Page 45 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

Owen called after her. ‘And it’s Owen … what’s with calling me Mr Kingsley suddenly?’

‘I think she’s flirting with you,’ Lexie mumbled.

Owen swung round. ‘Is she?’ He seemed genuinely surprised again.

‘Hmm, I think so,’ Lexie said, embarrassed and wishing she hadn’t spoken. She refocused on her emails.

‘I brought you a coffee.’ A mug appeared next to her doughnut, placed there by a large hand with long, elegant fingers.

‘Thanks,’ Lexie said, still staring at the computer screen, pretending to read, ignoring the coffee and her strange inner excitement that she just knew would not be calmed by coffee.

‘I can go back for milk if you prefer white.’

He was still there. Of course, he was. She could smell him. Masculine, but in a nice clean soapy way, like he’d not long come out of a shower. Evicting an unwanted image in her mind of Owen emerging from a steamy bathroom, she replied, ‘No, straight black will do.’

‘Good.’

She heard him fidget. He’s still there. Why won’t he go away?

Owen moved closer, sliding into her peripheral vision. She could see his scruffy trainers. It was a wonder those things on his feet had not fallen apart already. Long legs. Narrow hips. Was that a bulge? No! Couldn’t be and don’t even think it. Flat belly. Frayed t-shirt. She swallowed hard. This was far too close for comfort. Why did he have to be so attractive? Did I just think that?

He backed off. Lexie relaxed. Too soon, because then he pulled up a nearby chair and sat close enough for her to feel her personal space invaded again. It was obvious he wanted to talk. She was going to have to face him. Better get it done with. She closed her email program, picked up the coffee and, holding it close like a shield, she turned to Owen.

‘You actually want to talk to me now?’

‘Yes, I do. I think we got off to a poor start on Monday.’ There was that Welsh accent again. Why hadn’t she noticed it on Monday? Why was it so sexy?

Stop it!Lexie tried to shut down her thoughts and glared at Owen, sitting too close, long legs extended under her desk. What did he think he was doing? She put on a tone of surprise to match her arched eyebrows. ‘I can’t imagine what gave you that—’

He interrupted. ‘My fault, entirely my fault.’ Brow crumpling under the fall of dark curls, hand to his heart, dark blue eyes concerned – he looked so contrite. ‘I behaved like an idiot. I’d worked myself into a state over that assignment, and then I took it out on you. That was wrong of me. I am very sorry, Lex.’

Lexie realised she was holding her breath, taken aback by his in-person apology, so much more sincere than the emails had seemed. She stared at him, drawn in by his blue eyes, mesmerised by the lilt of his voice. Was this hypnosis? Or was he truly sorry? Confused, she shook her head, which he obviously took as a signal she needed more.

‘I’m lucky to be working with you,’ he said. ‘And I did like the AA photos. So did George. He thinks you’re very talented. Better than your brother.’ Owen’s eyebrows did something like an Hawaiian wave, one dipping, the other lifting as he took a mouthful of coffee. Then with a tiny glint in his sapphire eyes, he added. ‘That’s a compliment, by the way. In case you didn’t recognise it.’

Touché. Lexie sat back, recognising her own words, returned to her. He’s not sorry. All he’d said and done before was an act. He’s just an extraordinarily handsome man used to getting his own way and ruthlessly charming when he wants to be. I’ve got you sussed, Mr Kingsley. You don’t fool me, and I still don’t like you. That decided, she felt stronger again.

‘Thank you for the compliment. I’m truly flattered,’ she lied.

He smiled, confusing the hell out of her. Had she been so convincing, he believed her? Or was the smile ironic? Or maybe he was acting again. She couldn’t tell. All she could tell was the smile was transformational. Owen was a different man. The vertical frown lines vanished; previously invisible laughter lines crinkled at the side of his eyes, making them even more beautiful. A dimple in his right cheek appeared, and his sensuous lips curved into a smile that seemed to light the room. If she’d thought him handsome before, now she thought him perfect.

No, I don’t!Lexie argued silently with herself. She didn’t like him. He wasn’t perfect. At least not as a person. He might be beautiful to look at – he was beautiful to look at, but he was horrible to know. She could not like him, even if he was the most fanciable man she had ever seen. And that was another thing. She turned inwardly on her alter ego. I do not fancy him.

Lexie bounced out of her internal argument to find Owen watching her with a thoughtful expression. He moved a fraction nearer. She thought, does he never give up? He said, ‘You know, Lex, I really am sorry about Monday.’

‘Thanks for that.’ Lexie pushed her chair away from him. ‘Now we’ve got your apology out of the way. What’s on the agenda for today?’

Owen looked startled. ‘Harley Street,’ he said and extracted his legs from under her desk. ‘Is that it then?’

‘Is what it?’

‘Are we good now?’

‘Maybe. We’ll have to see. Now, why are we going to Harley Street?’

‘My health check.’

Seeing an escape opportunity, Lexie said, ‘You don’t need me for that.’

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