“Seen?”
“Yeah, you know, society pages, gossips...”
Befuddled, she named a couple of restaurants.
He grinned. “Okay, we’ll try one tonight, and the other tomorrow night. Then on Saturday we’ll set tongues wagging by spending the whole day together. Think of something you’d like to do.”
Before she knew what happened, he had scribbled her address and phone number on a piece of paper. “Go home and get into something slinky and sexy. I’ll pick you up at eight.” As he left her office, he said with a wicked wink, “And we’ll start operation cover-up.”
He disappeared into the lift, whistling. Not sure whether to be relieved or frightened by his acceptance, Debra flopped against the door jamb.
She should be glad he’d agreed. His presence would be far more valuable as a smokescreen than an escort’s. But an escort she could have handled. Could she handle Jase McEwan?
Chapter Twelve
Jase floated. Just a couple of hours after accepting Debra Laurie wasn’t going to give him the time of day he gets this unexpected opportunity.
She practically ordered me to be her partner.
He threw back his head. He’d play this situation for all it was worth. If he couldn’t convince her the strength of emotion bubbling between them was worth pursuing by the time of her brother’s wedding, then he wasn’t worthy of her.
People probably thought he was crazy as he almost jogged back to his hotel, but he didn’t care.
He made their dinner reservation and poured himself a long, cool soft drink. A grin split his face. This opportunity needed some very serious planning. His whole life depended on those plans working.
****
Debra was a quivering mass of nerves by eight. Determined to wear anything but a “slinky and sexy” outfit, she’d chosen a favourite dark blue cocktail dress she’d worn often. But tonight it exposed too much cleavage. She tugged at the plunging neckline she’d never noticed before while flattening her breasts as much as possible.
She’d decided to change, but then the doorbell rang. Cursing under her breath she grabbed her purse and stalked to the door.
Her stomach squirmed at the sight of him. His attire was similar to what he’d worn earlier but his expression wasn’t. He was grinning like some stupid feline as he leant toward her. She jerked her head away to avoid any contact with those sensuous lips.
He chuckled as he tucked an arm around her and drew her close to his side. “You look wonderful. Blue is certainly your colour.”
His supercilious smile had her grinding her teeth. She tried to put some distance between them.
“Now, now,” he tsked. “If you want this to succeed you have to work at it.”
She shot him a killer glare.
“Next time, you mustn’t avoid my kiss.” He winked. “It would look peculiar if you’re not comfortable with public displays of affection. We need to watch that.”
Comfortable! The mere thought of his lips touching her already sent goose bumps all over her body. She stumbled, and he took advantage by drawing her even closer.
“We should practise plenty of PDA’s during this week so you don’t jump when I touch you. That would certainly not fool your sister-in-law.”
Could enamel grind off your teeth?
His minty breath mixed with her exasperation. His head leaned from one side to the other as he examined her. “Your hair looks very nice like that.” She’d done a French plait, but not because he’d once complimented that style.
She flinched when his fingers began tugging at the plait. Uncontrollable shivers raced up and down her body. Her stomach writhed at the intimacy of his touch finger-combing through the dark tresses.
She swallowed, hoping the movement would re-engage the saliva maker inside her mouth. Somehow robbed of the ability to speak, powerless to stop him, she stood passively in front of him.
“I bet you always wear your hair secured in some way,” he mused. “We need to change that when we’re together. You need to look wild and abandoned.” While he remained unaffected she quivered as he fluffed the curls down around her shoulders.
“Debra Laurie might always appear perfect and controlled but my Debbie knows how to tease a man with her hair.” His fingers caressed her scalp. “She knows I love to bury my face in its curls.” Actions matched his words and stole the bones from her legs. She clutched at his shoulders.
“She knows if she flicks her hair across my bare chest it drives me crazy...” His whisper was muffled. “She knows if she moves lower and—”
Somehow Debra propelled him aside and stumbled out into the street, dragging huge breaths into her collapsed lungs. The image he’d presented burned through her like a bush fire on a windy summer’s day—roaring, uncontrollable, insatiable. Her deep breaths were doing nothing to extinguish the flames.
Thank goodness he was content to let her slide to the very edge of the taxi seat on the way to the restaurant. The armrest dug into her thigh as shivers ran down her spine. She dragged her gaze away from the casual way he’d twisted to face her, his arm flung across the seat back. She struggled to regulate her breathing, to look calm and in control. She knew she was failing.
Her first task in the morning must be to get his bank details from accounting, pay his fee immediately, and re-enforce their strict business footing.
She fussed with the unfamiliar feel of her hair. Even relaxing alone at home she secured it in a pony tail at least. She hadn’t worn it loose for years, except in bed.
The image was back. She almost groaned as her body responded to the kaleidoscoping pictures. She glared out the taxi window, trying to recall figures from the latest project she was analyzing.
“Leave your damned hair alone.”
Debra’s hand dropped to her lap, startled by the snap in his voice. Her pulse slowed to an erratic tempo as she dared to look across at him.
The narrowed glance he threw her way was so fleeting she could have misread the blatant desire flashing from his eyes.
Omigod! Had playing with her hair turned him on? Renewed tension crammed the small taxi space to choking. Debra gulped, her mind in denial. She couldn’t turn on anyone, let alone a man like Jase.
A shiver travelled down her whole body. It was only part of the game he was playing. But she had to stop it; she couldn’t handle that sort of teasing. It would be too painful.
“I expect a certain amount of decorum, Jase,” she spoke through tight lips. “I’ve engaged you as an escort, not a potential bed partner.”
His stance changed. Lips held tight together closed more than his mouth. His whole face was closed, impassive, as if hiding a secret. Anger emanated from every pore as he glared at her through narrowed eyes. Debra sent up a prayer of thankfulness when the car stopped.
Entry into the restaurant and settling at the intimate table for two at the darkened back of the room was achieved without a word between them. As the serviette was fluffed across her knee by the attending waiter, she glanced around. Their arrival had drawn only the barest of attention amongst the other patrons.
“Stop worrying,” snapped the man opposite without lifting his gaze from the menu. “I’ll make sure you get your money’s worth before this is over.”
Debra bit her lip at her companion’s surly tone. Unwelcome heat burned her cheeks even as she snapped back at him. “I hope so. It’s not an exercise I’d want to embark on unless I was assured of success.”
The smile he flashed her might have fooled anyone watching, but anger filled his eyes. The grip of his hand as he clasped hers and lifted it to his lips was tight and unforgiving.
Instead of the kiss she expected she jumped when his teeth nipped at her skin. “Don’t goad me, Debbie. I’ve agreed to this hare-brained scheme, but we’ll be doing it my way. I refuse to be a toy for you to play with.”
Debra’s chin jutted out. “I’m paying you an exorbitant amount of money, McEwan. I expect you to do as you’re told.”
A derisive smile covered his face. “Or what, Debbie? You can’t fire me, remember?” The smile grew. “You can’t even raise your voice or this scheme will fall apart before it’s even off the ground.”
Her mouth opened, but his narrow-eyed glare stilled the stinging words on her lips.
He’s right. It’s already too late to back out.
“You can glare and spit as much as you want but that’s only working against you.” He glared right back. “I pledge to you on this wedding day everyone will know we’re a couple, they’ll know we’re so besotted with each other we can’t wait to tear off our clothes and—”
“I get the picture,” she grated. “You don’t have to go into graphic details.”
“Good. So don’t even think of telling me how to do this, boss lady. You do as I say.” His eyebrow quirked. “It might be a novel experience for you.”
Rage seethed through her. Rage she couldn’t express except through burning eyes which she prayed might scald him.
With a casual flick of his arm, Jase signalled the waiter. “Are you ready to order?”
No! she wanted to scream. Her churning stomach made her feel sick, not hungry. She blinked to focus on the blur inside the menu as she listened to him give his order.
“Steak.” She anticipated the waiter’s next question. “Blue. With salad.” Tearing at raw meat appealed right now. She tossed back her chair, grabbed her purse, mumbled a hasty “excuse me,” and headed for the restroom.
Relieved the place was empty she clasped the tiled edge of the sink units and let her chin flop onto her chest. What had she got herself into? It hadn’t even started and Jase had control.
His dictating plans to relieve Chloe’s concerns hadn’t even occurred to her. Any man ordering her around hadn’t occurred in years.
“Are you all right, dear?” A grey-haired lady touched her arm, concern evident on her face. Debra hadn’t even heard her enter the room.
Debra straightened and was shocked at the pale face reflected back from the mirror. No wonder the woman had enquired. She bit her lip and turned to the lady hovering beside her. “Yes, thank you. I’m okay.”
“Shall I call someone, a staff member? You look so pale.”
“No, no, I’m fine.” She injected some vigour into her shaky voice. “I’ve just had a bit of a shock, that’s all.” She pinched her cheeks to encourage some colour. “See? All good to go now. Thank you for your concern, though.” Her rush out the door prevented any further questions.
Still out of sight of the restaurant tables Debra was able to pause a moment longer and repress the agitated emotions wheeling around inside her.
She could allow him the illusion of being in charge. She would present a calm, unruffled nonchalance during their dealings.
Her gaze flew heavenward begging for strength. She must suppress all these wayward feelings he evoked.
How did that old feminist song go? I am strong, I am invincible...
Her back straight and her head high she marched back to Jase.
****
Jase sensed a change in Debra. When she’d dashed out of the room he’d been afraid he’d come on too heavy. He should have known she could deal with anything. A smile played at his lips before he sent it scurrying away. She mightn’t be ready for his amusement.
He leaned back in his chair as she rearranged the cutlery in front of her. He intended getting as much mileage as he could from this idiotic scheme of hers. He’d keep digging until he found the real Debra Laurie.
The breads Jase had ordered as a prelude to their meal were eaten in complete silence. Although the mood remained frosty, his own discomfort at her earlier antics in the taxi had subsided enough for him to relax.
Embarrassed by his snappish behaviour he was nevertheless pleased he’d pressed her. Still reeling under her acceptance of his edict, he doubted the genuineness of that acquiescence. They could have some fun tussles finding out. The humour of the situation forced a delighted smile.
“What?” She’d caught his smile.
“I was just wondering how you’d respond to orders?”
The flare in her eyes confirmed her struggle with the idea. “I managed in Riversleigh.”
“So you did,” he agreed, remembering her difficulty when he’d directed her.
“Can I ask you something?”
“I thought you were the boss.” Her tone wasn’t quite as anger-filled as earlier.
“No-one should be the boss in a relationship between a man and a woman.”
“But this isn’t a relationship. Is it?”
“No, of course you’re right.” He took a sip of wine, pondering. “Why did you offer to pay me, Debra? Why didn’t you just ask for my help?”
She grabbed her own wine glass and swigged, choked, and then spluttered. Her eyes watered.
He waited for her to regain her composure. “Why, Debra?”
Silence lengthened as she looked around, avoiding eye contact with him. The grip on her wine glass was turning her knuckles white.
If the money had only been to exert control over the situation, she’d have flicked off a response by now. Deep inside he guessed that was the least of her concerns.
He was willing to bet she’d never considered not being in control of anything in her life. “Debbie?”
“You have to pay for what you want.”
“No, you don’t. Not always. Not for something personal like this.” He hated the cynical rise of her eyebrows. “Not when you need help. Why didn’t you just ask me?”
“You would have refused.”
He frowned at her certainty. “You’ll never know now though, will you? Because you never asked.”