Page 50 of It's All Sun and Games

‘Did you really think I would cook?’ he replies, amused that I thought he would even bother. ‘I’ve ordered room service.’

Then, as I glance around, I notice that James has only set the table for two. A single flower sits elegantly in a glass, with a scattering of petals below it, in a way that seems exclusively romantic.

‘I thought other people would be joining us,’ I say, surprised (but not completely disappointed) by the intimate set-up.

James shakes his head.

‘You thought wrong,’ he replies smoothly. ‘I thought you might like a break from all the craziness and to chat – just the two of us.’

I’m not even sure what he means by that but, wow, I can’t believe he’s done this. Yes, this is what I’ve wanted, for so long, but… I don’t know, his approach is so confident. Too confident, maybe? Although it is his confidence that has always been one of the main reasons I fancy him. And he’s being so smooth, and suave, and charming – but, even though I am single, James doesn’t know that, which gives all of this an almost aggressively cocky edge.

James pours me a big glass of wine.

‘Come on, let’s sit on the sofa, while we wait for the food to arrive,’ he suggests.

‘Okay, sure,’ I reply, taking my glass, then my seat.

‘Have you always dressed so sexily?’ he asks suddenly, his gaze lingering on me.

Totally uncool, I know, but I feel my cheeks start to flush at the idea of him finding me sexy. I know that he’s been flirting with me, so it’s not a surprise, but hearing it confirmed is really something.

I decide to just laugh it off because, truthfully, the answer is of course no.

‘Are you working on anything specific for the pitch?’ I ask, switching to professional mode. ‘Did you invite me here because you wanted to work together?’

I want to work on my own so I really hope he doesn’t say yes – which surprises me.

‘I’m already working on something,’ he replies vaguely with a shake of his head.

He’s probably working with Henry, like he always does. Rick usually tells us that we can work alone or collaborate, and it usually ends up with James and Henry working together, Liz and Cait teaming up, and then there is me and Priya – and obviously we would be working together this time, were she not stuck back home with her feet up.

‘I didn’t invite you here for business, Robin, I invited you here for pleasure,’ he adds.

Before I can say a word, James takes to his feet, offering me a hand, so that I can join him.

Intrigued, I take it. Only for James to lead me across the room and then stop.

‘You said Andrea is behind this wall?’ James checks.

‘Yes,’ I lie again. God, I hope he isn’t going to suggest he joins us – obviously, because he’s not actually there.

James leans in close to the wall, pressing his ear up against it.

‘Listen,’ he commands me.

Realising that he’s wanting me to press my ear up against the wall too, I oblige, wondering what on earth he can hear because, I can’t stress this enough, my apartment is empty.

‘I can’t hear anything,’ I say – because I can’t.

‘Yeah, I don’t think you can hear anything through these walls,’ James replies, his tone vaguely suggestive. ‘I certainly can’t hear… you two.’

Yeah, that’s because there is no ‘us two’, it’s just me over there, so I would be worried if he could hear anything.

I swallow hard as James moves towards me, getting closer and closer, in what feels like super slow motion. When he finally arrives at his destination, he places a hand on my cheek, moving his face closer to mine.

‘It’s sort of hot, isn’t it? Knowing that he’s just on the other side of that wall, but that he can’t hear us,’ James tells me, his voice low and tempting. ‘If we wanted to… do anything… we probably could.’

‘Right,’ I say simply, neither here nor there, because I don’t know what else to say right now.

---