Page 54 of Naughty or Nice

He speaks again—not that he has much choice. I’m still struggling past the heart-shaped wedge in my throat.

‘Evangeline?’

Better. So much better coming from him.

I smile and walk back to my desk, setting down my phone and leaning my hip against its edge as I look back to him. ‘So, what’s this talk of the weekend?’

I’m so damn curious my blood is pumping with it, excitement quick to follow.

‘You questioned my ethics...’

My eyes narrow. ‘Ethics?’

‘You made some sweeping remark about crossing human rights lines.’

He’s right. I did. But it was a fair—if unlikely—assumption based on the figures he presented.

‘I have concerns, that’s all.’

‘And that’s why I’m here.’

He clears his throat and shoves one hand into the pocket of his trousers, the other through his hair—is he nervous?

‘I’m going to put your mind at rest.’

He’s actually rather cute when he’s nervous...

You’re supposed to be talking work, Eva.

‘How so?’

‘My jet’s on standby. I’m taking you to Singapore.’

Singapore? I straighten. He can’t be serious.

‘I can’t just up and leave.’

‘Seems you can.’ He holds my eye, any trace of nervousness gone. ‘You have no plans, you can shop in Singapore if need be and Clare has cleared your Monday too.’

‘But—’

I break off. There’s no reason for me to say no. In fact my body is screaming yes. With such force it’s scaring me. I am so hooked on him, so keen...

Oh, yes, definitely scared. And excited. Say yes.

‘Seems to me the best way to convince you of my upstanding ethics is to show you in practice—wouldn’t you agree?’

‘I...’

‘And besides...it’ll be fun.’

Fun. So much implied in that one word...

‘Okay...’ I say slowly, processing, considering...

‘Great, the car’s outside. We’ll swing by your place en route to the airport.’

‘Now?’