As promised, her ex-boss had phoned her last night. Her cell had been off, but he’d left a message. She hadn’t gotten back to him yet, but maybe she should.
Ash took her to an Italian restaurant on the embankment. The hostess immediately showed them to a table by the window, with a view out over the River Thames down toward Tower Bridge. After they ordered, she stared down at the river, sipping a glass of sparkling water, unwilling to face Ash.
Finally, she forced herself to turn back to him. He’d taken off his jacket and was in his shirtsleeves, and if she stared hard enough, she could make out the shadow of dark hair on his chest. She raised her eyes to find him watching her.
“Are you really all right?” he asked
“I’m fine.” She wanted to get off that subject. “So tell me about this meeting you and Ryan have booked. Or is it confidential?”
“No, it’s not confidential. And we talked about you at the last meeting. Christian is happy to take Ryan’s recommendation and employ you if you decide to join us, so I’m cleared to talk to you.”
That was nice. Sort of. “So talk.”
“Christian works in a lot of areas, but one of the biggest is security, and he works all around the globe. He often finds out things, and he wants to form some relationships with government and military that will facilitate passing on that information.”
“Information? You’re talking terrorism?”
“Among other things. Mainly terrorism but also smuggling, drugs, weapons. Christian has a strong social conscience. He wants to help.”
“That’s sweet.”
His lips curved into a smile, but their food arrived at that moment, preventing him from answering. Faith zoned him out as she concentrated on her chicken tagliatelle. She didn’t often eat out and certainly not in this sort of place, which—despite there being no prices on the menu—she was guessing was expensive. Ash appeared perfectly at home here.
The food was delicious. When her plate was empty, she put down her knife and fork and relaxed. She thought about the job offer. In some ways, her interest was piqued and she was flattered that Ryan obviously thought so much about her. Unless there was some other, more sinister reason. But she couldn’t even guess at one right now. Once she had solved Julie’s murder, she’d give the whole thing some serious consideration. If she was still alive.
“And if I did come to work with you, would I be doing the same sort of thing?”
“Maybe, or pure investigative work if that’s what you’d prefer. Ryan says you’re a good detective.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
He reached across and took her hand where it rested on the table. She recognized his intention too late and didn’t move away quick enough.
Turning her hand over, he stroked her palm with his thumb, sending prickles of sensation running up her arm.
“Last night was good,” he murmured. “Up to a point. I’m hoping we can have another go, see if we can do better this time. Even if you decide against the job, I’d like to see you again.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a beautiful woman and for some reason I find myself attracted to you.”
Beautiful—hardly. “For some reason?”
He shrugged as if uncertain as to whether to go on. “I lost my…wife a few years back. I haven’t exactly been dating since. In fact, that was my first kiss in a long time.”
The idea shocked her. “And it turned out so well.”
His lips twitched. “Maybe not, but it had potential.”
“I don’t know. This new job, it’s taking up a lot of energy, and while I’m not allowed to talk about what I’m doing, you already know there’s a connection to your boss. I think it would be a conflict of interest.”
“We won’t mention work. We’ll talk about each other.”
She was tempted. She enjoyed his company. Hell, she’d be happy to just sit and stare at him, but he was interesting as well and it was a long time since she’d had any life outside the job. Maybe she deserved this.
He must have sensed her weakening. “Dinner?”
“Early night,” she countered.
“Alone?”
“Definitely.” She had a flash image of Ash in her bed and a wave of heat washed over her.
“Tomorrow then. Wouldn’t you like to know how our meeting goes?”
Of course she would, and that’s why she would see Ash again. That and because she was supposed to be spying on him. Nothing to do with the fact that he was the most gorgeous man she had ever come across, and he wanted her. How unexpected was that?
“Okay. Tomorrow lunch.” Lunch was safe. What could happen at lunch?
“Good.” He still had hold of her hand and he leaned down and kissed her palm. Heat swept through her at the touch of his lips. In another man, the gesture might have seemed posed, corny even, but with Ash, it seemed perfectly natural. He touched her palm lightly with the tip of his tongue and the heat settled low down in her belly.