‘That’s where the aunt brought you up. And would I be way off the mark if I suggested this aunt wasn’t too keen on men?’
‘Experience taught me to be cautious, not indoctrination.’
‘Charlie’s father?’
‘My daughter is not a subject I discuss with strangers.’
‘You’re the subject I’m interested in, but if it makes you feel happier I’ll put that on hold.’
It didn’t make her feel happier but she welcomed the breathing space. She soon learnt, as she worked in close contact with him throughout the day, that, though she might doubt his dedication, his competence was undeniable. He caught on fast and had a knack of homing in on small but significant details that would take most people hours of arduous toil to discover. There had been none of the languid playboy about the man she’d worked with today, and despite herself she found the seeds of admiration germinating.
‘We work well together, don’t you think?’ She slid the last file into its place and didn’t respond even though she was overwhelmingly conscious of his presence. ‘Don’t tell Mags I said that; she’ll think I’m being disloyal. What time shall I pick you up?’
‘Pick me up?’ She couldn’t delay looking up; there was nothing left to fuss about with on her neat desk—where was an errant paper clip when she needed it?
‘For dinner.’
‘It’s a girls’ night in with a pizza take-away, and even if it wasn’t I don’t want to go out with you.’
‘Staying in would suit me.’
‘I’m trying to be polite.’
‘Don’t worry about manners; you should have left half an hour ago. This is your own time—be as rude as you like,’ he said generously.
‘Why are you doing this?’
He seemed to consider the question seriously and she had the fleeting impression that he was almost as puzzled as she was. ‘Hormones?’
It wasn’t the reply she’d expected and she almost laughed out loud. That might be construed as encouragement, however, so she carefully wiped all trace of amusement from her face.
‘Are you just not used to being knocked back? Is that what this is about? Are you one of those men who’s more interested in a difficult chase? You lose interest once you’ve caught your prey?’
‘In answer to your first question I’ve had my fair share of rejection…’
‘Sure…’ she drawled.
‘Your disbelief is very flattering.’
‘It wasn’t meant to be.’ Her aching jaw told her she was grating her teeth again.
‘I’d enjoy accepting your surrender as much as you’d enjoy offering it.’ The heat coursed through her body so unexpectedly, the breath was trapped in her suddenly tight chest. She was angry with herself for allowing the sudden mental image of ‘surrender’ to throw her into such total confusion.
‘But all that stuff about the chase being more fun is pure junk. As to the endurance of these feelings, who can ever tell how long that will last?’
Surrender! Was she really some sort of pathetic creature who fantasised about surrendering to male dominance?
‘Give me strength.’ The ring of defiance she heard in her own voice was deeply disturbing. ‘Are we talking hours or days here?’ she hurried on, wanting to erase the sound of her own lack of conviction.
‘Does durability lend respectability to sex? I can guarantee quality, not—’
‘Staying power?’ she suggested, sliding her arm into the tailored jacket that matched her trousers.
‘Here, let me.’ She either had to comply or indulge in an undignified scuffle so she willed herself to accept his help passively.
‘Can’t I tempt you?’
There was the faintest tremor in her fingers as she fumbled over the buttons of her jacket. Benedict remained standing behind her, his hands still at either side of her shoulders. Despite the gap of air that separated them she could almost feel the imprint of his fingers; it was quite a bizarre sensation. Was this the same sort of phantom pain amputees suffered? What a ridiculous analogy, she told herself, irritated by the whimsical idea; he’s not part of my body. He could be. Shock at the mental picture that accompanied this maverick thought made her suck in air through her flared nostrils and extinguished the dreamy, unfocused expression in her eyes.
Even as she turned to look at him and firmly shake her head in refusal, the honest answer to his question was ringing in her mind. Not only could he tempt her, he did. Even though she knew he was shallow, deceitful, self-indulgent and definitely not for the likes of her, she actually wanted—no, wanted didn’t begin to cover the craving that had taken over her body. Her treacherous hormones had conspired against her.