make a great team at work. Now that has to say something.’
Make a great team at work! Oh, Scott, if you only knew. That was the worst thing that you could possibly have said.
Those were the precise words that Peter had used, right before he’d whisked her off to his hotel room and off her feet. She had fallen hard and fast in weeks not months. Blind to all the warning signs that screamed out to her not to go there. Her head full of dreams of a wonderful future working together. And all the time he was using her to get the work done and be his dirty little fling at the same time.
Six months with Scott Elstrom? Oh, no.
Toni chuckled under her breath and slowly slid out of the warmth of his embrace, even though it killed her to do it.
‘Lovely and convenient! Sheesh. I’m the one who actually pushed to work in your office and take your photograph.’
She flipped her right hand over from side to side. ‘Painter. Client.’ Then she blew out hard and shook her head. ‘So many great artists have fallen into that trap. Disaster waiting to happen.’
Then she gave a casual shoulder shrug. ‘Sorry, Scott. My answer is thank you but no. You’re going to have to work harder and find yourself another fling partner.’
She braced her back and shoulders and lifted her chin as Scott formed a reply, but was saved by her cellphone.
It was Amy’s personal ringtone.
Great timing, sis!
‘Sorry,’ she whispered to Scott, who was glaring at the phone as though he wanted to toss it out of the nearest window. ‘Amy...Peru. I should really answer it. Really sorry.’
It took a moment for her to slide her body sideways and out of the circle of his arms but even as she lifted the phone she could feel his gaze burning a hole in her back.
Tugging down the hem of her top as if Amy could see her, she opened the call and, before she could say a word, an entire orchestral chorus of Happy Birthday belted out at huge decibels into the quiet room.
Oh, great! Amy had sent her a musical birthday card to add to the surprise birthday present of a tiny locket that she had left for their neighbour to deliver that morning.
Scrabbling with her phone, she quickly turned it off, took a breath and turned sideways to look at Scott, who was standing with his arms folded and a lazy grin plastered all over his face.
‘Today is your birthday? You might have mentioned that earlier. I could have brought back extra chocolate.’
‘I had my party on Saturday, remember? At Freya’s house. No big deal.’
‘Oh, no—’ he shook his head and pushed out his lips ‘—you don’t get away that easy. I would fail in my duty if I didn’t take you out for a birthday dinner. What time do you want me to pick you up for your date?’
My date?
Her heart was thumping so loudly he could probably hear it from where he was standing. He smelt wonderful, his touch sent her brain spinning and he was so handsome that her heart melted just looking at him.
But a date? Oh, no. That was something else. What was she doing?
She had felt that wicked pull of attraction in the coffee shop and then working side by side and had forced it deep down. And she would have to do the same now, because the high tension wire that was pulling her closer and closer towards Scott would only lead one way—to heartbreak and pain.
She had learnt her lesson with Peter and dared not place her trust in a man like this again. She just couldn’t risk being used then cast aside.
She wasn’t ready to date anyone. Nowhere near.
‘A dinner date? Thank you, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea, Scott.’
‘Elstrom Mapping just had a big success today. That’s worth celebrating over hot food and a nice glass of wine. I might even run to a slice of birthday cake, seeing as I ate most of your brownies last Saturday night.’
Toni made the mistake of looking into those blue eyes. He was challenging her to take him up on his offer. And she didn’t have any plans for her birthday.
‘So this would be a business dinner? The hot food part does sound tempting.’
‘If that is what you want. I can do hot food and talk business.’
She sniffed once then nodded. ‘Okay, you’re on. Throw in a tablecloth and cutlery and you have a dinner date. Not a fling, of course. Oh, no.’ Then she opened up her smartphone. ‘Do you want me to book somewhere?’
Scott covered her hand with his long clever fingers.
‘Leave this to me. My treat. Let’s make it a night to remember.’
Then he flashed her a cheeky wink and strode back to his office, his taut bottom teasing her with every step.
No messy complications and not a fling. Toni groaned to herself. Right.
Scott stood with his legs braced in front of the stone balustrade and looked out across the Thames to the south bank of the river. The early evening traffic was still fierce behind his back but he blocked it out and focused on the lights twinkling in the old stone buildings to the east that he knew led away towards the financial district and St Paul’s Cathedral.
He was so engrossed at working through his mental map of the city he knew so well that it took a full second before he recognized the female voice behind him.
‘Hello, handsome. I’m conducting a survey on people’s favourite London walks and I’m keen to know what yours is. Do tell.’
Scott turned around just as Toni stepped forward. His reward for hanging around close to the busy road for the last ten minutes was the touch of her tantalising cold lips on his cheek. So, before she had a chance to move away, he grabbed her and kissed her on the side of the mouth. But pretended that he had been aiming for her cheek.
The kiss only lasted a second but he instantly felt the heat of her smile on his face.
‘Cheeky,’ she scolded, but then her eyes softened and that smile made him feel that it would have been worth running here through the snow.
He would love to touch her again and hold her in his arms. Instead, he held out his hand towards her and gave a low whistle.
‘Hey, look at you, birthday girl! That colour is amazing!’
Toni held out the skirt of her long tailored Russian-style coat which was in a shade of bright cherry-red which he usually associated with Christmas decorations. And yet, with the black lace-up boots and black knitted hat pulled down over her ears, she somehow managed to look elegant and chic instead of too bright.
‘You like? These boots are ancient but they’re so warm and comfy I couldn’t resist.’
‘I like. Cute hat too.’
‘Amy made it for me! We Baldonis are so talented.’
‘It’s a miracle that you stay so grounded and modest.’ Scott laughed and when her gloved hand reached out for his, it seemed perfectly natural for him to mesh his fingers with hers. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d held hands with a woman in the street. Alexa used to hate public displays of affection of any type. Maybe he should have taken a hint from that?
Either way, he liked this just fine. For the next few hours he was going to put aside the problems back in the business and do his best to enjoy himself.
‘Now, about that walk,’ he said in a casual tone. ‘I have so many favourites it’s hard to choose.’
‘Um...I agree. I’ve lived in this city all my life and I still find