She doesn’t look away. ‘I think they’re both of the opinion that you’ve got some devious plan to screw me over,’ she says. She narrows her sights on me and leans forward slowly, provocatively, ‘So, Mr Waring, do you have some wicked plan to take revenge?’
I have a thousand wicked wants in that second, with her lips slick with champagne and pouting at me. But I sense that, for all she jokes, this is important. I can’t deny that I’ve thought about it, that there would be something just in that kind of revenge, my anger towards Nate bringing out the worst in me. But it’s not what drove me to her.
‘I’m a busy man, Eva. I don’t have time to exact some ill-considered revenge.’
She cocks her head to one side, her teeth scraping over her lip as she quietly considers my words. ‘Which brings me to my other question: Why come to me at all?’
I go to answer, but she continues.
‘I know you want my product, that you want to join forces with me, and that’s all perfectly acceptable. But you—why are you doing all the leg work? You must have a multitude of very capable employees to entrust with the task of gaining my business, of coming to the party, attending meetings, even taking me on this tour... But it’s all you.’
‘Why shouldn’t I? The potential is huge, the competition for the work fierce. I wanted you to know I’m serious.’
‘Wanted me to know, or my family?’
She leans back in her seat, crossing her legs over one another, and even though she’s now wearing jeans, following a quick change at her home, the skinny fit of the fabric is doing nothing to help ease the appeal of those long, lithe legs I’ve traced with my mouth, my fingers...
‘Why does it matter?’
I don’t know why I ask it. A delaying tactic, I suppose. Because, as I’ve come to realise, there is one reason above all others that I came, and I’m not sure she’s ready to hear it yet.
‘You know it matters.’
‘I didn’t think it fair to send in one of my people when I wasn’t sure how well my company would be received.’
She raises an eyebrow at me. Amused. ‘And you thought your own physical presence would be preferable?’
I laugh. ‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘No?’ She toys with the stem of her glass, her eyes following the rotation of it in her fingers.
‘I figured that if there was a personal block to our companies working together it was best I confronted it head-on and in person. I didn’t expect...’
I trail off and her eyes lift to me.
‘Expect what?’ she asks.
‘This.’
I’m not going to lie to her. I’m done with secrets, cover-ups.
‘Ten years...’ She smiles softly. ‘Who would think something could flare up again so readily?’
I wonder if she means it. Is she genuinely surprised at this force determined to pull us together? Whatever the case, my body is already gearing up to pursue the suggestion in her gaze, regardless of my good intentions when we boarded.
‘Indeed.’
My agreement is tight, loaded, and the silence that ensues is heavy.
She looks to the door through which Frederick disappeared. ‘When do you think the food will arrive?’
I follow her line of sight, my body rigid as I read her intent. ‘Soon.’
‘Shame...’
I smile as I try to set my body to chill. ‘I thought you were hungry.’
‘Absolutely famished.’