that go away with passion spent or would she end up losing the mental independence she needed for self-survival?
She could not—would not—end up like her mother.
‘I like to come and go as I please, Jake,’ she said firmly. ‘I don’t think I’d mind joining you along the road now and then, but…’
Her mouth dried up as a dazzling grin spread across his wickedly handsome face.
‘Fine…perfect…we can draw a map and meet when the time is right for both of us.’
She laughed with nervous excitement. He was so obliging, so tempting, so incredibly sexy, and surely there was nothing too scary about having an intermittent adventure with him.
The waitress arrived with their entrées. Laura had chosen the fried salt-and-pepper silken tofu with spicy coriander salad and Jake had decided on the Northern-style lamb and fennel dumplings. Both dishes looked and smelled deliciously enticing.
‘We divide them in half. Right?’ she said eagerly.
‘Sharing is the deal,’ he agreed, obviously enjoying her keen anticipation. ‘Go ahead. Divvy up.’
Jake watched her halve the portions on each plate, liking her meticulous care, liking everything about her, especially the determination to run her own life as she saw fit. It freed him of any guilt over pursuing what he wanted with her. She was not looking for a happy-ever-love with him. She didn’t believe in it.
Given what he’d seen of her parents’ marriage, he understood where she was coming from and why she would shy clear of serious attachments. Alex Costarella had wrought damage on his own family, as well as on many others’. He’d robbed Jake of his parents, but unlike them, Laura was alive and kicking. She would survive. An intermittent relationship with him should not create a problem for either of them.
‘We should start with the dumplings and finish with the salad,’ she said authoritatively.
‘Yes, ma’am.’
It startled her into a laugh. ‘I didn’t mean to be bossy.’
He grinned. ‘I don’t mind taking advice from a serious foodie. In fact, I would like you to extend my education on gourmet delights.’
She blushed. ‘You’re teasing me. I think I’ll just shut up and eat.’
‘Enjoy.’
She ate with obvious relish. It was a pleasure watching her appreciating each different taste. ‘Please feel free to comment,’ he urged. ‘I wasn’t really teasing you, Laura. I want you to share your thoughts on these dishes with me.’
‘Tell me what you think,’ she countered.
He did and she happily responded.
The whole meal was a pleasure, not only for the wonderful variety of tastes, but also Laura’s delight in them. She made it a great sensory experience and not only on the palate. The licking of her lips, the heavenly rolling of her eyes, the rise and fall of her lush breasts when she sighed with satisfaction, the warm smiles that fuelled a burning lust to have all of her…Jake itched to sweep her off to bed and take his fill of Laura Costarella.
He couldn’t recall ever having enjoyed an evening with a woman so much. It was impossible to tolerate the thought of it ending here. He had to persuade her to want what he wanted. And not just tonight. He knew one night wouldn’t satisfy him. Not now.
They finished up with nougatine and rum truffle candy bars to nibble as they sipped the last of the German Riesling he’d ordered to accompany their dessert.
‘This has been fantastic, Jake. Thank you so much for giving me the experience.’ Her beautiful blue eyes twinkled. ‘Definitely a more than fair exchange for my Sunday lunch.’
‘Apart from Neil Perry, what other top Sydney chefs would you like to try out?’ he asked, determined on tempting her into his company again.
She reeled off a number of names, then shook her head. ‘I can’t afford to go to their restaurants but one day I hope to. In the meantime, I drool over their cook books.’
‘I can afford them, Laura, but I don’t want to go alone. Nor do I know as much about food as you do. I’m happy to pay for you to be my educator, my companion, to share your knowledge and pleasure with me. Will you do that?’
She hesitated, frowning over his proposition.
‘An adventure into fine dining,’ he pressed.
‘With you footing the bill,’ she said, wincing over the inevitable cost.
‘Why not? It’s my idea.’ Not to mention the desire running hot behind it.
‘It’s like…you’re buying me, Jake.’
He shook his head. ‘Buying your interest, your knowledge. Expanding my own. Say yes, Laura. It will be fun together. As tonight has been.’
Which was undeniable.
‘You’re right,’ she said on a sigh of surrender. ‘It’s no fun alone. I’m sorry I can’t pay my way but I simply don’t earn enough with only a part-time job.’
He waved a dismissive hand. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll consider it an investment in broadening my life.’ He flashed her a mischievous grin. ‘You could bring a garden rose for me to smell at our next restaurant. You’re right about the hothouse ones sold by street vendors. They have no scent.’
She laughed, a lovely ripple of sound that was headier than the wine. ‘You actually went out and tried them?’
‘I did.’
‘Well, there’s hope for you yet.’
‘Hope for what?’
‘For being more aware of nature’s beautiful gifts.’
‘I’m very aware of one sitting directly opposite me.’ He reached across the table and took one of her hands in his, lightly rubbing his thumb over its palm as his eyes bored into hers, every forceful atom of his mind willing her to concede to the strong sexual attraction between them. ‘Spend the night with me, Laura. I’ve booked a room in the Intercontinental Hotel. It’s only a short walk from here. Let’s satisfy what was left unsatisfied last Sunday.’
It was blunt.
It was honest.
It promised nothing more than it said.
It had to be this way or no way.
Despite all he liked about her, she was still Alex Costarella’s daughter and that fact would separate them when the time for retribution came. Jake had been moving towards that destination for ten years. Whatever he had with Laura could only be a brief sidetrack.
A WILD MÊLÉE of emotions pumped through Laura’s heart. The response of her body to Jake’s proposition was instantaneous; her stomach contracting in sheer yearning for the satisfaction he promised, her thighs pressing together to contain the rush of excitement at their apex, her breasts tingling with the need to be touched, held, given the same sensual caressing he was using on her hand.
The simple answer was yes.
She wanted to go with him, wanted to feel how it would be, wanted to know, but the surge of desire was so compelling it frightened her. This wasn’t just curiosity. Nor was it an experiment over which she had control.
And there were other considerations.
She was supposed to be spending the night at Eddie’s apartment. Her brother would worry if she didn’t turn up there so he would have to be told, though she need not actually speak to him. A text message would suffice. Eddie would undoubtedly repeat what