Her eyes landed on him and widened. ‘You’re staying in the presidential suite too?’
‘According to the bookings manager it’s the only suite with a spare bedroom not already taken up by the cast and crew. I hope you don’t mind sharing?’
A frown clenched her forehead for a few seconds, before a resolute look slid across her face. ‘Of course not. She mentioned that the other room might be used by other people. I just didn’t think...’
‘That I would be your first room-mate?’ he finished.
She eyed him a touch warily as he stepped into the lift beside her. ‘Yes. But it’s not a problem. The bedrooms are on different floors, so hopefully I won’t disturb you too much.’
Her smile was less natural than it had been on their ride back from the game reserve. Gael experienced another bite of regret.
‘I will let you know if I’m planning any wild parties.’
This conversation was ridiculous. He wanted her at ease, but he was aware that he himself wasn’t at ease. So he let silence rule for the remainder of the short lift journey and their walk to the entrance into the suite.
‘Have dinner with me,’ he invited.
The offer had been delivered without much forethought when she’d started to beat a hasty retreat towards the stairs that led to the suite upstairs.
She paused. Her sumptuous lips parted. ‘I don’t think...’
‘In the interest of fresh starts and civil leaf-turning, I also wish to make an attempt. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?’
Gael wasn’t bothered by the knowledge that he was pushing. He was known for remaining civil with the women he’d had liaisons with—Heidi being the only exception—so why not Goldie?
Slowly, she shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t.’
He nodded, a welling of satisfaction moving through him. ‘Do you want to eat out or in?’
‘I had planned on taking a shower, then ordering in...’
He crossed to the dining room and returned with a lavish menu, which he held out to her. ‘Decide what you want and I’ll have it delivered here for us by the time you’re done with your shower.’
He saw a look of refusal cross her face before whatever resolution she was striving to achieve forced a nod from her.
‘Okay.’ She took the menu and scanned it quickly. ‘I’ll have the lobster bisque to start, the chicken involtini and the lemon cheesecake, please.’
He took the menu from her with a wry smile. ‘Nothing local for you? I can recommend something if you prefer?’
She grimaced. ‘I tried a selection of dishes a couple of nights ago. They were heavenly, but sadly they didn’t agree with me.’ She rubbed a hand across her midriff. ‘Turns out my constitution isn’t as adventurous as my spirit.’
Gael frowned, his gaze following her hand. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, I’m fine now,’ she replied. ‘But I think I’ll stick to food that I know for now. I’ll see you in half an hour?’
He nodded, watched her shapely legs stride up the stairs and then resolutely turned away. They were being civil, sharing a suite like reasonable room-mates—not two people who’d shared a sizzling, passionate few hours in bed a few short weeks ago.
So he wouldn’t imagine her undressing, stepping into the shower, rubbing shower gel all over her incredibly responsive body...
A low curse flamed from his lips. The libido that hadn’t so much as twitched around any other woman he’d come into contact with since he’d slept with Goldie was now threatening to rage out of control.
He crossed to the phone and relayed their dinner order. Then he went into his own room and showered.
She was back downstairs when he emerged, wearing a flowing boubou gown in a distinct African print, with her hair brushed loose and wavy. The bold oranges and reds complemented her dark colouring, making her look even more striking.
His gaze travelled from her exquisite face and down her body. When she caught his eyes on her bare feet, she grimaced and wrinkled her toes.
‘I hope you don’t mind? My feet have been in hot and sweaty boots all day. I can’t bear the thought of confining them again.’