A Night With Consequences. Margaret Mayo

But the only person she saw was Blake, watching each step that she took.

      ‘You look stunning,’ he said softly as he stood to hold out her chair. ‘Red suits you. You should wear it more often.’

      Kara smiled her thanks, not trusting her voice. He looked particularly handsome too, in a handmade navy suit and a pale blue silk shirt. His red and navy tie, also silk, was as immaculate as always, and as he bent over her, ensuring she was seated comfortably, his cologne—the one he always wore and which was an integral part of him—drifted beneath her nostrils like an aphrodisiac.

      And when his hand touched her shoulder, when it lingered longer than was necessary, she felt a shiver of sheer pleasure run all the way down to the tips of her toes. ‘You smell divine, Kara,’ he whispered in her ear.

      So do you, she wanted to say, but could not—dared not. It would be far too intimate. She was not sure that she liked him complimenting her either—not here, not with so many eyes on them.

      She was relieved when a waiter placed a napkin on her lap and handed her the menu. Now she could breathe! Except that every breath she drew seemed to bring her nearer to Blake, and when she stole a glance at him from beneath her lashes she saw that instead of studying his own menu he was watching her.

      ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, trying to make light of it, which was practically impossible when her heart had just leapt. ‘Do I have a spot on my nose?’

      ‘Your nose is delightful. It’s a very kissable nose.’

      Kara’s eyes widened in shock.

      ‘You do not like compliments, Kara?’

      The truth was that she was not used to compliments. What made her nose kissable, anyway? It was just a nose. She didn’t answer his question.

      ‘As are your lips.’

      Kara refused to listen. She did not even look at him any more. She concentrated on the menu instead, ignoring the fact that her stupid pulse had begun to race again and heat was prickling her skin. One of her downfalls was the way that she blushed so easily, and she prayed that her cheeks did not colour now.

      Even when their order was placed there was no escape. There was just the two of them. For no reason at all everyone else had faded into the background. Wine was poured and Blake proposed a toast. ‘To my most efficient PA—long may you continue to work for me.’

      Kara could not drag her eyes away from his. She had never really noticed before how thick his lashes were, or how the grey of his eyes seemed to change colour according to his mood. She had seen them turn a light silver at the office, when someone was being less than efficient, but at this moment, when his attention was concentrated solely on her, when his thoughts were deep and unreadable, they were much, much darker. And they held an expression that she could not read but one that both scared and excited her at the same time.

      Here in this beautiful hotel, in this beautiful country, something was happening to her. It was as though her old life in England was being slowly erased. Memories were fading and something far more exciting was taking over. It was a transitory thing, she knew, but it would surely be foolish not to make the most of it.

      He made her feel as though they were the only two people in the room, commanding her attention in such a way that everything except him was blotted out. And for the moment this was all right with her. It was a new experience—one she would treasure when they got back home and everything returned to normal.

      She took a sip of her wine and smiled shyly at him. ‘You’re very kind.’

      ‘It is no more than the truth.’

      ‘I enjoy the job.’

      ‘And are you also enjoying the conference?’

      Kara nodded. ‘I’ve never attended anything like this before, and I have to confess I was a little nervous, but, yes, I am enjoying myself.’ Except when he paid her too much attention!

      ‘Every man here envies me. And why not, when you are a very beautiful woman?’

      This time colour really did flood her cheeks. ‘It’s very kind of you to say so.’

      In response he simply gave her a smile that caused a further skittering of her senses.

      The waiter returned with their food and Kara was glad of the respite. It gave her time to take a few deep breaths and tell herself she was in control. That having a man flatter her like this should be a joyful experience, not scary.

      And somehow it worked. Gradually she began to relax and enjoy the evening. She drank more wine than usual, unaware that her eyes were brighter and her cheeks flushed with happiness. They talked incessantly, and Kara laughed out loud at some of his anecdotes.

      It was not until the end of the meal, when he passed her an envelope and then watched her face closely as she opened it, that she was suddenly stuck for words. Inside were tickets for Faust the following night. Kara blinked twice and swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.

      ‘Think of it as a thank-you from me to you for all the hard work you’ve put in,’ he said, watching the changing expressions on her face.

      ‘I—I don’t know what to say. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think that you would be able to—’

      ‘But you are pleased?’ He looked suddenly anxious, not something he usually did. ‘And hopefully a little excited?’

      ‘Yes, but—’

      ‘But nothing, Kara,’ he said, his voice firm now. ‘All I want is for you to enjoy it.’

      Privately Kara doubted whether she would remember anything of the opera. Sitting here talking to him when the room was filled with other people was one thing, but going to the theatre, seated so close that their bodies would touch, when there would be no escape, was another.