‘Nothing important.’
It could have been the imminent arrival of the ordered coffee that made him let go of her so abruptly, but somehow Cristina did not think so—because she might have been economical with the truth just now, but she had a suspicion that so had he been, with his ‘nothing important’ throw-away.
Then again, the way he’d moved away from her like that could have more to do with Kinsella Lane
being the person carrying the coffee tray, she decided, as she watched him stride across the room to meet the other woman halfway.
The fact that Kinsella had picked up on the tense atmosphere was clear in the look she sent Cristina before she carefully lowered her gaze.
Anton had seen the look also, and frowned as he reached out to take the tray.
‘A Senhor Pirez has called several times to speak to you,’ Kinsella informed him stiffly.
‘No calls,’ he instructed as the tray changed hands.
‘Senhor Pirez was very insistent.’
‘And you know the drill, Kinsella,’ he responded. ‘When I say no calls, I mean no calls.’
Cristina watched the other woman’s blue eyes glint beneath her lashes before she turned and walked stiffly out of the room. Clearly she did not like his censure.
Had they had a lovers’ spat? she thought nastily. But that was how she felt—nasty and mean and bitter and—
‘You should be careful. She knows why you have brought me here,’ Cristina heard herself snipe as he walked towards her with the tray.
‘Meaning?’
‘She is dangerous, that one. You think I was a jealous cat, but she will scratch your eyes out if you dare to take another wom
an to your bed.’
‘Whereas you will grin and bear it for the sake of the money I can offer you.’
‘I have told you once.’ Cristina’s chin came up. ‘I do not share a man’s bed with other women.’
‘What about another man?’
The question confused her. She frowned at him and he smiled as he placed a cup in her hand.
‘Gabriel Valentim,’ he enlightened her. ‘Did you share his bed last night?’
She was tempted to lie and say Yes—passionately, but there were already too many lies between them. ‘I am not involved with Gabriel,’ she said coolly.
‘Lover without the loving?’ He took a sip from his cup.
‘Gabriel is just a friend.’ She took a sip of coffee too.
‘Just a friend?’
‘A long-standing friend,’ she extended. ‘His father has been our family lawyer for ever. It is just your nasty mind that wants to make our relationship more intimate than that.’
‘He’s a good-looking guy. He’s reasonably well-heeled. You need money.’ A lazy shrug of a wide shoulder said the rest.
‘Not as rich as you,’ she hit back. ‘And he is also gay,’ she added, ‘So you will please keep your unwanted thoughts to yourself.’
Gay.
Anton stared at her for a moment, then threw back his dark head and laughed. He’d spent the whole of last night lying wide awake in his bed, tormenting himself with visions of the handsome swine locked in Cristina’s eager arms, when all the time—‘I don’t know what you find so amusing in hearing that.’