page22 (1/2)

Which was probably why he said, ‘Thanks, but I’ll eat later When I’ve finished at the office’ He rolled down his trouser leg, capped the tube He didn’t want an encore In fact she got the distinct feeling he did, in fact, consider it a mistake, as he’d said before he kissed her

She told herself she was not disappointed She did not need another re unease that he was leaving his own apartment on her account Guilt because he shouldn’t have to do that She set the spoon on the counter top with a chink of silver on granite ‘I thought you’d finished for the day?’

‘I’ve got some last-minute details to finalise before I leave for Sydney’

‘You’re going to Sydney?’

‘First thing in the s I intend purchasing for the gallery I’ll be gone a couple of days You’ll be okay here alone, won’t you?’

He didn’t pause for an answer, just dragged a wallet from the back pocket of his trousers, pulled out a couple of business cards and a wad of fifty-dollar bills ‘I haven’t had tianise a credit card but this should cover your expenses while I’m away I use a limo service; I’ll let them know the car’s at your disposal’ He counted the cash, laid it on the table

She stared She’d never seen anyone lay down such a large amount of cash at one tih for him to bother about ‘You’re not afraid I’ll do a runner with your money?’

He shook his head once ‘You’ll hang out for the prize You stand to earn ten times that amount—and earn a name for yourself at the same time’ Spoken with an aled position of wealth and power She recognised it and anger flared, hot and harsh ‘How dare you presueonhole me—or anyone else for that matter—because I don’t live at a fancy address?’

He flashed her a look, a cold blue flarip for a few tense heartbeats, and for a gut-curdling er seemed to stare back at her He’s not the man you think he is The poster pinned to the ladies’ rooh her mind

She slid off the stool and took a step back, rubbing arms that suddenly felt chilled Who was this man she’d co in for the next couple of weeks?

Theexpertise

The man she’d kissed back

His gaze relented a little but his face re, the lines around his mouth suddenly looked deeper ‘You’re e people by the way they live their life, not their address’

‘I’m—’