Page 4 of Defying Her Arrogant Boss

She frowned at him again. ‘You can’t drive; you’ve been drinking.’

‘I’ve had one drink the whole evening and had food earlier. I’m fine to drive.’

Her frown morphed into a glower. ‘My mother taught me not to get into cars with strangers.’

‘I’m not a stranger. We’ve just spent the past half-hour getting to know each other.’

She thought about it for a moment, knowing she was weakening. Gina knew this guy well, and quite frankly, the idea of a ride home in a car was appealing. It would beat a crowded tube and ten minute walk at the other end. The strappy shoes weren’t great long distance, not even medium distance.

Even more tempting was the idea of spending another ten minutes in his company. Just a little more practice? Sharpen the flirt claws?

‘Besides,’ he continued to persuade—she knew he could sense success, ‘you’ve made your lack of interest very clear. So you’ve nothing to fear.’

Have I? she thought. Damn. Seeing all of him properly for the first time in the lit foyer, she realised her instincts had been right. He was one sexy animal. She stood staring up at him, her mind refusing to compute as quickly as usual. All she could seem to focus on were those fabulous green eyes. She saw the amusement in them. Why it didn’t bother her, she couldn’t say. Rather she simply felt the urge to lean in and share the joke. He stepped closer and held her arms tighter. The contact broke through her clouded mind.

‘Well, if you insist.’ She attempted a laconic drawl.

‘I do.’

She raised her eyebrows slightly and allowed herself to be guided back into the lift. She looked at him in query.

‘There’s a car park in the basement.’

Leaning back against the lift wall she avoided his gaze and speculated on his choice of car. It would definitely be fast and flashy. Hell, probably a convertible with heated leather seats.

He took her arm again as they exited the lift and steered her through the line-up of closely parked cars. She tried to ignore the sensations that his thumb and every one of those fingers were causing. They were needles of electricity, points of awareness pressing into her. She pulled her lips into her mouth and pressed on them hard.

She wasn’t at all prepared for the slightly dented, giant maroon people carrier that he stopped beside. The seven-seater was obviously used to being full. There was the unmistakable smell of infants. An assortment of papers and candy wrappers was scattered on the floor and two of the rear seats were fitted with child restraints.

‘Are we expecting anyone else?’ she asked blandly.

‘No,’ came the equally bland response. She sat down and made to fasten her seat belt. Suddenly she stopped. Reaching underneath her, she pulled out a half-eaten pack of now very squashed raisins. Wordlessly she passed them to him.

‘Oh, good,’ he said, taking them with a pleased smile. ‘I was wondering where they went. Supper.’

She couldn’t help but glance at his left hand resting on the steering wheel. No ring, no obvious tan mark. Beautiful long fingers, neatly trimmed nails, a broad palm. She shivered and looked away. This was Karl, wasn’t it? The incorrigible flirt? Confirmed bachelor and man about town? This definitely didn’t go with the image.

‘It’s my sister’s car.’ He finally offered an explanation. ‘Mine wasn’t available and so I borrowed hers. She has three kids. Messy ones.’

‘Oh, nice for you.’ She clicked her seat belt into place. ‘So what kind of car do you usually drive, then?’

‘What do you think?’

‘Oh, I dunno. Some sporty thing. Fast, flash, something to wow the ladies.’

‘I don’t need to rely on a car to wow the ladies,’ he said suavely.

‘Oh, really?’ She couldn’t help laughing.

He shook his head at her, laughter lighting his eyes so they glowed, burning into her.

‘So what?’ she asked with tart humour. ‘You just rely on your dashing good looks, amazing physique, rapierlike wit and charm?’

‘D, all of the above.’ He nodded seriously.

She bet he did. He had all of those attributes in abundance.

‘Now, where are we going?’

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