Page 20 of One Hot Deal

"No problem."He pulls a pair of earbuds out of his pocket and hooks them up to his mobile."I can listen to music while you take care of your personal call."

"Thank you."He honestly is the most considerate man I've ever met.

I dial Pippa's number.

She answers on the first ring."Diana?You must be working on the weekend again.That's the only reason you wouldn't answer when I rang you."

"No, I'm not working."But I don't want to tell her about the thief.She would worry about me."I'm sorry I didn't answer.Is something wrong?"

"Why are you whispering?"

Despite knowing Derek is listening to music and most likely can't hear me, I realize I have been whispering."I'm in a taxi.Now please tell me, is there something wrong?"

"Sort of."She hesitates, and I know she must be biting the inside of her lip.Pippa always does that when she's nervous."I don't like it here.I have some friends, but they aren't good mates, and nobody really wants to talk to me.May I please come home, Diana?"

I miss her too, and I would love for Pippa to come home.But there's the problem of Derek and our arrangement.I'll need time to devise a plan for bringing Pippa home without causing a commotion—or worse, having Pippa realize that Derek and I are more than colleagues.I sent her to boarding school because I thought it might be good for her, and so she wouldn't worry about why I have bodyguards now.I did not do that so she wouldn't meet Derek and realize that he and I have…chemistry.

She might be fourteen, but Pippa is a very clever girl.

Do I actually need bodyguards?It's doubtful.I can't explain why I hired Derek's company.It had seemed like the right thing at the time.

"Let me sort some plans," I tell her."But yes, pet, you can come home soon.I promise."

"Brilliant!Thank you, Diana."

"Goodbye, dear."

I ring off and glance at Derek.

His gaze flicks to me, and he smiles.

I pluck one of his earbuds out of his ear."My call is done."

Derek tucks his earbuds back into his pocket."Everything okay?You looked kind of tense while you were talking.I couldn't hear what you said, but I couldn't help noticing your demeanor."

"There is nothing to worry about."

"Glad to hear it."

He isn't going to question me about my mysterious call.Well, discretion is a large part of his job.Maybe I am slightly disappointed that he didn't try to wheedle the information out of me.But no, that would be ridiculous.I don't give a toss if Derek does or does not interrogate me about my call.

And I absolutely do not wish he would figure out my secret.

Once we've provided our statements to the police, we head home in another taxi.I slip off my shoes and drop onto the sofa.Derek goes into the kitchen and returns ten minutes later with two steaming cups of tea.

I accept the cup he offers me."I thought you didn't like tea.You are a coffee man."

"Yeah, but Hugh got me hooked on Earl Grey.I have a cup now and then."

"Are you becoming British?"

He chuckles as he sits down at the opposite end of the sofa."No danger of that.I do like bangers and mash, though mostly because I love to turn that phrase into innuendo."

"Innuendo?Based on sausage and mashed potatoes?"

"Oh, yeah.Wanna see how?"He sets his teacup on the end table and slides closer to me.Then he speaks in a deeper, softer tone."I'd love to massage those potatoes until they're creamy and silky, then steam the sausage until it glistens with its own juices."

Why am I suddenly breathing harder?He's talking about food, not shagging.

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