stress the importance of the case to Hans?” I asked Dad, resisting the urge to place a comforting hand on Ty’s leg.
“I did, sweetheart.” He smiled.
“Good,” I said. “Thanks.”
“So this could turn out really well for James and his family,” Ty said. “Thank you so much, sir, for taking time out of your busy schedule for him.”
“It wasn’t just for James’ sake,” Dad said, glancing between Mum and me. “A positive outcome to this unfortunate situation has become important to us too.”
I gulped and stared numbly at the menu, praying that Dad wouldn’t elaborate or Ty quiz him about the meaning of his last statement. Where that conversation could go was anyone’s guess.
“Are you ready to order?”
I glanced up at a tall, suited waiter smiling around the table, his pen and notebook at the ready.
“Oh yes, please,” I said quickly.
After we’d placed our orders, Mum leaned around me and looked at Ty. “Which part of Australia are you from?”
“I grew up in Perth but then went to university in Sydney.”
“Oh, I’ve always wanted to visit Perth,” Mum said. “What’s it like?”
“It’s isolated, surrounded by thousands of miles of nothing but outback, the most remote city in the world I believe, geographically.”
“Yes, I suppose it would be,” Dad said, nodding. “You went to Perth on your trip last year, didn’t you, Penny?”
I nodded and took a sip of the wine that had just been poured. I needed it. Every breath I took held a hint of Ty’s citrus-fresh aftershave and beneath that top layer of scent I could smell him, just a little, just enough to remind me of the addictiveness of his body when hot with sex and frantic with desire.
Boy, have I got it bad.
“Penny took a whole year out to travel,” Mum said then gave a small frown. “Well, in fact, it turned out to be more than a year in the end, didn’t it, dear?”
“Yes, nearly eighteen months,” I said, fiddling with the polished silver cutlery.
Dad’s face tensed. “Yes, shame you hadn’t just called it quits at seventeen months. You wouldn’t have had to go through what you did at the hands of that monster.”
I willed myself not to look at Ty. The uncomfortable prickling over my skin intensified and I was grateful for the high neckline on my dress, because I knew without looking my chest would be pink and blotchy.
“Yeah, definitely,” Phil muttered, folding his arms and glancing out the window at the decorated boats floating on the river.
The pause in conversation extended. This time Dad’s last words were impossible to dismiss. Ty had to comment, otherwise he would appear rude, deaf or ignorant.
He cleared his throat. “Um, what do you mean
monster
?” he asked, then took a big swig of his wine.
“An evil brute who, if I ever get my hands on him, will die a very slow and excruciatingly painful death.” Dad paused as if settling his emotions. “Tell me, Ty, do you think my daughter is beautiful?” He lifted both his hands as if presenting me.
“I do, sir, very much.” Ty cast his gaze downward.
“Look at her,” Dad said sternly.
My breath hitched at his snapping tone.
Ty turned to me. I saw uncertainty in his eyes, but also the same softness I felt in my own heart whenever I looked at him.
“She is very beautiful,” Ty said quietly. “Perfect, in fact.”
“Absolutely perfect,” Dad said, “and beautiful inside and out. So tell me, what kind of sick thug would cut off her hair and send it in the post to me with threats of adding bone, blood and flesh to the next parcel?”
I automatically touched my patch of spiky stubble and my fingers tingled at the thought of them being sent through Royal Mail.
Ty’s gaze went to my hairline. “I don’t know what kind of person could possibly do that, sir.” His tanned cheeks had paled.
“And,” Dad said, “what kind of maniac, irrational son of a—”
“Richard,” Mum interrupted.
“Sorry,” Dad said, tugging his bottom lip with his teeth. “What kind of thug would steal
my
baby, drug her, take her away and hold her to ransom? And that’s without even mentioning the damn torture picture.”
“It was hardly torture,” I said with a groan.
“Stop being so brave. A picture speaks a thousand words and I could see by your eyes that you were terrified. The pain in my soul will never go away from seeing you like that.”
“Richard, please, calm down,” Mum said, glancing at Phil.
Phil topped up Dad’s empty wineglass.
“I’m fine,” Dad said, taking a deep breath and reaching across the table for my hand.
With my heart thudding, I rested my fingers in his palm. He closed his fist and squeezed me tight.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice quiet and controlled. “But the thought of someone holding you captive, treating you any way other than with the utmost respect is the most sickening thing I can think of. Your mother and I created you, we have treasured you for the last twenty-three years. I will protect you and I will hunt down anyone I see as a threat to you.”
“I know, Daddy.”
“It sounds like you’ve had a rough time,” Ty said.
“Yes, it has been pretty awful.” Mum rested her hand on my shoulder. “Horrific for Penny, of course, but as parents the worry and guilt is a heavy burden to bear too.”
I withdrew my hand from Dad’s. He smiled and reached for his wine.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Ty said. “Just goes to show that having money and status brings its own problems.”
“I guess.” I shrugged.
He smiled gently at me. “If there was something I could do to make it all better for you I would.”
“If James is released it will be the end of my ordeal. We have to hope for that.”
“What do you mean the end of your ordeal?” Ty raised his brows, feigning incomprehension.
“Because this…brute, who keeps threatening me, taking me, is making demands on James’ behalf.”
“Really?” Ty gave an excellent expression of shocked surprise.
“Yes, really,” Dad chipped in. “The police can’t work out what connection he has with James Hill. Like I told you earlier, he’s an older guy, graying, English accent, Penny says, but there is no one of that description known to James as far as his family are aware.”
“Perhaps he’s just a human rights fanatic who hears of an unjust case and gets involved,” Ty said. “Someone who likes the drama.”
Mum tutted. “Who knows, but whoever he is, he’s a man of low and foul morals and the sooner he has no interest in Penny the better.”
“As long as another case doesn’t pop up that he decides to fight for,” Phil said.
“Mmm, that did go through my mind,” Dad said, giving Phil a worried frown. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Ty nodded. “Yes, let’s hope that
our
way, and by that I mean the correct legal channels, brings about James’ release, or at the very least takes away the threat of the death sentence. And after today I think we can all dare to be a little more positive about the future.”
Dad relaxed his shoulders and lifted his glass. He smiled around the table. “Yes, let’s raise a toast to positive thinking.”
“And to James,” Ty said, clinking the rim of his glass with Dad’s.
As he shifted forward slightly, his knee brushed mine under the table and stayed connected. I raised my own glass and relished the heat and solidity of his leg. In my mind that small, hidden connection of our bodies was like an intricate pathway of communication. I nudged him gently only to receive a slight acknowledgment in return.
“Duck foie gras with raspberry brandy?” a waiter asked at my side.
“Oh, yes please, lovely,” Mum said, smiling.
A flurry of waiters surrounded the table, each proffering forward plates of delicious food. I was relieved the conversation had been interrupted. Dad’s distress blurted out in front of my kidnapper was excruciating. Goodness only knew what was going through Ty’s mind. Guilt? Triumph? Regret? Victory?
“Apparently this river flows for three hundred kilometers,” Mum said when the waiters melted away.
“Really,” Phil said, glancing out. “Hell of a journey on one of those little chug boats.”
“They’re water taxis,” Ty said. “And the owner would no doubt be delighted if you commissioned him to show you the entire length of the river, which to be precise, is three hundred and seventy-two kilometers. These guys are so poor it’s unbelievable.”
“Mmm, the economic situation here is not good,” Dad said, tucking into his lobster.
The conversation moved to a discussion about the wealth of Thailand and its exports and imports. Dad had great plans for improving the fair trade agreements for the farmers in the north of the country. This seemed to fascinate Ty and he contributed to the conversation intelligently, unlike me, for although I could chat about foreign trade law and policy, for some reason tonight my mind wasn’t quite following.
We finished our third course with a discussion about the Great Wall of China. Phil had walked a considerable length of it in his younger days and Ty had also visited.
A teapot was wheeled out on a silver trolley and a waiter poured five teas into tiny white cups with triangular handles.
“It’s getting late,” Dad said. “I think I’ll have this then head up to the room.”
“Yes,” Mum replied. “I’ll join you. It’s been a long day.”
Ty reached for the sugar bowl, dropped a small white cube into my tea then passed the bowl to Phil.
My heart tripped over itself. The flush that had tormented me earlier raged over my chest and up my neck again. My eyes would hardly focus as I stared at the telltale ripple on the surface of the tea.
What the hell has Ty just done?
I didn’t need to look to know Phil’s eyes were on me. I could feel them burning into my face. The man didn’t miss a damn thing and for once I wished he was sloppy and incompetent.
“Please let me settle up the bill,” Ty said.