Chapter 12 #2
“I think the term you’re looking for is enjoying the company of a pretty, intelligent lady. Who is pretty and intelligent, just so we’re clear.”
Heat rose in her face. How long had it been since a man had described her as such? Jordan might’ve said something similar recently, but words from a friend didn’t land the same as they did from this charming man.
Not that she was going to be fooled by his charm. Just because she might appreciate his words, it didn’t mean she believed them.
Their meals were delivered, and she soon relaxed even more. That might’ve been the result of the wine and cider he ordered, then insisted she drink, but the evening was taking on a delightfully fuzzy kind of feel, her thoughts a little blurry at the edges.
“So, speaking of pretty and intelligent, I wonder if I could ask for your professional opinion.”
She sipped her cider. “About?”
“What kind of woman do you think would suit me?” He smiled, but with little of the arrogance she’d come to expect from their previous interactions. “That sounds a little off-putting, doesn’t it? Perhaps a better question to ask is what kind of woman do you think I would suit?”
She studied him, wondering how best to answer. “You mean apart from a model?”
“So quick to let fly with the arrows,” he murmured.
Oops. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but come on. It’s true, isn’t it? You were with Allessandra last year, weren’t you?”
His eyes glinted. “I see you’ve done your homework.”
She shrugged. “You certainly wouldn’t be the first millionaire to have a model on your arm.”
He leaned forward. “I’m not interested in what she looks like but in who she is. There’s no point me getting involved with a woman with whom I can’t share an intelligent conversation.”
She nodded. “It’s important to have things in common, like shared interests and values and a sense of humour.”
“Exactly. And the ability to converse easily.” His lips twitched. “A little like we’ve done today.”
Her heart fluttered, and for a second she wondered what it would be like if Eric actually did mean that. If he was interested in her like Jordan seemed to believe. To imagine dining here, like she was one of the regulars who the waiters knew by name.
She smiled. As if. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous? I think the word you’re looking for is obliging.”
Well, he certainly hadn’t made things hard today. “I appreciate the fact you proved to be a lot more easygoing than I had imagined. Thank you. It’s gone a lot better than I expected.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know if I should be offended by that comment or not.”
“Probably best not to.”
He matched her smile, and she held his gaze. This wasn’t so bad as she’d imagined.
She was feeling mellow, and EJ was so rarely mellow that it was nice to sink into this sense of relaxation. To imagine that she and Eric were equals. That this was her normal.
By the time they’d finished off their specials and she’d eaten dessert, she was feeling very comfortable indeed.
“So, did you want anything else? A nightcap perhaps?”
“No, thank you. I’ll just get the bill.” She braced inside for the final costs as she tried to catch the eye of a waiter.
“You really don’t have to.”
“Dream Match asked for this meeting with you, and this is what we’re supposed to do.”
Amusement slid across his face. “Is that what your marketing people told you?”
“It’s called good manners.”
“Hmm.”
But when a waiter finally attended and she requested the bill, he shook his head. “It’s all taken care of.”
“I beg your pardon?”
The waiter glanced at Eric. “Mr. Churchill took care of it earlier.” He bowed his head. “Thank you for your generous tip, sir.” He discreetly moved away.
“Why did you pay?” she asked.
“I have an account here. And clearly I was the one who wanted to turn this into a meal, so it’s only fair.”
Well, that might be true, but it made her feel even more obligated to the man.
For a second, she wondered if that had been his intention all along, before rationalising it with the thought that he couldn’t have known the others would all be sick.
She frowned. But did that mean he was taking advantage of the situation?
“You look troubled. I hope you’re not upset that I paid.”
“No.” Despite being a little wary about his motives, she knew he was rich. He could afford it. Just because he paid for her meal didn’t mean he’d demand payment of another kind.
“So, here we are at the end of a very productive meeting.” He walked her outside. “How do you plan to return home?”
Oh. She hadn’t quite figured out that part of the day’s proceedings. “I’ll catch a ferry.”
“At this time of night?”
“It’s not like I’m unused to public transport,” she said.
“Hmm. Do you mean to suggest by that comment that I am?”
“It’s true, though, isn’t it?”
He laughed. “You are a constant stream of refreshment, aren’t you?”
Was she? She didn’t trust that look in his eye, so she stepped back. “Well, thank you. But I need to go, and—”
“I can drive you, if you like.”
For all his kindness, she still didn’t trust him enough to let him take her to where she lived. Especially after the last time a man had offered to drive her home, and that had ended so badly. “I’m catching an Uber.”
“To the north shore from here? Do you know how much that would cost?”
She shrugged. Better that than the unwelcome advances from a man whose motives she still wasn’t one hundred percent sure of. “Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be fine.”
“Really?” He arched a brow. “I can’t help but feel a trifle offended that you don’t want me to escort you home.”
“Like I said, I’m a big girl, and I don’t need someone watching over me.”
“But what if someone wanted to?”
She shivered. But whether it was from his words or the cool breeze, she didn’t know. She just knew that the longer she stood outside talking to this man the more people were starting to notice. And—“Is that person taking our picture?”
He pivoted, and sure enough, the person pointed his camera and then grinned. “Thanks, Eric! Who’s your girlfriend?”
Her breath stalled. “I’m not—”
“Don’t speak to them,” Eric cautioned. “People like that want to make a quick buck from people like us.”
People like us? While she’d wanted forever to be part of this stratosphere, she wasn’t sure she wanted all the trappings. “I can’t believe you have photographer stalkers.”
“I have a lot of things, EJ.” He smiled without humour. “That’s why it’s sometimes hard to discern what is real and what is true.”
She nodded. “There must be a lot of people in your world who want something from you, so you can never be too sure about their motives.”
“Exactly so.” His eyes glinted. “I have to admit it’s crossed my mind a time or two about the motives of certain entrepreneurs I’ve had the fortune to dine with.”
Her cheeks heated. “You don’t mean me, do you? You know I’m only interested in your money.”
He laughed, and she heard what her words sounded like.
“Oh my gosh.” Yet more cringe time. How gauche was she? “I didn’t mean to sound so mercenary.”
“On the contrary, I prefer to know what this is. And you’re right. Ours is strictly a business relationship.”
“Absolutely.”
He studied her a moment longer. “Of course, if ever you might wish to have another coffee or indeed a meal, I could be persuaded to think of it in another regard, if you wished.”
She blinked, her heart hammering. Was he really saying what she thought he was?
“And if that proves to be the case, I do hope you’ll let me know.”
Oh my goodness. Was he hinting he’d like to date her? Her words slipped out faster than her brain could keep guard. “If that ever proves to be the case, I will let you know.”
“Good.”
“Good.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for today, Eric.”
“Thank you, EJ.” He clasped her hand. “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” His fingers caressed hers. “And you’ll let me know if ever you do change your mind, won’t you?”
She pulled her hand away. “I will.”
“Promise?” he asked in a low tone.
For an answer, she only smiled and walked away, taking care not to hurry in case he thought she was scared. She wasn’t scared. Well, not really. And not of him necessarily, but what this latest interaction could actually lead to. Something way bigger than she’d imagined. Beyond her wildest dreams.
Some might say she was playing with fire, but never had she felt so alive.