Page 78 of Daughters of Paris

A slow blush began to creep round Fleur’s neck and across the aforementioned chest. From what she could see beyond the cotton vest and overalls, Laurent’s own chest was smooth. Hairless. She poured two measures, one larger than the other, and took the glasses across to him. He stood, wiped his hands down his trouser legs, and took the fuller from her. ‘To your health, mademoiselle.’

‘And to yours,’ she replied.

He held the glass up to his lips but did not drink. Fleur paused, having been about to take a sip.

‘And to the health of France,’ he said.

‘To France,’ Fleur agreed warmly.

Laurent upended the glass into his mouth in one. Fleur took a swig. Immediately she began to cough and splutter as liquid fire seared her throat. Laurent leaned over and patted her heartily between the shoulder blades.

‘You have guts, mademoiselle, I’ll give you that. Please try not to cough them all over my workshop floor though.’

She glared at him through tear-filmy eyes.

He walked to the tap and filled her glass with water, then handed it to her. She sipped it gratefully until the burning in her throat subsided.

‘Now, let me have a look at your problem tyre,’ Laurent said. ‘Sit there if you wish.’ He indicated the workbench.

‘I’ll stand, thank you,’ Fleur replied, staring at the mess of nuts and bolts that littered it. ‘I don’t have enough nice dresses to ruin them with engine grease.’

Laurent grimaced and turned his attention to her bicycle. He muttered, reached into a large tool-box and produced something small and metal. He had the tyre free of the rim in a fraction of the time it had taken Fleur. For such a large man he had very deft fingers.

He located the envelope and raised an eyebrow, then slid his thumb under the flap to open it. Inside was one sheet of paper. He read it silently then looked up at Fleur. She realised she was holding her breath. She wished now she had opened the note Sébastien had given to her so she might be prepared for what Laurent might be about to read. If she had done that, however, he would know she had broken the seal.

She wasn’t sure whether to smile. His expression gave nothing away as his blue eyes raked over her appraisingly. He walked past her to the front of the garage and pulled the double doors closed. The workshop was plunged into darkness and the noise from the street grew muffled. Fleur tensed. She was now cut off from the world outside. She understood the need for secrecy and caution, but as well as preventing anyone overhearing their conversation, it meant she would be unable to call for help if she needed it. She sucked a breath in through her teeth. She was here to volunteer for dangerous acts so if she was frightened of being along with a man, what sort ofresisteurwould she be?

Laurent walked back and stood opposite her, then held the note between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand.

‘Do you know what it says?’

‘No.’

‘Would you like to?’

‘Of course.’ She held her hand out to take the note, but he snatched it away.

‘It says you are very good in bed and that Sébastien thinks I should try seducing you to see for myself.’

‘No it doesn’t,’ she said calmly.

‘Oh, and how do you know that,chérie? Because you haven’t slept with him or because he is a gentleman and wouldn’t betray a confidence.’

‘Both!’ she snapped. ‘That is, he wouldn’t betray a confidenceandI have not slept with him.’

‘But you would like to?’

‘No.’

She paused, considering how the answer had tripped off her tongue instantly and easily. She had spent so long denying her attraction whenever the subject had come up with Colette, and she was surprised to discover it was not as much of a lie as it had once been. Sébastien was not available (for the time being at least) and, in truth, he had never looked at her the way she had seen him look at Colette in theJardinthe day they had picnicked together. The hunger that oozed from the pair of them had been something she could only imagine. She loved Sébastien, admired him and craved his affection, but did she actually lust after him?

‘He is in an affair with my friend.’

Laurent cocked his head to one side. ‘Which precludes you from wanting to?’

Fleur narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you going to tell me what he said or just fool around with me?’

Laurent grinned and the sparkle in his eyes grew brighter. ‘I would very much like to fool around with you,chérie, however I don’t think that is what you meant. Here.’

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