“A problem we both share, then. How do you stand on dessert?”
Depends on whether we’re talking food or flesh....“It is the first section of the menu I study, and I work back from there.”
Amusement danced through the silvery stars in his eyes. The damn man definitely knew where my thoughts seemed to be swirling. “It is the only sensible thing to do.”
Thankfully, the waiter reappeared with a drinks menu for us both, giving me time to leash rogue thoughts. René glanced at his, then said, “Have you a preference?”
I handed the menu back. “I’m on strong painkillers right now, so I’m afraid it’s just sparkling water for me.”
“Make that for two.” René returned the menu, then met my gaze again. “Is there a specific reason for the painkillers? Or shouldn’t I ask?”
“I had an encounter with a man mountain and came off second best.”
“Did he get away?”
“No.”
“Excellent.” He placed his hands on the table and entwined them. “Shall we get the odious task of your questions out of the way so we can concentrate on enjoying the evening?”
His hands, I couldn’t help but notice, were large, his fingers long.Big hands, big dickcame the unbidden and definitely crude thought. Or was that feet? I was briefly tempted to look under the table but resisted.
I really,reallyneeded to get my mind out of the gutter and start concentrating. This wasn’t a date. It was business.
And if I told myself that enough, I might actually believe it.
“Are you actually going to answer the questions, though?”
Another sexy smile appeared. “Depends on the questions.”
Of course it did. I retrieved my phone from my handbag and brought up the section of the security tape that showed him calling on Tane, the door opening, then him leaving, and showed him. “Care to explain this?”
He watched the tape through, then met my gaze. “You don’t believe in dipping a toe into the water first, do you?”
“Always best to go for the jugular. Saves time and effort.”
“Indeed.” He studied me for a moment, his expression giving little away. “If I do explain what I am doing and why I was there, you cannot tell anyone else or indeed mention it in your report.”
I frowned. “That is not how this works. Right now, thanks to this tape, you’re a suspect.”
“I understand how it looks, but you are so far off track it is almost laughable.”
I raised an eyebrow and put my phone down. “Do I look as if I’m laughing right now?”
The waiter arrived with our drinks and the food menus, stopping any immediate reply. I accepted the menu with a nod and turned it over, but there was obviously a separate dessert menu, because none were listed on this one. But, working on the theory that an upmarket restaurant such as this would at least have a decent tiramisu, I went with the bacon and chicken risotto while René ordered the tagliata, and an antipasti plate for us to share first.
Once the waiter had departed, René crossed his fingers on the table again. “What if I were to contact someone who would vouch for me?”
I smiled. “It would have to be someone I know, and it is doubtful you and I share very many similar contacts.”
“You would be surprised,” he murmured, then motioned to my phone. “May I?”
“You can’t make the call on yours?”
“I could, but by doing so on yours, you can trace the call later and confirm it does indeed belong to the person I’m about to call.” He paused briefly. “Though it is a private line few know, so I would also advise you not to share it.”
“I think I’ve heard that refrain before.”
“With good reason, I assure you.”
