Page 49

“Nor is attempting to fleece me for another two and a half million dollars. We all have crosses to bear.”
We survey each other. I’m amused; she’s bemused.
“Why?” she asks eventually.
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you want to go to dinner with me? I might be naive, but I’m not stupid. You’re rich, handsome, successful, sophisticated… You could have any woman you want. Why are you pursuing me?”
“I don’t want any woman. I want you.”
“Again, I ask why?”
“Are you looking for compliments?”
“No. I’m genuinely baffled.”
“You honestly can’t understand what I see in you?”
She blinks. “No.”
Jesus, she really does mean it.
“I want to see if you meant it when you said you weren’t going commando.”
That earns me a third sarcastic look. “There will be no exploration beneath my attire on this dinner date.”
I try not to laugh at her use of the word attire, and fail. “So you do agree to come?” Her gaze goes unfocused. “To come to dinner,” I correct, my smile widening. “You have a dirty mind.”
“You started it.”
“That’s probably true.” Our eyes meet, and my stomach flips the way it does every time I see her. “I want to say sorry,” I say softly. “Please come to dinner with me.”
Her warm brown eyes crinkle a little at the edges. “Okay.”
My heart leaps, but she’s already getting to her feet, so I rise with her, hiding my joy that she accepted. “I’ll pick you up at six,” I tell her, “and I’ll take you somewhere nice in the city.”
Suddenly, she looks uncertain, and I remember that she’s never been to a restaurant. “What should I wear?”
“This is New Zealand,” I remind her. “Half the clientele will be in shorts and tees. Whatever you want will be fine.” When she continues to look worried, I add, “I’ll make sure it’s somewhere relaxed, honey. I want you to have a nice time.”
“I’m vegetarian.”
“I know that. Most restaurants offer veggie options now. I’m not going to take you to CowsRUs.”
She tries not to laugh, and fails. “Okay.” She chews her bottom lip. Then she walks forward and extends a hand. “Thank you for your time.”
I smile and shake it, closing my fingers around hers and holding her hand for longer than necessary. “I’ll see you later,” I say softly, looking into her eyes. “I look forward to it.”
She looks up at me with those big brown eyes that are full of trust. I love that she’s so open and honest, but I also worry about the fact that she’s worn rose-tinted glasses for so long that she’s never learned to take them off.
“You’re incredibly beautiful,” I murmur, looking at her flushed complexion, her silky hair, and her soft mouth. “Inside and out.”
Her gaze drops to my lips, and my pulse picks up speed—she’s thinking about kissing me. Still holding her right hand, I slide my left onto her waist as I move closer. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t move back, and she lifts her face to mine as I lower my head.
Behind us, someone clears their throat. I straighten immediately and release her, and Scarlett steps back. It’s my father, standing in the doorway, his expression heavy with disapproval.
“Excuse me,” Scarlett says. She flicks Dad a brief smile, but he just glares at her. Dropping her gaze, she slips past him, and I hear her footsteps tapping rapidly as she runs down the corridor.