‘That’s outrageous.’
‘It’s honest.’ He put a restraining hand on her arm when she started to get up. ‘Sit,’ he recommended.
People had turned to stare, and the last thing she wanted was to cause a scene. ‘If that was your idea of a joke—’
‘It was no joke,’ Lucas assured her.
She was lost for words. She couldn’t believe that even Luc could be so brazen when it came to spelling out his sexual shopping list. There was no love involved. It was a cold-blooded proposition made by a man who could buy anything he wanted. Luc was just making a bid for another item on his list.
‘I enjoyed you in London,’ he said, confirming this. ‘I want to enjoy you again. What’s so strange about that?’ He shrugged. ‘You’re not exactly going to miss much here—no career prospects. No lifestyle. No nothing. Why not take a chance, Emma, and come with me? You enjoyed me pleasuring you. Why pretend that’s not what you want?’
Her body tensed at his words, betraying her with pleasure that pulsed low and insistently when she wanted to snarl at him that his suggestion was the most insulting thing she’d ever heard in her life.
‘Yes?’ Luc prompted as she shifted position. ‘Does your discomfort signify yes?’
‘It means no,’ she stated firmly, gathering what little remained of her senses. ‘It means you’ve made me feel more uncomfortable in public than I ever have, and that’s nothing to be proud of.’
‘I’ve made you feel something,’ he agreed, seeming not in the least bit perturbed. ‘And that’s a good thing, as far as I can tell. You’ve locked yourself away, Emma—and in more ways than one.’
‘You could at least have pretended.’
‘What? Been less blunt for the sake of good manners? I think we’re past that, aren’t we, Emma? Or would you prefer me to invite you to Brazil for a cultural tour?’
Luc had no intention of pretending that he wanted her for anything other than sex. And if he was after points for honesty, he could go take a hike.
‘Come on, Emma,’ he coaxed her in a softer tone, leaning over the table. ‘I have a big appetite and so do you—and waiting to be fed doesn’t suit me.’
For the second time during breakfast she was lost for words. She had no strategies to deal with Luc. She doubted there were any. So acquire some fast, Emma, told herself fiercely.
Standing up, she flashed a smile at the lady behind the counter as she put down enough money to cover their meal, including a generous tip. ‘See you soon,’ she called out brightly as she headed for the door. Luc’s proposition might have brought memories flooding back, but no way was she selling out to the highest bidder.
Not even the father of her baby could derail her from her career goal. She would make a future for herself and for her child—and she’d do that without sleeping with Luc. She waited for the lights to turn green and then started to stalk across the road—
She’d barely taken a step when she hit a patch of ice and her legs flew from under her. It was only thanks to two strong arms catching hold of her just in time that she was saved from possible serious harm. She flashed a glance up, but she already knew who had saved her. She would know that grip, those hands, that strength, that control anywhere. ‘Thank you,’ she managed, as she caught her breath.
Steadying her on her feet, Luc brushed the hair from her eyes and straightened her scarf, and then he stood back. Briefly, she saw a look in his eyes that said, Know that I will not allow you to get away from me a second time, but just as quickly it was gone. And then he laughed. Of course he laughed. This was all just a game to Luc.
‘You are impossible,’ she flashed angrily. ‘I hope you realise that.’
‘Oh, I do,’ he agreed. His powerful shoulders eased in an unconcerned shrug. ‘You don’t have to give me your answer right away.’
‘Oh, please,’ she insisted. ‘Let me give it to you now.’ She drew a breath and then fired at him, ‘No.’
Easing onto one hip, he assured her, ‘You’ll change your mind. I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think about it.’
‘I don’t need time to think about it. What do I have to say to convince you?’ She raked her hair with frustration. ‘You might not think I’ve got much here, but I’ve got my pride, and I’ve got a life here. I won’t be scrubbing floors for ever. I have plans.’