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No. She shook her head. Silly thoughts. Ridiculous thoughts. It was just...she couldn’t stop focusing on those lips. Those lips that had kissed her earlier like she’d never been kissed before. Was that what kisses were meant to be like? How come it had taken this long for her to find out?
She took another sip of the peach cocktail. It was gorgeous, just the right amount of sweetness with a little bit of tartness. It was so easy to get carried away in a place like this, with its decadence and splendour. Particularly when she was dressed like this and had the handsomest man in the room on her arm. It was almost like being in a movie. Time for a reality check.
She owed Reuben a huge amount of money. And in spite of the glamour and ambience of a place like this, that made her feel distinctly uncomfortable. He didn’t give her controlling vibes at all. But she wanted to be in charge of her own life. She wanted every decision she made to be based only on what she wanted—no more outside influences. She really needed to clear the air about this before she could move forward. And there was no time like the present.
She looked over at him and took a deep breath. ‘So, tell me, Reuben. How am I going to pay you back?’
* * *
Reuben was relaxed. He was feeling chilled. And it was the first time he’d felt like this in weeks—perhaps months.
Lara looked absolutely stunning. She’d pulled her blonde hair up in some kind of silver clasp, leaving little tendrils around her ears. She’d found some pink lipstick somewhere and it matched her dress to perfection. She looked as if she’d spent all day getting ready when the reality was he knew it had only taken ten minutes.
Another thing he liked about her. Along with a whole host of others.
He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more confident about herself. It was one of the reasons he’d suggested she test-drive her new clothes. He’d known just how stunning she looked in them. And so did every other guy in the room. All eyes had been on Lara from the second they’d walked in here. Only she didn’t seem to notice.
It had come to him in a blinding flash exactly how he should play this. There was chemistry between them. No one could deny it. And after one taste of her lips he was sure he wanted to taste a whole lot more.
He got it that she was proud. He got it that she didn’t want a handout. And while he admired that—and he certainly wasn’t used to it—it put him in a bit of a difficult position.
Then she’d made the suggestion herself. Reuben should have a holiday.
The idea had never appealed before.
But the idea had never had a blonde-haired, pink-dressed beautiful woman dangling before his eyes. Maybe a quick fling would get Lara Callaway out of his system?
Sure, Caleb might kill him. But from where he was standing it would be worth it.
More than worth it.
And maybe some time together would instil a little more confidence into this gorgeous woman? Maybe, if she had the holiday she’d always dreamed of, and didn’t have to worry about money, she’d be able to see herself the way he saw her. A sexy, gorgeous woman with the world at her feet.
She was still waiting for him to answer as she sipped at her straw through those delectable lips.
‘That’s easy.’ He gave her one of his dazzling smiles. ‘You’ll pay me back by letting me go on the cruise with you.’
She blinked, then her brow furrowed. ‘Wait a minute. I’m lost. Want to run this by me again?’
Maybe he should buy her another cocktail. ‘It’s simple. You told me I need to take a holiday, and you don’t want me to pay to replace your clothes. This is the easy solution. I come on the cruise with you—and instead of refunding your cash for my share, I buy you a new wardrobe.’ He let his eyes roam up and down her body in the glittering pink dress. Boy, did she wear it well. ‘That way you don’t feel indebted to me because you’re officially buying your own clothes.’
She made a noise. Maybe it was a whimper. ‘But...but...’ The words just wouldn’t form. ‘But you don’t do holidays,’ she finally squeaked.
He lifted one eyebrow. ‘It seems like I do now.’
She lifted up her hands. ‘But you hardly know me.’
She looked panicked and it made the edges of his mouth curl up in amusement. ‘Then clearly that’s about to change.’
She wasn’t talking. Her mouth was hanging open. It was the first time he’d really seen Lara lost for words. It made him want to laugh.
He walked smoothly behind her, pressing his chest against her shoulders and looking into the glass in the gantry ahead of them. He bent down and whispered in her ear.
‘Stop panicking, Lara. Let the rational side of your brain kick in for a few seconds.’
