A Lesson in Passion: Season of Desire Part 4 (Seasons Quartet) Read Free

can hardly keep my eyes open. ‘Mountain air,’ I say apologetically.
      ‘You’ve had a very exhausting time lately,’ he says as we head for the stairs, his arm around me. ‘I don’t just mean our lessons. You’re probably still recovering from the trauma of our accident.’
      ‘What about you?’ I ask, yawning again. ‘You went through the same trauma.’
      ‘Not exactly,’ he says gently. ‘I'm trained for crises, and I don't have the kind of childhood baggage you have. Anyway, I’m going to stay awake so I can look after you.’
      I rest my head on his shoulder, loving the way he makes me feel. I do feel safe. Properly. Not guarded or monitored or filmed – but really safe, deep inside. I don’t remember ever feeling so calm. ‘Thank you,’ I whisper.
      ‘For what?’
      ‘Oh – everything.’
      We reach the bedroom and I’m so tired, I’m almost completely floppy. I sit on the bed and let Miles slowly peel off my clothes until I’m in a T-shirt and my knickers.
      ‘This is almost more than human flesh can stand,’ he says, his eyes glittering as he looks at me. He lifts the covers so I can slide underneath. ‘You’re extremely tempting. I hope you realise what a measure of self-control I’m exerting.’
      I giggle as he pulls the covers over me. The sheets are smooth and cool against my bare legs. ‘You can ravish me if you like,’ I say invitingly. I’m already damp just looking at him. Then I’m ambushed by another enormous yawn.
      He laughs. ‘I don’t think I can face the possibility you might fall asleep while I do it. I’ll wait until you’re refreshed, I think.’ He drops a kiss on my cheek and smiles. ‘Sleep tight.’
      I sigh happily as he turns to head for the door. Just then, his mobile rings. I hear him answer it as he goes to leave but before I can make out anything further, I’m fast asleep.

Chapter Fifteen
    When I wake it’s dark outside. It’s late afternoon and the sun is dropping behind the mountains. I come to my senses gradually, shaking off the strange feeling that sometimes comes with sleeping in the daytime.
      I pull on a robe and pad downstairs to find Miles. He’s outside on the balcony with a glass of wine, reading and seemly oblivious to the startling sky above him: it’s a streaked glory of pink, lavender, blue and gold, the mountains dark against it. In the shadows at their feet, just below us, the little town is beginning to glitter as the lights twinkle in the growing gloom.
      I open the door and put my head out into the cold evening air with a shiver. ‘Brrr. It’s freezing out here.’
      Miles turns around quickly at the sound of my voice, his handsome face breaking into a smile as he sees me. ‘Well – is that surprising?’ He gestures to the snowy mountains surrounding us.
      ‘I suppose not.’ I laugh. ‘But I’ve just been tucked up warmly in bed. The contrast is pretty noticeable.’
      He puts his book down and gets up. Coming towards me, he holds out his arms and in a moment he’s engulfed me in a hug. I nuzzle into his jacket, but its surface is chilly. ‘Come inside,’ I coax. ‘Don’t sit out here in the cold any more.’
      ‘How can I resist?’ he says, raising his eyebrow at me.
      In the sitting room, he’s already lit the fire and it’s crackling away merrily as it burns around a large log. Once the doors are closed and we’re out of the icy air, I relax again. I sit down on the sofa opposite the fire and beckon him to me, then pull him down so we can cuddle up together.
      ‘Take off that jacket!’ I command.
      He starts to slide it off but says, ‘Watch out now… Don’t forget yourself and start issuing orders.’
      ‘Of course not!’ I say quickly. ‘It’s not an order – more of an invitation.’
      ‘Now, those I like,’ he says, and pulls me into his broad warm chest. ‘Even if you have made me leave my book and my drink outside.’
      ‘Aren’t I more