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‘That part I didn’t know,’ he conceded, and Flávia didn’t like that it gave her such a punch of triumph.
Was she really trying to impress this man that much?
‘Plus, clinical testing for venom-based drugs began in 1968 with an anticoagulant derived from a Malayan pit viper venom.’
‘I didn’t know that, either,’ he acknowledged with a grin that revealed straight, white teeth. As though he knew exactly what she was trying to do.
‘So, jungle woman,’ he asked softly in a way that didn’t make the term sound like an insult whatsoever, ‘what makes pit vipers so special?’
‘Because of disintegrins,’ she declared firmly, unable to help herself. ‘Which is a group of proteins found in bushmaster venom. Furthermore...’
The low reverberation of a gong cut her words short, and Flávia spun around as Isabella stepped forward to announce that the dinner was about to be served.
‘Shall we?’
Dropping her eyes, Flávia took in the sight of Jake’s proffered arm and strove unsuccessfully to quash another bout of shimmering nerves.
She bit back the stuttering words which suddenly cluttered up her throat and swallowed once, twice, until she was sure she could answer with confidence, even if she didn’t feel it.
‘I don’t believe we’re sitting at the same table so you should probably ask one of the women at your table. There’s a seating chart by the entrance.’
‘Actually, I believe we are.’ His voice rumbled around her, skimming over her skin and making it prickle like she’d somehow missed a joke she hadn’t realised someone had told.
‘Oh. Right.’ Her voice sounded odd, but she couldn’t help that.
It was the way he was watching her so curiously. So intently. His eyes holding hers and preventing her from dragging her gaze away, however hard she tried. And she did try. Because the longer he held the contact, the more certain she was that he could see into her, far deeper than her mere soul. Right down to that dark, unwelcome pit inside her, and every embarrassing secret that she’d long since buried within.
‘Very well, then.’
Squaring her shoulders, Flávia raised her arm and linked with Jake, but still she couldn’t steel herself enough against the thrill that rippled through her at the contact.
It was only as they moved to the entrance and past the board that she sneaked a glance at the chart; as she’d suspected, Jake—it still felt odd not thinking of him as Dr Jacob Cooper—wasn’t supposed to be at her table. Yet when he walked her to her seat—through the round tables, with their pale damask cloths and stunning flower-covered topiaries—there was his name, at the place setting right next to hers.
And she was far too pleased about it for her own liking. Not that she had to let him see tha
t. She pulled her face into a disapproving frown.
‘Did you sneak in here and change this around?’
‘Are you accusing me of schoolboy tactics?’
Another grin, and another glimpse of that perfect mouth, which she couldn’t stop imagining against her skin. At the hollow of her neck, or trailing down her body. This time, there was no pushing the images away. So, instead, she focused on the rules. The regulations. The things which couldn’t get her into trouble.
‘You can’t just move things around on a whim. How did you even get in here? You realise these doors were locked for a reason?’ She was rattling off too many questions, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. ‘Months and months of planning went into this. Besides, you’re meant to be on one of the VIP tables, with Silvio Delgado. Experts in your field. How do you think he’s going to react to someone from my table being bumped up to take your place at his table?’
Despite her rambling, Jake looked as composed as ever. He flashed her another even smile, and Flávia told herself she didn’t feel it rushing through her, right down to her very toes. The thing was, no matter how Dr Delgado reacted to Jake’s stunt, she couldn’t imagine it intimidating the man standing in front of her right now.
Honestly, she couldn’t imagine anyone intimidating this man.
‘I imagine Silvio will be rather irked.’ Jake shrugged, proving the point. ‘But then, I imagine if it wasn’t me inconveniencing him, then it would be someone else, so that’s no great issue. Besides, do you not think that you’re as much an expert in your field as he is in his, Flávia?’
‘Yes, well...’ Heat flushed her at the compliment. ‘You still can’t go around moving people quer queira ou não.’
‘I don’t see why not.’ He laughed, a deep, rich sound which...did things to her.
‘Dr—’
‘Fine.’ He cut her off with another dazzling smile. ‘Would it settle you to know that I didn’t change the place settings?’
