Page 10 of Strictly Business

‘For God’s sake, Alice. You look like I confessed I was a terrorist.’

‘I – I work there. At Kanga Tours.’

His jaw dropped. Fast. Now he looked upset, too. He stared at her and as her words really sank in, he glanced away sharply. Cursing, he raked angry fingers through his hair.

Alice knew what he was thinking – that if word leaked out that the new boss had slept with one of the staff on his very first night in town, there could be all sorts of unpleasant ramifications. He could be branded as a sleaze, a predator and she would be the tart, the wild divorcee, sleeping her way into the new boss’s favour.

Office affairs made ripples that very often became waves, waves that could swamp the boat. It could be just awful. For both of them.

She remembered the stir among the staff last week when Dennis Ericson first told them that a new boss was arriving from Sydney.

And then she was struck by a light bulb moment. ‘Conway! For heaven’s sake. Now I remember why your name sounded familiar last night.’ Clasping her hands to the sides of her face, she let out a groan. ‘If only I thought of it earlier, but I didn’t make the connection. When I went to the Hippo Bar the last thing on my mind was my work or a new boss.’

‘Quite.’

The single, carefully clipped monosyllable seemed to cut through her. Neither she nor Liam had been thinking about work last night. They’d been totally distracted. Just thinking about how very distracted they’d been made her blush.

The oven pinged and she was grateful for a different kind of distraction. Shoving her hands into padded gloves, she pulled the croissants from the oven and avoided Liam’s gaze as shepopped them onto the plates she’d already set on a tray, along with the coffee and cutlery and a pot of strawberry jam.

In one bound Liam was across the room and taking the tray from her. ‘Let me carry that.’

‘Thanks.’ At least he wasn’t so angry that he forgot his manners.

Their hands brushed as Alice handed him the tray and she made the mistake of looking up. His eyes were so close to her now. Too close. A look passed between them – a look that spoke of intimate secrets, of everything they’d shared last night – of Liam’s caresses, his whispered endearments, and her wild response to the satiny heat of him thrusting deep inside her.

It had been bad enough trying to carry on at work through the mess of the divorce. But how could she cope now, while her boss was a walking reminder of more things she needed to forget? The memories of their intimacy would stay with her. Every day.

A mask seemed to slip over Liam’s features and he turned to carry their breakfast things onto her back deck, which was cleverly designed to give privacy while offering a view of the tropical courtyard below. For the next few minutes their conversation was confined to the coffee and croissants and whether Liam would like milk or sugar or jam. But Alice was bursting with the need to talk about their predicament.

‘We were supposed to be going our separate ways this morning,’ she said.

He sent her a sharp, searching look. ‘Is that what you wanted?’

Her heart gave a startled leap. ‘Well, yes, of course. It’s what you wanted, too.’ The stern expression in his eyes prompted her to add. ‘Isn’t it?’

To her dismay he didn’t answer. Instead, he took another sip of coffee and put the cup down slowly. ‘Let’s sort this work issue out. What’s your role at Kanga Tours?’

He was changing the subject. Why? Was he upset with her? Had she read him incorrectly? Surely he hadn’t hoped for more than last night?

The thought that Liam might have wanted to continue their relationship set Alice suddenly adrift, swept away without warning by a flash flood. She struggled to remember his question.

‘I – I’m one of the specialist consultants,’ she said at last. ‘I look after the customers who want specialized tours in tune with particular interests.’

Liam nodded. ‘Do you cover everything? The reef, the rainforest and the outback?’

‘Sure.’ Pride set her chin at a tilt. ‘Everything from snorkelling or diving on the reef, to night time spotlighting in the rainforest and outback cattle musters. They want it, I package it for them – even specialty restaurant tours.’

A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. ‘I’m sure you’re very good at it.’

‘I really enjoy my job. Since my divorce it’s been my life saver.’

He didn’t respond immediately.

‘Look,’ she said. ‘I know it’s going to be awkward for you to have me at work, but I won’t let on that I – I’ve met you. I can be discreet and professional.’

‘Yes, you’re a bright girl.’

A bright girl. It was rather a come down from a very special woman, which was what he’d called her half an hour ago.

---