Lexie could feel her insides contracting, as if she were waiting for a look of disdain in Cesar’s eyes. She’d seen it before.
But that didn’t happen. He just said, ‘And...?’
Lexie blanched. ‘And...I can read perfectly well, but if I’m stressed...or under pressure...it becomes nearly impossible. I just need time.’
Cesar moved closer, his fingers whispering over her skin, under her hair. Lexie repressed a shiver of sensation.
‘And are you?’ he asked. ‘Stressed? Under pressure?’
She wondered how it would be if she told him about the severe pressure and stress she felt under right now, with her body sparking and firing on levels she’d never even been aware of before.
Instead she said dryly, ‘A little.’
He moved back slightly. ‘You should have told me. A good friend of mine is dyslexic and he uses special software to help him. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you of the renowned geniuses who had dyslexia but didn’t let it hold them back.’
‘Of course you don’t,’ Lexie said, almost feeling cross that Cesar was the one defending dyslexia and not her! ‘I go to some of my local schools in London and talk to the kids about it—help them see that it won’t limit them.’
He frowned, ‘How do you manage with the scripts for your films?’
Lexie fiddled with her napkin self-consciously. ‘I usually get an actor friend of mine to read them out. I record them, then I transfer them to my mp3 player...’
Someone sounded a gavel just then, and Lexie looked away with an effort. She was so engrossed in him. But people were sitting down again and she was glad of the interruption.
Not that long ago another man had duped her into thinking he was interested in her and she’d almost fallen for it. Now Cesar was coming perilously close to making her believe that he was interested but she knew that it was just lust. The spike of excitement in her gut was shameful, but she couldn’t ignore it.
Cesar’s attention had turned to the front. And then Lexie found herself distracted as with admirable nonchalance he made bids on the most expensive lots, only to get an assurance from the auctioneer that the lots he’d bought would be raffled for free at the charity for its workers.
When it was over, and Cesar had spent more money than Lexie had ever heard of, he turned to her and said brusquely, ‘Are you ready to go?’
She nodded, too intimidated by what she’d seen to say a word. Lexie could see all the sycophants vying for his attention as they left, but he didn’t stop for anyone, his hand on her back again.
His car and driver were waiting outside, as if psychically informed of his departure, but Lexie knew it must have been a series of frantic Chinese whispers from the staff, who had been watching his every move like a hawk.
Once they were in the back of the car, the darkness closed around them like a blanket, cutting out sounds, cutting out reality. It made Lexie exceedingly nervous and she scooted right over to her side of the car. The thought of Cesar kissing her again in this seductive gloom was far too scary to contemplate, even if the thought of his words we will be lovers tantalised her more than she cared to admit.
Through the tinted windows Lexie could see the lights of Salamanca glittering. It distracted her. She said on an awed breath, ‘It’s so beautiful...’
After a moment Lexie head Cesar say something to his driver in the front and then the car was turning around.
She looked at Cesar. ‘Wait...what are you doing?’
A little gruffly he said, ‘You should see the Plaza Mayor at night when it’s lit up.’
After watching how generous he’d been to the charity, Lexie was mortified to think that he might feel the need to act as tour guide. ‘It’s fine,’ she protested. ‘I can come back again some evening.’
He ignored that and asked, ‘Are you hungry for something sweet?’
Lexie blinked in the gloom. She hadn’t had dessert. How did the man know she had a sweet tooth?
‘A little...maybe...but really we don’t—’
He cut her off. ‘I know a place. We’ll go there.’
The car parked on a street where couples strolled arm in arm. Cesar got out, and by the time Lexie had her door open he was standing waiting, holding out a hand for her to take. Muttering her thanks, she let him help her.
The early autumn air had a slight nip, and before Lexie could say anything she felt Cesar’s dinner jacket being settled around her shoulders. His warmth and scent surrounded her like an intoxicating cloak.
When he took her hand Lexie had to battle the urge to pull it free again. The truth was she liked the way it felt to have her hand in his. She glanced up at Cesar and saw that his bow-tie was gone and the top button of his shirt was open. It made him appear rakish.