‘There are a couple to choose from, but I think you should try the spicy sausage.’ She spoke over her shoulder as she spooned the steaming soup into a bowl. ‘I think you’ll find it has plenty of texture and bite. You may even need some of the yoghurt dip to take the edge off.’
‘The one with the cucumber? Because, let’s face it, without the cucumber, that dip would be nothing.’ He grinned then. It widened into a full-blown smile and laughter followed. Warm, rich, irresistible laughter. Suddenly, effortlessly, Cally found laughter bubbling out too.
‘You’re not all you seem, Cally,’ he teased as their humour dimmed.
‘In what way?’
‘There’s a little more to you than I expected.’
‘What did you expect?’
‘As little as you expected from me, I think.’
She looked up quickly, only to be caught again by his gaze.
‘Not just a pretty face,’ he murmured.
She got back to fussing with the bowls pronto. He wasn’t talking about her. She wasn’t a pretty face at all; she was plain and ordinary. And his face wasn’t pretty either; it was beautiful. ‘Never go out with a man who is better looking than you’—that was her motto. She just had to remember to stick to it.
‘You mind eating in here? The formal dining room doesn’t get the sun at this time of day and it seems a shame not to make the most of it.’ She set the bowls at the stretch of bench along the window.
‘No problem. This looks great.’
He waited politely until she’d placed her own bowl and was seated alongside him. She gestured to the condiments, and the fresh chopped herbs. ‘Please.’
‘Thank you.’
They dipped their spoons together and she watched as he lifted his to his mouth. She barely tasted her own soup as she was so focused on seeing his reaction.
He took a moment, then smiled. ‘It’s good.’
CHAPTER THREE
CALLY felt more pleased than if she’d won the gold medal at the annual gourmet food awards. To cover it, she schooled her features back to bland and murmured, ‘I know.’
She took another mouthful before offering a polite query, all the while refusing to acknowledge the knowing smile of amusement on his face. ‘What do you do, Blake?’
‘Do?’
‘Yes, as in job.’
He looked surprised. ‘I’m a venture capitalist.’
‘Really? Who with?’
The surprised look broadened. ‘I have my own company… Weren’t you listening to the intro the MC gave me last night?’
She shook her head. ‘I was too busy eating the chocolate truffles at the time.’
‘Priorities.’ Full of satire, his smile twitched.
‘Absolutely.’ In contrast she spoke earnestly. ‘I never intended to bid. That wasn’t why I was there.’
He didn’t reply and she wondered if he didn’t believe her or if it was just that he was too busy demolishing the soup. It didn’t take either of them long. Good. She stood to clear the bowls, hoping soon she’d be rid of him—she needed to work on her resistance.
‘Thanks very much—that was delicious.’ He stood, stretched, his body towering over her.
‘It was a pleasure,’ she answered mechanically. He was too close again and the tremors inside could hardly be controlled. ‘I don’t have any more jobs for you. So thank you very much and…um…I’ll see you out.’
‘I don’t think so, Cally.’
She’d feel intimidated if she didn’t feel so turned on. She stared as he walked closer towards her.
‘I don’t think I should leave yet.’
‘As I said, I don’t have any other jobs…’
‘I wasn’t thinking about doing any more jobs.’ He cocked his head to the side, looked a little too sexy. ‘I was thinking we should talk some more.’
‘What about?’
‘Us. This…’ he made a juggling gesture with his hands ‘…zing between us.’
‘Zing?’ Her voice leapt up an octave or three.
He moved closer. ‘You want me. I can see it.’ He stepped again so they were almost touching and she tensed even more. ‘You jump every time I come near you.’
‘Um.’ How did she answer that one? Her cheeks alone were telling him everything he needed to know—that he was right.
‘I want you. You want me. It’s simple.’
She knew it was pointless to even try to deny it. The tension in her muscles increased and yet at the same time her insides were melting—he wanted her? She shook her head free of the fantasy. This was just some game—he was just acting the bachelor auction part.
‘It’s not simple. And my wanting you is stupid.’
For a second satisfaction flashed across his face. She had a weird blip of pleasure in seeing that her admission pleased him.
‘Why?’
‘You’re not my type.’
‘I’m not?’ He looked disbelieving.
It made her all the more determined. Coldly she reinforced her reply. ‘Not at all.’
She turned on her heel, went to the sink and started rinsing dishes.
At a far more leisurely pace he followed, coming to stand too close, again. And his questions were too close too. ‘When did you last get any? You’re looking way too uptight.’
Astounded, she turned. ‘You are sailing dangerously close to the wind.’
‘Hmm. I like a little dangerous.’
She let her look say it all. Only he seemed to find it amusing rather than quelling. He leaned across, his hand trapping hers on the tap as he spoke low and tauntingly in her ear.
‘You know what you need? You need a good hard—’
She yanked her hand out from under his. ‘Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.’
‘What was I going to say?’ He looked all innocence again—the devilish rake disappearing in a disarming smile.
‘It’s time you were leaving. My lover is due here any
