Burned by Passion(24)

His demeanor changed instantly. “Why yes, Brittany,” he drawled with a charming smile. “I hope I can convince you into joining me for a quick lunch? Do you know of any great restaurants in the area?”

Brittany almost swooned as he turned on the full wattage of his grin, his hand taking her elbow gallantly. Just beyond Brittany’s shoulder he saw Kira stop short and stare at them wide-eyed. Blake swore he caught a look of dismay on her face as she viewed them.

“I wouldn’t dream of refusing, trust me,” Brittany cooed, turning into full flirt mode. Blake nodded, grin widening in approval before he opened the front passenger seat with a flourish. Brittany slid inside elegantly and he closed the door after her. He went over into his side, slipping on his designer dark shades and sending Brittany one more flirtatious smile before switching the car into gear and zooming off smoothly.

He wasn’t smiling though as he glanced in the side mirror and saw Kira still standing there in the middle of the sidewalk, frozen as a sculpture, her face pale and tight.

Damn you Kira, he thought while stamping down any feeling of remorse. After the savage way she’d cut him down in the elevator, why should he care anything about her feelings?

He may have been over the top with the scene at the car with Brittany and he must be crazy thinking it made any difference to Kira. She’d made it plain she wanted nothing more to do with him. Not only that, she had made their one time together sound so dirty it had ruined any chance of a future for them. He didn’t get why she could have such views considering this day and age, but then considering she’d been a virgin he wasn’t really surprised. She wouldn’t know how much he wished he could have made it more special for her, being her first time and it ate him up each day knowing she hated herself for losing control.


She’d never know how much it was the same for him, how he was the last person who’d ever have acted in such a manner, turning into some kind of sex predator, seducing a young innocent woman.

The more he thought about it, the darker his mood became. By the time they arrived at the restaurant he was a far cry from the charming Blake from earlier and Brittany was taken aback as his responses grew more monotone as their meal progressed. She tried engaging him in conversation by asking him how he liked the New York environment and the arts and social scene compared to his former life in London. It was all Blake could do not to snap at her as he inwardly brooded about his next step concerning Kira.

He was obviously not going to get anywhere with her. For one thing she had the hang-up about their racial and social differences. And then she’d brought up the fact that he wouldn’t have rushed into sex if he’d really wanted something more worthwhile with her.

The only option he saw was finding a way to get Kira out of his system even as he knew that would be one impossible thing to do. She was already his burning obsession.

In the meantime, he was thinking what a grave mistake it had been on his part bringing Brittany to lunch. He questioned her motives as he wasn’t sure she had any real feelings for him, but was simply interested in what she might believe was a profitable match for them both. Blake didn’t want to judge her too harshly but she did seem the type who did things only for what she could get out of it. She also probably looked down with disdain at anyone she considered not lucky enough to be as rich as she was.

If only he could stop thinking about Kira and her inexplicable aversion to him. He’d never had to handle rejection from a woman he desired and he hated being thwarted. One taste of Kira could never be enough but if she hated him so much then what hell of a chance did he have with her?

Damn it to hell! He fumed as he downed his glass of wine. No woman was worth all this aggravation.

That was what Blake was telling himself when then the object of his dark thoughts walked in – but not alone.

Kira was in the company of the tall man whom he recognized from the party. Blake’s eyes narrowed into thin slits as his mood went from bad to murderous. What were the odds that they’d be in the same restaurant at the same time? He watched in irritation as Kira smiled up at her companion.

Blake felt irrational for thinking that she might have followed them. After all, this was a very popular cafe which was also close to the office. There was nothing to do but ignore them, he decided.

Obviously that wasn’t going to be so easy, especially with Brittany’s next words. “Ohhh, there’s your father’s secretary. And that’s her boyfriend, Terry.”

“You know him?” Blake asked, despite himself.

Brittany shrugged disinterestedly. “I’ve seen him around a few times when I came by the office to see your father. He’s a reporter for one of those gossip rags. Not a bad sort actually.”

She smiled and then seemed to notice Blake’s deep scowl. Brittany’s mind went back to the party as she recalled seeing Terry in attendance with Kira. She hadn’t forgotten how Kira had gone after Blake when he’d left the dining room in a huff. She’d wondered then about it, but hadn’t given it more thought. Right then however, she couldn’t help but notice the attention Blake was giving the striking couple’s table. Her instincts warned her there was more to the whole matter than met the eye and she intended to keep on the watch especially where her own interests were concerned.





***

Terry picked that moment to glance around the tastefully furnished dining section and then murmured in surprise, “Well look who’s here!” he muttered theatrically. “If it isn’t the newest Mr. Eligible Bachelor with Ms. Glamour Girl!”