The Playboy's Ruthless Pursuit. Miranda Lee

water torture. ‘Please don’t,’ she said with a low groan.

      ‘Please don’t what? Tell you that I think you’re wonderful? I’d like to ask you out, Alice. To dinner, with me paying next time.’

      Alice could not believe how tempted she was to just say yes. Yes, yes, please take me out to dinner then take me back to bed. It shocked her, the strength of that temptation, not to mention her desire. Fiona had been so right about Jeremy. He was seriously dangerous.

      ‘Thank you for asking me,’ she answered. ‘I’m flattered. But my answer has to be no.’

      His eyes narrowed as they scanned her face. ‘Why is that, might I ask? You just said you liked me.’

      ‘Do I have to give you a reason? Maybe I already have a boyfriend.’

      ‘Do you?’

      ‘No,’ she said, lifting her glass of white wine to her lips. So much for her decision not to drink. But Lord, this man would drive any woman to drink.

      ‘Girlfriend?’

      Her startled gasp sent wine splashing over the rim of her glass.

      With the speed of a quarter horse jumping out of the stalls, Jeremy whipped the snow-white handkerchief out of his breast pocket and dabbed at where the wine had run down her chin and throat, heading for her cleavage.

      ‘Don’t do that,’ she snapped, even as her arms broke out into goosebumps.

      ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he countered as he continued to mop up the wine.

      Both George and Mandy said something but she wasn’t listening, her focus solely on where that infernal handkerchief was straying, down towards her bullet-like nipples.

      Just before he reached them, his hand stopped and he put the handkerchief away. Alice was not sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

      ‘So what’s your real reason for refusing to go out with me?’ he asked her quietly as she snatched up her fork and attempted to finish her starter. ‘And I’d like the truth, please.’

      She swallowed one meagre mouthful before putting the fork down. ‘If you must know, it’s because of your reputation.’

      He looked bemused. ‘And what reputation is that?’

      ‘Come now, Jeremy, you must know what people say about you. You’re a playboy.’

      ‘Oh, is that all?’ he said, and laughed. ‘And that’s your only reason?’

      She blinked at him. ‘You don’t think that’s a good enough reason?’

      ‘I’ve never come across it before.’

      She just stared at him, thinking that she had never come across someone quite like him before, either. He was arrogant, yes, but with a wonderfully easy-going manner, which was both disarming and seriously seductive.

      ‘I would imagine that not many women would say no to you, Jeremy,’ she said truthfully. ‘But I am. Please don’t make a big deal about it. I’m not interested in wasting time on a man who thinks dating is a game and women are interchangeable.’

      ‘I couldn’t imagine ever thinking you were interchangeable, Alice. I can see that you are absolutely unique.’

      ‘Why? Because I’m saying no to you?’

      When he smiled she wanted to slap him. And kiss him. And say yes to him.

      Her shoulders straightened as they did whenever life put her back against the wall.

      ‘It’s time for us to go auction off a few things,’ she said coolly, and stood up.