Page 5 of Journey to You

“I hear it’s an amazing journey, best shared with a beautiful companion.”

His smile could’ve lit the Arts Centre spire, damn pirate, and in that second she snapped to her senses.

What was she doing? He’d be the last person she’d take a trip with, the last guy to accompany her anywhere considering he’d just turned some of his legendary charm onto her. Beautiful companion indeed.

“Your mum would’ve wanted you to go.”

Oh, he was good. Worse, he was right. Adhira would’ve wanted her to go, to visit Goa and the beach where Adhira had met Tamara’s father, to take a magical train journey through India’s heartland, to visit the Taj Mahal, something her mum had craved her entire life.

“You’re right, I’m taking the trip.”

She fixed him with a glare that lost its impact when her lower lip wobbled at the enormity of what she was contemplating.

“That’s great. We’ll—”

“I’m taking the trip.Alone.”

“But—”

“I don’t even know you,” she said, wishing she hadn’t let him comfort her a few moments ago by holding her hand. It had given him the wrong idea.

What sort of guy went from a cool acquaintance to thinking she’d go away with him?

Maybe she was over-reacting, reading more into the twinkle in his sea blue eyes and his scarily sexy smile?

Leaning forward a fraction, invading her personal space with a potent masculine heat she found disconcerting, he lowered his voice. “That’s what the trip is for. Loads of time to get to know one another.”

She wasn’t over-reacting. He was trying to charm her.

Sending him a withering glance that would’ve extinguished the fire at her back, she headed for the table and slipped her trench-coat on.

“Thanks for the offer, but I value the peace of being on my own.”

When he opened his mouth to respond, she held up a hand. “I like it that way.”

Before he could protest any further, she slung her bag over her shoulder and pointed to the stack of folders. “I’ll come back for these tomorrow.”

His knowing gaze followed her towards the door and she knew he’d get the last word in. “Going solo is highly over-rated.”

Halting with her hand on the door handle, she glanced over her shoulder, startled by the fleeting hunger in his greedy gaze.

“Someone like you would think that.”

Rather than annoying him, a triumphant grin lit his face, like she’d paid him a compliment.

“Next to business, dating is what I do best, so I guess that makes me qualified to pass judgement.”

“Over-qualified from what I hear.”

His grin widened and she mentally clapped a hand over her mouth. What was she doing, discussing his personal life? It had nothing to do with her, and while she valued his input in professional matters, what he did in his spare time meant nothing to her.

Propped against the bar, he appeared more like a pirate than ever: all he needed was the bandanna and eye patch to complete the cocky look.

“You sure you wouldn’t like me to tag along?”

“Positive.” She walked out, somewhat satisfied by the slamming door.

Take a trip with a player like Ethan?

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