Eric's point of view
A mental, mischievous little imp laughed uproariously until she silently chastised and banished me.
Anna stifled a faintly audible groan, and her hands flew as she gathered a dessert plate, cut a perfect portion of cheesecake, drizzled tangy strawberries, and placed the plate on the serving shelf.
Soon Sally would be able to handle the orders for tea and coffee, and Gina could move into the kitchen to help clean up.
She glanced and moved close. "Compliments to the chef from the gentleman at table seven."
OK, so she swings by, smiles, exchanges a few words with their regular clientele, and acknowledges the compliment.
It took a few minutes as she paused at one table, then another—until she saw just who was seated at table seven.
Eric, here? What game was he playing?
'Don't tell me, she managed equably as she reached my side. 'You were at a loose end, and decided to observe my restaurant first-hand?
'No. I finished late, hadn't eaten, and decided to dine there instead of ordering room services.
She tilted her head to one side. 'I guess that'll fly.
'Join me for coffee.
She offered a slight mock curtsy. 'The kitchen awaits.
A faint smile teased the edge of my mouth. I'll take a rain check.
I did, until the last patron left, then Anna had no option but to effect an introduction to the remaining staff—which, she suspected, had been my intention—and at my request, Shontelle retrieved two bottles of champagne.
The celebratory toast was almost surreal. So too were the voice congratulations.
'Wow, Sally, according to a quiet aside. 'His score exceeds ten, twice over. I hereby withdraw almost all reservations.
It was midnight when Anna closed and locked the restaurant. My black Lexus was stationary at the curb, and Anna evinced concern as Sally bade them good night.
'Are you sure you'll be OK?
'I've been taking the late train since forever, Sally assured.
'Long before you moved into the same street.
I indicated the Lexus. 'We'll give you a ride.
The city never slept, it merely quieted down, and traffic lessened. The distance to Darlinghurst was achieved in the minimum time, during which Sally, bless her, never met the conversation lull.
'Thanks. See you tomorrow.
I waited to engage the transmission until Sally disappeared indoors, and Anna leaned back against the headrest as he turned the car towards the inner city.
She was conscious of my appraisal later, as the hotel had caught a train.
'Do you particularly want to argue? I queried as I slid the keycard into place and opened the door.
Right at that minute, all she wanted to do was shed her clothes, take a long, hot shower, then tumble into bed.
'No.
'Wise. I tossed my keys onto the bedside pedestal, then shrugged out of my jacket.
Anna took off her shoes, then she collected her nightwear and moved into the en suite.
It was bliss to stand beneath the spray of steaming water and let it ease the kinks, and it was several long minutes before she picked up the soap, lathered it, and rinsed it off.
I was standing at the desk, scrolling through data on his laptop, when standing at the desk, scrolling through data on my laptop, when she emerged into the room, and I pressed 'save' and then closed down.
I noted her pale features, the dark circles beneath her eyes. 'Take something for that headache.
'I don't need you to play nurse. Or my keeper, she added silently. Except that was precisely what I'd become.
Rescuing her from certain personal and financial disasters.
My eyes darkened a little, and her pulse kicked into a faster nest as I moved close.
'I trust you've organized your replacement?
Anna closed her eyes against the sight of me, then slowly opened them again. 'You want to exchange a recap of each other's day?
A simple yes or no will do.
My silky-voiced drawl shivered the length of her spine, and her chin tilted a little in silent defiance.
'Two interviews, with two trials over the next two consecutive nights. Satisfied?
'Not entirely.
Fleeting indecision shadowed her eyes, then it was gone.
'Tough.
I covered the few steps necessary to reach her, and she viewed me warily as I lifted a hand to tuck a wayward lock of hair behind her ear, then she swallowed compulsively as I trailed gentle fingers down one cheek.
'What are you doing?
The edges of my mouth curved a little as I lowered my mouth to hover a mere inch from her own.
'You need to ask?
My lips brushed hers, teased a little, and her heartbeat leaped as I traced the lower curve with the tip of my tongue, then ventured in to begin an erotic tasting that attacked her resistance and tore it to shreds.
She felt my hands slip beneath her tee shirt and cup the slight curve of her ribcage to capture her breast.
A faint groan emerged from her throat as he brushed one tender peak, then rolled it gently between thumb and forefinger.
I felt my senses quicken, and I deepened the kiss as I sought her response, caught the hitch in her breath and her capitulation.
And I wanted more…so much more.
My arousal was a potent force, and I sought the soft curls at the apex of her thighs, the moist heat there…and felt her body go rigid.
I stilled as she wrenched my mouth from my own, and when she pushed against me, I released her to arm's length.
'Please—don't.
My eyes narrowed and became impossibly dark.
'That wasn't the message you were giving me mere seconds ago.
Because she'd craved my touch and didn't think! Damn it, she'd never been able to think when I was anywhere close.
Something I'd always known, and she was willing to swear I'd taken pleasure in taunting her vulnerable emotions with a look, the touch of my hand, the light teasing brush of my lips to her check-in welcome whenever I'd flown in from the States.
The occasional kiss that came close to getting out of hand…
The times she'd taken my actions as deliberate…and hated me afresh for it.
"A few days, Eric, "Anna reminded me.
'Will it be such a hardship to wait until I have your ring on my finger?
I inclined my head. 'If you insist.
It hurt that I acquiesced so easily.
Sex, she reflected a trifle bitterly. That's all it is for him. So get over it.
Without a further word, she crosses to the large bed she'd nominated as her own, lifts the covers, and slides beneath them.
Habit ensured she activated the alarm on her watch, and her eyes widened as I began shedding my clothes.
For a moment she was transfixed by the sight of me, the smooth flex of rippling muscle and sinew with each movement, as I pulled my shirt free from my trousers and discarded it.
Next, I loosened my belt, undid the clasp at my waist, and slid down the zip fastening.
Oh hell, she was no voyeur, and her lashes swept down, remaining closed until she heard the faint rustle of bedclothes as I occupied my bed.
'You're quite safe.
My family-inflected drawl held a tinge of amusement, and she turned to look at me crossed my arms above my head.
She was aware of the faint drift of exclusive cologne, the faint, male muskiness… The pulse at the base of her throat leaped to a faster beat.
Safe?
Did I have any idea how her body reacted to mine? All her skin cells seemed alive and begging for my touch. Something she found difficult to control, and totally at variance with the dictates of her brain.
'The loan shark has been laid off.
'Thank you.'
She should feel relieved, and she did.
Really.
Except, with every step she took, it felt as if she was merely exchanging one form of debt for another.