steps back towards the door. ‘You already have a boyfriend. Of course you do. How stupid of me.’
He gave her a short bow. ‘Apologies. I jumped to conclusions. Another one of those flaws I was talking about. I only hope your boyfriend doesn’t turn up at the house and thump me for asking his girl out.’
There was just enough of a change in his voice to make her look up. Unless he was a very good actor and she was completely misreading the signals, she saw a glimmer of genuine regret and disappointment cross that handsome face before he covered it up.
Interesting.
Decision time. Pretend she was seeing someone and lie through her teeth...or not.
‘You’re safe. I broke up with someone a year ago and right now I’m on my own. What I meant was that I’m between boyfriends and I don’t feel comfortable with starting a serious relationship right now. But thanks again for the invitation.’
It was astonishing to see how fast Scott could switch on that killer smile.
‘Ha. So you are single. That makes two of us.’ He looked at her quizzically, eyebrows high. ‘But who said anything about a serious relationship? What I’m talking about is a fling. A sweet, short and fun fling.’
* * *
‘A fling? Why on earth would you want a fling with me? You could have your pick of girls to fool around with.’
He stepped closer and ran his hands up both sleeves of her jacket and smiled as his gaze locked on to her eyes. ‘I’ve been through one very difficult divorce and since then my focus has been totally on my work. The last thing I want is to rush into that sort of commitment again. But I would like to get to know you better. A lot better. Maybe even get used to the idea that I can start looking for love again. Do you understand that?’
‘Looking for love again? Yes. Yes, of course I understand that. Isn’t that what we all want?’
Scott gave a small shoulder shrug. ‘Maybe. But in the meantime we’re both adults who understand the difference between a casual arrangement and a long-term relationship. This way, we can have the benefits. Without the messy complications.’
Then the tone of his voice cooled. ‘But I’ll be back in Alaska by the autumn. I can’t promise you anything but a good time for the next few months and I need to know that you understand that very clearly. No confusion or recriminations. A fling. Short and sweet. Now. What can I do to tempt you to take up my offer?’
‘Oh, Scott,’ she replied, shaking her head. ‘You’re temptation on legs.’
A smile that could defrost icebergs warmed the air. ‘It’s been said. And you’re a lovely girl, Toni. We seem to make a great team at work. Now that has to say something.’
Make a great team at work! Oh, Scott, if you only knew. That was the worst thing that you could possibly have said.
Those were the precise words that Peter had used, right before he’d whisked her off to his hotel room and off her feet. She had fallen hard and fast in weeks not months. Blind to all the warning signs that screamed out to her not to go there. Her head full of dreams of a wonderful future working together. And all the time he was using her to get the work done and be his dirty little fling at the same time.
Six months with Scott Elstrom? Oh, no.
Toni chuckled under her breath and slowly slid out of the warmth of his embrace, even though it killed her to do it.
‘Lovely and convenient! Sheesh. I’m the one who actually pushed to work in your office and take your photograph.’
She flipped her right hand over from side to side. ‘Painter. Client.’ Then she blew out hard and shook her head. ‘So many great artists have fallen into that trap. Disaster waiting to happen.’
Then she gave a casual shoulder shrug. ‘Sorry, Scott. My answer is thank you but no. You’re going to have to work harder and find yourself another fling partner.’
She braced her back and shoulders and lifted her chin as Scott formed a reply, but was saved by her cellphone.
It was Amy’s personal ringtone.
Great timing, sis!
‘Sorry,’ she whispered to Scott, who was glaring at the phone as though he wanted to toss it out of the nearest window. ‘Amy...Peru. I should really answer it. Really sorry.’
It took a moment for her to slide her body sideways and out of the circle of his arms but even as she lifted the phone she could feel his gaze burning a hole in her back.
Tugging down the hem of her top as if Amy could see her, she opened the call and, before she could say a word, an entire orchestral chorus of Happy Birthday belted out at huge decibels into the quiet room.
Oh, great! Amy had sent her a musical birthday card to add to the surprise birthday present of a tiny locket that she had left for their neighbour to deliver that morning.
Scrabbling with her phone, she quickly turned it off, took a breath and turned sideways to look at Scott, who was standing with his arms folded and a lazy grin plastered all over his face.
‘Today is your birthday? You might have mentioned that earlier. I could have brought back extra chocolate.’
‘I had my party on Saturday, remember? At Freya’s house. No big deal.’
‘Oh, no—’ he shook his head and pushed out his lips ‘—you don’t get away that easy. I would fail in my duty if I didn’t take you out for a birthday dinner. What time do you want me to pick you up for your date?’
My date?
Her heart was thumping so loudly he could probably hear it from where he was standing. He smelt wonderful, his touch sent her brain spinning and he was so handsome that her heart melted just looking at him.
But a date? Oh, no. That was something else. What was she doing?
She had felt that wicked pull of attraction in the coffee shop and then working side by side and had forced it deep down. And she would have to do the same now, because the high tension wire that was pulling her closer and closer towards Scott would only lead one way—to heartbreak and pain.
She had learnt her lesson with Peter and dared not place her trust in a man like this again. She just couldn’t risk being used then cast aside.
She wasn’t ready to date anyone. Nowhere near.
‘A dinner date? Thank you, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea, Scott.’
‘Elstrom Mapping just had a big success today. That’s worth celebrating over hot food and a nice glass of wine. I might even run to a slice of birthday cake, seeing as I ate most of your brownies last Saturday night.’
Toni made the mistake of looking into those blue eyes. He was challenging her to take him up on his offer. And she didn’t have any plans for her birthday.
‘So this would be a business dinner? The hot food part does sound tempting.’
‘If
