Page 17 of Robert

Her subtle perfume swamped him and made him dizzy and shaky.

“Does that mean you will not want the tour?”

“Oh, I would love to physically see the place. I also know from the pictures that you have a well-stocked gym and game room.”

“I like to relax when I am not working. My sister and her boyfriend are already here.”

He saw when she drew back a little. “Oh, I thought it would be just her.”

“I am just meeting him for the first time.”

She let out a startled laugh. “I can just imagine how terrified he is.”

“That’s how I like it.” His smile came easily, and he preceded her through the wide hallway where she spent time admiring the silk wallpaper and the paintings mounted there.

“Sonya, meet my sister Catherine and her friend Brian.”

The young man was staring at her in admiration, but it was the cautious look in his sister’s eyes that caught her attention. That and the stunning décor of the living room.

“Ms. Beaumont.” Cat moved forward to size her up, reluctantly admiring the woman’s stunning beauty. Her complexion was flawless, and her confidence was evident. This was not one who was easily intimidated, and Cat could understand why her brother was smitten. And he was, she realized grudgingly.

“Please call me, Sonya.” With an easy friendly smile, she offered a hand that was reluctantly clasped. Brian came forward, a slightly dazed expression on his attractive face.

“I recognize you of course. You have been featured in the papers countless times. You were instrumental in getting that free clinic up and running downtown. Cat and I offer our services there twice a week.”

“And we thank you for that,” she gave Brian a warm, engaging smile that had him blushing.

“Would you like something to drink, before we go to dinner?” Robert took her elbow and steered her away firmly.

“How about a glass of white wine. Oh Robert, this is lovely!” She wandered over to the window with its massive pane of glass overlooking a garden bursting with flowers.

“The view is spectacular.” She turned to take the glass from him, before looking back at the scenery. “Is that a pond?”

He had come up behind her. “It is.”

“And those are water lilies. Oh, how enchanting.”

“We could take a walk as soon as dinner is over.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him and her smile was dazzling, sending hot flames throughout his loins. “I would love that.”

*****

Robert reluctantly agreed to have his sister give her the tour of the house. After supper, which consisted of succulent duck and tender veal, completed with delicious wild rice, a vegetable mixed with baby potatoes, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes. For dessert they had homemade chocolate crème Brulé.

“Do you normally eat like this?” She asked after finishing the dessert and coffee.

“No,” he sent her an easy smile, happy to see that she was relaxed and seem to be at home in his space. “This is a special occasion.”

Now he was entertaining his sister’s boyfriend, while anxiously hoping that his sister wasn’t giving her a tough time.

“Scotch?”

“Yes, sir. I mean, Robert.” Brian was nervous. The dinner had gone well, until the man had started grilling him about his life. “I want you to know that I really like Catherine.” He murmured thanks when the glass was handed to him.

They were in Robert’s den, a large book lined room with a massive desk and comfortable chair. He had a distinct feeling that the man had chosen this room because it afforded a view of the path his sister and the beautiful Sonya had taken.

“And this is not just an opportunity to get anything from you. Not that I was ever thinking that.” He added hastily as he waspinned by inscrutable hazel eyes. “I would never dream of it. Your sister loves you very much.

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