‘Is that right? Well, I’m afraid that’s not been my experience.’
‘So you won’t even take a risk and try it?’
Unable to glance away from his mesmerising gaze, she felt her breath hitch. ‘No...I won’t...’
But even as she refused a look of heated longing drifted across his irises and she sensed her resistance indisputably melting. Underneath their polite words, somehow a much more sensual conversation was taking place. Rose couldn’t deny it. That impossibly irresistible look of Gene Bonnaire’s was captivating her, stirring her own longing into life, and right then all she wanted to do was to fulfil it...
Gene moved to stand in front of her, his mesmerising blue eyes smouldering like simmering fires... In the next instant the businessman had firmly caught hold of her arm and pulled her against his chest.
Rose’s blood pumped hard. All she could do was helplessly stare back at him. It was undeniable that he excited her, but his sheer physical presence disturbed her too. It only took a glance to see how supremely fit and strong he was.
Low-voiced, he murmured, ‘God forgive me, but...’
The time that elapsed between his words and his next action was brief...too brief for her to stop him.
His urgent, initially demanding kiss stole her breath and made her sink against the hard wall of his chest. Her senses were utterly besieged by him. And as his hot silken mouth moved over hers and became more and more seductive Rose didn’t have the faintest inclination to end the passionate caress.
Then somehow it filtered through to her fogged brain just how dangerous her compliant actions were and she came hurtling back to her senses. Shocked and shaken, she freed herself from the Frenchman’s embrace and wiped her hand over her already aching lips.
Staring back at him, she declared, ‘Your arrogance, Mr Bonnaire, has to be seen to be believed! I don’t know what you thought you were doing, but I think you’d better just leave.’
Her heart pumped even harder. The heat from his body and his velvet mouth had seared her indelibly, and she already knew she wasn’t easily going to forget it.
‘I didn’t intend to kiss you, Rose, but somehow the desire overwhelmed me. I am as disturbed by it as you are. I apologise. If you really won’t come to dinner with me then I can do no more than tell you about the amended deal I have come up with.’
He paused, as if to take a moment to straighten his thoughts. There was a slight crimson tint beneath his tan that bore out his declaration that desire had overwhelmed him. Rose didn’t know what to make of it herself. She was just an ordinary girl, and he was—he was a living, breathing Adonis...
‘I already know how much getting the best deal for your boss means to you, and I have spent quite some time thinking about how I can make that a reality for you both. This is my new offer.’
His hand dived into the inside pocket of his jacket and he drew out a slim sheet of paper. Unfolding it, he handed it to Rose.
Her jaw all but hit the floor when she saw how much he was prepared to pay for the privilege of owning the building. His initial offer had practically doubled. For dizzying moments she was literally lost for words.
‘This amount of money can be a real life-changer for Philip, Rose. That being the case, why on earth would you turn down the opportunity to help make things better for him? If you were to persuade him to see the sense in selling to me, then I’m sure he would be nothing but relieved. If he accepted my offer then he would have the worry of the business off his hands and earn himself a more than healthy profit. No doubt you would be happy too, Rose, because his ill health would undoubtedly be restored and, last but not least, I don’t deny I would be pleased, because I’d get the property I’ve long desired.’
‘And the name of the game is always that you get what you want, isn’t it, Mr Bonnaire? There’s nothing altruistic about this scenario, is there? You don’t give a fig about my employer’s health, or whether I’m happy or not happy. Why should you? You know nothing about us! You’ve seen something you want and you’ll do anything...pay any price...to get it. Isn’t that how people like you operate?’
To Rose’s consternation, he chuckled. It was a rich, gravelly sound that sent shivers running up and down her spine.
‘Touché...you’ve got it in one. You’re a bright woman...’
‘Don’t patronise me!’
Sighing, he folded his arms over his chest and studied her. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it. I’d much rather have you on my side than make you my enemy, Rose. By the way, your eyes are an incredible colour... I don’t doubt you’ve been told that many times before. What’s the shade? I’d say they were violet...’
Rose was hardly prepared for his remarks suddenly to become personal, even though he’d so passionately kissed her, and for several disturbing seconds it threw her. She could hardly think, let alone come back with a retort to put him in his place.
‘The colour of my eyes is neither here nor there. This conversation is completely futile. Now, I really need to close the shop and you have to go.’
‘Not yet. You haven’t told me what you intend to do.’
‘What do you mean?’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Are you going to talk to your boss about accepting my new offer?’
Rose was still holding the piece of paper he’d given her and she carefully folded it and slipped it into her skirt pocket.
Returning her gaze to his, she said, ‘I’ll show him what you’re offering—of course I will—but if you’re asking if I’ll try and persuade him to take it, then, no...I won’t. Philip makes his own decisions—always has and always will. I neither have nor want any influence over him.’
‘I don’t believe you.’ Dropping his hands to his hips, Gene smiled. ‘I can sense that you’re a sensitive woman, Rose. I’m sure that Philip must appreciate that. If he knows that you care about his feelings then I’m sure he must respect any opinions you have about the matter and know that you have his best interests at heart.’
‘Even so, it would feel wrong for me to persuade him to just sell the building, and some of the antiques, when he dearly wants to sell the business as a going concern.’
‘But surely he must know by now that his beloved business clearly isn’t viable any more?’
‘Do you think I want to tell him that? When I know it’s been his life’s work and he’s lying ill in hospital?’
‘You would find a way to put it compassionately, I’m sure. You obviously care about him very much.’
‘I do...’
‘Then he is a lucky man.’
‘I’m the lucky one. If he hadn’t taken me on and taught me the trade I’d never have found the work that I’ve grown to love.’
‘I’m sure he must have found it a pleasure to teach you, Rose. What sentient man wouldn’t? Not only does he get a beautiful woman with captivating violet eyes and patrician cheekbones to work for him, but she becomes quite devoted to him too.’
Rose sensed her cheeks flush red. ‘I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick. Philip isn’t attracted to me, if that’s what you’re implying, and neither am I to him. For goodness’ sake—he’s an elderly man, past retirement age!’
Gene was instantly apologetic. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve caused offence.