eyes, huh. We’ll have to talk more but not here.’
He grated the last word and then his tone softened.
‘The next few days are going to be gruelling. I’ll be juggling appointments regarding Dad’s actions with meetings, on and off site, about new projects. They’ll all take time away from where I want to be.’
His affectionate expression said he meant her. The gap between them diminished. His movement or hers?
‘Come to dinner with me tomorrow night.’
There was an edge to his voice that she didn’t understand. Her first inclination was to refuse but then she’d always wonder.
He claimed he’d tried to find her. If she agreed—and her heart and logic warred about the sensibility of that—she’d have personal time to learn more about him, be able to return to Sydney with no what-ifs. His persuasive voice, his hypnotic gaze, and his touch on her skin were an irresistible combination.
She meant to nod, swayed forward instead. As if in answer to her silent plea, he bent his head. Suddenly jerked away.
‘Not here.’
Growled in anger. Why?
His fingertips tracked lightly across her neck, triggering a goose-bumps rush from cell to cell, from her scalp to the soles of her feet. Awareness flared in his eyes, his chest heaved, and suddenly there was a wide space between them.
‘I have to make a couple of calls, and talk to Joanne before I leave.’
‘What am I supposed to do after I’ve finished the data entries?’
He spread his arms, fingers splayed.
‘Whatever Joanna needs help with. I know it may be below your expertise but...’
He struggled for words. ‘I don’t want a stranger coming in when we transfer those accounts into the mainstream. I want you.’
The inflection in the last three words was personal, nothing to do with accounts or computers. Leaving wasn’t an option.
‘I’ll stay.’ Data entry. Filing. Basic office work. Tasks that would allow her mind to wander to midnight-blue eyes and smiles that lit up her day.
‘You’re an angel. I’ll be here for half an hour then out for the morning. My mobile will be off most of the time so leave a message if you want me.’
His hand lifted towards her. Dropped. He walked out, picking up his jacket on the way.
If she wanted him?
Her body hummed with a need more disturbing than anything she’d ever felt. So much stronger than the mild desire she’d felt during her two previous relationships. She now recognised them as more mind melding and merely physical rather than zealous ardour.
There’d be no ‘let’s be friends’ when the passion died for Matt. He’d walk away and she...she’d survive. Somehow.
* * *
Matt strode to the boardroom, praying it would be empty. He was pleased he’d been able to persuade Lauren to stay. Having her at his home for dinner was risky, considering the way they both responded to the proximity of the other. But how else were they going to talk without interruptions? How else could he find out why she hadn’t trusted him before she knew him?
He’d almost kissed her again this morning. Never, ever going to happen here. He would never follow in his father’s footsteps. Would never use that bedroom, no matter how late he worked or how tired he became.
Footsteps sounded in the corridor. He refocused on the project he and the team were working on, the one he was determined would revitalise the company.
Everything hung on a precipice. His father could be facing fraud charges. He and, in his doing, Dalton Corporation had probably committed tax evasion. Duncan Ford might decide to suspend their talks of investing until Matt could prove he and the company were clean.
He should be broken, anxious of the future. Instead, now he knew the truth he found the challenges stimulating. If it all collapsed around him, he’d start again. Staying down wasn’t an option.
* * *
Lauren collected information needed from Joanne’s office and settled at her desk. She tingled from his touch, her stomach had barely settled, and her brain was in the clouds.
Logging in took two attempts at the password. When she went to write the date on her notepad, she’d left her pen in the drawer. Unless she pulled herself together, today would be a shambles.
Get it together, Lauren.
A fingertip tap on each of her work tools, a muscle-loosening back-stretch, followed by her slow-count-to-fifteen habit, and she moved the cursor.
Engaged in more simplistic tasks, she found her mind had a tendency to wander, always to Matt and his effect on her. After an hour, she took a break, ran up and down eight flights of stairs and refocused. Apart from taking messages from occasional phone calls, she was undisturbed.
At midday she joined Joanne and three of the male staff for lunch for the first time, making an effort to contribute to the weekend football match discussion. She didn’t comment when one of the men raved about her youngest brother, who’d kicked four goals including one as the siren sounded.
‘Mr Dalton seems happy with the progress we’ve made on this new venture, Joanne. It’s completely different from anything we did for his father, quite stimulating. Do you think the changes will be permanent?’
Lauren lowered the mug she’d been raising to her lips. She noticed Joanne’s hesitation at the man’s question. How much did she know of the true situation?
‘I know he’s doing all he can to sort everything out and he’ll be tied up with meetings most of the week, nothing else.’ She rose and went to stack her utensils into the dishwasher. ‘Break’s over. Do you have enough to do, Lauren?’
‘Yes, I’ll find you if I need more.’
Every employee she’d met addressed him as Mr Dalton. Although he used their first names, he kept distance between himself and his staff except for her. Because he intended to return to London?
Was there someone special there? Someone prepared to wait for him? Someone he’d taken to Paris?
A no-strings arrangement by two mature people. How did they do that? She couldn’t imagine becoming involved with anyone who also dated other women.
Reinforcing that in her head didn’t stop her stomach from fluttering at his call sign on her mobile.
‘How’s it going, Lauren?’
‘Fine. Joanne says she can keep me occupied today and part tomorrow, after that I may be on cleaning duty.’
He laughed as she’d hoped he would, deep and raspy, making her ear tingle.
‘Anything to keep you here. I won’t get to the
