He took her arm, smiling down at her as he led her into the lighted lounge. 'Honestly, I can't seem to stop. You're the most entertaining girl when you're outraged. Speaking of which, I was very impressed by your performance today. If you could just keep yourself out of trouble, you'd go far.'
'But I am going far,' Natalie said pertly, looking up at him. 'The day after tomorrow we fly home—early.'
He looked down at her, his dark eyes speculating, and she took a small uneven breath. She didn't just love him, he was perfection to her; he had been since the first moment she had seen him. Everything about him brought her to singing life, his voice, his looks, the things he said...
'Stay another day,' he suggested softly, his eyes never leaving hers. 'I can't. You know I can't.'
He walked across and poured her a drink, turning to look back at her. 'Not even to interview Kane Mallory and get him on film?'
That stopped her in her tracks. She stared at him, her beautiful face animated.
'You're thinking,' Kip murmured. 'I can see your brain working. Dare you give up the chance of interviewing the boss? On the other hand, dare you face me for another day? You've got a problem.'
'It's no problem,' Natalie assured him quickly, her face flushing under his probing stare. 'Are you sure he's coming? Will he give an interview? Is he flying all the way from Canada?'
He came to hand her the drink but she put it firmly on the table, taking his and putting it there too, to his instant amusement.
'Wait! I've got to have more information. How do you know and-?'
'I knew he would be in England. He and Andrea are visiting Aunt Maureen. They have a house close by where they stay for a few months every year. I phoned him last night and found he was flying out for the opening in any case. After I did a little coaxing, he'll be delighted to give an interview. Well, knowing Kane, perhaps not delighted but willing. He'll not let you down—if you're interested.'
He smiled down into her enthusiastic face and she acted completely out of character. She flung her arms around his neck and tried her best to give him a hug.
'Oh, Kip! Thank you!' Just as his arms were tightening she spun away. 'I've got to let the others know. Can I use the phone?'
She didn't wait for permission and in minutes she had Neil on the phone, stopping his anxious enquiries with a rush of information.
'I'm sorry it's such short notice but I know you'll come up with some good ideas,' she wheedled.
'Are you coming back now?' His voice was strained and she felt her smile dying.
'You know I'm having dinner with Kip.' At the sound of her altered tone, Kip put his drink down and walked over to her.
'You'll come back early, of course?' Neil persisted. 'You can help me to work out the interview.'
Very amusing, considering his words this morning. She had no doubt at all about what he was intending.
'I could comeback early,' she began and Kip's arms came round her from behind, slowly pulling her against him, his fair head bent to allow his lips to touch her hair. It just about settled everything and she felt her body sway towards him, curling into him like a sleepy child's.
'But I'm not coming back early,' she finished breathlessly, and Kip took the phone from her suddenly nerveless fingers, placing it back on the rest and turning her into his arms.
He bent his head and kissed her slender throat, his words murmured against her skin.
'For once, you said the right thing. At this moment I'm quite prepared to fight for you.' He looked up, tilting her face, his eyes burning into hers. 'Tonight you're staying with me.'
'Because you got me an interview with Kane Mallory?'
For a second his eyes darkened, an angry flash at the back of them, but something about her expression calmed his ready temper.
'Is that why you're staying?'
She did not think to deny that she would stay and all her feelings were in her wide green eyes.