A Touch of Notoriety(31)
Beth chuckled softly at his typically Raphael opinion. ‘I’m quite happy to let you invite me out and pay next time if you want to.’
‘Next time?’ Raphael questioned frowningly. Was lunch with Beth to become a habit rather than the exception? Along with the throbbing erection he had continued to suffer throughout the meal? ‘I am sure your boyfriend would have reason to be displeased if we were to lunch together a second time...’ Raphael stood up to move round the table and pull back Beth’s chair for her.
She gave another chuckle as the two of them walked to the door of the restaurant. ‘There is no boyfriend, Raphael.’
‘You only implied as much in order to annoy me,’ he guessed dryly as he opened that door.
She quirked blond brows as she paused in the doorway. ‘Why should I ever have imagined you would have any feelings on the subject one way or the other?’
Why indeed? The fact that Raphael had been annoyed only made his irritation all the deeper now. ‘I would, as you said, have needed to investigate this man before the two of you went out together again.’
‘That doesn’t answer my question, Raphael...’
No, it didn’t. And Raphael wasn’t about to, either.
Because he didn’t have an answer. None that was acceptable, anyway. To himself. Last night—and his arousal today, just thinking about making love with Beth last night!—had proved how much he desired her. But he was also starting to respect as well as like her, to admire her intelligence. Far too much than was wise, given their present circumstances. ‘An answer is unnecessary when there is no boyfriend,’ he rasped.
She put the strap of her bag over her shoulder before continuing outside. ‘Still, I might have found it interesting to know what the answer was going to be,’ she murmured with what sounded like disappointment.
Raphael’s breath caught in his throat, both at Beth’s close proximity, and the insidious and erotic smell of her perfume; an arousing combination of that lightly floral scent and the desirable woman who was wearing that perfume.
He straightened at the same time as he gave a dismissive shake of his head. ‘I believe your lunch hour is over.’
Oh, yes, Beth’s lunch hour was over. And it had been a surprisingly enjoyable hour, interesting conversation in the company of an intelligent and handsome man who also made her heart beat faster just to look at him. An hour when Beth had also learnt much more about Raphael than before: his likes and dislikes, his view on what was happening in the world, the books he liked to read, actors he admired, plays and films he had enjoyed attending. Although he had continued to refuse to be drawn on any remarks regarding family, his own or the Navarros...
It had also been an hour when Beth had noted that several other women in the restaurant had obviously liked looking at Raphael as much as she did. An occurrence Beth found she hadn’t enjoyed at all!
Not that Raphael had seemed in the least aware of any of those surreptitious female glances being sent his way, his attention centered completely on Beth and their conversation.
His professional attention.
Because that was all Beth was, or ever could be, to Raphael: just another person he was employed to protect.
What a depressing thought!
‘You are very quiet.’
Beth sent Raphael a teasing glance as they walked back to her office. ‘Stimulating conversation and delicious food always do that to me.’
He arched dark brows. ‘That is two more things I have learnt about you today.’
Her brows rose. ‘Two?’
He nodded. ‘You are not a morning person, and you go silent when stimulated and satiated.’
Beth felt her cheeks warm as she corrected him, ‘With conversation and food.’
‘Ah, yes, with conversation and food...’
Beth’s gaze sharpened. ‘If I didn’t know better, Raphael, I would think you were flirting with me!’
He gave a hard smile as he shrugged. ‘I am merely practising my role as your presumed boyfriend for when we return to your office building.’
Was he?
And were those feelings of disappointment Beth was experiencing, at the thought that was Raphael’s only reason for being flirtatious with her?
Get a grip, she told herself sternly. Raphael wouldn’t be here in England with her at all if Cesar hadn’t arranged for him to accompany her. If Cesar hadn’t arranged for Raphael to accompany Gabriela Navarro; a young woman with a family and lifestyle that remained totally alien to Beth.