Page 19 of Resisting Mr Black

“How much is the rent? You said “apartment,” which tells me it’s already out of my price range.”

He lifts a shoulder as if it isn’t a problem. “We can work something out.”

“With your friend?”

He nods.

I fold my arms, not completely sold on the idea. Something still seems a little off. Maybe it’s because I already know that I won’t be able to afford it.

Magda claps her hands in excitement. “Oh, I’m so glad darling, now I’ll be leaving you to it.” She begins to walk towards the front door but slows as she passes Art and places a hand on his chest and gives it a gentle pat. “Such a lovely man.” She smiles, then she seems to snap out it and opens the front door. “Oh, when do you think you’ll be moving out darling because I need to let the workmen know so they can start the work?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t even seen the apartment yet. Then I’ve got to pack my stuff…”

“I’ll take Sophie to view it now, and she can move out tomorrow,” he announces, as if the decision has already been made.

“Oh, excellent!” Magda enthuses, clearly pleased that I’ll be out sooner rather than later.

“Erm, sorry, but don’t I get a say in all this?” I say, annoyed that they’re talking about my situation as if I’m not there.

“You can’t stay here,” he reminds me.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” Magda chimes in, clearly sold on the idea. “You take care darling and let me know when you’ve moved out. See you, darlings.” She walks down the stairs and I hear the street door bang below.

I close the front door and give myself a few seconds to collect the thoughts that are whizzing round my head. We’re completely alone. I know that we’ve been alone around the hotel before, but not like this and the thought has me feeling nervous.

“How did you know where I live?” I don’t try to hide the irritation in my voice as I turn to face him.

The oxygen is disappearing from the air and it’s getting harder to breathe as he flicks me a grin and advances towards me. “I looked in your personnel file,” he replies, completely unashamedly. His dark eyes slide down my body, all the way down to my bare feet. “Now, go and put some shoes on because I’m taking you to view your new apartment.”

“But—”I begin, but I’m interrupted instantly.

His dark brows draw together. “No arguments.”

“No.” I fold my arms. “You can’t walk in here and start taking over my life.”

“I’m helping you out.”

“But why? You landed in my life yesterday. You don’t know me.”

“No, but I’m working on that, and I fail to see how me knowing you has anything to do with me helping you out of a difficult situation.” There’s a twitch in his jaw and I know he’s irritated by the fact I’m not falling into line with his plans.

“Why are you helping me?” I narrow my eyes. “Is this all because you want me to go to dinner with you?”

He draws his head back slightly and frowns. “You think I’m helping you, so you’ll somehow feel indebted to me and then feel as if you’ve got to accept my dinner invitation?” He solemnly shakes his head and I almost feel bad for saying it. “When you come to dinner with me, I want you to be there of your own free will. I’m helping you because from what I overheard yesterday and from Magda just now, it seems that you don’t have anywhere else to go.”

He’s right. I don’t.

“Now, will you please stop being so bloody difficult and go and put some shoes on?”

My options are zero.

“Okay,” I agree. “But I’m only doing this because I’ve no other choice.”

The Aston Martin is parked outside. By the time I get out onto the street, Art is already in the driver’s seat wearing his black Ray-Bans and the engine is ticking over.

The sun-kissed black leather warms the back of my thighs as I slide onto the passenger seat and close the door.

“Is the flat far away?”

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