fabulous view of the desert valley on which Tucson sprawled. Carpeted in a rich forest green, it was furnished in a delightfully cool tropical style that was very inviting when set against the desert backdrop outside the windows.
And it had two bedrooms, one on each side of the cozy sitting area. Two bedrooms.
Amber took a deep breath, wondering at the implications of a two-bedroom suite on a honeymoon. Had Gray actually requested two bedrooms or had friendly Vie Delaney simply given them the best room in the house and it happened to have two bedrooms?
Amber stood in the middle of the emerald-green carpet and stared blindly out at the spectacular view while smiling Roger gave Gray a rundown on how to operate the air-conditioning system and how to summon room service.
By the time she heard Roger's cheerful farewell and sensed the door closing silently behind him, Amber had one of her own bright smiles fixed firmly in place. She swung around to meet Gray's intent, unreadable hazel eyes. "It's certainly a lovely room, isn't it? I think I'll make it a point to travel with you frequently on your business trips in the future."
"I'm glad you like it." Gray paused, glancing at the twin doors that led to the bedrooms. "Puts me in mind of another verse from Twitchell."
"I don't think I want to hear it," Amber informed him tartly. She was remembering the article Gray had published on Twitchell's use of the desert as a metaphor for isolation and loneliness. She wasn't sure if Gray had been about to quote one of Twitchell's maudlin verses on loneliness or not, but those were certainly the lines this suite brought to her mind. "I'm going to take a shower and change into slacks and sandals."
Gray nodded, loosening his tie. "Okay. I think I'll go downstairs and let Delaney show me his office and introduce me to the staff who handle the books I'll need to look at while we're here."
"Books?"
He nodded. "The financial books. I'm supposed to be here on business, remember?"
"I remember," Amber whispered. She turned away and started for the plush bathroom.
"I'll have the bellboy put your luggage in the right-hand bedroom when he gets here, all right?" Gray called after her.
Amber couldn't tell if there was a faint note of challenge in his voice or not. Was he asking her whether she expected to have her own room or was he telling her? "That will be fine. Gray."
Amber fled into the bathroom.
Chapter 3
amber felt SHE HAD REGAINED both her emotional equilibrium and her sense of perspective by the time she and Gray finished dinner in the beautiful hotel dining room. The wine Gray had ordered with the meal had no doubt contributed to her relaxation, she decided with a small smile.
Outside the dining room windows, subtly directed lighting illuminated a huge, multileveled terrace that contained gardens, a magnificent swimming pool and two or three smaller wading and spa pools. The mountains rose steeply behind the resort, their peaks clawing a star-filled sky. It was a dramatic setting.
Amber had tried to dress for the setting and the evening. She was wearing a sheath of emerald-green silk that was a bit brighter than her normal attire. It was, in fact, a dress left over from her California days. She had kept it because she had never worn it around Roarke. It was, therefore, not imbued with painful memories.
Gray had seemed a little surprised when she'd appeared dressed for the evening, but his eyes had been appreciative as he took in the sight of the green silk, her delicate high heels and the elegantly neat twist of her hair.
"I'm having a hard time believing I'm married to you," he'd said with a curious curve of his mouth.
"I know what you mean." Amber had answered with an attempt at a light, careless laugh. She could hardly take her eyes off him. Dressed in an immaculate light gray suit, he seemed very tall, very solid and powerful. When he had taken her arm shortly before dinner to guide her to the elevator, she had been more