"I love you, Alexis. Please don't forget that. Whatever happens, know that I love you." I opened my eyes. Here it was again, more of that unnerving talk he had spoken from this morning. I really don't like it.

"I know Bryce, but why do you keep having to rea.s.sure me? Is there something you are not telling me? If there is, please just tell me." I kissed him again, hoping it would encourage him to open up to me, but instead he kept pushing and pushing, harder and deeper, making me forget our discussion, to focus on the pleasure I now felt inside, which I'm guessing was his plan. I began to climb toward o.r.g.a.s.m-my body alive with sensations-and as he thrust into me with everything he had, it brought me undone and took him along with me. I dug my nails into his back as he emptied his erection, a harsh growl escaping him in the process. I was utterly spent and felt like a limp doll as we both collapsed. Pa.s.sionately he caressed my tongue with his own, almost to the point where I had to break away for the need of air.

"Bryce, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Alexis." He touched my cheek lightly, but his eyes were betraying him. There was definitely something wrong, I could tell, and it left a sickly feeling at the very base of my stomach.

CHAPTER THREE.

Lying on the rug, I continued to search his eyes for a clue as to what secret he was keeping from me.

"Bryce, I don't like secrets, so if there is something you need to tell me, do it now." His expression was pained but then faded, and a sly smile replaced it.

"Hunny, there is nothing to worry about. Now, come and get dressed in something more suitable, you won't want to wear that where we will be spending the next couple of days." The fascinating thought of our mystery destination distracted me from the uncertainty I felt, I had to respect the fact he was not ready to tell me, but I felt uneasy, and burying it for now was only a temporary fix. Bryce helped me to my feet, and we went back upstairs.

"Are you joining me?" I looked over my shoulder as I turned on the tap to the shower. He was standing in the doorway watching me with a smile that melted my heart.

"In a minute, you go in." He smirked.

"What are you up to now?" I asked, in an accusing tone. He winked and left the bathroom. I stepped into the shower for the second time today. Not that it really mattered; I had to get changed again anyway, besides, I enjoyed having a shower, especially when he joined me. So, I sulked when moments later he appeared holding a towel out for me.

"You're not coming in?" I pouted.

"No, Alexis, you know what will happen if I do. You need to get dressed, I need a shower, and we need to get out of here."

"What do I put on? I don't know where we are going remember."

"I've laid it out on the bed for you." He wrapped the towel around me, kissed my nose, and got into the shower.

"I'm capable of dressing myself, you know."

"Not when you don't know where you are going you're not." He chuckled and grabbed his body wash. Grrrr.

I started to dry myself off but became distracted while admiring him bathe. I don't know what it is about a naked body, water, soap suds and a large loofah sponge that is so f.u.c.king sensual, but whatever it is, had me standing there gawking at him like an idiot. I swallowed heavily as the s.e.xy mixture of ingredients fell down his neck, stopping momentarily on his lightly haired chest, and continuing to fall down his rippled abdomen, only to stop once again at his groin. At this point, I think I licked my lips. I seriously must have resembled one of those cartoon characters, the ones where their eyes bulge out of their heads a good metre or so then spring back in again. Yoo hoo, Alexis, there are other parts of your body that need drying. I snapped out of my mouth watering perve only to realise I had already dried my chest and stomach several times. So, I bent over to dry my calves and feet, but once again I became dazed by his soapy gloriousness. Unfortunately for me, I lost my balance and fell over. He popped his smirking face around the gla.s.s.

"Are you all right?" He was trying to stifle a laugh.

"I'm fine, thank you." Alexis you are a perving idiot. He got out, offered me a hand and secured me to his chest.

"I know how it feels my love." What, falling on your a.r.s.e and landing on cold bathroom tiles? "I've fallen for you too." He burst into laughter, and managed to dodge my swinging hand. I grumpily pushed him back towards the shower.

"Very funny." I stomped out of the room shaking my head.

On the bed was an outfit for me. I picked up the Country Road denim shorts, and tan coloured suede ankle boots. Interesting! There was also a white tank top and a matching tan suede vest. It's not what I had expected at all, but I loved it. He came out of the shower with his towel around his waist just as I was b.u.t.toning up the vest. His eyebrow rose indicating his approval.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"You'll see." He entered the walk in stadium. Grrrrr, he is adorably annoying. I put on the ankle boots and zipped them up. Moments later he came out dragging two suitcases, and was dressed in a pair of grey cargo shorts, a Quicksilver t-shirt and a pair of runners. This was the most casual I had seen him, apart from his birthday suit of course. He looked gorgeous. When did he not? "Ready when you are, Ms. Summers." I grabbed my handbag and went to take a case from him. "Alexis, get your a.r.s.e over to the elevator." He playfully lifted his leg to kick me on the b.u.m.

"So, are you going to tell me now?" I asked as we stepped into the elevator.

"Tell you what?" He pressed the bas.e.m.e.nt b.u.t.ton. You f.u.c.king know what you stubborn s.e.xy bag of goodness. I shook my head at him and started tapping my fingers on the rail. I thought about texting Mum to inform her I was going away for a couple days. I a.s.sumed we weren't leaving the country because two days was not long enough, and I didn't have my pa.s.sport with me. Hmmm, maybe I could get our destination out of him in a different way.

"Is there phone reception where we are going?" I asked curiously.

He laughed. "We are not going to the moon, Alexis." Well you never know Mr Smarty-pants, you do like astronomy, and you are incredibly resourceful.

"Well, now I'm really disappointed, I would have liked to have gone to the moon. I guess Iave fallen in love with the wrong billionaire then?" I crossed my arms and continued my act.

"No, you haven't." He let go of the cases and hit the red b.u.t.ton. The elevator screeched to a stop, and my legs nearly buckled beneath me. I braced myself on the rails and looked at him in shock. Oh s.h.i.t, did I upset him? I was only playing. He turned to me, then pressed his body against mine, backing me up hard against the wall. "Have you?" He mouthed my neck.

"Have I what?" I said, confused and mesmerised by the luscious feel of his lips on my neck.

"Fallen in love with the wrong billionaire?" he replied, as he nipped at my neck and cupped my breast in his hand.

"No, I haven't," I sighed, now intoxicated by his seduction. "So, are you going to tell me where we are going or not?"

He breathed heavily onto my neck then ran his nose through my hair. "Not."

Grrrrrr. "I hate you."

"No you don't." No I don't. He hit the b.u.t.ton again, and we resumed our descent. Well that didn't work.

Danny, Bryce's chauffeur, was waiting for us in the bas.e.m.e.nt. He opened the door for us and placed our bags in the boot. As I stepped into the limo, I smiled to myself, thinking of the antics my friends and I had gotten into the last time we were in here. I was actually quite surprised I hadn't received any messages from the girls after the previous night's telecast, they would have all seen it. It is still early days. This is the calm before the storm. You wait, operation lets-ha.s.sle-Alexis will begin soon enough. Bryce sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I nestled into him, breathing in his chest. Geez he smells good. The smell was familiar.

"What aftershave are you wearing?" I sucked in another familiar whiff, while he appeared to be racking his brain.

"Prada," he said after taking a sniff himself. I thought as much. I had bought this one for Rick on his birthday because I loved it. It's funny how a simple smell if recognised can instantly bring memories flooding back. Mind you, it's not particularly funny how this particular smell was doing that now. The last thing I wanted was to sit here in Bryce's arms and have memories of Rick- it saddened me, and I felt myself lull a little. Alexis, don't do this to yourself, what has happened is out of your hands. I tried to get the thought of Rick back out of my head, but he was buried in there somewhere, and clearly able to be resurrected by smell. For the past couple of days, I had been successfully keeping myself busy with s.e.x acrobatics, which had been a good form of distraction from the mess my life was currently in. It was a beneficial choice for diverting my thoughts, but it was not a permanent solution.

With all the smell-induced memories on my mind, I hadn't noticed us pull in to Essendon Airfield and stop directly in front of a jet. I glanced out the window to the plane beside us, noticing that it didn't say aClark Incorporated', instead, on the tail was aChallenger 604'. Danny opened the door for Bryce. He climbed out, offered me his hand and led me to the jet.

"Don't tell me this is yours as well?"

"No Hunny, I rent it. Why? Do you want it to be?" The teasing look in his eyes suggested he'd be more than happy to prove he could buy it if I wanted him to, which I didn't, so I glared at him and began to climb the steps. Suddenly, I heard a low groaning noise behind me. I had a sneaking suspicion as to the source of the sound, so I looked back at Bryce to see what he was growling at. "Your a.r.s.e in denim, my love, does things to my c.o.c.k."

"Bryce Clark!" My eyes widened in shock. He is very s.e.xy and oh so naughty when he talks dirty to me. He smacked my behind which quickened my steps. As I was about to enter the aircraft, I heard a female's voice calling his name. At first I thought I had imagined it, but after turning around and searching the tarmac to pinpoint where it was coming from, I discovered it was Chelsea, and she was jogging toward the plane like a desperate lunatic. Seriously, is this b.i.t.c.h always around?

"Bryce," she gasped, out of breath. She bent over and put her hands on her knees, then held her hand up to suggest she needed a second to regain her breath. Either that, or she was hoping he'd rush to her aid thinking she was about to collapse. I hope she collapses and a plane runs over her. Alexis take that back. Okay, I hope she collapses and we leave her here. She looked up and noticed me on the top platform of the boarding stairs. "Oh. h.e.l.lo, Alexis."

"Chelsea." I smiled sweetly at her.

"Bryce do you have a moment?" she asked, giving him an important look. He turned and glanced up at me, maybe to ask permission, I'm not quite sure? Since when does he need my permission to do anything? I was confused by the look, so smiled awkwardly and entered the plane.

A lovely young woman greeted me by name as I stepped inside.

"Ms, Summers, my name is Amy and I will be your hostess during the flight."

"Hi, Amy. Pleased to meet you. So, where are we flying to today?" For a split second I thought she was going to let it slip, unfortunately, that was not the case.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Summers, but I am sworn to secrecy." She smiled apologetically and escorted me farther into the plane. Wow, this thing is stunning. It really was something else. From outside, the aircraft had appeared kind of small, but when you walked inside, it was actually quite s.p.a.cious. Maybe that was because there were not row upon row of seats all crammed together like in economy? On the left-hand side of the plane were two cream coloured, leather reclinable seats facing each other, and on the right-hand side were the same two seats again but with a small table in between them. "Can I get you something to drink while we wait for take-off, Ms. Summers?"

"No thank you, Amy. I'm fine."

"Very well, the bathroom is down the back through those doors if you need it. Please take a seat when you are ready, as we will be leaving shortly." She turned and headed back to the galley. I walked further along the plane past two three-seaters which spanned both sides of the aircraft. They looked like futons and I imagined they probably folded out into beds. I went to take a seat on one of them when I noticed Bryce and Chelsea talking outside. They looked quite comfortable with each other, and I'd probably take a guess and say they had known one another for some time. Maybe Bryce had learned to become a pilot at her father's training company? Or maybe they had known one another as kids? I watched her bat her eyes at him while they talked. She would stand with her hands behind her back, then move one onto her hip and put the other through her hair. It was obvious she was flirting with him, her body language suggested it, and it was this display and his relaxed disposition, which made it quite clear they had shared a past. I don't trust that b.i.t.c.h, I don't trust her at all. Bryce went to turn and leave, when she placed her hand on his arm and leaned up to kiss his cheek. My face flushed red, and I felt my nails dig into the leather seat with force. Chelsea's victorious smile crept across her face as she looked up at the plane and directly at me. You know what? I really do hope a plane runs over you, you little tramp. I glared at her and stood up. I was embarra.s.sed, hurt, and jealous-very jealous. He broke away and followed her stare in the direction of the plane, but I had completely risen away from the window before he could meet my gaze. I hate her. I hate that little lips-licking, helicopter pilot, snotty little mole. I turned myself in circles for a moment, not knowing what to do, then headed for the bathroom.

I opened the door and tucked myself inside, quickly locking it behind me. What are you doing Alexis? You can't just hide in here the whole time. Get a grip, she kissed him, not the other way around, and it was a peck on the cheek, it was nothing. The fact was that it had hurt me. I didn't want anyone else touching or kissing him. I felt that Bryce's cheeks belonged to me, or did they? He was keeping a secret; that was obvious. Maybe that was it: that Chelsea was his ex, and he still had feelings for her? Or she was a stalker? Or she was pregnant? Alexis Elizabeth Summers, stop this now. I started to hyperventilate, so I sat on the toilet seat, bent over, and stuck my head between my legs. Alexis, for f.u.c.k's sake girl, breathe. There was a knock at the door.

"Alexis, Hunny, are you all right?" s.h.i.t, I can't go out there yet.

"Yes, I'll be out in a minute." My voice was shaky, and it was obvious in my words. I grabbed a towel, dampened it, and patted my rosy cheeks. Alexis you are 35, stop acting like a child. He loves you and has made that more than clear. He had, but when I thought about it, I didn't really know him; I had only been in his life for what, a couple of months? He knew me inside and out, but I only knew him on the surface, and I had only a very small insight into his past. That was nowhere near enough to comfortably say, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is aabsolutely and undoubtedly' in love with me. What I did know, was that I was horribly jealous of Chelsea-which was strange-because I had never been this jealous in my life, even when it came to Rick and Claire flirting at the Christmas Party. Argh! My breathing increased so I put my head back between my legs. Alexis what are you doing? Yes, you know nothing about him, but what you both feel is real, that is undeniable. I lifted my head and looked in the mirror. It was real, regardless of the time frame, but it was all happening so fast. Right, stop questioning everything, get the h.e.l.l out of this hidey-hole, and go and enjoy your mystery flight. I took a couple of deep breaths and opened the door to find him standing just outside.

"Are you okay?" He cupped my face in his hands, and I could see the concern in his eyes.

"Yes." I looked down automatically. Stupid, that's the first sign of lying.

He tilted my head back up. "Alexis, I'm sorry. I didn't think she would still be here. I knew she wasn't going to be at the hotel today as she had a couple of late flights last night after the awards, but I a.s.sumed she'd be done with the Bel Ranger by now and be gone."

"What? Chelsea? No, it's not her, I'm fine." I pecked his cheek in the same spot she did, and almost wiped my mouth. Eeeww, I hate her. He was about to protest my explanation when Amy walked in.

"Mr. Clark, if you are ready, we can take off now," she explained.

I took advantage of his momentary distraction and moved to the recliner, sat down, and buckled myself in.

"Yes, Amy, we're ready. Thank you." He sat down opposite me and looked intently upon my face, trying to read my emotions. I smiled carefully back at him, and then looked out the window. Amy briefly checked that the cabin was secure and that we were buckled in, then she took her seat back in the galley. I was still looking out the window when the plane began its taxi to the top of the airstrip. I could still feel Bryce's gaze on me, and found it incredibly difficult not to return his stare. Thankfully the plane stopped, the engines roared to life, and we took off down the runway. I sat up straight and peered out the window, resembling the child I still was at heart when it came to flying. The fact that people, houses, cars and trees all became tiny during the climb still amused me.

Looking out of the window the entire flight was obviously not an option, so, reluctantly, I turned away from the window and looked upon his face. We weren't speaking, yet our eyes were in deep discussion. I could see he was pained at my cool temperature toward him, and I could also see he was distressed by the fact that he was deliberately keeping something from me. It was clear he was desperate to confide, but for some reason he couldn't.

The captain's voice came over the speaker, momentarily breaking our eye contact.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Clark and Ms. Summers. We have now reached an alt.i.tude of 30,000 feet and will arrive at our destination in approximately six hours. You may now remove your seat belts. Please enjoy your flight." I have never seen someone move so fast in my life. Bryce's belt was off, and he was on his knees and down at my feet within a second.

"Alexis, please tell me what's wrong? Have I done something to upset you?" He was pleading with me. My initial stubborn and jealous reaction was to brush him off, but as I looked into his desperate eyes, I couldn't do it.

"Bryce, you and Chelsea were once a couple weren't you?" He put his head down on my lap. Oh s.h.i.t, here we go.

"No, not really. Well, yes...Sort of."

"Oh please Bryce, did you f.u.c.k her or not? It's not that hard a question," I snapped as I rolled my eyes. He raised his head and looked at me, still displaying evidence of worry on his face, but now he also seemed somewhat amused.

"Yes, we did f.u.c.k, but it never went anywhere. We didn't have a connection, not like the one I have with you."

"When were you last with her?" I needed to know it wasn't recently, I don't think I could take it if it were. He paused for a minute. You better be calculating, Mr. Clark, rather than concocting a story.

"It would have been about two years ago."

"So were you a couple or not?" I asked again. His posture slumped, and I think at this point he realised I was more than jealous-I was upset-upset that I knew nothing about him.

"Hunny, please don't be mad, there is nothing between me and Chelsea, I promise."

"Bryce you didn't answer my question. Were you a couple or not?"

"In my eyes, no. In her eyes, yes." He answered quickly.

"So what are we then? You know, just to clarify we are both on the same page." My voice had an edge of sarcasm and hurt to it.

He rested his cheek on my knee and resembled a pleading puppy. "I love you, Alexis. I've never loved anyone like I love you, and one day I hope you'll become my wife." Oh, okay, you can't get any more clarity than that. A lump formed in my throat, and my eyes began to flood. I think the built-up hurt I was feeling, was not only from the realisation I knew nothing about him, and that Chelsea was his ex, but it was also from ending a 12 year marriage I thought was rock solid. I couldn't contain myself any longer, and tears began to stream down my face. "Hunny don't cry, I'm sorry." He knelt higher and touched my face gently.

"No, I'm sorry. It's just, I don't know anything about myself anymore. Up until a few weeks ago, I was in what I thought was a happy marriage, and now I'm here in a private jet on the way to G.o.d knows where, with a man I'm in love with and know nothing about." I put my head in my hands. He stood up, took my hands away from my face, and pulled me up.

"Come over here." He led me to the three-seater lounge and sat down, then patted his thigh as an invitation to sit. I obliged and curled into his lap.

"Okay Hunny, we have six hours. What do you want to know? And by the way, we are going to Uluru."

CHAPTER FOUR.

Uluru, Ayers Rock! Oh wow, I've always wanted to go there. He could not have discovered this by creepy research, as I didn't think I had ever actually made it known that I wanted to go there. Then again, the question of how he was always able to gather such personal information about me remained a mystery. Therefore, I could not entirely rule out the trip to the red centre was a result of me wanting to go there.

"Why Uluru?"

"I've never been, and neither have you. I thought you could add this to your list of firsts with me." He really was quite thoughtful and sweet, even if it had a small element of his mysterious creepy research. I wiped my eyes and nose and sniffed the remnants of my outpouring of emotion.

"Sounds wonderful, thank you, but tell me Bryce...How do you know so much about me? How do you know I haven't been there before? How do you do your creepy research?"

A small smile crept in at the corner of his mouth. "A magician never reveals his secrets, Ms. Summers."

"You're not a freaking magician, so spill."

"I've told you before. Lucy." Grrrr. I sighed in exhaustion, I didn't want to argue, or fight, or worry anymore, I felt somewhat deflated. "Alexis Hunny, you need to understand this is new for me as well. I want to tell you everything you want to know, and I want you to feel that you know me inside and out too. s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g this up is not an option for me. I will not lose you." He pressed my head to his chest and ran his hand down the side of my face. I don't want to lose you, either.

"Bryce, all I can fathom right now is that I have a week to share with you unconditionally. My children are happy at Mum and Dad's, and safely away from all the s.h.i.t. I'm not ready to confront Rick yet, and I won't be for some time, so this week is what we have right now." I pulled away from his chest to look into his eyes. "I honestly do not know what is going to happen in the long run, but what I do know, is I will have to go back home and dissect what Rick's infidelity means for me and my children. I couldn't possibly be with him again knowing he had cheated on me so long ago, and never saying a word about it until now. And anyway, he won't want to be with me either, knowing that I have fallen for you. This is the only thing I can comprehend right now, but I have to consider what it will do for my children. They are first and foremost my priority."