‘No.’
Gage didn’t wait for the driver but opened the car door himself and hopped out. Eve followed. He held out his hand to her and she looked at it for a few seconds.
‘Hold my hand, Eve.’
She slid hers into his. The warmth of him engulfed her, but she was rooted to the spot. Rather than drag her into the restaurant behind him, Gage drew her close. Took his free hand and cupped her cheek.
‘Do you want to know why she’s not going to question a thing?’
Eve couldn’t speak. She shook her head, wanting to melt into the warmth of his touch. Absorb the strength he exuded.
‘This,’ he murmured.
Gage dropped his head to hers. Their lips brushed. And her mind blanked.
Kissing Eve was like heaven and hell. Something he craved. Something he’d give almost anything to do again and again. When his lips touched hers the shock of it jolted through him. He forgot that they were standing in a street in front of a restaurant. He forgot everything but the feel of her soft lips on his own. How she opened underneath him and gave to the kiss as much as he took. This might be one of the most important nights of his career, but he didn’t care. He wanted to call the car back and take her home. Peel off the soft dress that clung to her curves. Take her to bed. Bury himself inside her for hours. Hell, they mightn’t even make it home the way he felt. Even the back of the limo sounded good right now. Dark. Private. Anything to be alone.
A click. The burst of a flash. Gage came to his senses and broke the kiss. He turned and there stood a man with a camera.
‘The cameras,’ she said, her voice husky and low. Her cheeks flushed a glorious pink. Eyes glazed, pupils blown wide. A tendril of satisfaction curled through him that he could make her look like this. Drugged with desire. ‘Are they—’
‘Here for us. Yes. The news of our “engagement” dropped today. Our romance will be all over the gossip sites in no time and that kiss is why Greta won’t doubt a thing.’
Eve seemed to come back to herself, the blush on her cheeks intensifying.
‘If that?
?s all it takes, I could have been anyone.’
He gritted his teeth. She still wasn’t taking responsibility for how she’d got here. For the rumours that he’d plucked her from the loving bosom of her family, and she’d been afraid of him. Morphing their past into something twisted and dirty.
‘You know why it had to be you.’
A slight frown marred her brow. A look of confusion if he hadn’t known better, but those rumours had to have come from somewhere and she’d never tried to scotch them.
‘I don’t—’
‘We should go inside.’ He refused to hear excuses, how she was not completely aware of what she’d done, how she’d not been party to the rumours that had surfaced time and again. Whenever he’d felt like he was getting some purchase, another ugly whisper had started. That he was a man not to be trusted. ‘We don’t want to keep Greta waiting.’
He led Eve into the restaurant, and was ushered to the table he’d booked in a softly lit and private corner. Greta was already there, waiting. An elegant older woman and a powerhouse of the European business landscape. She stood as they came to the table. No smile, which didn’t bode well, but at least she’d agreed to meet him. It wasn’t something she accorded many people. He smiled instead, held out his hand and they shook.
‘Frau Bonitz.’
She waved him away. ‘Please. You make me sound ancient. It’s Greta.’
‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘And this is—’
‘Eve Chevalier.’ Greta cocked her head, her brown eyes intelligent and intent. ‘I know all about you. I’ve been watching your activities in France with interest. Your efforts at building the European side of Knight Enterprises are impressive.’
Gage glanced at Eve. She smiled, and this one was wide and genuine. ‘That’s an accolade, coming from you.’
‘I’m always alert to young women on the rise in business, because their efforts are missed by most.’ Greta turned to Gage. ‘But not you, it seems.’
He shook his head. ‘I’ve had my eyes on her for years.’
Eve’s hand jumped in his. He squeezed it gently. She seemed to relax as they sat at the table and he ordered champagne. Discussed choices with the sommelier, all the while listening to Greta and Eve talk.
‘Knight’s portfolio is an interesting one.’