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blondes in an open-top red Mercedes. One was touching up her lipstick in the rear view mirror. The driver was looking around as if she had no idea where she was.
    He took a photo of the car’s number plate and pressed the button to open the gate.
    Summer rushed downstairs when the coupe swerved to a halt in a spray of gravel, and the two girls climbed the steps to the front door. ‘Natasha, Maya, I’m so glad you made it.’
    They squealed in delight at the sight of her and waved twin jeroboams of Moët. ‘Party time.’
    Yep, they were a pair of airheads, no doubt about that.
    The first bottle was barely open when the next car arrived. It was a muscle pick-up truck with Australian flags all over it. The sounds of a Muse guitar riff preceded the two men inside. Summer rushed out to welcome them,followed by Airhead One and Two. ‘Mike, Gavin, I’m so glad you made it.’
    Mike, the big blond, lifted her off the ground and spun her around, kissing her loudly and enthusiastically. ‘My gorgeous girl, you’re looking better than ever.’ He gave her another loud kiss before he put her down. Flynn decided he didn’t like this guy at all.
    The second man, equally big but with shaggy dark hair and a tan so dark his white shirt looked electric, gave Summer a quick hug and she pulled his head down to kiss his cheek. ‘Gavin, when did you get to be such a stranger?’ She dragged both men into the drawing room without making any effort to include Flynn in the group.
    He took a quick look around the pick-up truck, checking it over, before he followed them inside.
    Summer was busy getting everyone drinks, directing one of the staff to carry bags upstairs, and making introductions. She was a practised hostess with a knack for putting people at ease. Except him.
    The gate alarm alerted him to more visitors. He checked the camera and saw a green Jaguar outside. ‘Who is it?’ he asked.
    ‘Robert Fielding and Molly Ainsworth,’ said a female voice. ‘Summer is expecting us.’
    ‘Wait there.’ He’d had no warning about this. Summer had questions to answer.
    ‘Oh yes, didn’t I mention them?’ Summer said innocently, but the quiver in her voice gave her away. This was why she had been on edge all day. ‘They’re old friends.’
    With Summer vouching for them, Flynn let them in, but he was going to check them out later.
    These visitors were a surprise. Molly Ainsworth was a petite sprite, with a pixie crop and pointed chin. She bubbled with nervous energy and hugged Summer enthusiastically. ‘I can’t believe we are finally here. The traffic was terrible.’ Her smile lit her face, revealing dimples in her cheeks.
    Robert Fielding was tall, at least six foot two, with wide shoulders and a swimmer’s body. He was poised and confident, with an aura of power and old money. He even dressed like old money, in a navy blazer which set off his fair hair and blue eyes.
    He shook Summer’s hand formally. ‘Miss O’Sullivan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.’
    ‘You mean, meet me again, don’t you?’ Summer said. ‘You can’t have forgotten about Hickstead?’
    He gave her a half bow. ‘Of course.’
    Summer led them into the drawing room with Flynn bringing up the rear. ‘Come on, everyone; let’s have some drinks before dinner.’

    Summer was relieved that Flynn stayed out of her way as she checked the kitchen and put the final touches to dinner. Although she had been her father’s hostess for years, she had never been so nervous. It was vital that she impress Robert Fielding. Molly said that he loved good food so she had agonized over the menu. But by the time she had quaffed her second glass of champagne she was no longer worried.
    Robert was handsome, and there was definitely something about him. An air of command? An expectationthat he would always get his way? Something that made her shiver. Or perhaps it was just that she knew he was a Dom. Her first real-life Dom. Just like the ones in the novels she