Page 29 of Betrayal

She treated the samples with care, going through them carefully.Ridiculous to be holding his breath.

“They’re fabulous.I like the lot.”She gave him one of her sunshine and laughter smiles.

“Thanks.”But something inside him settled.

“You can show me upstairs now.”

What the hell did that mean?I want to see where you live?I want to jump your bones?

Yes, please, but unlikely.

Anna defied predictable.

Hunter’s heart was thumping.Not a noise he was familiar with.His hands were clammy.Hell, this was ridiculous.Unlocking the disguised door in the rear side wall of the building, he gestured her to precede him.

She strolled toward him.She used all thoseSwords she loved when she walked—stroll, saunter, sashay—and a few others—amble, meander, occasionally she hurtled.“What’s that?”She pointed to the facing door.

“There’s a separate entrance from outside.”

“So, you could sneak me up here without the staff noticing?”

Her grin relaxed him.“I doubt it.People look at you, Anna.You draw eyes.”

“Not sure I like that.”

“I’ve been trying to work it out.It’s a vibe, a positive energy, as seductive as sunlight after a long, cold winter.”

“That’s a lovely thing to say.”

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Hunter gave her a completetour.He’d only just moved in when his mother died.His ex-girlfriend, Gina, was the only woman to have spent a night here.His PA Donna and his aunt Ellie had taken charge of the soft furnishings and stocked the kitchen, so he had two large sofas and a few comfortable armchairs in similar colours but not identical patterns.The cupboards had enough plates, glasses, and pots and pans for a standard cook.He was standard—thanks to his aunt.A casserole, a grill, a bake, a few pasta dishes, one at least vegetarian, and a few salads.Dessert, he always got in, if he had warning.

“This is nice.”She stepped into the main bedroom and crossed to the big wrap-around window he’d installed.“The angle’s great.You’re not directly facing the street, but you still get an edge of the park.I didn’t notice this tree down the side from the front.”

“I cheated on it.There was nothing growing on the property—too contaminated.The old petrol station had been here for decades.I only got to see the full impact of the windows at the front of the building when the huge old canopy for the bowsers was removed.Anyway, we replaced dirt, and then I lashed out and bought a mature eucalyptus so it filled half the window.”

“Who’s we?”

“I know a landscaper.”

“And he helped you fix up your place?”She sat on the window ledge facing him.

“Problem with that?”

“You always assume there’s a problem when I ask a question.”She tilted her head to one side.“I’m asking questions about you because I’m interested in you.But it’s like digging for gold in a clapped-out gold mine.”

“You think I’m gold.”Hunter’s mouth stuck on a smile.“He helped me, and I gave him some design tips on his place.”

“This place suits you.And don’t withdraw into your shell like a turtle intent on protecting itself.”

“A gold turtle?Duck, turtle, you sure pick weird analogies.Would you like a drink?”

“What have you got?”

“Coffee, tea, mineral water, wine, whiskey, beer.”He gave her the drink menu, although he’d never seen her drink alcohol.

“A glass of white wine, please.”