AllFreeNovel
Share Us
'I'll fix you something. What would you like? I could make an omelette.'
'That sounds perfect,' he said gratefully, moving towards the bathroom.
Leonie went into the kitchen and began to prepare the eggs. She found some cheese and some tomatoes, buttered some
croissants and made a pot of coffee.
When Paul reappeared ten minutes later, immaculately dressed in a dark suit and blue shirt, the table was laid. 'Sit down,' she urged, and quickly placed the cheese and tomato omelette before him. While she poured him coffee, he began to eat.
'This is delicious,' he said. 'You're a good cook.'
She set his cup on the table. 'If you're still hungry, there's plenty of fruit.'
'Any grapes?' he asked, sipping the coffee.
She lifted a stalk of purple grapes on to a plate and offered it to him. Paul leaned back in his chair, popping the fruit into his mouth in a leisurely fashion. 'What about you?' he asked. 'Or did Jake feed you?'
'We had a drink, that's all,' she said quickly. 'I'll eat later.'
Paul shot her a narrow-eyed look. 'With Jake?'
'Of course not!
'You forget, I saw him kiss your hand just now. Once Jake is on the trail he never gives up. He'll be back.'
'He flies to England today,' she said.
Paul stared at her. 'Did he say that?'
'Yes.'
'Hmm ... I wonder.'
'I'm sure he meant it,' she said.
Paul relaxed. 'Well, he couldn't afford to spend much more time here. Business is pretty brisk over there.' He gave her another sharp look. 'Sorry he's going?'
'I barely know the man.'
Paul's mouth twisted. 'Tell me the truth, Leonie. You do find him attractive, don't you? I knew that right from the first day—I saw it between the two of you when I came into the kitchen. Sexual attraction shows, you know.'
She flushed. 'Jake is attractive, yes.' Then she added quickly, 'But so are a lot of other men. It takes a lot more than that to make anything happen between two people. Physical attraction is only part of the story.'
'How fascinating,' he drawled mockingly. 'Do tell me more. What other ingredients are necessary?'
'Don't make fun of me—I'm serious. Respect is necessary, so is friendship. I would need to like and respect any man I fell in love with.'
'And did you like and respect the chap in England?' he asked sardonically.
'That was what taught me the need for both,' she returned. 'I was blinded by physical attraction that time. In future I shall want to know much more about any man.'
'What do you know about me?' he asked, staring at her.
She flushed. 'I know you're spoilt and self- centred,' she flung at him.
Paul grimaced. 'And that puts me out of the running, does it? Prince Charming would never be either.'
She did not reply. There was nothing she could say without betraying herself.
