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"On the contrary," he murmured, raising his eyebrows. "I'll make a reservation at The Mermaid. Five minutes, then you'd better leave, or I might decide to keep you here and ravage you all afternoon and I have work to do."
CHAPTER NINE
Her pending dinner date with Duncan devoured Brittany's thoughts for the remainder of the day, but when the hour drew near she had a terrible time deciding what to wear. The thought of walking through a restaurant with her nipples thinly veiled had her pulse racing. Finally making what she hoped would be a good choice, she was on pins and needles when Duncan arrived to pick her up.
"Look at you," he murmured as he entered. "Stunning. Absolutely stunning."
Her nipples subtly apparent through a white silk shirt tucked into a black pleated skirt, and wearing black and white glossy stilettos, she oozed elegant sensuality.
"Are you ready?"
"I am," she grinned, grabbing her evening bag, but as they headed to the door she paused to touch his arm. "Why do I think there's something bothering you? Do you not want me to do this?"
"Of course I do. I can't wait to see how you handle it. This will be a very exciting and entertaining evening."
"I still think there's something on your mind."
"Move," he said, landing a quick swat. "You're stalling."
Her highly tuned senses surprised him. Even as he'd been working he couldn't stop thinking about her. It wasn't like him. It wasn't like him at all.
Once out of the elevator it was a short stroll to The Mermaid. The door was opened by a uniformed attendant, and the Maitre d', a middle-aged portly man, walked up to greet them.
"Mr. Rhys-Davies, how nice to see you. If you would follow me please," he said with a warm smile.
Duncan suppressed a wicked grin as he caught the man's eyes fall on Brittany's chest, staying there a moment too long. Reaching their table, she took her seat and glanced around. The dining room was beautifully appointed, boasting floral arrangements in large venetian vases. The dim lighting offered an intimate ambience, the pale pink tablecloths sported white napkins, and the dishes white porcelain trimmed in gold.
"This place is like a first-class restaurant in New York or London," she remarked. "I didn't know ships offered dining like this."
"Are you ready for your first instruction?"
"So soon?"
"Go into the ladies room," he began, ignoring the comment, "take off your knickers, and bring them back to me balled up in your hand."
"You're
kidding?" She immediately bit her lip."Sorry. I just was thinking out loud."
"Question me again and I might spank you in the middle of this room."
"You wouldn't," she breathed, the color draining from her face as her stomach did several backflips.
"Test me and find out."
Gritting her teeth, Brittany rose from her chair, scanning the room for a sign.
"Ask the maitre d'."
Leaning back in his chair to enjoy the scene, Duncan studied the face of the maitre d' as Brittany asked for directions. The man tried to hide his anxiety, but Duncan could see it in his flushed face and overly zealous gestures. Walking around the tables, she disappeared past the bar, but Duncan's attention shifted to a blonde man standing at the counter drinking a glass of red wine. Above-average looks and a golden tan, he reminded Duncan of a California beach boy. He had unabashedly leered at Brittany, and Duncan paid close attention as she reappeared. The man moved swiftly from the bar putting himself directly in her path, but Duncan caught her eye.
Her panties in her hand and feeling wonderfully wicked, Brittany had smiled across at him, but when Duncan stared back at her, his gaze inexplicably darted to his left. Pausing her step, a furtive glance revealed the blonde man walking straight towards her, and deftly skirting a couple of tables to effectively avoid him she made it safely back. But he had looked directly at Duncan, a sneer crossing his lips. Duncan had received the message: she's fair game, but Brittany had missed the covert interaction.
"That was interesting," she whispered settling into her seat. "Thanks for the warning."
"You handled that like a pro."
"I certainly didn't want to meet him, whoever he was."
