A Proposal to Remember

He gave her a lopsided grin that made her heart kick uncomfortably against her chest. ‘You want me to wear a suit and tie?’

‘I don’t care what you wear.’ She yawned and turned back to the fridge. ‘It isn’t looking promising. The only thing I can cook is omelette and we’re right out of eggs.’

Sam strolled over to her and peered over her shoulder. ‘So you’d better buy me dinner.’

She wrinkled her nose and slammed the fridge shut, forcing him to step backwards or risk injury. ‘Why should I buy you dinner?’

‘Women fight to buy me dinner, Riggs.’ He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his shorts, his blue eyes mocking. ‘This could be your lucky night. I’m making you an offer you shouldn’t be able to refuse.’

Her heart kicked against her ribs and she wished he’d move away slightly. He was standing far too close.

‘I have no trouble refusing.’ But then her stomach rumbled and she remembered how hungry she was. And how empty the fridge was. ‘On the other hand, I’m starving. What exactly did you have in mind?’

‘That new place on the beach? Plates of seafood. Lashings of garlic butter. Chilled white wine.’

Anna felt her taste buds react with enthusiasm. ‘I’ve heard good things about that place.’ She tilted her head to one side and considered. ‘And the only price is being civil to you for the duration?’

‘Who said anything about being civil?’ He lifted the bottle to his lips and drained the beer. ‘Just be yourself.’

She glared at him. ‘I’m civil with most people, McKenna. It’s just you that drives me nuts.’

‘And why is that, I wonder?’ He put the bottle on the table and surveyed her, his eyes gleaming with speculation. ‘Perhaps you’re harbouring secret fantasies.’

‘The heat must have gone to your brain.’

He lounged against the table, broad-shouldered and unreasonably handsome. ‘Face it, Riggs. You have trouble resisting me. And that really annoys you.’

‘You’re the one who annoys me. And it’s worse when I’m hungry. So let’s get going before I commit bodily harm. You won’t look so handsome with a black eye and no teeth.’

He reached for his car keys. ‘In the interests of personal safety, I’ll drive.’

She followed him to the curving gravel driveway and paused, a frown on her face as she looked at his sleek black car. ‘You expect me to sit beside you in that sex machine?’

‘Well, it’s that or the boot, honey, because there’s no room in the back. This is definitely a two-seater.’

She sighed and slid into the car, too hungry to argue. ‘OK, but only because my stomach is more important to me than my reputation at this particular moment in time.’

She was starving.

He turned the key, started the engine and smiled. ‘Don’t you just love that sound?’

‘It’s an engine.’

He shot her a pitying look. ‘No appreciation for the finer things in life, that’s your problem.’ He hit the accelerator, sending gravel flying. ‘And what does sitting in my car have to do with your reputation?’

‘If I’m seen with you then people will automatically think I’m a bimbo.’ She scooped her hair out of her eyes and held it firmly at the back of her neck as he picked up speed and headed for the coast road. ‘But to sample the lobster at that new restaurant, I’m willing to take the risk. And don’t call me honey. I draw the line at that, even when I’m starving.’

* * *

The restaurant was heaving but the manager took one look at Sam and found them a secluded table overlooking the sea.

‘Never miss one of your programmes. Love the way you make complicated medical stuff easy to understand. Pleasure to have you back, Sam.’ The manager handed him a menu. ‘And dining with our Dr Riggs. That’s cosy.’

‘Convenient, not cosy.’ Anna shot him a pointed look and took the other menu. She didn’t want gossip in the village. ‘This is just business. We have things to talk about, we both have to eat and we both wanted to try your new place, Ken. It’s that simple.’

‘Well, the first drink is on the house. I’ll treat you to a couple of glasses of champagne.’ He snapped his fingers, gestured to a waiter and then turned back to the two of them. ‘Been meaning to come and talk to your dad, actually, Sam. Something on my mind, to be honest.’

‘Stop by any time,’ Sam said easily, leaning back in his chair and closing the menu. ‘I’m covering all Dad’s surgeries now. Be glad to catch up with you.’