Page 15 of Journey to You

“That kiss was nothing,” he said. “Surely we can get past it?”

Ouch, that hurt. Of course a kiss would mean nothing to a player like him, and while she should be glad he was brushing it off, he’d wounded her pride.

Richard had battered her self-esteem, making her doubt her desirability as a woman, and Ethan dismissing their kiss resurrected old feelings of inadequacy.

Besides, she’d done her best to forget it, but couldn’t. The briefest touch of his lips had unlocked something deep inside, had brought to life a part of her assumed long dead.

That something was hope.

“Come on, Tam. What do you say we put it behind us and enjoy this lovely feast?”

He pointed at the linen-covered tables displaying in a staggering array of mouth-watering dishes she normally would’ve pounced on if her stomach wasn’t tied in knots.

A hint of that pirate smile tugged at his mouth and she gritted her teeth.

How could a woman resist?

“Okay. But so you know, I’m not interested in anything…uh…what I mean to say is—I’m not ready for—”

“It was just a kiss,” he murmured in her ear, and she stiffened as a surge of renewed lust burst through her at his warm breath fanning her cheek. “An all too short one, unfortunately.”

He released her arm and headed for the table, leaving her torn between wanting to shake him and admire him for not backing down.

He pulled out a chair for her and she sat as a waiter bearing several silver domed platters bore down on their table, deposited their meal, whipped off the domes, and retreated with a small bow.

The fragrant aromas of spicy curries never failed to set her salivating but tonight, her stomach clenched as she realised no matter what she said to Ethan, he’d still do exactly what he pleased; namely, flirt with her.

“I’d like to propose a toast.” He picked up his champagne flute and waited for her to do the same. “To new beginnings and new experiences. May this journey bring us everything we could possibly wish for.”

Tamara stared into her flute, watching the effervescent bubbles float to the surface.New beginnings, new experiences… hadn’t she wanted all that and more this trip? So why was she getting hot and bothered over a little harmless flirtation?

She knew Ethan was a playboy and flirting came as naturally to him as breathing. Just because she’d only ever seen his cool, business side, there was no reason to get wound up when he slipped into relaxed mode, where charm came as easily as his millions.

It meant nothing to him, he’d said so. She was so out of practice dealing with a charming man she’d lost perspective. Time to chill.

“To new beginnings.” She lifted her glass and tapped his gently before raising it to her lips, wondering if the bubbles sliding down her throat or his mischievous smile gave her a buzz.

“Let’s eat.” He gestured at the food.

Silence reigned as they tucked intoJaipuri mewa pulao, a spiced rice packed with dried fruit,Rajasthani lal maas, a deliciously spiced lamb, andaloo bharta, potato with a chilli kick.

As each new flavour burst on her tongue, the words to describe them flashed through her mind in the way they’d always done when she’d worked full time, vindication the time was right to get back to the workforce on her return to Australia. Rather than being nervous, she couldn’t wait.

As Ethan licked his lips and moaned with pleasure, she laughed. “I take it you’re enjoying Rajasthani cuisine.”

“Can’t get enough of it.” Popping another ladle of potato onto his plate, he nodded. “Want to hear a fascinating fact I heard from our tour leader?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Rajasthan is an ancient princely state and it gave rise to a royal cuisine. The Rajas would go on hunting expeditions and eat the meat or fowl they brought back, which is why their feasts flaunt meat.”

“Sounds very caveman-ish.”

He glanced around as if searching for something. “Where’s my club?” He asked, accompanied by a ludicrous wiggle of his eyebrows. “Fancy checking out my cave?”

She chuckled, glad she’d made the decision to lighten up. Sharing a meal with a charming dinner companion was more fun than dining alone, something she’d honed to a fine art the last year.

Though in reality, she’d been alone a lot longer than that, Richard’s long absences attributed to work or media appearances or travelling to promote his latest book.

---