Page 21 of Resisting Her Playboy Boss

‘Seriously?’She glanced at him. ‘I wouldn’t have thought you had much respect for movies. I’m guessing you don’t have muchtimefor them.’

‘Not usually.’ He blithely ignored her dig. ‘But I made a point of watching them the other day and found they weren’t bad. Talk me through the fandom.’

So she did. To her surprise, he really had watched them and remembered lots of detail. And had even enjoyed them. Then it turned out he’d watched a few classic films in his time. And a ton of French ones.

‘Anything with Gerard Depardieu?’ She giggled.

‘Makes for a lot of movies.’ He winked. ‘My mother loves him and Dad used to try and impersonate him—badly.’

So there had been good times with his parents?

‘How come you developed such a passion for the flicks?’ he asked, switching the focus back on her.

‘Oh, I just watched a lot as a kid. Habit.’

‘Your parents liked them?’

No, she hadn’t been curled up on a sofa between her parents watching a film as he probably had. She’d been in her own bedroom with her own telly—to her friends’ envy—and watched them alone. She still had a massive movie collection in her online library. ‘They were just fun.’

A time-filler, a window into another, more friendly, world—where villains got their comeuppance, orphans found families and plain girls got the guys. Sure they might be fairy tales, but she enjoyed them.

‘And you really like taking the tours?’ he asked as if he couldn’t understand why anybody would.

‘Being with the fans is way more fun than working behind the scenes,’ she explained. ‘I’ma fan—I understand that excitement. I mean, it’s hard work, but I love it. And I love travelling. I love getting to meet these interesting people who’ve come from so far away. Who’ve been to other interesting places. Who love the movies I do. It’s fantastic.’

The discussion was a timely reminder—shewasn’tgoing to stuff up her perfect job by sleeping with one of the possible contacts. Again.

‘I can see why you’re popular. Your enthusiasm is infectious,’ he said slowly, with a look in his eyes that she was sure wasn’t good. ‘You know there’s a pool here,’ he drawled.

Definitely not good. She had another melt moment and instantly rallied. ‘I didn’t bring my swimsuit. And don’t even suggest skinny dipping.’ Yeah, she’d caught the flicker of his smile.

‘It’s heated. There’s a spa as well.’

She’d known staying to chat with him wouldn’t be wise. She might be completely sober but she was suddenly as giddy as if she’d sucked a litre of champagne through a straw. ‘I don’t need to try all the things you have for your high-paying guests. I’ll be with the scraggly film fans out in the muddy field.’

‘I just thought it might help you relax.’ He opened his hands in an oh-so-not innocent gesture.

‘Let down my guard, you mean.’ She wasn’t here to relax.

‘How about a ride, then?’ He roared with laughter at her expression. Then clarified. ‘We could just go along the fence-line, you could see the moon and the stars. Very much a movie scene.’

‘I’m not really into horse-riding.’ And she refused to blush. ‘We have all day tomorrow to see the old set. I think it’s best if I turn in for an early night.’

‘You’re afraid.’

‘Of horses, yes.’ She dared him to laugh at her. ‘And I’m being sensible.’

He let out a theatrical sigh. ‘Come on, then, Cinderella.’ He scooped her bag from where they’d left it in the kitchen and then led her up the stairs—another wide, plush corridor that seemed to go for ever.

‘Now.’ He opened a door and put her bag just inside. ‘This is your bedroom.’

‘Thank you.’ She walked into the room and quickly turned, her hand closing the door. But before she could slam it in his face he leaned in.

‘Pay very close attention,’ he drawled. ‘My bedroom is a mere three doors along. Same floor and everything. You can’t miss it. Even if there’s a power cut and it’s pitch black. Worst case just try them all, there’s no one else staying here, only me to be found.’

‘Dream on.’

‘Oh, I do. Every night.’ He shrugged, utterly unashamed. ‘Just as you do.’

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