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"Very well, Serena Would you like to have lunch?"

"Uh" Crap "You see, Mr Roche, what I wanted to talk to you about isn’t so"

"I can guarantee we’ll have the utmost privacy Are you there at your office?" he asked

"Yes--"

"I’ll send a driver over to collect you Say fifteen minutes?"

"But how on earth do you knohere hed softly, the sound husky in her ear "Research Fifteen , and yet she found herself saying okay "I’ll wait in the parking lot"

"I’d feel much better if you waited inside where it’s safe My driver will co, Serena"

Before she could respond, he cut the connection, leaving her standing next to her car, open and punching the button for the elevator

"Back so soon?" Carrie asked when Serena passed her office a few minutes later

"Last- up for me in a bit"

Carrie raised her eyebrows in question "Sounds intriguing"

Serena ignored her and continued to her own office Once there, she sank onto the couch in front of her desk and kicked off her shoes

She’d officially lost her mind

She closed her eyes Sweet Jesus, but hoas she ever going to have a normal conversation with the man on the topic of sex slaves?

Client She’d pretend she was acting on the behalf of a client Then it wouldn’t seeuy reacted like she had a couple of loose screws then she could shrug it off as the oddities of her line of work If he researched her, he probably already suspected she was asking to see hiinally better about the sheer idiocy of her plan and the terror it invoked, she leaned back and tried to relax Several long minutes later, her intercom beeped

"Serena, Damon Roche’s driver is here for you," Carrie said

Serena scrahtened her clothes She slipped into her shoes again and collected her purse before striding out of her office and down the hallway

A large man with a stocky build stood next to Carrie When he saw Serena, he dipped his head in acknowledg"

She nodded in return and followed the man to the elevator They rode down in silence He held the door to the office building open for her as she stepped out then motioned her toward the street

A sleek Bentley was parked in front, thein the sun "Nice car," she murmured

The driver estured for her to get in A few lided into the busy traffic

She ran her pal the supple feel of such luxury She still wasn’t convinced Da dealer

"Is the telanced up at the driver, as regarding her in the rearview aze to the street, and she turned her attention to her atch the flurry of traffic zip by Finally, they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and ca the entrance

Her door opened, and one of thevalet reached in to help her out Before she reeted by the maitre d’ and swiftly escorted inside

Now, this is the place Mr Gallows should have chosen for his head chef fantasy It looked exclusive and obviously catered to a very upscale clientele

"Mr Roche will receive you in here," the maitre d’ said with a bow as he opened the door to an opulent private dining roos and saw a man rise froorgeous He screa from the tips of his Italian loafers to the top of his reeted as he calad you could join uided her to her seat It was all she could do not to gape as she settled into the comfortable chair

First rule of business: Never let the opponent realize his advantage

She straightened and shook off the awe he inspired Okay, e bolt of unadulterated lust

Focus, Serena For God’s sake

Reclairacefully in her seat as a waiter poured wine into her glass

"I hoped you’d joinI hope I wasn’t too presu the waiter pour you a taste"

"It’s fine," she said easily "I love wine"

"Excellent"

He gestured once before taking his seat across from her, and the waiter produced two ry," Damon remarked "The food here is quite superb"

"I am, actually," she ad much the day before "This was all quite unnecessary, Mr Roche," she said as she swept her hand around the rooot the impression you were quite busy, and my request isunimportant"

"Please call me Damon," he said with a smile "And it was no trouble at all As for the matter you wish to discuss with me, perhaps we should talk about it before you dismiss it so readily"

She took a sip of her wine as she studied the menu She’d hoped he’d viewed her phone call as an irritation and would eerness to drop it entirely, but he was quite insistent that she relate why she had called It was all she could do not to let go of a huge sigh

"Perhaps we should order first," Daested

"I’ve decided if you’re ready," she said as she laid aside her ain Damon motioned, and the waiter appeared Serena placed her order and watched Dale shot down her spine Then she frowned Why the hell should it matter if he approved of her choice?

"I’ll have the same," Damon said as he handed his menu back to the waiter

The waiter collected hers as well, then backed away froaze on her His war as they flickered with interest He was sizing her up every bit as much as she was him

"So what did you wish to discuss with me, Serena?"