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Nodding her head briefly, Sophie followed him to the truck. She didn’t trust herself to speak right now—not with Xavier’s ultimatum still ringing in her ears.
By the time they got back the yard was full of people again, but not patients. There was a fiercely competitive football match going on between members of the medical staff and some of the boys from the village. The dusty space in front of the clinic had been transformed, and a blaze of excitement rose from the local supporters.
As Xavier drove in slowly through the gates he had to steer cautiously through the crowds of people milling about. ‘Looks like fun,’ he commented, resting his arms on the steering wheel to peer through the windscreen.
It was the first time he had spoken since mentioning something worth progressing! Sophie had tried to put it out of her mind and found she couldn’t. But Xavier had probably been embarking on something worth progressing since the day he first had to shave. ‘Will you drop me off here?’ she demanded edgily.
‘Let me park up first,’ he said, ‘and then I’ll join you.’
Sophie flung her brightly coloured shawl around her shoulders in defiance. She felt like telling him not to bother. But the shiver of anticipation, the ice between her shoulder blades, told her he was behind her the moment she climbed out of the truck.
The first person she saw amongst the crowd was Anna Groes. It must be a day for self-flagellation, Sophie mused, as she hurried towards the Danish doctor.
‘Hey, Xavier, come and help us—we’re being destroyed here.’
The voice of the man jogging backwards alongside her told Sophie Xavier was close. She didn’t need telling. She was caught up in his powerful aura; she could feel it spinning a silken web all around her—electrifying, stimulating—it quite literally took her breath away.
‘Will you be OK if I leave you?’
She turned. Xavier’s expression was sardonic. He was all male. He loved the chase. ‘I’ll be fine.’ Sophie’s heart thundered a warning. Her pulse hammered a tattoo. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the family who had given her the beautiful shawl. She was so relieved she exclaimed out loud and stood on tiptoe to wave to them. But a curl of apprehension wormed its way down Sophie’s spine as she made her break for freedom and, when she turned around, she found Anna Groes watching her.
Banishing Anna from her thoughts, and doing the best she could to do the same for Xavier, Sophie concentrated on getting to know the family. She completely lost track of time until the game ended and Xavier led his team to victory.
‘I’d better go,’ she said and, as the family waved her off, she hurried back through the crowd, using Anna’s sleek blonde head as a guide.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you on your own.’
‘I was OK,’ Anna said impatiently. ‘And I imagine you were glad of the break. Don’t you find Xavier exhausting?’
‘Exhausting?’ Sophie said, then she remembered the climb to the ledge and the swimming. ‘He is very fit.’
‘Very fit,’ Anna agreed sardonically. ‘There aren’t many women who can keep up with him. I congratulate you.’
This was not a pat on the back, Sophie sensed, finding it troubling. As they entered the clinic Xavier emerged from the shower.
Whatever their differences, it didn’t stop Sophie’s whole being ache at the sight of him. There was a towel slung around his bronzed neck, and his low-slung jeans moulded his powerful thighs, while the black fitted top clung to his imposing frame—he hadn’t even dried himself properly, she noted wryly, seeing some drops of water tracking down his neck. He was certainly in a hurry to get somewhere…he was certainly irresistible too, she mused, pinning a casual expression to her face.
‘Xavier! You were wonderful!’ Anna effused, throwing her arms around his neck. She would have kissed him square on the lips, had he not turned round to look at Sophie as she struck.
‘Sorry to disillusion you, but I’m not the hero of the hour,’ Xavier said coolly. ‘I didn’t arrange the match.’
‘But you saved the day by scoring the winning goal,’ Anna pointed out with a pout.
Raking the towel back and forth across his neck, Xavier made a dismissive sound.
‘Why don’t I make us something to eat?’ Anna purred, still gazing at him.
He looked thoughtful. ‘Perhaps we should give each other a little space. After all, we work together all day.’
His glance embraced Sophie, and it hurt. ‘I was hoping to discuss work schedules with you over supper, Xavier,’ she pointed out. ‘I don’t mind helping you to prepare the meal, Anna—’
‘That’s very good of you, Sophie,’ Xavier said dryly, ‘but I’ve got something else in mind.’
Sophie felt let down and furious. Xavier couldn’t just cut her out of the working loop because he was too busy. Or was he punishing her because of his suspicions about Henry?
‘I’ve got a prior invitation,’ he said with a shrug when she threw him a look.
‘Fine,’ Sophie countered. ‘I take it you’ll be posting a roster on the board so that I can see what’s expected of me?’
‘I’ll let you know what’s expected of you.’
‘I can tell Sophie,’ Anna offered, suddenly helpful, ‘over supper.’
‘I’m sorry, Anna,’ Xavier said, turning to look at her, ‘but Sophie’s coming with me.’
‘With you?’
The two women’s voices chimed as one as they gazed at Xavier in surprise.
‘Where?’ Sophie demanded, as her heart began to race.
‘To make a visit.’
‘A medical visit?’
‘It is connected with my medical interests,’ Xavier volunteered.
‘Why didn’t you tell me about this before?’
‘It must have slipped my mind.’
His shrug was mildly apologetic, but he didn’t look a bit sorry, Sophie decided. She jumped as the sound of Anna’s door slamming reached them.
‘Well, are you ready?’ Xavier said, tossing the towel which had been slung around his neck on to a chair. ‘Grab a jacket; it gets cold quickly.’
And, before she could ask any more questions, he strode past her out of the door.
Xavier could feel his senses simmering as he settled himself behind the wheel. He had never had to wait for anything in his life before—and what was the truth about Henry Whitland? A fierce sound shot from his throat as he remembered. He would not share her.
He made a low sound of satisfaction, remembering Sophie’s arousal when he held her in his arms. He had developed a taste for her sweetness, and had begun the cure—but, if she wanted the full treatment, she had some urgent decisions to make.
CHAPTER SIX
‘SO WHERE are we really going?’ Sophie said.
‘I want you to see the type of direction our work must take for this project to be successful in the long term,’ Xavier told her. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get something to eat.’
‘I’m not worried about food,’ Sophie said honestly. She was more concerned in the shift in his mood, because for once she couldn’t read it. ‘Can we talk about the rota?’ she said innocently, searching his face for clues.
‘If we must.’
She tried another tack. ‘You said we had an invitation?’
‘Why don’t you just wait and see?’ Xavier said, spinning the wheel as he drove out of the compound.
‘Xavier, I—’
‘What?’
‘I need to get something straight with you.’ When he remained silent she went straight on. ‘Henry—’
His snort of derision cut her off.
‘I’m going to tell you about Henry,’ Sophie insisted. ‘Whether or not you want to hear, you’re going to hear this.’
Xavier’s jaw was ground tight as he leaned over to turn the radio on.
