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Donna put the papers on his desk. “I appreciate the gesture, and the effort you must have gone to in getting this written up. I know it must have entertained Janine no end. But I’m not signing the contract.”
“No!” He picked them up and thrust them at her. “You have to, so we can go out for dinner.”
Honestly, it was painful to watch Duncan trying to claw his way into the twenty-first century. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for us to date, and I’m not sure there’s room in your life for anyone other than Fiona.” There. She’d put the crux of the matter out there. The elephant in the room—his past.
He winced, but his eyes held hers. “Does this have to be more than a few dates? Can’t we enjoy each other’s company and see where this goes?”
She felt as though someone had clenched her heart and was squeezing it firmly, but she kept the smile on her face. This was going nowhere, and the fact he couldn’t see it meant he was just deluding himself. She’d been right when she’d explained things to her sisters—Duncan’s libido had woken, and this was him dipping his toe back in the dating pool, with someone safe.
“Donna?” He looked so vulnerable that it was hard to look at him.
She brushed imaginary fluff from her blouse, keeping the smile on her face. She’d taken care of him for two years, and she would give him this too, because it was what he needed. And she always gave Duncan what he needed.
Decision made, she looked back up at him. “I’m going to take all of the worry out of this for you. If the problem is you taking away my control because of your position, then I’ll take the control back.” She took a shaky breath. “Duncan, would you like to go out for dinner with me?”
His eyes swirled with warmth. “Aye, Donna, I would like that very much.”
It felt like a set of jumping beans had taken up residence in her stomach. “Okay, then. I’ll make a reservation at that nice Italian place in town.” If they went out that evening, it would have the added benefit of getting him out of the mansion while the women were setting up. “How does tonight suit?”
“Tonight would be perfect. Seven-thirty?”
She nodded and turned towards the door, frowning in consternation when her legs felt weak. This was the right thing to do. She would get Duncan out of the mansion and away from the set-up, and she’d help him take the next step in getting over his wife. It didn’t have to mean anything. She could keep her distance. After all, she’d been doing it for the past two years.
“One more thing before you go.” Duncan’s deep voice made her stop at the door.
She pressed a hand to her stomach as she looked back at him. “Yes?”
“I want to be clear. This dinner is a date, right?”
“Yes, this is a date.” Wasn’t that what this whole weird conversation was about?
The look of triumph that flashed in his dark eyes made wariness creep up her spine. It was the same look he got when he talked her into firing someone.
“Good.” He nodded. “Then, during this dinner, this date, do I have your permission to touch you? I’d like to get it all out in the open before we go out, so we’re not stopping every five minutes for me to get consent. Just to be clear, you understand.”
She licked her lips as she looked up at Duncan. “You have my permission to touch, but I think we should set limits, don’t you?”
His eyes were molten. “Aye, that sound like a right modern idea. We wouldn’t want to colour outside the lines. Would holding hands be permitted?”
“Yes.” It came out far breathier than she’d intended.
“And kissing?” His voice lowered, and the sound resonated throughout her body, waking up nerve endings and making cells vibrate.
“Yes.” She cleared her throat.
Dark eyes held her captive. “A hand pressed to the small of your back? Perhaps some nuzzling of your neck?”
The image hit her hard, and her mouth went dry. She licked her lips, and Duncan’s eyes snapped to the gesture, watching it with dark intent, making her remember the kiss they’d shared.
“And, of course, a man would like to hold his date. To wrap her in his arms while he kissed her and feel her soft curves against him. Would that be okay with you?”
The only sound that came out of her mouth was a needy whimper that embarrassed her, but she could no longer tell if her cheeks were burning from humiliation or desire. She now understood what the phrase ‘putty in his hands’ meant.
“What’s your answer, Donna?” His voice was a seduction. “It would be best if these things were crystal clear between us.”
She shivered at his tone even though it made her feel hotter. “Yes, that would be fine.”
She turned on shaky legs and almost staggered from the room.
