CHAPTER FIVE

I spent the next two days on autopilot. Soon, we'd be starting work on the Wrights case, but at that point, it was just business as usual. It felt a little like the calm before the storm. There was already a noticeable buzz around the office, like that frenetic pre-Christmas energy that fills the air as December rolls around. I was excited, but also a little intimidated. We had those people's futures in our hands. Winning wouldn't magically fix the damage, but it would mean hospital bills paid, carers hired, and a huge quality of life improvement for all those affected.

Even without Wrights, we were busy. I usually did my best to at least get out of the office for lunch — there was only so much monochrome decor and recycled air I could take in one day — but my workload meant I just didn't have the time.

So on Saturday, when my boss called asking me to go and meet a new prospective client, I jumped at the chance. I normally hated those schmoozing business lunches, but anything that dragged me away from my screen was a win at that moment.

The meet was at an upmarket steak restaurant in Martin Place named Cuts. It was one of those places that looked like it'd been pulled straight out of the fifties. Dimly lit and dominated by leather and sandstone, it gave off the impression of being expressly made to host boozy lunchtime business rendezvous. I half expected to find the cast of Mad Men hunched in one corner, smoothly wooing prospective clients and chortling over their scotch. I'd been told that the sophisticated aesthetic wasn't just a bluff. The steaks were apparently some of the best in town, although in all honesty, one cut of meat was much the same as any other to me.

I arrived a little early. The restaurant was quiet. There were just a handful of groups dining inside and a lone guy sitting at the bar. I made a beeline for the main room, longing to get a glass of red into me before my client arrived. We hadn't met before — all I had was a name; Mr Keys — but it seemed like a good idea to loosen up a little first.

But as I approached, the man at the bar spun to face me. I froze.

" Are you fucking serious? " I said.

" Not much for traditional greetings are you? " Sebastian asked, clearly enjoying having shocked me for a second time.

As usual, a pang of desire rushed through me at the sight of him. I had no idea how I hadn't noticed him immediately. Even in the simple act of sitting still, that masculine poise was unmistakable.

" Not when I'm talking to men who appear to be stalking me, " I replied sharply.

He gave a little laugh. " You arrive after me, but I'm the one stalking you? "

He had a point. I shifted uncomfortably. " Well, whatever. I don't have time for your games today, Sebastian. I'm here for a meeting. "

His smile grew. " Me too. "

It took me a second. " Oh, you didn't? " I said. But the smugness in his expression confirmed it. " You bastard. "

I thought back over the phone call with my boss. It hadn't occurred to me to ask why I was being sent over anyone else. I just assumed it was a random decision. " You asked for me especially? "

" I did. "

Mr Keys. Mr Lock. Fuck. I should have seen it coming. " You can't just waste my time like this, Sebastian. I have a job to do. "

" And I respect that. I've already paid for an hour of your time, so we're not wasting anything. "

My eyes widened. " You paid that ridiculous fee just to get me down here? "

He nodded.

" Well... fuck. " I wish I could say I was surprised, but despite the way we'd left things the other night, I'd had a hunch he wasn't done. He struck me as the sort of man who wasn't used to losing. I guess now I had some idea just how far he was willing to go.

I didn't know what to do. Being near him was dangerous. Even my frustration at his tenacity couldn't blunt the attraction I felt for him. My chest tightened as my eyes roamed involuntarily over the hardness of his body. One elegant hand was resting on the bar, tapping out a slow rhythm against the wood, as if serenading me with a piano ballad. Even his fucking fingers were gorgeous. All I could think about was having them playing across my skin instead.

" Give me ten minutes, Sophia, " he said. " After that, I promise I'll leave you alone, if you want. "

It seemed like I didn't have much choice. He clearly wasn't giving up without a fight. If I didn't hear him out, he'd be back. Perhaps it was better to end things properly, once and for all.

" Fine. Ten minutes. "

He nodded in thanks and led me inside.

" Drink? " he asked, as we slid into our booth.

I shook my head. " I think I'd rather keep my wits about me for now. "

I was rewarded with a grin. " Fair enough. " He gestured to the waiter to stay put for now.

" I don't really know what else there is to say, " I said. " I've told you, we don't want the same things. If you think you can change my mind with tricks and perseverance you've got another thing coming. "

" Ah, but what if I have a new proposal? "

I couldn't help but laugh. Everything was like a business deal to him. Approach from different angles until you find one that works.

" Go on then, " I said, rolling my eyes. " Make your pitch. But remember, the clock is ticking. "

" Dinner. "

" Dinner? As in, the two of us? "

He nodded.

" That sounds dangerously close to a date, " I replied. " Wouldn't that be breaking the rules? "

He smiled ruefully. " Maybe, but I don't believe you've given me much choice. "

" Of course I have. You could just leave me alone instead. "

" I don't consider that an option at all. "

There was an intensity to those words that was almost frightening. I had no idea how to deal with that. " Well, a meal together is all well and good, " I said slowly, " but it doesn't change the fact that I'm not interested in joining your little harem. "

As usual, the more caustic my tongue grew, the more it seemed to entertain him. " I get the impression you think I'm more debauched than I really am, Sophia. Just because I like to keep my options open doesn't mean I automatically hit on anything in a skirt. "

" Just the skirts you work with then? " I asked.

" Actually, that's the other thing I was going to mention. Hannah is no longer in the picture. "

I rocked back in my seat. " What happened? "

" I ended it. To be honest that relationship was a mistake to begin with. I've always made an effort never to mix business and pleasure, but Hannah was rather... eager. In any case, shortly after you left on Tuesday, she blew up at me. It was the last straw. It had gotten too messy. "

He made it sound like it had been coming for a while, but the fact that I'd been the catalyst made me feel a little guilty.

I licked my lips. " And there are no other girls? "

" Nope. If you agree, it will be just you and me. "

Those words had a lovely ring to them.

" So why not just tell me that the other night at my office? " I asked.

His expression slipped a little. " I was hoping it wouldn't be necessary. Like I said, I'm not entirely comfortable with exclusivity. I find it often leads to people getting too attached too quickly. But I'm willing to make an exception in this case, as long as we understand each other. "

I really wanted to believe him. A light, casual, but monogamous relationship was exactly the sort of thing I needed, and he'd gone to such great lengths that it seemed unlikely he was looking to screw me over. But I was still wary. I'd been fooled before by men like him. For some of them, the challenge was even more fun than the victory itself. This could all just be part of the game.

And even if he was being honest, how long would his promises last? How long would a man with his pick of the litter be content to stay in one place?

" Why are you going to all this effort, Sebastian? " I asked, no longer able to disguise the conflict in my voice. " Surely you can get what you need elsewhere. "

He smiled a secretive little smile and shook his head slowly. " You don't give yourself enough credit, Sophia. You were the most beautiful girl in the room that first night we met. I bet there are a lot of men out there who would go to great lengths for an evening with you, if only you'd give them the chance. "

I blushed and looked away. I didn't think of myself as someone who was easily swayed by flattery, but I had to admit, I loved hearing the desire in Sebastian's voice when he spoke like that. It made me feel sexier than I had in a long time.

" Come on, one meal, " he continued. " No strings attached. If you have fun, we'll take it from there, if not, no problem. I'll drop you home and wish you good night and never bother you again. "

I could feel my resolve weakening. He was just so gorgeous, and he didn't seem to want to take no for an answer. What was the worst that could happen? It wasn't like I was committing to anything beyond a meal and a chat. I could bail at any time if I felt uneasy.

I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. " Okay fine. One meal. But I'm not promising anything else. "

" I'll be a perfect gentleman, I promise, " he said, with a laugh. " How's tomorrow night? "

" Fine. "

" Okay, I'll pick you up at seven thirty. "

" Alright. "

He took my hand and kissed it. It was the sort of gesture that's hard to take seriously, but he somehow managed to pull it off. The brush of his lips sent a pulse of warmth shooting between my legs. " Until then, Sophia. "

And then he left.

It was only a few minutes later, after I demolished a glass of Shiraz, that I realised I hadn't told him where I lived. But then again, he'd managed to find my office; why would my home address be a problem?

I had no idea how he did the things he did. I'd sat down one hundred percent certain that nothing was going to happen, and yet in just a few short minutes he'd changed my mind. It was like he'd cast a spell on me.

Agreeing to go out with him was probably a mistake. I'd been down that road before with heart breakers like him, and it always ended in tears. I tried to tell myself that nothing was set in stone. Things would only progress as far as I wanted them to. But part of me wasn't sure that was really true. His persistence seemed endless, his magnetism almost irresistible. If he made a move, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop myself, no matter how much I wanted to.