Page 55 of Nigel

“Are youtired?”

“I slept alittle bit, but then I kept dreaming about you and I got hard. Whatyou do to me.”

“Oh Nigel.”Blowing out a breath, she leaned back in the chair. “You cannotsay things like that to me when you are so far away.”

“I need to knowthat you are suffering the way I am. Christ darling, I love you somuch that I am overflowing from it.” He sighed raggedly. “Iam going to let you go now. I will call you later on. Think of me.”

“How can I not?I love you.”

*****

“Sorry I amlate.” She rushed in and took the seat Kyle held out for her.“I had to finish up some things before I left.”

“I am assumingthat you want the- “

“Lobster quichefor me. Since you are paying.” She smiled at Lionel as shesettled on the chair and gave them her attention. “I do believethat I am surrounded by the most handsome men in this exclusiverestaurant.”

“You are in agood mood,” Jeffry muttered, reaching for his water and eyeingher.

“I have reasonsto be.” She sipped her own water and directed her gaze betweenthem.

“I know youtold them what I said to you Lionel. I know you enough to know thatas soon as I hung up, you were on the phone demanding to know whatthe others knew.”

“I did manageto call Luce and make the reservation first,” he said mildly,reaching for his water. “Nigel Hawthorne? Isn’t that alittle over the top?”

“Lionel- “

Ava shook her head toquiet Kyle.

“I am in lovewith him and he is with me. I called this lunch meeting to bring youup to speed. He had to fly to the UK to take care of some businessand in his absence, I decided to get it out of the way.

I spent the nightwith him last night and that was not the first time.” She gaveLionel a direct stare. “I also know you enough to realize thatyou will have checked him out.”

“I admire hiswork.”

“And we cannothelp but wonder why he is still single.” Jeffry put in,ignoring the nudge of Kyle’s knee under the table. “Weare simply looking out for you.”

“I can look outfor myself.” She waited until the meal was served beforecontinuing. “It happened fast, so fast that my head is stillspinning.”

“You areenchanted with the guy.” Lionel nodded as he cut into hisgrilled chicken breast. “He is not bad looking and incrediblywealthy. No doubt he charmed you- “

“Thinkcarefully before you finish that sentence.” Her dark brown eyesglittered with temper. “This man is shortly going to be yourbrother-in-law.”

“How soon?”Jeffry demanded, ignoring the pasta salad he had ordered.

“As soon as hegets back, we are going to start making arrangements,” she toldhim with a glare.

“What’sthe damn hurry? Are you knocked up?”

“That’snone of your fricking business. I- “

“Children.”Lionel held up a hand to stop the heated argument. “We are inan exclusive environment, but that does not mean we are not beingobserved.”

He looked at hissister. “Is this man pressuring you to –“ His voicetailed off at the icy expression on her face. And when she started topush back her chair, he clamped his hand on hers. “Iapologize.”

“Take your handoff me,” she said coldly.

“Sis-“She cut off Jeffry with one withering glance.

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