Читать онлайн книгу «Waiting For Mr. Wonderful!» автора Stephanie Howard
Waiting For Mr. Wonderful!
Stephanie Howard
He was the pefect manTall, dark and handsome, Frenchman Jean-Claude Lasalle wasn't just Mr. Right, he was Mr.Wonderful! Only, his divorce had left him wary. He had made a vow never to marry again. But Jean-Claude loved women. It had never been his plan to live without them!All he needed was the right womanAnd then he met Georgia Dee. She wanted a man who would say "I do," and mean it! She needed Jean-Claude's help, not his practiced charm. But there was nothing he enjoyed more than crossing swords with a spirited woman. Unless it was making love to her.
I do want to help you, Miss Dee... (#u87375e2b-167e-5844-90d7-6267b7547cf7)About the Author (#u675f2d2f-7936-537f-9a10-00f421302662)Title Page (#uf0553ba3-fa78-514d-a4e1-3cd15ad18996)CHAPTER ONE (#ud15eedcb-5efa-58a8-baf1-b5b970f53a6e)CHAPTER TWO (#ub07dba4d-3888-5131-840f-ee52ea822b3b)CHAPTER THREE (#u7c970b70-5941-56b6-8ae4-5f398bd3134c)CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
I do want to help you, Miss Dee...
Put it down to my passion for helping damsels in distress.
So, youre a white knight in disguise? I stopped believing in fairy tales when I was twelve years old.
But you still believe in monsters? The deep blue eyes looked steadily into hers. And though, alas, Im definitely no white knight, I can help you fight the monster Duval.
The next moment, she was drowning in the black-fringed blue eyes, feeling the warm physical aura of him wrap around her like an embrace. Jean-Claude Lasalle was clearly under the illusion that all he had to do to win any woman over was just look at her with those wonderful eyes of his and treat her to one of his heart-stopping smiles. And no doubt it usually worked. Women would drop like nine pins at his feet. Shed very nearly dropped herself. it was the raw sexuality of him. Some rare magic he possessed.
Stephanie Howard was bornand brought up in Dundee in Scotland, and educated at the London School of Economics. For ten years she worked as a journalist in London on a variety of womens magazines, among them Womans Own, and was latterly editor of the now-defunct Honey. She has spent many years living and working abroadin Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines and in the Middle East.
Waiting for Mr. Wonderful!
Stephanie Howard
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
CHAPTER ONE
GEORGIA knew instantly who the dark-haired stranger was, even though shed never set eyes on him before. It had to be the Frenchman. She was absolutely sure of it. Deep inside, she felt a quick dart of fear.
He was seated on the wooden bench that stood against the front wall of the house beneath a glorious canopy of April-flowering wisteria. And, though it was obvious that he was waiting for her, he appeared not to have noticed her sudden arrival outside the front gate. His head was bent over the newspaper spread out on his knee.
So, for the moment at least, she had the advantage. Squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, Georgia pushed the gate open and stepped onto the gravel path.
Excuse me. Can I help you? Her tone was clipped as she strode towards him. Who did he think he was, making himself at home in her front garden?
He glanced up at once, quickly folding his newspaper and tossing it down beside him on the bench. Then, as though he hadnt noticed her angry expression, with a slow, lazy smile he began to rise to his feet.
Enchant, mademoiselle. I am Jean-Claude Lasalle.
The instant hed glanced up, Georgia had stopped in her tracks, her anger and fear abruptly forgotten. Suddenly, quite unconsciously, she was holding her breath. He was the most gorgeous-looking man shed ever seen in her entire life.
Somewhere in his mid-thirties, he was tall and muscularly lean. You could sense the whiplash power beneath the expensive-looking blue suit. And he exuded from every pore a poised, raw dynamism that seemed to turn the very air electric. Georgia felt herself shiver. This man had sex appeal to burn.
He started to come towards her. Forgive me for taking the liberty, but the seat looked so inviting and I didnt really want to wait out in the street.
As he spoke, Georgia was aware of his eyes travelling over her. Swiftly. Expertly. Taking in every detail. Every nuance and shadow of her pale-skinned oval face with its wide hazel eyes andin her opinionover-generous mouth. Every shiny, shoulderlength strand of her mahogany-dark hair.
Devoured in a single glance! Ill bet hes even soused that I curl my eyelashes! she thought wryly.
Then as his gaze moved downwards, taking her in from neck to toe, she had the very strong impression that hed also worked out the fact that beneath her fitted cerise wool suit she was wearing nothing but her underwear!
To her annoyance, she felt a flicker of warmth inside her. Shame on you, Georgia! she said to herself. You ought to be mad at him, but in fact you actually rather enjoyed that!
He stopped right in front of her, extending his hand in greeting, and now it was Georgias turn to take a closer look at himthough she was considerably more discreet about it than hed been! And the first thing she had to acknowledge, though it hardly seemed possible, was that Jean-Claude Lasalle was even more gorgeous up close.
His tanned, sculpted face with its strong nose and well-shaped mouth exuded a vibrant, powerful intelligence, and he had the most remarkable eyes, which at first Georgia had believed to be brown, but which she could see now were an astonishing deep cobalt-blue and fringed with lashes that any woman would envy. His hair, which flopped engagingly over his forehead, was as glossy as silk and as black as a ravens wing.
She accepted his proffered hand, which clasped hers with strong, cool fingers in a handshake that sent a delicious electric charge up her arm. Pleased to meet you, she heard herself say. Im Georgia Dee.
Yes, I know who you are. The blue eyes smiled back at her. I came here in the hope that I might have a few minutes of your time. Theres a rather important matter Id very much like to discuss with you.
His English was perfect, enhanced by a delicious French accent, and that lazy, warm smile was as seductive as sin. Georgia looked at him and felt her insides turn to jelly. You can discuss anything you like with me, she almost felt like saying.
Almost.
Mentally, she gave herself a shake. What was she thinking of? Had she forgotten who this man was? Was she out of her mind, allowing herself to be seduced by a handsome face and a far too easy smile? She snatched her hand away and took a couple of steps back as her anger and fear at once flickered back to life.
With suspicious, narrowed eyes, she looked into his face. Was it you who came looking for me this afternoon at my shop?
Georgia had been out at the time, having a late lunch, but when shed got back Kay, her assistant, had told her about their mysterious foreign visitor. He hadnt told Kay why he wanted to speak to Georgia, but Georgia had guessed without too much difficulty. And, for the rest of the afternoon, shed been unable to think of anything else.
She watched him now, breathing carefully, as he responded. Yes, I did drop in at your shop. As I told your assistant, I planned to return later, but unfortunately I got tied up with other things. So, since Im rather short of time, I decided to try and catch you here. I figured youd probably get home from work about now.
With another quick smile, he answered her unspoken question. It was very easy to find out where you lived. I simply looked up your home address in the phone book.
I see. Her growing anxiety made it easy to resist his smile this time. Georgia fixed him with a sharp look. And whats this matter you wish to discuss with me? It must, as you say, be important for you to have put yourself to all this trouble. In spite of her calm tone, she could feel her heart thumping.
It is also rather urgent. His expression had grown serious. As he paused, Georgia could feel his eyes scour her face. So lets not waste any more time. Lets go somewhere private and discuss it.
He made as though to step past her and head for the front door of her flat.
Just a minute! At the harsh note in her voice, Georgia saw him hesitate. This important, urgent matter...does it in any way concern my shop? She held her breath, fearing she knew what his answer would be, but praying with every fibre of her being that she was wrong.
She was not wrong. He looked straight at her. Yes, he said. It does.
The words seemed to hang for a moment in the air, dark and menacing, sending a rush of panic through her. So her tormentors had not given up, after all.
Until Kay had told her about Lasalles visit this afternoon, Georgia had dared to believe that all her recent headaches were finally over. It had actually begun to look as though the Paris-based company who, six weeks ago, had begun an all-out campaign to persuade her to sell her thriving little clothes shop had finally accepted that it wasnt for sale. They would never get their hands on her beloved Georgia D, no matter what dirty tricks they employed.
She took a deep breath and looked Lasalle straight in the eye. In that case, youll have to talk to my solicitors.
Her voice was stiff with contempt as she reeled off their names. On the surface, Lasalle appeared to be a rather different type from the other couple of envoys whod been sent over to harass her, but beneath the glossy exterior he was no doubt just another thug who took pleasure in bullying a defenceless woman.
Youll have no trouble tracking them down, she added with a cool smile. Theyre listed in the phone book which youre already so familiar with. Just give them a ring. Im sure theyll be most helpful.
Dismissively, she turned away, about to stride past him to the front door.
He moved faster than a viper. Before shed taken a single step, Lasalle was standing in front of her, blocking her path.
You surprise me. I had imagined that, considering recent events, youd be a little more interested in hearing what I have to say.
Considering recent events. How about that for a perfectly blatant attempt at intimidation? As a couple of those recent events went flashing through her brainthe mysterious fire in the storeroom that had damaged most of her stock, the dispute over her lease that had almost lost her the shopGeorgia felt her contempt for him instantly double.
Im sure my solicitors will be interested. She barely glanced at him as she spoke. Give them a ring. Make an appointment to speak to them. But now, if you dont mind, get out of my way.
Its not your solicitors I wish to speak to. He remained precisely where he was, fixing her with a look that seemed to pierce right through her skull. The person Ive come here to Bath to speak to, Miss Dee, is you.
Thats really too bad, Im afraid, Monsieur Lasalle. I dont waste my time speaking to people like you.
Her eyes flashed back at him, her cheeks pink with anger. What right did he think he had to take this overbearing attitude?
So, what I would suggest is that you move out of my way, now, then just get off my property and go back to wherever it was you came from.
Shed expected him at least to look a little put out by this attack, which had been delivered in her most lethally cutting tone of voice. But, instead, he simply looked into her furious face and smiled.
One dark eyebrow lifted. Is this, he wanted to know, addressing her as though she were some disrespectful child whod just had the temerity to talk out of turn, the way you generally treat people who are trying to help you?
Help me?
Yes, help you. That is what Im trying to do.
This was a new twist. And in what way are you trying to help me? Georgia feigned a look of curiosity. What kind of idiot did he take her for?
The cobalt-blue eyes narrowed. You may not be aware of it, but youre in serious danger of losing your business. I came here to try to help you hang onto it.
Another new twist. So, he was a white knight come to rescue her? He really must think she was totally naive!
Georgia fixed him with a cool look. Thats terribly decent of you, but it just so happens that I dont need your help. Im perfectly capable of hanging onto my business by myself.
She paused for a moment, then added with a mocking smile, What makes you think Id fall for a ridiculous story like that, anyway? Why on earth would I believe that you want to help me? Why would you want to do that? You dont even know me.
Very true. I dont. But I know a little about you, and I also know something about your situation... Before she could butt in and demand to know why he was so interested, he elaborated, a sudden harsh smile on his lips, Actually, I would say I know more about your situation than you do if you seriously believe you can handle this thing yourself.
What thing?
The takeover bid.
A tingle of fear ran down her spine. Ignoring it, she told him, Youre a little out of date. I have reason to believe that the takeover bids been dropped.
Really? Well, it would certainly be nice if you were right. After all your hard work building up your shop from nothing to become one of the most highly regarded fashion shops in the south of England, it would be a tragedy if it were to end up in the hands of someone else. I can appreciate thats the last thing youd want to see happen.
Youre dead right. It is. And its the last thing thats going to happen. Nobodys going to get their hands on my shop.
He was watching her. I admire your confidence, he told her. But alas, I very much fear its misplaced. He paused. Perhaps you dont appreciate the full extent of what youre up against. Duvals not the kind of man to give up on something he really wants.
Duval. At the sound of that hated name, quite involuntarily, Georgias fists clenched. The owner of the French fashion chain which had been trying to buy her shop, Duval had come personally to pay her a visit once, seeking to win her round with a mixture of promises and veiled threats. And, though shed no actual proof, she was totally convinced that Duval had been behind the series of eventsincluding the storeroom fire and the wrangle over her leasewhich had suddenly started happening after shed refused to play ball.
Georgia didnt scare easily, but Duval had scared her. For a time, it had looked as though he might manage to drive her out of business.
She felt a chill touch her skin now as, in a clinical tone, Lasalle spelled out to her, Your shop is perfect for Duval. Just what hes been searching for to provide him with a foothold so he can start expanding into Britain. And, believe me, hes absolutely determined to have it.
You would know that, of course. Anger and disgust filled her and she made no attempt to keep them from her voice. Since its perfectly clear that youre one of his lackeys. Youre a little different from the others, of course. Not quite so crude. I congratulate Duval on his subtle change of tactics.
But its not going to work. Im going to give you exactly the same reply as I gave the others... Go back and tell Duval hell never have my shop. And now... she tossed her head at him ...get out of my way and let me past.
Im not Duvals lackey.
Georgia flicked him a scathing look. My, but werent those low-lifes touchy? OK. Employee, then. Im sorry I trod on a tender nerve. But the message is still the same. She glared into his face. And now, for the last time, get out of my way.
Im not his employee either. I dont work for Duval. Thats not why Im here. Like I told you, Im here to help you.
Oh, yes. I forgot. And why do you want to help me? You didnt get round to telling me that.
No, I didnt. My reasons are not something you need to know. Just be grateful that I do want to help you, Miss Deefor, believe me, you very much need my help. His eyes raked her face, then suddenly he smiled. Put it down to my passion for helping damsels in distress.
So, youre a white knight in disguise? She really was supposed to believe that! Well, Im sorry, Monsieur Lasalle, but Im afraid I dont buy that. I stopped believing in fairy tales when I was twelve years old.
But you still believe in monsters? Having met Duval, you must. The deep blue eyes looked steadily into hers. And though, alas, Im definitely no white knight, I can help you fight the monster Duval.
There was a silence. Georgia stared at him, suddenly unsure what to believe. Thered been an earnest fless, almost an urgency in his eyes when hed spoken then. Could he be on the level, after all? Was he really here to help her? Ought she to listen to whatever it was hed come to say?
He seemed to read her mind. Lets go inside and talk. Its important. I know how much your shop means to you.
I doubt that.
She glanced away. Her shop meant the world to her. For over three years shed poured herself, body and heart and soul, into making it the runaway success it had become. It was the fulfilment of a dream. A lifetimes ambition realized. But it was much, much more to her than just a business. It was the means to enable her to pay back those she loved. The thought of losing it and all it stood for made her blood run cold.
All the more reason to hear me out. Come on. Lets go inside. As he spoke, he stepped forward and touched her lightly on the arm.
The touch of him scorched her. Something flared deep inside. A rush of excitement. A twist of longing like a knife. Georgia almost gasped out loud as she blinked up into his face.
Next moment, she was drowning in the black-fringed blue eyes, feeling the warm, physical aura of him wrap around her like an embrace. She opened her mouth, a mere breath away from saying, OK.
But at the last moment she stopped as a sense of panic seized her. It was utterly insane, but all at once she had the feeling of having been taken over by some irresistible force. He has the power, she suddenly sensed, to make me do anything he wishes. But I must resist. I must. Hurriedly, she took a step back.
No!
Her tone was firm. She glared into his face. Jean-Claude Lasalle was clearly under the illusion that all he had to do to win any woman over was just look at her with those wonderful cobalt-blue eyes of his and treat her to one of his heart-stopping smiles. And no doubt it usually worked. Women would drop like ninepins at his feet. Shed very nearly dropped like a ninepin herself. It was the raw sexuality of him. Some rare magic he possessed.
But she refused to be one of his conquests. She would not do as he wished. She had no reason to trust him and every reason not to. In recent weeks, shed learned to be sparing with her trustespecially when dealing with mysterious Frenchmen who were displaying just a little too much interest in her shop. Who knew what he might be planning?
No! she said again. Ive already told you the arrangement. If you want to discuss my business, youre going to have to speak to my solicitors.
And Ive already told you Ive no intention of doing that. The seductive charm had gone. His eyes were hard again. I speak to you or I speak to no one. And time is short. Ill be leaving Bath first thing tomorrow. So, if you want to hear what I have to say, youd better make up your mind fast
Ive already made up my mind. I dont want to hear what you have to say. Georgia shot him a withering look. Now get out of my way.
Youre making a big mistake. He ignored her command, and that withering look had simply bounced off him like rainwater. But do what you like. Im not going to insist If you want Duval to take your shop from you, what business is it of mine?
He glanced down at her with a grim smile. And he will take it from you. I know Duval well and thats one thing I can guarantee.
Dont try to intimidate me! Im not scared by your stupid threats! And if you dont get out of here this minute Im going to call the police and have you thrown off my property!
But he was already leaving anyway, heading swiftly up the gravel path. At the gate, he turned to look at her. That was a warning, not a threat. And youre just wasting precious energy shouting at me when you ought to be saving it for your coming fight with Duval. He flicked her a dark look. He hasnt finished with you yet.
How do you know? You do work for him, dont you? Anger and fear and confusion rushed inside her. Since you seem to know so much, why dont you tell me what hes planning?
He answered none of her questions. Up until now, youve had it easy. Hes played pretty clean, at least by his standards. But all thats about to change. Hes beginning to get impatient. And when Duval gets impatient he starts to play dirty and he doesnt give a damn who he destroys in the process.
Georgia was aware that her cheeks had turned as white as sheets of paper. She stared at Lasalle numbly as he pulled open the gate.
I dont believe you. Youre making all this up. Youre just trying to scare me. But Im sorry, it wont work.
Brave words, but even to her own ears they sounded hollow. She did believe him and she definitely was scared.
She watched in dismay as the gate shut with a dismissive click. Then, without so much as a backward glance at her, Lasalle was stepping off the pavement and striding across the road to where a shiny low black Porsche was parked. As he snatched the door open and was about to climb inside, sudden panic rose up in Georgias throat.
Wait! Where are you going? Hang on! Dont go yet!
Without realizing what she was doing, Georgia was hurrying up the path after him. Perhaps shed been too hasty. She ought to have listened to him, after all. Hed offered to help her. She shouldnt have just sent him away.
She reached the gate as he slid behind the wheel and slammed the door.
Wait! she called out. Please wait! Please come back!
But he paid her no heed. With a squeal of tyres, he was gone.
Jean-Claude got back to his hotel in central Bath to find a whole stack of phone messages and faxes waiting for him at Reception.
Youre an extremely sought-after man. The receptionist smiled at him prettily, cheeks pinking with pleasure as the blue eyes smiled back at her. For Georgia had been perfectly correct in her assumption that women the world over, regardless of age or race, tended to fall like ninepins at Jean-Claudes well-shod feet.
Jean-Claude was not unaware of this power he possessed and which hed first properly recognized at about the age of sixteen, and hed never been particularly reticent about exploiting it. Good fortune, he firmly believed, was not something to be wasted, particularly not good fortune with women.
For Jean-Claude loved women. Looking at them. Being with them. Talking to them. Making love to them. Without women the world would be a grey and charmless place.
All the same, as he took his pile of messages and told the pink-cheeked receptionist, Thank you, mademoiselle, flirtation was actually the last thing on his mind. At the sight of the heap of paperwork, his brain had switched instantly to business, and no woman yet had succeeded for very long in taking precedence over business in his personal list of priorities.
For, as much as he loved women, he had yet to discover one who stimulated and satisfied him half as much as his work. His work was what drove him. Women were a hobbyalbeit a hobby which he pursued with great passion.
As he headed for the lift, he was already flicking through the sheaf of messages, a couple of which required urgent responses. He glanced at his watch as the lift doors opened, If he got down to it, hed have time to fit those in before dinner.
He stepped into the lift. One of the messages, however, he would put aside to deal with later. It concerned the business hed just been dealing with, the business of Georgia Dee, which at the moment could best be described as unconcluded. Remembering, he smiled. Georgia Dee was full of surprises.
His first sight of her had been perhaps the biggest surprise of all, for she was not at all what hed been expecting. Hed known she would be youngtwenty six years old, according to his informationbut hed been expecting some hard-bitten, tough-faced businesswoman, for who else would have the guts to stand up to a man like Duval? But, instead, she was the most beautiful, fresh, lovely creature, with the face of an angel and a body to invite sina perfectly irresistible combination!
As the lift soared up towards the top floor, Jean-Claude frowned to himself. What, if anything, should he do about Miss Dee? When hed left her fifteen minutes ago in a blaze of frustration, it had been his intention simply to wash his hands of her. Chances were he could manage without her assistance anyway, though her cooperation might have made his task a little easier.
But now his mood had mellowed. Whether he really needed her or not, he rather liked the idea of having another go at winning her round. For a start, he was extremely partial to brunettes, especially brunettes with such glorious hazel eyes. And she had lots of spirit, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than crossing swords with a spirited woman. Unless, of course, it was making love to her.
As the lift doors opened, he stepped out onto the landing, a sense of warm anticipation gathering in his heart. Over dinner, hed decide how to bring these pleasures within his grasp.
Lasalle wasnt staying at the first hotel Georgia phoned. Nor at the second one and nor at the third. Maybe, she thought bleakly, he wasnt staying at a hotel at all. Perhaps, instead, he was staying with friends. And time was so short. Hed said he was leaving Bath first thing tomorrow. How would she manage to track him down before then?
But then, with her fourth try, she finally struck gold.
Yes, we do have a Mr Jean-Claude Lasalle staying with us, the receptionist told her. Would you like me to put you through?
Georgia cut in quickly, No, thanks. Please dont bother. Id prefer to drop round to the hotel and speak to him in person.
Ten minutes later, she was jumping into her red Polo and heading for the city centre.
Thank heavens! she thought. Im saved! It was like winning a reprieve. Since that terrifying moment when shed stood at the garden gate and watched him disappear in the proverbial cloud of dust, shed been utterly convinced that shed made a ghastly mistake.
Maybe he wasnt genuine. There was always that possibility. But she also had to consider the possibility that he was. And if that was the case and he really did want to help her, then shed been out of her mind to dismiss him the way she had. If it was true that Duval was about to come after her again, she was going to need every bit of help she could get.
She shivered, remembering all the strange things that had started happening after shed turned down Duvals third and final offer.
The first odd occurrence had concerned the lease on her shop. Shed been about to renew it, a perfectly routine affair, when suddenly, out of the blue, shed been notified by her landlord that the lease was not renewable, after all. Shed have to find new premises by the end of the month.
That had been a nightmare. She could never have done it. Suitable premises in the city centre were rarer than hens teeth. But at the very last moment her solicitor had established that her landlord had no right to refuse to renew her lease.
Still, that hadnt been the end of it. Next, her landlord had tripled the rent.
It had been totally out of the question that she could ever have paid such a sum, and for a while it had looked as though she might actually have to sell her flat in order to keep going till she could find new, cheaper premises. But in the end, after a fight, her landlord had been forced to back down again. Hed still put the rent up, but not by three times what it had been.
Georgia had barely recovered from all that when there was a fire in the storeroom which resulted in her losing most of her stock. The insurance company had paid up, but what was lost was irreplaceable. The only thing to be grateful for was that it had happened in between seasons, before the bulk of her summer stock arrived from France. Otherwise, it would have been a total disaster.
Shed no evidence to prove it, but Georgia was convinced that Duval was the one she had to thank for all her troubles. Each time something had happened, hed instantly materialised, either by phone or in the shape of one of his lackeys, renewing his last offer, urging her to accept it and dropping hints that shed be extremely unwise not to cooperate.
It had been a nerve-racking time, but Georgia had held out and, in the end, Duval had dropped from sight. Her solicitor had told her it was safe to assume that hed finally abandoned his bid to take her over. But now Lasalle was saying that this wasnt so and warning her that Duval was about to start playing dirty. That scared her to bits. What was dirty in Duvals book? Shed been under the impression he was playing dirty already!
Of course, as far as Lasalle himself was concerned, there were still a lot of questions to be answered. Who was he? Who was he working for? Why did he want to help her? But, all the same, she was convinced that it had been a big mistake to send him away without even hearing what he had to say. If there was any chance at all that he really was genuine, she had to find a way to get him back on her side again.
As she headed through the light evening traffic in the city centre, Georgia was already planning how she would do that. Shed get him alone and apologize profusely for her rudeness, beg him to forgive her and plead for his help. And since it was a pretty safe bet that he was the type of man who would enjoy a begging, pleading womanit would appeal to his overbearing masculine vanity!hed soon forgive her and do as she wished. Then, when shed had a chance to consider what he had to say to her, shed be able to judge whether he was genuine or not.
She smiled to herself. It was going to be easy. She had Jean-Claude Lasalle all figured out.
At the hotel reception desk, however, she received a bit of bad news.
Im sorry, the receptionist told her, casting a quick glance behind her at the row of numbered cubby-holes where the guests keys were kept, but Mr Lasalle appears to have gone out.
Damn. I dont suppose he said where he was going? If she knew where hed gone, maybe she could go after him.
But the receptionist shook her head. Im afraid I have no idea. We dont keep track of our guests movements, she added sniffily.
Georgia took a seat in a corner of the lobby with a good view of the door. Chances were hed gone out to dinner, but it would be pointless to try and track him down, for there were any number of restaurants he might have gone to. No, shed just have to sit here and wait till he got back.
She leaned back and suppressed a sigh. It would probably be a long wait. Jean-Claude Lasalle, with his designer suits and shiny Porsche, was not the type of man to make do with a quick bite. No takeaway Chinese or instant hamburger for him. Hed be treating himself to three leisurely courses of Baths best, with a bottle of good wine and a shot of brandy to follow. Suppressing another small sigh, she reached for one of the magazines on the table.
An hour and a half later, there was still no sign of him. Georgia stood up to stretch her legs and stifled a yawn. Shed read every single magazine on the table from cover to cover and she was starting to grow tired of the sniffy receptionists beady stare. Maybe she thinks Im some high-class hooker whos arrived a little early for my appointment! she thought.
But there was a more worrying consideration. It was far too hot here in the lobby and shed caught herself very nearly nodding off a couple of times! That really was serious. Imagine the disaster if she was sitting there in a state of oblivious slumber when he finally walked into the lobby! For it was perfectly possible that the beady-eyed receptionist might not actually bother to tell him she was there. He could be fast asleep in bed by the time she discovered he was back.
Georgia frowned. Maybe I ought to stay on my feet and pace about, she told herself. That would keep me awake, as well as entertaining the receptionist! But then she had a much better idea.
She crossed again to the reception desk. I wonder if youd mind checking if Mr Lasalle has left a message for me? She smiled a long-suffering smile. You see, he was supposed to meet me here, and I cant believe hed be this late without letting me know.
With a haughty little smile, the receptionist obliged, turning to the row of cubby-holes behind her. Then, as Georgia held her breath, terrified her ruse mightnt work, she proceeded to do precisely what Georgia had prayed shed do. She reached up and inserted her hand into one of the cubby-holes.
A moment later, she was examining the slip of paper shed removed. No, Im afraid theres no message. This is a fax for Mr Lasalle. And she returned the slip of paper to the cubby-holes.
Georgia was struggling not to grin. Of course there was no message for her! But shed got what she wanted. She now knew his room number, something the sniffy receptionist would never voluntarily have told her. So she could go ahead and put her brilliant idea into action!
She went back to her seat, picked up a magazine at random and waited till the receptionist disappeared into the office behind the desk, as she did from time to time. Then Georgia leapt to her feet, tore across the lobby and dived through the doorway that led to the lifts and stairs. Scarcely pausing for breath, she sprinted up to the top floor.
What shed do was wait for him outside his room. There, shed be able to pace about in private and, when he finally arrived, shed be able to speak to him more easily, away from curious, prying eyes.
As she approached his room, however, she was taken by surprise. A maid suddenly emerged through the half-open door, carrying an armful of used bath towels.
Good evening. She smiled at Georgia. Ive just been tidying the bathroom. And she held the door open to allow her to pass inside.
Georgias immediate, instinctive reaction was to point out the mistake.
Its not my room, she was about to confess. Im not even a guest here.
But, for some quite unfathomable reason, she didnt.
She hesitated for only a second. Thank you, she replied. Then, with barely a thought for what she might be walking into, she quickly squared her shoulders and strode through the open door.
CHAPTER TWO
GEORGIA blinked open her eyes, suddenly realising that shed fallen asleep.
Horrors! What had she been thinking of? She squinted at her watch and discovered to her dismay that it was very nearly midnight. And Lasalle still wasnt back yet. What the devil was the man up to?
Stiffly, she sat up, pushing her hair back from her face. Just be grateful that he is up to it, whatever it is, she told herself. Imagine how it would have looked if hed come walking through the door and found you fast asleep at the foot of his bed!
It was at that moment that, through the bathroom door, she heard the sound of the shower.
Georgia froze, refusing to believe her ears for a moment. Surely not? Hed come back, calmly walked past herfor there was no way in the world he could have failed to notice her!and then, as though everything were perfectly normal, hed gone into the bathroom to have a shower! If nothing else, he deserved ten out of ten for cool.
She heard the shower switch off, and jumped up from the bed. What on earth ought she to do now? Flee while she still had the chance? It was tempting, but it would be a pretty silly thing to do at this stage. No, the only course of action was to stay right where she was and try to act as cool as him. For one thing, it was rather necessary that she explain what she was doing here, for heaven knew what must be going through his head!
Shoulders squared and quickly smoothing the rumpled skirt of her cerise wool suit, she turned to face the bathroom door just as Lasalle came walking through it.
So, youre awake? He was wearing nothing but a white towel around his hips. He smiled with amusement into her carefully composed face. I hope I didnt disturb you. I tried to be as quiet as I could.
Very funny. So, he was planning to play this for laughs at her expense? Well, at least he was being civilised. It could have been worse.
Georgia smiled an ironic smile. Im sorry, she apologised, struggling to keep her eyes on his face as she spoke, though the temptation to examine the bronzed, muscular body, with its broad, powerful shoulders and taut, flat stomach, was very nearly irresistible. I didnt mean to fall asleep. But the room was so hot. I must have dozed off.
You certainly must have. But dont worry about it. You made an extremely charming, if unexpected, picture curled up there on the bed when I walked in.
I only sat on the bed because the chair was so uncomfortable. She cast a quick, accusing glance at the low-backed chair in question and saw to her dismay that it was now draped with his clothes. Good grief. He must have undressed right here in the room in front of her. Thank heavens she hadnt wakened in the middle of that!
I only meant, she added lamely, to sit down for a minute.
Inwardly, she was cringing at the grossness of her faux pas. Tired of pacing about the room, shed gone to sit on the end of the bed, then, just to be more comfortable, had stretched out for a moment, certain she had the will-power not to fall asleep. Shed fully intended being on her feet when he finally came walking through the door! But shed blown it. What an absolute idiot shed been!
Not that Lasalle appeared even the least bit put out. Perhaps finding young females asleep on his bed was something that happened to him every day of the week. He hadnt even bothered to ask how shed got in!
Which was another thing. Why on earth had she come into his room in the first place? She must have been crazy, though it had seemed harmless at the time. Talk about walking into the lions den!
She watched as he switched on the pair of bedside lamps, her eyes lingering in spite of herself on the smooth, muscular back that rippled deliciously with every sinuous movement. Earlier today, shed decided that Jean-Claude Lasalle was the most ravishing man shed ever set eyes on in her life and nothing she was seeing now was causing her to revise that opinion. He really was a perfectly glorious specimen.
But hang on, she hadnt come here to admire him, and it was actually the last thing she ought to be doing! That could lead to all sorts of trouble!
She cleared her throat as he turned to look at her again. I suppose youre wondering why Im here... Before he could deny thatfor hed no doubt already come to his own conclusions!she hurried on, carefully ignoring the amused glint in the blue eyes. Well, I came here to apologise. For turning you away earlier without hearing what it was that you wanted to tell me. She smiled a contrite smile. I was rude and Im really sorry.
As she paused, she was hoping shed sounded convincing, for she hadnt quite struck the note shed intended. Shed been planning to plead a little and appeal to his male vanity, but, standing here in his bedroom with him dressed in just a towel, that hadnt quite seemed the most appropriate thing to do.
She smiled again. I made a mistake and I hope you can forgive me. Id really like to hear what it was you came to tell me.
Lasalle said nothing for a moment. He let his eyes scan her face in that intensely probing way he had. Then, abruptly, his gaze dropped down to scan the slim, cerise wool suit. Why dont you take something off? he said. You must be incredibly hot.
Take something off? So, that was what was on his mind! He probably hadnt been listening to a single word shed said!
Georgia regarded him calmly. Actually, Im not hot at all. It wasnt true, of course, but that was scarcely the point! Im perfectly comfortable as I am, thank you very much.
If you say so...but dont tell me you plan on sleeping like that? His tone was amused. Surely that would be a little uncomfortable? As he spoke, he casually tossed back the quilted bedcover. Personally, I prefer to sleep with nothing on at allat least, when Im expecting female company.
In vain, Georgia fought the vision that rushed up before her eyes. Him lying on the bed in perfect naked glory, one hand held out towards her, inviting her to join him.
That was quite bad enough, but what was twenty times worse was the shameless way she found herself reacting to this vision. She felt a thrust of pure longing, a wicked shiver down her spine.
Shame on you, Georgia. She squashed the feelings instantly and hurried to correct his total misreading of the situation.
Hang on a minute. Youve got something terribly wrong here. Only half-conscious of what she was doing, she folded her arms like a barrier across her chest. I came here to speak to you. I didnt say anything about sleeping. I simply came to hear what it was you wanted to tell me.
At this hour? At midnight?
It wasnt midnight when I arrived.
Nevertheless, its midnight now. One black eyebrow lifted sceptically. Do you really, seriously expect me to believe that you were waiting in my room at midnight in order to talk?
Yes, I do, as a matter of fact. Georgia flashed him an angry look. Im afraid youre deluding yourself if you think I came for anything else.
As she spoke, she had to concentrate on keeping her eyes from the bed, which seemed suddenly to have grown to fill the entire room, not to mention having sprouted a set of bright red flashing lights.
Ive been waiting for you for hours. Ask the receptionist downstairs. Ive been here at the hotel since just after half past seven.
My, you must have been keen.
Yes, but not for what you think. The only reason I came at all and waited till now is because you told me you were leaving Bath tomorrow morning and that what you had to tell me was important and urgent. No other reason, she emphasized, fixing him with a hard look.
While shed been reeling off this defence, Lasalle had seated himself on the bed.
What a shame. The blue eyes danced beneath their scandalously long lashes. So what, may I ask, brought about this sudden change of mind?
I realised Id been too hasty. She tried a persuasive smile. Look, I really am sorry for the way I acted earlier and I seriously do want to hear what you have to say.
Ive no doubt you do. He was slipping off his gold watch and laying it down on the bedside table. Trouble is, its a bit late for serious discussions now.
I know, and I apologize. She tried another persuasive smile. Couldnt you just tell me whatever it is very quickly?
Im afraid not. He shook his head. Its been a long day and Im tired. The only thing on my agenda right now is bed.
So, what are we going to do? Youre leaving tomorrow.
Youre right. I am. So I guess thats it. He sighed and paused a moment before adding, Unless, of course, you feel like spending the night here. I suppose its always possible that we might manage to fit in a few minutes of serious discussion in the course of the night.
Georgia was aware of a frosty look descending on her face. Im afraid that solution doesnt appeal to me in the slightest. She glared at him for a moment, then carefully softened her expression. Somehow, she had to get round him and pin him down on her terms.
What about tomorrow morning? I could come here to the hotel early. We could fit in a few minutes before you leave. .
He was shaking his head again. Ill be leaving very early. And Im not really a morning person. More of a night owl. Early-morning meetings arent my thing.
But this is important! Georgia glared at him again. He was enjoying this, making her pay for turning him away earlier. She could see the amusement flickering across his face. What am I going to do if you refuse to help me?
Im not refusing to help you. I told you...stay the night.
This was impossible. Im not staying the night. What do you think I am? Youve got a damned cheek!
OK. It seems to me thats the end of the discussion. If youre not staying, Im going to get some sleep now.
And before she had a chance to close her eyes or turn away he was loosening the towel at his waist and tossing it to the floor. A moment later, in one smooth movement, he had slipped between the sheets.
Georgias cheeks had turned the same bright colour as her suit. Damned exhibitionist! Hed done that on purpose. But if hed been trying to embarrass her into just turning around and leaving he was about to discover that she didnt embarrass quite that easily!
She fixed him with a defiant look. There must be some way round this. We could speak on the phone, for example. Give me your number and Ill ring you.
He was leaning back against the pillows, his hair very black against the white linen. He smiled at her. I can see youre reluctant to leave. So, why not just slip off your things and join me in here?
She was getting nowhere. She was beaten. Angrily, Georgia turned away. Dont kid yourself. Im not in the least reluctant to leave. Im just sorry I made the mistake of coming in the first place. She stomped off towards the door. Good night and goodbye.
He made no answer, but she could feel the blue eyes following her. Then, as she snatched the door open and was about to step out into the corridor, he said, If you still want to hear what I have to say, come to the hotel tomorrow afternoon about five.
I thought you were leaving tomorrow morning...?
Frowning, she turned to face him. But, at that precise moment, he switched off the bedside lights.
The sudden darkness blinded her, in spite of the faint light from the corridor. Georgia blinked and continued to stare unseeingly towards the bed. Had he really meant that invitation? Dared she believe him? She felt totally thrown. What had provoked this abrupt turnaround?
Are you still there? Suddenly, he spoke again. Look, make up your mind. Either come here and join me or leave, closing the door behind you, and let me get some sleep. I dont like people hovering about.
Stifling a curse, Georgia stepped into the corridor and closed the door with a sharp, decisive click.
Well, this is what I call interesting! But Im not really surprised. I knew he was much too gorgeous to be a villain!
Georgia had told Kay all about her two meetings with Lasalle yesterday, including the ignominious business of her falling asleep on his bed, a scenario that had hugely amused her assistant.
What I dont understand, shed joked, is why you refused to stay the night. A dish like that doesnt walk into a girls life every day.
There was no arguing with that, but, as Georgia told her now, Im still not as convinced as you are that hes actually on the level. For, though she intended keeping the appointment at his hotel this afternoon, she still had a few lingering doubts about Jean-Claude Lasalle.
I dont even know who he is, for heavens sake. In spite of what he was saying, he could still be one of Duvals men. I mean, why on earth would someone suddenly show up like that, completely out of the blue, offering to help me? Maybe its all just an elaborate scheme to try and trick me. Today could turn out to be a total waste of time.
Never. Kay was incorrigible. How could a meeting with a man like that ever turn out to be a total waste of time? She fixed Georgia with a narrow look, half joking, half serious. Who knows? This could finally be the Mr Wonderful youve been waiting for.
Yes, and pigs might fly. At least Georgia was sure about one thing. Jean-Claude Lasalle was a pretty tasty packet of goods, but there was no way in the world he was going to turn out to be Mr Wonderful!
The Mr Wonderful thing was a joke that had grown up between her and Kaywho was her good friend as well as her valued assistant. Kay kept telling her it was time she found herself a man.
Works not everything, she would chide her. You need a love life as well.
You happily married people are all the same, Georgia would counter, for Kay had been blissfully married to Eddie for seven and a half years. But Im not looking for a man. Right now, work suits me fine.
In a way, it was true. For the past three and a half years, since throwing open the bright blue doors of Georgia Dwith only a scarily hefty bank loan and a bucketful of ambition to prop her upthe huge amount of work involved in making the business a success had absorbed a vast chunk of both her time and her emotions. Of course, thered been men on the scene. But never anyone serious. None of them had ever amounted to more than the occasional pleasant dinner date.
Sometimes, she felt the lack, as she occasionally confessed to Kay, but the plain truth was she simply hadnt met a man whod even half tempted her to start getting serious.
Your problem is, Kay had once observed wisely, that youre not looking for Mr Right, youre looking for Mr Wonderful. And maybe, Georgia had to confess, she was right.
A man wholl sweep me off my feet and turn my whole head inside out and fill my life with love and magic and excitement. Passion. Fire. Enchantment. Wonder. Im crazy, she often told herself, but that really is what I dream of.
And Jean-Claude Lasalle? Well, he would know all about passion. And there was a fire in him, even a little magic, and he was undeniably exciting. But, in spite of all that, he was no Mr Wonderful. Mr Wonderful, above all, would be a one-woman man, and it was as plain as the exceedingly handsome nose on his face that Jean-Claude Lasalle was definitely not that!
So she ignored Kays wink as she set off from the shop at four forty-five to keep her appointment. All she wanted from Lasalle was to find out what he knew about Duval andif she decided he really was genuinehow he proposed to help her fight him.
Less than fifteen minutes later, she was walking up to the hotel reception desk to find herself looking into the beady-eyed face of the same woman whod been on duty last night. Having witnessed Georgias departure from the hotel just after midnight, she must really be wondering what the devil was going on!
So, let her wonder!
Georgia Dee for Mr Lasalle, Georgia told her, adding with a confident smile, Hes expecting me.
But her smile instantly died. The woman shook her head. Im afraid Mr Lasalle isnt here. Hes gone to London.
London? Georgia was aware of her mouth dropping open. London? she said again. But we have an appointment!
Theres a message for you, however. The woman was turning away to extract a slip of paper from Lasalles cubby-hole. He phoned a little while ago to say hed been held up, but that hed be here to keep your appointment just as soon as he could.
And how soon will that be? Has he left London? Did he say? It was about a three hour drive from London to Bath, though possibly a little less in a Porsche! Just how long was she expected to hang about?
But the receptionist couldnt help her. He didnt say how long hed be. She shrugged sympathetically. Men! she observed.
Georgia smiled back at that. Maybe shed misjudged her, after all. It looks like I have no choice but to wait.
But as she turned away and went to seat herself on one of the chairs Georgia was biting back her anger. Hanging around waiting for Jean-Claude Lasalle was getting to be a habit she could well do without!
An hour passed.
The receptionist glanced across at her and said, Why dont you go out and stretch your legs for a bit? If he arrives while youre gone, Ill tell him youre here.
That sounded like a good idea. Georgia thanked her and went for a walk. Twenty minutes later, full of hope, she returned. But the best news the receptionist could give her was that hed just phoned again.
He was calling from his car phone and I could hardly make out a thing. But he seemed to be saying that he wouldnt be long.
Wouldnt be long. What was that supposed to mean? Im going out for another walk, Georgia informed the woman between clenched teeth. If she was forced to sit about here for another single moment shed end up eating the carpet in frustration!
With difficulty, she wasted another twenty minutes, but this time as she approached the hotel she knew hed arrived. A familiar sleek black Porsche was parked arrogantly outside.
Seething, she hurried up the steps to the main door. Then she was sweeping into the lobby, where she spotted him instantly, sitting in an armchair reading a newspaper. As he rose to his feet, tossing the newspaper aside, she advanced on him furiously, anger smouldering from every pore, her glossy dark hair bouncing against her shoulders.
So, youve finally arrived! Her hazel eyes blazed at him. Are you aware that youre two hours late for our meeting? You asked me to meet you here at five. Its now nearly seven oclock!
If he dared to make a joke of it and say she ought to be used to waiting, she would throttle him right there on the spot with her bare hands!
Perhaps he read that in her face, for he answered in a sober tone, almost managing to sound genuinely apologetic, Im sorry. I got held up. It really couldnt be helped. I got here as soon as I could. I cant apologise enough.
That took the wind out of her sails a bit, but she hadnt finished with him yet.
Youre absolutely rightyou cant apologise enough! Do you think I have nothing better to do than sit around for hours waiting for you?
No, I dont think that. He frowned into her angry eyes. Look, I suggest we go up to my room and talk. Come. As he spoke, he took her lightly by the arm.
Georgia snatched her arm away as though hed bitten her, partly out of angerhow dared he lay a hand on her?and partly from shock at the jolt that went through her. The sheer erotic power of it almost took her breath away.
Almost. She managed to snap, I dont need your help! Im perfectly capable of walking on my own! Then she swung away furiously and marched ahead of him to the lifts.
They made their way up to the top floor in total silence. And not once did Georgia glance at him. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. Shed never been so furious with anyone in her life.
It wasnt just that hed kept her waiting, though that was bad enough. What had really triggered her explosion of fury was the way hed been sitting there calmly reading his newspaper, just like that first time when shed found him in her garden. So perfectly in control. So utterly uncaring. He seemed to think he had the right to behave as he pleased with her, that she was somehow at his beck and call.
Well, she was going to have to put him right about that!
At last, the lift doors opened and Lasalle took his key from his pocket, then stepped aside to let her pass ahead of him. He did the same when they reached his door. What perfect, impeccable manners! Too bad she wasnt even the least bit impressed! She swept past him, then swung round to face him as he closed the door.
As I was saying down in the lobby just a moment ago...do you really think I have nothing better to do than sit around for hours waiting for you?
No, I dont, as I already said. Its just been one of those days. Every single thing that could possibly go wrong did go wrong.
Did he expect her to feel sorry for him? Georgia scowled into his face. Well, thanks to you, its turned into one of those days for me too!
I think we both need a drink. Abruptly, he turned away, heading for the fridge bar in the far corner. Why dont you take a seat while I fix us a couple of whiskies?
I dont drink whisky.
Georgia glared at his back. And I dont feel like taking a seat, she nearly added. But that was just her anger talking. She actually did feel like sitting down. All that churning emotion had made her quite dizzy.
From the small group of chairs round the coffee table beside the window, she chose one with its back to him and also with its back to the bed. It might be a little unsettling to have to sit and look at that!
She heard the clink of glasses, the sound of a bottle top being unwound, the clatter of ice cubes, the splash of liquid against them. Then his footsteps were coming back towards her across the carpet. Georgia scowled straight ahead of her and refused to turn round.
Youll drink this whisky, he was saying. Its a special twelve-year-old single malt. I have a friend in Scotland who sends me regular supplies. As he came to the end of the sentence, suddenly he was standing right in front of her, holding a glass out towards her.
Startled, Georgia jumped and looked up into his face and was instantly thrown into a state of confusion.
Shed forgotten just how powerfully he was capable of affecting her and, taken by surprise, she was suddenly helpless before him. All at once, she could feel her heart clattering against her ribs and a squeeze of shameless pleasure at the sheer physical beauty of him. There was another sensation, too. A shaft of piercing longing that twisted oh, so sweetly inside her.
She held her breath. Heaven help me if he ever tries to seduce me, she thought. Where would I find the power to resist?
Numbly, she took the glass, carefully avoiding his fingers. She wouldnt touch it, of course, for she never drank whisky, but if she took the glass without a fuss he might just move away. And, in fact, that was what he did. Taking a mouthful from his own glass, Lasalle turned to seat himself across the coffee table from her.
He leaned back and suddenly smiled. You didnt give me a chance to tell you, but youre looking even more stunning than ever today.
His gaze swept over her, perfectly openly, just like that first time in the garden, seeming to take in every tiny detail of the pale blue Chanel-style suit she was wearing. He gave a small, impudent click of appreciation. Very chic. Very classy. It very much suits you.
Georgia fixed him with a spiky look. So glad you approve.
Normally, she had no problem accepting compliments from men, but right now anything he said would have irked her. Besides, the compliment had struck her as just a little too smooth, as though it had been plucked from a familiar, well-thumbed repertoire. He no doubt handed out compliments like that all the time.
Feeling an acute sense of relief, she revised her earlier judgement. If he ever tried to seduce her, shed resist him with ease. It was true that at times he had a powerful effect on her, but that was only because of a superficial weakness on her part. Deep down, she wasnt attracted in the slightest to men who collected women the way some small boys collected postage stamps. Which was precisely the type of man that Jean-Claude Lasalle was.
Taking charge of herself again, she looked him in the eye and very pointedly set down her untouched glass on the coffee table. Right, she said, I dont know about you, but now that weve finally managed to keep our appointment Id rather like to get down to business. You said you had something important to tell me. She sat back in her seat and regarded him expectantly. Feel free to go ahead. Im listening.
In response, Lasalle took another mouthful of his whisky. He looked back at her with interest. Dont you ever relax?
I didnt come here to relax. I came to hear what you have to tell me. I was under the impression that was supposed to be the point of this somewhat belated meeting?
Dont worry. I plan to tell you. But cant I just drink my whisky first? Ive had a hell of a day and Ive just driven all the way from London.
So you said. My heart weeps. Georgia flicked him a callous look. It cheered her up no end to know hed had a hellish day. She shifted in her seat. So, how do you suggest we pass the time? Are we going to sit here in silence while you drink your whisky or are we going to indulge in polite conversation?
I vote for polite conversation.
OK. You choose a subject. Restaurants? Films? Where we go for our holidays? Or maybe, to make it really entertaining, we could swap life stories? Lets start with yours. I enjoy a good horror story.
Lasalle was smiling. Do I detect a touch of English irony? He took another mouthful of whisky, watching her over the glass. Thats one of the things I like about you English. You never entirely lose your sense of humour.
Is that so? Personally, I used to have rather a soft spot for the French, but Im afraid thats suddenly gone out the window. Though I suppose its really rather unfair to judge a whole nation by someone like you. You, after all, are hardly typical.
Youre wrong. I would say Im typically French. Charming. Urbane. All the usual Gallic qualities. As he said it, his gaze held hers and he smiled.
Georgia very nearly smiled back. Even through her irritation, there was something about that smile of his that she found deeply appealing. But she was damned if she would succumb. She fixed him with a cool look. I see Im not the only one with a sense of humour.
So, we have something in common. Thats good. He was still smiling. Two people whore planning to team up together should definitely have a few things in common.
Planning to team up together? Excuse me? What did you say?
He was setting down his whisky glass on the table between them. You wanted to get down to business, so thats what Im doing...
As she frowned, he leaned forward and looked deep into her eyes, so that Georgia had to fight very hard to stop from blinking. And she was suddenly very conscious that she was sitting in his bedroom with a huge king-sized bed just a couple of whiskies away over her shoulder.
She held her breath, eyes unblinking, as he leaned even closer and elaborated, Thats what I want to propose. That you and I get together. I think wed make a beautiful team.
CHAPTER THREE
OH, REALLY?
What was going on here? Georgia peered into Lasalles face. If this was some kind of chat-up line, it was doomed to fail.
She fixed him with a cool look. Youre going to have to explain that, Im afraid.
Gladly. He sat back a little in his seat, his expression sobering as he began to speak again. You want to save your shop, and in order to do that youre going to have to beat off Duval. Im out for Duval, too, so we share the same goal. And well each achieve what were after more easily and more quickly if we agree to cooperate with one another.
He paused and looked into her eyes, suddenly smiling as he added, I promise thats the only kind of beautiful partnership I had in mind.
Sure it was. Shed have to be seriously stupid to believe that, though she could tell he didnt actually expect her to, anyway. That look in his eyes was pure sexual challenge and, to her dismay, it had provoked a warm flare inside her.
It was hopeless. He just had to look at her and it was like flicking on a switch.
All the more reason to keep her expression carefully blank. The only way to deal with a man like Jean-Claude Lasalle was to convince him you were totally immune to his charms.
Im not sure Im interested in any kind of partnership, she told him. But at least I begin to get the picture. You told me you wanted to help me, but the person you really want to help is yourself. You think you can get to Duval through me.
Sure. He looked amused. You wouldnt expect me to help you for nothing? What is it you English say? Theres no such thing as a free lunch?
Quite. But this admission actually made his position more credible. There now appeared to be a legitimate motive behind his offer to help her.
She relaxed just a little. OK. I accept that. You somehow gain by my cooperation. But what about me? Do I gain as well? Youve said you plan to help me, but why should I believe you? I dont even know if I actually need your help.
You think you can fight Duval alone?
Ive managed to up till now. As he was about to butt in, she hurried on and pointed out, And Ive only got your word for it that hes about to come after me again. Maybe youre just saying that to scare me into going along with you. According to my solicitor, Duvals probably backed off.
Then your solicitors a fool. Lasalles tone was dismissive. It simply isnt in Duvals nature to back off.
That had occurred to Georgia too, though shed refused point-blank to dwell on it. Shed told herself it was just her paranoia talking.
And maybe it was. How can you be so sure? Theres been no sign of him for a couple of weeks now. Youre only guessing he hasnt backed offunless you know something youre not telling?
Im telling you what I know. I know Duval. His eyes were narrowed to dark blue pinpoints as he looked at her. And after the lease business and the rent rise and the mysterious fire in your storeroom you must have a pretty shrewd idea of the nature of the man yourself.
Hearing him recite that list of horrors, Georgia felt her stomach twist. She looked at him, fear growing inside her. How do you know so much about my business? Maybe he was one of Duvals henchmen, after all?
Lasalle sighed impatiently. I have an interest in Duval. I make it my business to know what hes up to. He paused, his expression grim. And hes not finished with you yet. Maybe there hasnt been any sign of him for a couple of weeks but, take my word for it, thats not because hes backed off. Hes just lying low, plotting his next move.
And whats his next move going to be, since you seem to know so much?
I dont know what its going to be. I just know there will be a next move. And Id advise you to prepare yourself for something seriously nasty. As I already told you, hes starting to get impatient.
Georgia was suddenly aware that she was nervously chewing her lower lip. Something seriously nasty? Surely not another fire? Shed had nightmares about that. Another fire could ruin her. Last time had been bad enough, but it would be far more serious now, with her precious consignment of new summer clothes about to arrive any day from France. If that went up in flames, how on earth would she survive?
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Stephanie Howard
He was the pefect manTall, dark and handsome, Frenchman Jean-Claude Lasalle wasn't just Mr. Right, he was Mr.Wonderful! Only, his divorce had left him wary. He had made a vow never to marry again. But Jean-Claude loved women. It had never been his plan to live without them!All he needed was the right womanAnd then he met Georgia Dee. She wanted a man who would say "I do," and mean it! She needed Jean-Claude's help, not his practiced charm. But there was nothing he enjoyed more than crossing swords with a spirited woman. Unless it was making love to her.
I do want to help you, Miss Dee... (#u87375e2b-167e-5844-90d7-6267b7547cf7)About the Author (#u675f2d2f-7936-537f-9a10-00f421302662)Title Page (#uf0553ba3-fa78-514d-a4e1-3cd15ad18996)CHAPTER ONE (#ud15eedcb-5efa-58a8-baf1-b5b970f53a6e)CHAPTER TWO (#ub07dba4d-3888-5131-840f-ee52ea822b3b)CHAPTER THREE (#u7c970b70-5941-56b6-8ae4-5f398bd3134c)CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
I do want to help you, Miss Dee...
Put it down to my passion for helping damsels in distress.
So, youre a white knight in disguise? I stopped believing in fairy tales when I was twelve years old.
But you still believe in monsters? The deep blue eyes looked steadily into hers. And though, alas, Im definitely no white knight, I can help you fight the monster Duval.
The next moment, she was drowning in the black-fringed blue eyes, feeling the warm physical aura of him wrap around her like an embrace. Jean-Claude Lasalle was clearly under the illusion that all he had to do to win any woman over was just look at her with those wonderful eyes of his and treat her to one of his heart-stopping smiles. And no doubt it usually worked. Women would drop like nine pins at his feet. Shed very nearly dropped herself. it was the raw sexuality of him. Some rare magic he possessed.
Stephanie Howard was bornand brought up in Dundee in Scotland, and educated at the London School of Economics. For ten years she worked as a journalist in London on a variety of womens magazines, among them Womans Own, and was latterly editor of the now-defunct Honey. She has spent many years living and working abroadin Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines and in the Middle East.
Waiting for Mr. Wonderful!
Stephanie Howard
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
CHAPTER ONE
GEORGIA knew instantly who the dark-haired stranger was, even though shed never set eyes on him before. It had to be the Frenchman. She was absolutely sure of it. Deep inside, she felt a quick dart of fear.
He was seated on the wooden bench that stood against the front wall of the house beneath a glorious canopy of April-flowering wisteria. And, though it was obvious that he was waiting for her, he appeared not to have noticed her sudden arrival outside the front gate. His head was bent over the newspaper spread out on his knee.
So, for the moment at least, she had the advantage. Squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, Georgia pushed the gate open and stepped onto the gravel path.
Excuse me. Can I help you? Her tone was clipped as she strode towards him. Who did he think he was, making himself at home in her front garden?
He glanced up at once, quickly folding his newspaper and tossing it down beside him on the bench. Then, as though he hadnt noticed her angry expression, with a slow, lazy smile he began to rise to his feet.
Enchant, mademoiselle. I am Jean-Claude Lasalle.
The instant hed glanced up, Georgia had stopped in her tracks, her anger and fear abruptly forgotten. Suddenly, quite unconsciously, she was holding her breath. He was the most gorgeous-looking man shed ever seen in her entire life.
Somewhere in his mid-thirties, he was tall and muscularly lean. You could sense the whiplash power beneath the expensive-looking blue suit. And he exuded from every pore a poised, raw dynamism that seemed to turn the very air electric. Georgia felt herself shiver. This man had sex appeal to burn.
He started to come towards her. Forgive me for taking the liberty, but the seat looked so inviting and I didnt really want to wait out in the street.
As he spoke, Georgia was aware of his eyes travelling over her. Swiftly. Expertly. Taking in every detail. Every nuance and shadow of her pale-skinned oval face with its wide hazel eyes andin her opinionover-generous mouth. Every shiny, shoulderlength strand of her mahogany-dark hair.
Devoured in a single glance! Ill bet hes even soused that I curl my eyelashes! she thought wryly.
Then as his gaze moved downwards, taking her in from neck to toe, she had the very strong impression that hed also worked out the fact that beneath her fitted cerise wool suit she was wearing nothing but her underwear!
To her annoyance, she felt a flicker of warmth inside her. Shame on you, Georgia! she said to herself. You ought to be mad at him, but in fact you actually rather enjoyed that!
He stopped right in front of her, extending his hand in greeting, and now it was Georgias turn to take a closer look at himthough she was considerably more discreet about it than hed been! And the first thing she had to acknowledge, though it hardly seemed possible, was that Jean-Claude Lasalle was even more gorgeous up close.
His tanned, sculpted face with its strong nose and well-shaped mouth exuded a vibrant, powerful intelligence, and he had the most remarkable eyes, which at first Georgia had believed to be brown, but which she could see now were an astonishing deep cobalt-blue and fringed with lashes that any woman would envy. His hair, which flopped engagingly over his forehead, was as glossy as silk and as black as a ravens wing.
She accepted his proffered hand, which clasped hers with strong, cool fingers in a handshake that sent a delicious electric charge up her arm. Pleased to meet you, she heard herself say. Im Georgia Dee.
Yes, I know who you are. The blue eyes smiled back at her. I came here in the hope that I might have a few minutes of your time. Theres a rather important matter Id very much like to discuss with you.
His English was perfect, enhanced by a delicious French accent, and that lazy, warm smile was as seductive as sin. Georgia looked at him and felt her insides turn to jelly. You can discuss anything you like with me, she almost felt like saying.
Almost.
Mentally, she gave herself a shake. What was she thinking of? Had she forgotten who this man was? Was she out of her mind, allowing herself to be seduced by a handsome face and a far too easy smile? She snatched her hand away and took a couple of steps back as her anger and fear at once flickered back to life.
With suspicious, narrowed eyes, she looked into his face. Was it you who came looking for me this afternoon at my shop?
Georgia had been out at the time, having a late lunch, but when shed got back Kay, her assistant, had told her about their mysterious foreign visitor. He hadnt told Kay why he wanted to speak to Georgia, but Georgia had guessed without too much difficulty. And, for the rest of the afternoon, shed been unable to think of anything else.
She watched him now, breathing carefully, as he responded. Yes, I did drop in at your shop. As I told your assistant, I planned to return later, but unfortunately I got tied up with other things. So, since Im rather short of time, I decided to try and catch you here. I figured youd probably get home from work about now.
With another quick smile, he answered her unspoken question. It was very easy to find out where you lived. I simply looked up your home address in the phone book.
I see. Her growing anxiety made it easy to resist his smile this time. Georgia fixed him with a sharp look. And whats this matter you wish to discuss with me? It must, as you say, be important for you to have put yourself to all this trouble. In spite of her calm tone, she could feel her heart thumping.
It is also rather urgent. His expression had grown serious. As he paused, Georgia could feel his eyes scour her face. So lets not waste any more time. Lets go somewhere private and discuss it.
He made as though to step past her and head for the front door of her flat.
Just a minute! At the harsh note in her voice, Georgia saw him hesitate. This important, urgent matter...does it in any way concern my shop? She held her breath, fearing she knew what his answer would be, but praying with every fibre of her being that she was wrong.
She was not wrong. He looked straight at her. Yes, he said. It does.
The words seemed to hang for a moment in the air, dark and menacing, sending a rush of panic through her. So her tormentors had not given up, after all.
Until Kay had told her about Lasalles visit this afternoon, Georgia had dared to believe that all her recent headaches were finally over. It had actually begun to look as though the Paris-based company who, six weeks ago, had begun an all-out campaign to persuade her to sell her thriving little clothes shop had finally accepted that it wasnt for sale. They would never get their hands on her beloved Georgia D, no matter what dirty tricks they employed.
She took a deep breath and looked Lasalle straight in the eye. In that case, youll have to talk to my solicitors.
Her voice was stiff with contempt as she reeled off their names. On the surface, Lasalle appeared to be a rather different type from the other couple of envoys whod been sent over to harass her, but beneath the glossy exterior he was no doubt just another thug who took pleasure in bullying a defenceless woman.
Youll have no trouble tracking them down, she added with a cool smile. Theyre listed in the phone book which youre already so familiar with. Just give them a ring. Im sure theyll be most helpful.
Dismissively, she turned away, about to stride past him to the front door.
He moved faster than a viper. Before shed taken a single step, Lasalle was standing in front of her, blocking her path.
You surprise me. I had imagined that, considering recent events, youd be a little more interested in hearing what I have to say.
Considering recent events. How about that for a perfectly blatant attempt at intimidation? As a couple of those recent events went flashing through her brainthe mysterious fire in the storeroom that had damaged most of her stock, the dispute over her lease that had almost lost her the shopGeorgia felt her contempt for him instantly double.
Im sure my solicitors will be interested. She barely glanced at him as she spoke. Give them a ring. Make an appointment to speak to them. But now, if you dont mind, get out of my way.
Its not your solicitors I wish to speak to. He remained precisely where he was, fixing her with a look that seemed to pierce right through her skull. The person Ive come here to Bath to speak to, Miss Dee, is you.
Thats really too bad, Im afraid, Monsieur Lasalle. I dont waste my time speaking to people like you.
Her eyes flashed back at him, her cheeks pink with anger. What right did he think he had to take this overbearing attitude?
So, what I would suggest is that you move out of my way, now, then just get off my property and go back to wherever it was you came from.
Shed expected him at least to look a little put out by this attack, which had been delivered in her most lethally cutting tone of voice. But, instead, he simply looked into her furious face and smiled.
One dark eyebrow lifted. Is this, he wanted to know, addressing her as though she were some disrespectful child whod just had the temerity to talk out of turn, the way you generally treat people who are trying to help you?
Help me?
Yes, help you. That is what Im trying to do.
This was a new twist. And in what way are you trying to help me? Georgia feigned a look of curiosity. What kind of idiot did he take her for?
The cobalt-blue eyes narrowed. You may not be aware of it, but youre in serious danger of losing your business. I came here to try to help you hang onto it.
Another new twist. So, he was a white knight come to rescue her? He really must think she was totally naive!
Georgia fixed him with a cool look. Thats terribly decent of you, but it just so happens that I dont need your help. Im perfectly capable of hanging onto my business by myself.
She paused for a moment, then added with a mocking smile, What makes you think Id fall for a ridiculous story like that, anyway? Why on earth would I believe that you want to help me? Why would you want to do that? You dont even know me.
Very true. I dont. But I know a little about you, and I also know something about your situation... Before she could butt in and demand to know why he was so interested, he elaborated, a sudden harsh smile on his lips, Actually, I would say I know more about your situation than you do if you seriously believe you can handle this thing yourself.
What thing?
The takeover bid.
A tingle of fear ran down her spine. Ignoring it, she told him, Youre a little out of date. I have reason to believe that the takeover bids been dropped.
Really? Well, it would certainly be nice if you were right. After all your hard work building up your shop from nothing to become one of the most highly regarded fashion shops in the south of England, it would be a tragedy if it were to end up in the hands of someone else. I can appreciate thats the last thing youd want to see happen.
Youre dead right. It is. And its the last thing thats going to happen. Nobodys going to get their hands on my shop.
He was watching her. I admire your confidence, he told her. But alas, I very much fear its misplaced. He paused. Perhaps you dont appreciate the full extent of what youre up against. Duvals not the kind of man to give up on something he really wants.
Duval. At the sound of that hated name, quite involuntarily, Georgias fists clenched. The owner of the French fashion chain which had been trying to buy her shop, Duval had come personally to pay her a visit once, seeking to win her round with a mixture of promises and veiled threats. And, though shed no actual proof, she was totally convinced that Duval had been behind the series of eventsincluding the storeroom fire and the wrangle over her leasewhich had suddenly started happening after shed refused to play ball.
Georgia didnt scare easily, but Duval had scared her. For a time, it had looked as though he might manage to drive her out of business.
She felt a chill touch her skin now as, in a clinical tone, Lasalle spelled out to her, Your shop is perfect for Duval. Just what hes been searching for to provide him with a foothold so he can start expanding into Britain. And, believe me, hes absolutely determined to have it.
You would know that, of course. Anger and disgust filled her and she made no attempt to keep them from her voice. Since its perfectly clear that youre one of his lackeys. Youre a little different from the others, of course. Not quite so crude. I congratulate Duval on his subtle change of tactics.
But its not going to work. Im going to give you exactly the same reply as I gave the others... Go back and tell Duval hell never have my shop. And now... she tossed her head at him ...get out of my way and let me past.
Im not Duvals lackey.
Georgia flicked him a scathing look. My, but werent those low-lifes touchy? OK. Employee, then. Im sorry I trod on a tender nerve. But the message is still the same. She glared into his face. And now, for the last time, get out of my way.
Im not his employee either. I dont work for Duval. Thats not why Im here. Like I told you, Im here to help you.
Oh, yes. I forgot. And why do you want to help me? You didnt get round to telling me that.
No, I didnt. My reasons are not something you need to know. Just be grateful that I do want to help you, Miss Deefor, believe me, you very much need my help. His eyes raked her face, then suddenly he smiled. Put it down to my passion for helping damsels in distress.
So, youre a white knight in disguise? She really was supposed to believe that! Well, Im sorry, Monsieur Lasalle, but Im afraid I dont buy that. I stopped believing in fairy tales when I was twelve years old.
But you still believe in monsters? Having met Duval, you must. The deep blue eyes looked steadily into hers. And though, alas, Im definitely no white knight, I can help you fight the monster Duval.
There was a silence. Georgia stared at him, suddenly unsure what to believe. Thered been an earnest fless, almost an urgency in his eyes when hed spoken then. Could he be on the level, after all? Was he really here to help her? Ought she to listen to whatever it was hed come to say?
He seemed to read her mind. Lets go inside and talk. Its important. I know how much your shop means to you.
I doubt that.
She glanced away. Her shop meant the world to her. For over three years shed poured herself, body and heart and soul, into making it the runaway success it had become. It was the fulfilment of a dream. A lifetimes ambition realized. But it was much, much more to her than just a business. It was the means to enable her to pay back those she loved. The thought of losing it and all it stood for made her blood run cold.
All the more reason to hear me out. Come on. Lets go inside. As he spoke, he stepped forward and touched her lightly on the arm.
The touch of him scorched her. Something flared deep inside. A rush of excitement. A twist of longing like a knife. Georgia almost gasped out loud as she blinked up into his face.
Next moment, she was drowning in the black-fringed blue eyes, feeling the warm, physical aura of him wrap around her like an embrace. She opened her mouth, a mere breath away from saying, OK.
But at the last moment she stopped as a sense of panic seized her. It was utterly insane, but all at once she had the feeling of having been taken over by some irresistible force. He has the power, she suddenly sensed, to make me do anything he wishes. But I must resist. I must. Hurriedly, she took a step back.
No!
Her tone was firm. She glared into his face. Jean-Claude Lasalle was clearly under the illusion that all he had to do to win any woman over was just look at her with those wonderful cobalt-blue eyes of his and treat her to one of his heart-stopping smiles. And no doubt it usually worked. Women would drop like ninepins at his feet. Shed very nearly dropped like a ninepin herself. It was the raw sexuality of him. Some rare magic he possessed.
But she refused to be one of his conquests. She would not do as he wished. She had no reason to trust him and every reason not to. In recent weeks, shed learned to be sparing with her trustespecially when dealing with mysterious Frenchmen who were displaying just a little too much interest in her shop. Who knew what he might be planning?
No! she said again. Ive already told you the arrangement. If you want to discuss my business, youre going to have to speak to my solicitors.
And Ive already told you Ive no intention of doing that. The seductive charm had gone. His eyes were hard again. I speak to you or I speak to no one. And time is short. Ill be leaving Bath first thing tomorrow. So, if you want to hear what I have to say, youd better make up your mind fast
Ive already made up my mind. I dont want to hear what you have to say. Georgia shot him a withering look. Now get out of my way.
Youre making a big mistake. He ignored her command, and that withering look had simply bounced off him like rainwater. But do what you like. Im not going to insist If you want Duval to take your shop from you, what business is it of mine?
He glanced down at her with a grim smile. And he will take it from you. I know Duval well and thats one thing I can guarantee.
Dont try to intimidate me! Im not scared by your stupid threats! And if you dont get out of here this minute Im going to call the police and have you thrown off my property!
But he was already leaving anyway, heading swiftly up the gravel path. At the gate, he turned to look at her. That was a warning, not a threat. And youre just wasting precious energy shouting at me when you ought to be saving it for your coming fight with Duval. He flicked her a dark look. He hasnt finished with you yet.
How do you know? You do work for him, dont you? Anger and fear and confusion rushed inside her. Since you seem to know so much, why dont you tell me what hes planning?
He answered none of her questions. Up until now, youve had it easy. Hes played pretty clean, at least by his standards. But all thats about to change. Hes beginning to get impatient. And when Duval gets impatient he starts to play dirty and he doesnt give a damn who he destroys in the process.
Georgia was aware that her cheeks had turned as white as sheets of paper. She stared at Lasalle numbly as he pulled open the gate.
I dont believe you. Youre making all this up. Youre just trying to scare me. But Im sorry, it wont work.
Brave words, but even to her own ears they sounded hollow. She did believe him and she definitely was scared.
She watched in dismay as the gate shut with a dismissive click. Then, without so much as a backward glance at her, Lasalle was stepping off the pavement and striding across the road to where a shiny low black Porsche was parked. As he snatched the door open and was about to climb inside, sudden panic rose up in Georgias throat.
Wait! Where are you going? Hang on! Dont go yet!
Without realizing what she was doing, Georgia was hurrying up the path after him. Perhaps shed been too hasty. She ought to have listened to him, after all. Hed offered to help her. She shouldnt have just sent him away.
She reached the gate as he slid behind the wheel and slammed the door.
Wait! she called out. Please wait! Please come back!
But he paid her no heed. With a squeal of tyres, he was gone.
Jean-Claude got back to his hotel in central Bath to find a whole stack of phone messages and faxes waiting for him at Reception.
Youre an extremely sought-after man. The receptionist smiled at him prettily, cheeks pinking with pleasure as the blue eyes smiled back at her. For Georgia had been perfectly correct in her assumption that women the world over, regardless of age or race, tended to fall like ninepins at Jean-Claudes well-shod feet.
Jean-Claude was not unaware of this power he possessed and which hed first properly recognized at about the age of sixteen, and hed never been particularly reticent about exploiting it. Good fortune, he firmly believed, was not something to be wasted, particularly not good fortune with women.
For Jean-Claude loved women. Looking at them. Being with them. Talking to them. Making love to them. Without women the world would be a grey and charmless place.
All the same, as he took his pile of messages and told the pink-cheeked receptionist, Thank you, mademoiselle, flirtation was actually the last thing on his mind. At the sight of the heap of paperwork, his brain had switched instantly to business, and no woman yet had succeeded for very long in taking precedence over business in his personal list of priorities.
For, as much as he loved women, he had yet to discover one who stimulated and satisfied him half as much as his work. His work was what drove him. Women were a hobbyalbeit a hobby which he pursued with great passion.
As he headed for the lift, he was already flicking through the sheaf of messages, a couple of which required urgent responses. He glanced at his watch as the lift doors opened, If he got down to it, hed have time to fit those in before dinner.
He stepped into the lift. One of the messages, however, he would put aside to deal with later. It concerned the business hed just been dealing with, the business of Georgia Dee, which at the moment could best be described as unconcluded. Remembering, he smiled. Georgia Dee was full of surprises.
His first sight of her had been perhaps the biggest surprise of all, for she was not at all what hed been expecting. Hed known she would be youngtwenty six years old, according to his informationbut hed been expecting some hard-bitten, tough-faced businesswoman, for who else would have the guts to stand up to a man like Duval? But, instead, she was the most beautiful, fresh, lovely creature, with the face of an angel and a body to invite sina perfectly irresistible combination!
As the lift soared up towards the top floor, Jean-Claude frowned to himself. What, if anything, should he do about Miss Dee? When hed left her fifteen minutes ago in a blaze of frustration, it had been his intention simply to wash his hands of her. Chances were he could manage without her assistance anyway, though her cooperation might have made his task a little easier.
But now his mood had mellowed. Whether he really needed her or not, he rather liked the idea of having another go at winning her round. For a start, he was extremely partial to brunettes, especially brunettes with such glorious hazel eyes. And she had lots of spirit, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than crossing swords with a spirited woman. Unless, of course, it was making love to her.
As the lift doors opened, he stepped out onto the landing, a sense of warm anticipation gathering in his heart. Over dinner, hed decide how to bring these pleasures within his grasp.
Lasalle wasnt staying at the first hotel Georgia phoned. Nor at the second one and nor at the third. Maybe, she thought bleakly, he wasnt staying at a hotel at all. Perhaps, instead, he was staying with friends. And time was so short. Hed said he was leaving Bath first thing tomorrow. How would she manage to track him down before then?
But then, with her fourth try, she finally struck gold.
Yes, we do have a Mr Jean-Claude Lasalle staying with us, the receptionist told her. Would you like me to put you through?
Georgia cut in quickly, No, thanks. Please dont bother. Id prefer to drop round to the hotel and speak to him in person.
Ten minutes later, she was jumping into her red Polo and heading for the city centre.
Thank heavens! she thought. Im saved! It was like winning a reprieve. Since that terrifying moment when shed stood at the garden gate and watched him disappear in the proverbial cloud of dust, shed been utterly convinced that shed made a ghastly mistake.
Maybe he wasnt genuine. There was always that possibility. But she also had to consider the possibility that he was. And if that was the case and he really did want to help her, then shed been out of her mind to dismiss him the way she had. If it was true that Duval was about to come after her again, she was going to need every bit of help she could get.
She shivered, remembering all the strange things that had started happening after shed turned down Duvals third and final offer.
The first odd occurrence had concerned the lease on her shop. Shed been about to renew it, a perfectly routine affair, when suddenly, out of the blue, shed been notified by her landlord that the lease was not renewable, after all. Shed have to find new premises by the end of the month.
That had been a nightmare. She could never have done it. Suitable premises in the city centre were rarer than hens teeth. But at the very last moment her solicitor had established that her landlord had no right to refuse to renew her lease.
Still, that hadnt been the end of it. Next, her landlord had tripled the rent.
It had been totally out of the question that she could ever have paid such a sum, and for a while it had looked as though she might actually have to sell her flat in order to keep going till she could find new, cheaper premises. But in the end, after a fight, her landlord had been forced to back down again. Hed still put the rent up, but not by three times what it had been.
Georgia had barely recovered from all that when there was a fire in the storeroom which resulted in her losing most of her stock. The insurance company had paid up, but what was lost was irreplaceable. The only thing to be grateful for was that it had happened in between seasons, before the bulk of her summer stock arrived from France. Otherwise, it would have been a total disaster.
Shed no evidence to prove it, but Georgia was convinced that Duval was the one she had to thank for all her troubles. Each time something had happened, hed instantly materialised, either by phone or in the shape of one of his lackeys, renewing his last offer, urging her to accept it and dropping hints that shed be extremely unwise not to cooperate.
It had been a nerve-racking time, but Georgia had held out and, in the end, Duval had dropped from sight. Her solicitor had told her it was safe to assume that hed finally abandoned his bid to take her over. But now Lasalle was saying that this wasnt so and warning her that Duval was about to start playing dirty. That scared her to bits. What was dirty in Duvals book? Shed been under the impression he was playing dirty already!
Of course, as far as Lasalle himself was concerned, there were still a lot of questions to be answered. Who was he? Who was he working for? Why did he want to help her? But, all the same, she was convinced that it had been a big mistake to send him away without even hearing what he had to say. If there was any chance at all that he really was genuine, she had to find a way to get him back on her side again.
As she headed through the light evening traffic in the city centre, Georgia was already planning how she would do that. Shed get him alone and apologize profusely for her rudeness, beg him to forgive her and plead for his help. And since it was a pretty safe bet that he was the type of man who would enjoy a begging, pleading womanit would appeal to his overbearing masculine vanity!hed soon forgive her and do as she wished. Then, when shed had a chance to consider what he had to say to her, shed be able to judge whether he was genuine or not.
She smiled to herself. It was going to be easy. She had Jean-Claude Lasalle all figured out.
At the hotel reception desk, however, she received a bit of bad news.
Im sorry, the receptionist told her, casting a quick glance behind her at the row of numbered cubby-holes where the guests keys were kept, but Mr Lasalle appears to have gone out.
Damn. I dont suppose he said where he was going? If she knew where hed gone, maybe she could go after him.
But the receptionist shook her head. Im afraid I have no idea. We dont keep track of our guests movements, she added sniffily.
Georgia took a seat in a corner of the lobby with a good view of the door. Chances were hed gone out to dinner, but it would be pointless to try and track him down, for there were any number of restaurants he might have gone to. No, shed just have to sit here and wait till he got back.
She leaned back and suppressed a sigh. It would probably be a long wait. Jean-Claude Lasalle, with his designer suits and shiny Porsche, was not the type of man to make do with a quick bite. No takeaway Chinese or instant hamburger for him. Hed be treating himself to three leisurely courses of Baths best, with a bottle of good wine and a shot of brandy to follow. Suppressing another small sigh, she reached for one of the magazines on the table.
An hour and a half later, there was still no sign of him. Georgia stood up to stretch her legs and stifled a yawn. Shed read every single magazine on the table from cover to cover and she was starting to grow tired of the sniffy receptionists beady stare. Maybe she thinks Im some high-class hooker whos arrived a little early for my appointment! she thought.
But there was a more worrying consideration. It was far too hot here in the lobby and shed caught herself very nearly nodding off a couple of times! That really was serious. Imagine the disaster if she was sitting there in a state of oblivious slumber when he finally walked into the lobby! For it was perfectly possible that the beady-eyed receptionist might not actually bother to tell him she was there. He could be fast asleep in bed by the time she discovered he was back.
Georgia frowned. Maybe I ought to stay on my feet and pace about, she told herself. That would keep me awake, as well as entertaining the receptionist! But then she had a much better idea.
She crossed again to the reception desk. I wonder if youd mind checking if Mr Lasalle has left a message for me? She smiled a long-suffering smile. You see, he was supposed to meet me here, and I cant believe hed be this late without letting me know.
With a haughty little smile, the receptionist obliged, turning to the row of cubby-holes behind her. Then, as Georgia held her breath, terrified her ruse mightnt work, she proceeded to do precisely what Georgia had prayed shed do. She reached up and inserted her hand into one of the cubby-holes.
A moment later, she was examining the slip of paper shed removed. No, Im afraid theres no message. This is a fax for Mr Lasalle. And she returned the slip of paper to the cubby-holes.
Georgia was struggling not to grin. Of course there was no message for her! But shed got what she wanted. She now knew his room number, something the sniffy receptionist would never voluntarily have told her. So she could go ahead and put her brilliant idea into action!
She went back to her seat, picked up a magazine at random and waited till the receptionist disappeared into the office behind the desk, as she did from time to time. Then Georgia leapt to her feet, tore across the lobby and dived through the doorway that led to the lifts and stairs. Scarcely pausing for breath, she sprinted up to the top floor.
What shed do was wait for him outside his room. There, shed be able to pace about in private and, when he finally arrived, shed be able to speak to him more easily, away from curious, prying eyes.
As she approached his room, however, she was taken by surprise. A maid suddenly emerged through the half-open door, carrying an armful of used bath towels.
Good evening. She smiled at Georgia. Ive just been tidying the bathroom. And she held the door open to allow her to pass inside.
Georgias immediate, instinctive reaction was to point out the mistake.
Its not my room, she was about to confess. Im not even a guest here.
But, for some quite unfathomable reason, she didnt.
She hesitated for only a second. Thank you, she replied. Then, with barely a thought for what she might be walking into, she quickly squared her shoulders and strode through the open door.
CHAPTER TWO
GEORGIA blinked open her eyes, suddenly realising that shed fallen asleep.
Horrors! What had she been thinking of? She squinted at her watch and discovered to her dismay that it was very nearly midnight. And Lasalle still wasnt back yet. What the devil was the man up to?
Stiffly, she sat up, pushing her hair back from her face. Just be grateful that he is up to it, whatever it is, she told herself. Imagine how it would have looked if hed come walking through the door and found you fast asleep at the foot of his bed!
It was at that moment that, through the bathroom door, she heard the sound of the shower.
Georgia froze, refusing to believe her ears for a moment. Surely not? Hed come back, calmly walked past herfor there was no way in the world he could have failed to notice her!and then, as though everything were perfectly normal, hed gone into the bathroom to have a shower! If nothing else, he deserved ten out of ten for cool.
She heard the shower switch off, and jumped up from the bed. What on earth ought she to do now? Flee while she still had the chance? It was tempting, but it would be a pretty silly thing to do at this stage. No, the only course of action was to stay right where she was and try to act as cool as him. For one thing, it was rather necessary that she explain what she was doing here, for heaven knew what must be going through his head!
Shoulders squared and quickly smoothing the rumpled skirt of her cerise wool suit, she turned to face the bathroom door just as Lasalle came walking through it.
So, youre awake? He was wearing nothing but a white towel around his hips. He smiled with amusement into her carefully composed face. I hope I didnt disturb you. I tried to be as quiet as I could.
Very funny. So, he was planning to play this for laughs at her expense? Well, at least he was being civilised. It could have been worse.
Georgia smiled an ironic smile. Im sorry, she apologised, struggling to keep her eyes on his face as she spoke, though the temptation to examine the bronzed, muscular body, with its broad, powerful shoulders and taut, flat stomach, was very nearly irresistible. I didnt mean to fall asleep. But the room was so hot. I must have dozed off.
You certainly must have. But dont worry about it. You made an extremely charming, if unexpected, picture curled up there on the bed when I walked in.
I only sat on the bed because the chair was so uncomfortable. She cast a quick, accusing glance at the low-backed chair in question and saw to her dismay that it was now draped with his clothes. Good grief. He must have undressed right here in the room in front of her. Thank heavens she hadnt wakened in the middle of that!
I only meant, she added lamely, to sit down for a minute.
Inwardly, she was cringing at the grossness of her faux pas. Tired of pacing about the room, shed gone to sit on the end of the bed, then, just to be more comfortable, had stretched out for a moment, certain she had the will-power not to fall asleep. Shed fully intended being on her feet when he finally came walking through the door! But shed blown it. What an absolute idiot shed been!
Not that Lasalle appeared even the least bit put out. Perhaps finding young females asleep on his bed was something that happened to him every day of the week. He hadnt even bothered to ask how shed got in!
Which was another thing. Why on earth had she come into his room in the first place? She must have been crazy, though it had seemed harmless at the time. Talk about walking into the lions den!
She watched as he switched on the pair of bedside lamps, her eyes lingering in spite of herself on the smooth, muscular back that rippled deliciously with every sinuous movement. Earlier today, shed decided that Jean-Claude Lasalle was the most ravishing man shed ever set eyes on in her life and nothing she was seeing now was causing her to revise that opinion. He really was a perfectly glorious specimen.
But hang on, she hadnt come here to admire him, and it was actually the last thing she ought to be doing! That could lead to all sorts of trouble!
She cleared her throat as he turned to look at her again. I suppose youre wondering why Im here... Before he could deny thatfor hed no doubt already come to his own conclusions!she hurried on, carefully ignoring the amused glint in the blue eyes. Well, I came here to apologise. For turning you away earlier without hearing what it was that you wanted to tell me. She smiled a contrite smile. I was rude and Im really sorry.
As she paused, she was hoping shed sounded convincing, for she hadnt quite struck the note shed intended. Shed been planning to plead a little and appeal to his male vanity, but, standing here in his bedroom with him dressed in just a towel, that hadnt quite seemed the most appropriate thing to do.
She smiled again. I made a mistake and I hope you can forgive me. Id really like to hear what it was you came to tell me.
Lasalle said nothing for a moment. He let his eyes scan her face in that intensely probing way he had. Then, abruptly, his gaze dropped down to scan the slim, cerise wool suit. Why dont you take something off? he said. You must be incredibly hot.
Take something off? So, that was what was on his mind! He probably hadnt been listening to a single word shed said!
Georgia regarded him calmly. Actually, Im not hot at all. It wasnt true, of course, but that was scarcely the point! Im perfectly comfortable as I am, thank you very much.
If you say so...but dont tell me you plan on sleeping like that? His tone was amused. Surely that would be a little uncomfortable? As he spoke, he casually tossed back the quilted bedcover. Personally, I prefer to sleep with nothing on at allat least, when Im expecting female company.
In vain, Georgia fought the vision that rushed up before her eyes. Him lying on the bed in perfect naked glory, one hand held out towards her, inviting her to join him.
That was quite bad enough, but what was twenty times worse was the shameless way she found herself reacting to this vision. She felt a thrust of pure longing, a wicked shiver down her spine.
Shame on you, Georgia. She squashed the feelings instantly and hurried to correct his total misreading of the situation.
Hang on a minute. Youve got something terribly wrong here. Only half-conscious of what she was doing, she folded her arms like a barrier across her chest. I came here to speak to you. I didnt say anything about sleeping. I simply came to hear what it was you wanted to tell me.
At this hour? At midnight?
It wasnt midnight when I arrived.
Nevertheless, its midnight now. One black eyebrow lifted sceptically. Do you really, seriously expect me to believe that you were waiting in my room at midnight in order to talk?
Yes, I do, as a matter of fact. Georgia flashed him an angry look. Im afraid youre deluding yourself if you think I came for anything else.
As she spoke, she had to concentrate on keeping her eyes from the bed, which seemed suddenly to have grown to fill the entire room, not to mention having sprouted a set of bright red flashing lights.
Ive been waiting for you for hours. Ask the receptionist downstairs. Ive been here at the hotel since just after half past seven.
My, you must have been keen.
Yes, but not for what you think. The only reason I came at all and waited till now is because you told me you were leaving Bath tomorrow morning and that what you had to tell me was important and urgent. No other reason, she emphasized, fixing him with a hard look.
While shed been reeling off this defence, Lasalle had seated himself on the bed.
What a shame. The blue eyes danced beneath their scandalously long lashes. So what, may I ask, brought about this sudden change of mind?
I realised Id been too hasty. She tried a persuasive smile. Look, I really am sorry for the way I acted earlier and I seriously do want to hear what you have to say.
Ive no doubt you do. He was slipping off his gold watch and laying it down on the bedside table. Trouble is, its a bit late for serious discussions now.
I know, and I apologize. She tried another persuasive smile. Couldnt you just tell me whatever it is very quickly?
Im afraid not. He shook his head. Its been a long day and Im tired. The only thing on my agenda right now is bed.
So, what are we going to do? Youre leaving tomorrow.
Youre right. I am. So I guess thats it. He sighed and paused a moment before adding, Unless, of course, you feel like spending the night here. I suppose its always possible that we might manage to fit in a few minutes of serious discussion in the course of the night.
Georgia was aware of a frosty look descending on her face. Im afraid that solution doesnt appeal to me in the slightest. She glared at him for a moment, then carefully softened her expression. Somehow, she had to get round him and pin him down on her terms.
What about tomorrow morning? I could come here to the hotel early. We could fit in a few minutes before you leave. .
He was shaking his head again. Ill be leaving very early. And Im not really a morning person. More of a night owl. Early-morning meetings arent my thing.
But this is important! Georgia glared at him again. He was enjoying this, making her pay for turning him away earlier. She could see the amusement flickering across his face. What am I going to do if you refuse to help me?
Im not refusing to help you. I told you...stay the night.
This was impossible. Im not staying the night. What do you think I am? Youve got a damned cheek!
OK. It seems to me thats the end of the discussion. If youre not staying, Im going to get some sleep now.
And before she had a chance to close her eyes or turn away he was loosening the towel at his waist and tossing it to the floor. A moment later, in one smooth movement, he had slipped between the sheets.
Georgias cheeks had turned the same bright colour as her suit. Damned exhibitionist! Hed done that on purpose. But if hed been trying to embarrass her into just turning around and leaving he was about to discover that she didnt embarrass quite that easily!
She fixed him with a defiant look. There must be some way round this. We could speak on the phone, for example. Give me your number and Ill ring you.
He was leaning back against the pillows, his hair very black against the white linen. He smiled at her. I can see youre reluctant to leave. So, why not just slip off your things and join me in here?
She was getting nowhere. She was beaten. Angrily, Georgia turned away. Dont kid yourself. Im not in the least reluctant to leave. Im just sorry I made the mistake of coming in the first place. She stomped off towards the door. Good night and goodbye.
He made no answer, but she could feel the blue eyes following her. Then, as she snatched the door open and was about to step out into the corridor, he said, If you still want to hear what I have to say, come to the hotel tomorrow afternoon about five.
I thought you were leaving tomorrow morning...?
Frowning, she turned to face him. But, at that precise moment, he switched off the bedside lights.
The sudden darkness blinded her, in spite of the faint light from the corridor. Georgia blinked and continued to stare unseeingly towards the bed. Had he really meant that invitation? Dared she believe him? She felt totally thrown. What had provoked this abrupt turnaround?
Are you still there? Suddenly, he spoke again. Look, make up your mind. Either come here and join me or leave, closing the door behind you, and let me get some sleep. I dont like people hovering about.
Stifling a curse, Georgia stepped into the corridor and closed the door with a sharp, decisive click.
Well, this is what I call interesting! But Im not really surprised. I knew he was much too gorgeous to be a villain!
Georgia had told Kay all about her two meetings with Lasalle yesterday, including the ignominious business of her falling asleep on his bed, a scenario that had hugely amused her assistant.
What I dont understand, shed joked, is why you refused to stay the night. A dish like that doesnt walk into a girls life every day.
There was no arguing with that, but, as Georgia told her now, Im still not as convinced as you are that hes actually on the level. For, though she intended keeping the appointment at his hotel this afternoon, she still had a few lingering doubts about Jean-Claude Lasalle.
I dont even know who he is, for heavens sake. In spite of what he was saying, he could still be one of Duvals men. I mean, why on earth would someone suddenly show up like that, completely out of the blue, offering to help me? Maybe its all just an elaborate scheme to try and trick me. Today could turn out to be a total waste of time.
Never. Kay was incorrigible. How could a meeting with a man like that ever turn out to be a total waste of time? She fixed Georgia with a narrow look, half joking, half serious. Who knows? This could finally be the Mr Wonderful youve been waiting for.
Yes, and pigs might fly. At least Georgia was sure about one thing. Jean-Claude Lasalle was a pretty tasty packet of goods, but there was no way in the world he was going to turn out to be Mr Wonderful!
The Mr Wonderful thing was a joke that had grown up between her and Kaywho was her good friend as well as her valued assistant. Kay kept telling her it was time she found herself a man.
Works not everything, she would chide her. You need a love life as well.
You happily married people are all the same, Georgia would counter, for Kay had been blissfully married to Eddie for seven and a half years. But Im not looking for a man. Right now, work suits me fine.
In a way, it was true. For the past three and a half years, since throwing open the bright blue doors of Georgia Dwith only a scarily hefty bank loan and a bucketful of ambition to prop her upthe huge amount of work involved in making the business a success had absorbed a vast chunk of both her time and her emotions. Of course, thered been men on the scene. But never anyone serious. None of them had ever amounted to more than the occasional pleasant dinner date.
Sometimes, she felt the lack, as she occasionally confessed to Kay, but the plain truth was she simply hadnt met a man whod even half tempted her to start getting serious.
Your problem is, Kay had once observed wisely, that youre not looking for Mr Right, youre looking for Mr Wonderful. And maybe, Georgia had to confess, she was right.
A man wholl sweep me off my feet and turn my whole head inside out and fill my life with love and magic and excitement. Passion. Fire. Enchantment. Wonder. Im crazy, she often told herself, but that really is what I dream of.
And Jean-Claude Lasalle? Well, he would know all about passion. And there was a fire in him, even a little magic, and he was undeniably exciting. But, in spite of all that, he was no Mr Wonderful. Mr Wonderful, above all, would be a one-woman man, and it was as plain as the exceedingly handsome nose on his face that Jean-Claude Lasalle was definitely not that!
So she ignored Kays wink as she set off from the shop at four forty-five to keep her appointment. All she wanted from Lasalle was to find out what he knew about Duval andif she decided he really was genuinehow he proposed to help her fight him.
Less than fifteen minutes later, she was walking up to the hotel reception desk to find herself looking into the beady-eyed face of the same woman whod been on duty last night. Having witnessed Georgias departure from the hotel just after midnight, she must really be wondering what the devil was going on!
So, let her wonder!
Georgia Dee for Mr Lasalle, Georgia told her, adding with a confident smile, Hes expecting me.
But her smile instantly died. The woman shook her head. Im afraid Mr Lasalle isnt here. Hes gone to London.
London? Georgia was aware of her mouth dropping open. London? she said again. But we have an appointment!
Theres a message for you, however. The woman was turning away to extract a slip of paper from Lasalles cubby-hole. He phoned a little while ago to say hed been held up, but that hed be here to keep your appointment just as soon as he could.
And how soon will that be? Has he left London? Did he say? It was about a three hour drive from London to Bath, though possibly a little less in a Porsche! Just how long was she expected to hang about?
But the receptionist couldnt help her. He didnt say how long hed be. She shrugged sympathetically. Men! she observed.
Georgia smiled back at that. Maybe shed misjudged her, after all. It looks like I have no choice but to wait.
But as she turned away and went to seat herself on one of the chairs Georgia was biting back her anger. Hanging around waiting for Jean-Claude Lasalle was getting to be a habit she could well do without!
An hour passed.
The receptionist glanced across at her and said, Why dont you go out and stretch your legs for a bit? If he arrives while youre gone, Ill tell him youre here.
That sounded like a good idea. Georgia thanked her and went for a walk. Twenty minutes later, full of hope, she returned. But the best news the receptionist could give her was that hed just phoned again.
He was calling from his car phone and I could hardly make out a thing. But he seemed to be saying that he wouldnt be long.
Wouldnt be long. What was that supposed to mean? Im going out for another walk, Georgia informed the woman between clenched teeth. If she was forced to sit about here for another single moment shed end up eating the carpet in frustration!
With difficulty, she wasted another twenty minutes, but this time as she approached the hotel she knew hed arrived. A familiar sleek black Porsche was parked arrogantly outside.
Seething, she hurried up the steps to the main door. Then she was sweeping into the lobby, where she spotted him instantly, sitting in an armchair reading a newspaper. As he rose to his feet, tossing the newspaper aside, she advanced on him furiously, anger smouldering from every pore, her glossy dark hair bouncing against her shoulders.
So, youve finally arrived! Her hazel eyes blazed at him. Are you aware that youre two hours late for our meeting? You asked me to meet you here at five. Its now nearly seven oclock!
If he dared to make a joke of it and say she ought to be used to waiting, she would throttle him right there on the spot with her bare hands!
Perhaps he read that in her face, for he answered in a sober tone, almost managing to sound genuinely apologetic, Im sorry. I got held up. It really couldnt be helped. I got here as soon as I could. I cant apologise enough.
That took the wind out of her sails a bit, but she hadnt finished with him yet.
Youre absolutely rightyou cant apologise enough! Do you think I have nothing better to do than sit around for hours waiting for you?
No, I dont think that. He frowned into her angry eyes. Look, I suggest we go up to my room and talk. Come. As he spoke, he took her lightly by the arm.
Georgia snatched her arm away as though hed bitten her, partly out of angerhow dared he lay a hand on her?and partly from shock at the jolt that went through her. The sheer erotic power of it almost took her breath away.
Almost. She managed to snap, I dont need your help! Im perfectly capable of walking on my own! Then she swung away furiously and marched ahead of him to the lifts.
They made their way up to the top floor in total silence. And not once did Georgia glance at him. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. Shed never been so furious with anyone in her life.
It wasnt just that hed kept her waiting, though that was bad enough. What had really triggered her explosion of fury was the way hed been sitting there calmly reading his newspaper, just like that first time when shed found him in her garden. So perfectly in control. So utterly uncaring. He seemed to think he had the right to behave as he pleased with her, that she was somehow at his beck and call.
Well, she was going to have to put him right about that!
At last, the lift doors opened and Lasalle took his key from his pocket, then stepped aside to let her pass ahead of him. He did the same when they reached his door. What perfect, impeccable manners! Too bad she wasnt even the least bit impressed! She swept past him, then swung round to face him as he closed the door.
As I was saying down in the lobby just a moment ago...do you really think I have nothing better to do than sit around for hours waiting for you?
No, I dont, as I already said. Its just been one of those days. Every single thing that could possibly go wrong did go wrong.
Did he expect her to feel sorry for him? Georgia scowled into his face. Well, thanks to you, its turned into one of those days for me too!
I think we both need a drink. Abruptly, he turned away, heading for the fridge bar in the far corner. Why dont you take a seat while I fix us a couple of whiskies?
I dont drink whisky.
Georgia glared at his back. And I dont feel like taking a seat, she nearly added. But that was just her anger talking. She actually did feel like sitting down. All that churning emotion had made her quite dizzy.
From the small group of chairs round the coffee table beside the window, she chose one with its back to him and also with its back to the bed. It might be a little unsettling to have to sit and look at that!
She heard the clink of glasses, the sound of a bottle top being unwound, the clatter of ice cubes, the splash of liquid against them. Then his footsteps were coming back towards her across the carpet. Georgia scowled straight ahead of her and refused to turn round.
Youll drink this whisky, he was saying. Its a special twelve-year-old single malt. I have a friend in Scotland who sends me regular supplies. As he came to the end of the sentence, suddenly he was standing right in front of her, holding a glass out towards her.
Startled, Georgia jumped and looked up into his face and was instantly thrown into a state of confusion.
Shed forgotten just how powerfully he was capable of affecting her and, taken by surprise, she was suddenly helpless before him. All at once, she could feel her heart clattering against her ribs and a squeeze of shameless pleasure at the sheer physical beauty of him. There was another sensation, too. A shaft of piercing longing that twisted oh, so sweetly inside her.
She held her breath. Heaven help me if he ever tries to seduce me, she thought. Where would I find the power to resist?
Numbly, she took the glass, carefully avoiding his fingers. She wouldnt touch it, of course, for she never drank whisky, but if she took the glass without a fuss he might just move away. And, in fact, that was what he did. Taking a mouthful from his own glass, Lasalle turned to seat himself across the coffee table from her.
He leaned back and suddenly smiled. You didnt give me a chance to tell you, but youre looking even more stunning than ever today.
His gaze swept over her, perfectly openly, just like that first time in the garden, seeming to take in every tiny detail of the pale blue Chanel-style suit she was wearing. He gave a small, impudent click of appreciation. Very chic. Very classy. It very much suits you.
Georgia fixed him with a spiky look. So glad you approve.
Normally, she had no problem accepting compliments from men, but right now anything he said would have irked her. Besides, the compliment had struck her as just a little too smooth, as though it had been plucked from a familiar, well-thumbed repertoire. He no doubt handed out compliments like that all the time.
Feeling an acute sense of relief, she revised her earlier judgement. If he ever tried to seduce her, shed resist him with ease. It was true that at times he had a powerful effect on her, but that was only because of a superficial weakness on her part. Deep down, she wasnt attracted in the slightest to men who collected women the way some small boys collected postage stamps. Which was precisely the type of man that Jean-Claude Lasalle was.
Taking charge of herself again, she looked him in the eye and very pointedly set down her untouched glass on the coffee table. Right, she said, I dont know about you, but now that weve finally managed to keep our appointment Id rather like to get down to business. You said you had something important to tell me. She sat back in her seat and regarded him expectantly. Feel free to go ahead. Im listening.
In response, Lasalle took another mouthful of his whisky. He looked back at her with interest. Dont you ever relax?
I didnt come here to relax. I came to hear what you have to tell me. I was under the impression that was supposed to be the point of this somewhat belated meeting?
Dont worry. I plan to tell you. But cant I just drink my whisky first? Ive had a hell of a day and Ive just driven all the way from London.
So you said. My heart weeps. Georgia flicked him a callous look. It cheered her up no end to know hed had a hellish day. She shifted in her seat. So, how do you suggest we pass the time? Are we going to sit here in silence while you drink your whisky or are we going to indulge in polite conversation?
I vote for polite conversation.
OK. You choose a subject. Restaurants? Films? Where we go for our holidays? Or maybe, to make it really entertaining, we could swap life stories? Lets start with yours. I enjoy a good horror story.
Lasalle was smiling. Do I detect a touch of English irony? He took another mouthful of whisky, watching her over the glass. Thats one of the things I like about you English. You never entirely lose your sense of humour.
Is that so? Personally, I used to have rather a soft spot for the French, but Im afraid thats suddenly gone out the window. Though I suppose its really rather unfair to judge a whole nation by someone like you. You, after all, are hardly typical.
Youre wrong. I would say Im typically French. Charming. Urbane. All the usual Gallic qualities. As he said it, his gaze held hers and he smiled.
Georgia very nearly smiled back. Even through her irritation, there was something about that smile of his that she found deeply appealing. But she was damned if she would succumb. She fixed him with a cool look. I see Im not the only one with a sense of humour.
So, we have something in common. Thats good. He was still smiling. Two people whore planning to team up together should definitely have a few things in common.
Planning to team up together? Excuse me? What did you say?
He was setting down his whisky glass on the table between them. You wanted to get down to business, so thats what Im doing...
As she frowned, he leaned forward and looked deep into her eyes, so that Georgia had to fight very hard to stop from blinking. And she was suddenly very conscious that she was sitting in his bedroom with a huge king-sized bed just a couple of whiskies away over her shoulder.
She held her breath, eyes unblinking, as he leaned even closer and elaborated, Thats what I want to propose. That you and I get together. I think wed make a beautiful team.
CHAPTER THREE
OH, REALLY?
What was going on here? Georgia peered into Lasalles face. If this was some kind of chat-up line, it was doomed to fail.
She fixed him with a cool look. Youre going to have to explain that, Im afraid.
Gladly. He sat back a little in his seat, his expression sobering as he began to speak again. You want to save your shop, and in order to do that youre going to have to beat off Duval. Im out for Duval, too, so we share the same goal. And well each achieve what were after more easily and more quickly if we agree to cooperate with one another.
He paused and looked into her eyes, suddenly smiling as he added, I promise thats the only kind of beautiful partnership I had in mind.
Sure it was. Shed have to be seriously stupid to believe that, though she could tell he didnt actually expect her to, anyway. That look in his eyes was pure sexual challenge and, to her dismay, it had provoked a warm flare inside her.
It was hopeless. He just had to look at her and it was like flicking on a switch.
All the more reason to keep her expression carefully blank. The only way to deal with a man like Jean-Claude Lasalle was to convince him you were totally immune to his charms.
Im not sure Im interested in any kind of partnership, she told him. But at least I begin to get the picture. You told me you wanted to help me, but the person you really want to help is yourself. You think you can get to Duval through me.
Sure. He looked amused. You wouldnt expect me to help you for nothing? What is it you English say? Theres no such thing as a free lunch?
Quite. But this admission actually made his position more credible. There now appeared to be a legitimate motive behind his offer to help her.
She relaxed just a little. OK. I accept that. You somehow gain by my cooperation. But what about me? Do I gain as well? Youve said you plan to help me, but why should I believe you? I dont even know if I actually need your help.
You think you can fight Duval alone?
Ive managed to up till now. As he was about to butt in, she hurried on and pointed out, And Ive only got your word for it that hes about to come after me again. Maybe youre just saying that to scare me into going along with you. According to my solicitor, Duvals probably backed off.
Then your solicitors a fool. Lasalles tone was dismissive. It simply isnt in Duvals nature to back off.
That had occurred to Georgia too, though shed refused point-blank to dwell on it. Shed told herself it was just her paranoia talking.
And maybe it was. How can you be so sure? Theres been no sign of him for a couple of weeks now. Youre only guessing he hasnt backed offunless you know something youre not telling?
Im telling you what I know. I know Duval. His eyes were narrowed to dark blue pinpoints as he looked at her. And after the lease business and the rent rise and the mysterious fire in your storeroom you must have a pretty shrewd idea of the nature of the man yourself.
Hearing him recite that list of horrors, Georgia felt her stomach twist. She looked at him, fear growing inside her. How do you know so much about my business? Maybe he was one of Duvals henchmen, after all?
Lasalle sighed impatiently. I have an interest in Duval. I make it my business to know what hes up to. He paused, his expression grim. And hes not finished with you yet. Maybe there hasnt been any sign of him for a couple of weeks but, take my word for it, thats not because hes backed off. Hes just lying low, plotting his next move.
And whats his next move going to be, since you seem to know so much?
I dont know what its going to be. I just know there will be a next move. And Id advise you to prepare yourself for something seriously nasty. As I already told you, hes starting to get impatient.
Georgia was suddenly aware that she was nervously chewing her lower lip. Something seriously nasty? Surely not another fire? Shed had nightmares about that. Another fire could ruin her. Last time had been bad enough, but it would be far more serious now, with her precious consignment of new summer clothes about to arrive any day from France. If that went up in flames, how on earth would she survive?
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