oman could tie down. Even if he had spent every spare moment of the day outside work with her the last two weeks, including weekends, her viewing schedule as heavy as his calendar would permit. She was surprised he’d afforded her as much time as he had. Julia herself had even made the same remark when she’d called by with flowers to thank her for her help.
In fact, his sister had even gone as far as to comment on how different he seemed in general. How good it was to see him out of the press. And then she’d lain the blame at Zara’s door and not so subtly suggested that maybe she’d been wrong to warn her off him. That maybe she was good for him after all.
But nothing had changed. Not really.
No matter how much she hoped it to be the case, he still wasn’t asking for more. Their desire still burned strong and it was that which kept him hooked, out of the public eye and with her. And it was also that which meant she wasn’t getting anywhere with the property hunt. She wasn’t pushing him into a decision and, although he seemed amicable enough to all the properties, he didn’t seem close to offering. He seemed far too interested in prolonging their time together and, as much as she wanted that too, she couldn’t put her business in jeopardy for it. She needed to secure some sales and if not with him, with other clients, else what was she even doing?
She gave a sigh and checked her watch. He was late. She pondered texting him—no, too desperate. And, if she was honest, she’d give any ordinary client at least fifteen minutes before chasing, so fifteen it would be, maybe even twenty.
Twenty-two came and went; she frowned, the fluttering in her belly taking a dive.
He’s probably just held up.
She opened her bag to take out her mobile as a glossy black Sprinter pulled up in front of her, the kind you expected to pull up just before a grand bank job, and she looked at it curiously, watching as its doors opened seemingly of their own accord.
Daniel!
Her lips lifted, happiness swelling as he stepped down onto the kerb, and she had to stop herself racing to him, keeping her stride slow and steady as the fluttering became an exploding bubble inside.
‘You look too good to waste on house viewings,’ he whispered against her ear when she paused before him, his eyes scanning the surroundings. She was used to that manoeuvre now, knew he was assessing their company, gauging friend or foe. They’d not appeared in any article yet, despite their growing intimacy in public. But tonight, tonight was a whole other story. Tonight there were sure to be press and they had both accepted that risk.
She felt the nervous bubble reach her throat and she swallowed, smiling up at him. ‘And this vehicle looks wasted on it too. I was expecting alarms to go off and a group of bank robbers to appear.’
He laughed. ‘You sound far too excited by that prospect.’
‘What can I say? I like to live dangerously.’
‘Don’t I know it?’ His eyes flashed with some unknown thought and her pulse leapt. ‘You good to go?’
She nodded and looked inside the vehicle for the first time, her lips parting as she took in the magnitude of what she was seeing—it was more akin to a private jet than a jazzed-up van, Mercedes or not.
‘Wow.’ She stepped inside, scooping up the skirt of her black dress to maintain her modesty as she went and dropping into one of the leather reclining chairs housed inside.
‘Wait until you see the back,’ he said, climbing in behind her and magically setting the door to close. The cabin was entirely private, a large flat-screen TV positioned behind the two leather recliners that faced her, a table splitting the middle. It was the height of luxury, the plush furnishing brandishing various sockets, holders, buttons. Windows with full-on blinds, a glass roof that extended the entirety and absolutely not what she would expect.
‘This is incredible.’
‘If I’d known you’d love it this much I would have used it sooner,’ he said. ‘As it happens I’m only using it now because I’ve come straight from an on-the-road meeting.’
‘An on-the-road meeting? People actually have those?’
‘It comes in useful when we’re having to visit prospects and need to discuss things in private. It also minimises the downtime due to travel.’
‘Makes total sense.’ And then, curiosity getting the better of her, ‘So what’s in the back?’
‘A bed.’
‘No.’
‘No, you’re right, it’s just a toilet.’ He grinned, his amber depths flashing brightly. ‘But now I’m wishing it was a bed.’
His killer smile went to her head, his words making her want, and the mood shifted instantly, the tension palpable. She licked her lips and his eyes dropped to the move, coming back to her dark and loaded, his voice tight. ‘Have you eaten?’
‘Eaten?’ she said dumbly. She didn’t want to think about food. Not now. Not when his white shirt hung tantalisingly open at the collar, his tie loose about his neck and pleading with her to reach out and slip it off entirely.
‘Yes, you know, food?’ he said, killer smile still teasing, eyes still burning. ‘I can’t have you going hungry.’
She smiled, her fingers wanting to reach out and pull him in. Yes, the seats were great, plush and comfortable, but they were separate and right now she wanted to be pushed up against him in one inviting seat. ‘I’m good, thank you.’