Page 26 of Take My Breath Away
“Yes, I’m fine. And thank you.” I resist the urge to rub my shoulder. The guy had squeezed hard.
For a second James doesn’t say anything as he keeps his gaze fixed on me, before he nods and carries on drinking. I’m thankful the situation didn’t escalate. James closed the guy down with a few clipped words, icy enough to freeze over the Sahara.
“Bloody hell,” he mutters as his phone rings. “Sorry, I have to take this then I’ll close the damn thing down.”
As James gets caught up in his call, I cast surreptitious glances his way. The pub’s noisy and he’s speaking low and fast. I can’t hear him but it’s not his conversation I’m thinking about, but the fact that he’s rescued me again. I shift around in my seat and finish what’s left of my drink, doing my best to ignore that James’ controlled display of top dog was totally alpha, and kind of hot.
Fuck. I really, really,reallycan’t start thinking along those lines, and especially not after what he’s told me.
“Earth to Perry.”
“What? Sorry?”
James is giving me his narrow-eyed, crooked smile, the one that always makes me think he has a secret.
“I said, shall we get out of here? Maybe head somewhere a bit quieter?”
The bar’s got busier and making our way out is like wading through treacle. James is behind me, and I’m convinced my gasp can be heard over the din when his breath wafts against my ear.
“I’ve not eaten much today and I’m starving.” He places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the crush. A shiver runs through me but this isn’t a touch I want to ease out of. He’s not the only one who’s starving. I am too, but it’s not for food.
Oh, God…Everything he’s told me, it should be a clanging, deafening alarm, but just the feel of his hand through my jacket and shirt, is enough to set my pulse racing.
“There’s a really good Indian place just off one of the smaller side streets. The curries are light and fragrant, with not an oily vindaloo in sight. What do you reckon?” he says, just as we emerge onto the street. He’s smiling and there’s a kind of anticipation in his eyes, like he’s hoping I’ll say yes.
Of course I do.
“That’d be great.” My stomach rumbles its assent. “But this is my treat, okay?”
“But you cooked yesterday. Most days, actually.”
“That’s not the point.” And it isn’t. James is charging me a token rent, and we both know it, so if I can pay for dinner then I will. I hold James’ gaze, determined not to back down.
James’ smile turns deliciously wolfish.
“Are you offering to buy me dinner, Mr Buckland? I don’t put out that easily, you know.”
It’s the second time this evening he’s made me gasp.
“No, that’s not why…”
James’ answering deep chuckle tumbles down my spine.
“I was only teasing. You should know that’s what I do. And as for putting out, it takes a side dish of aloo gobi and a naan for that to happen.”
He strides off and I dart after him.
Aloo gobi and naan… Maybe I should add them to the shopping list…
Chapter Thirteen
JAMES
When the bill arrives I go to pick it up, completely forgetting Perry’s insisted on paying. I don’t want him to pay and I have to tamp down my natural inclination to take the lead.
“Thank you,” I say. He looks pleased, and I smile, because that pleasesme.
As he deals with the bill and chit chats with the waiter, I think back to the incident in the bar
