Later that evening, clinging to Dex's arm as they walked along the riverside towards the boat where they were to dine, she was glad of its warmth. But, once seated at a table for two, with the banks of the Thames passing by, the millions of city fights reflected in the dark waters, she had no need of its warmth. The romantic setting, the heat of Dex's gaze, his hand holding hers, the latent desire in his eyes Ut a flame inside her that she knew would burn for ever.
It was over coffee that Dex dropped his bombshell.
'Have I told you tonight how lovely you are?' Reaching for her hand, he turned it over in his own, his thumb idly stroking the palm.
There was nothing idle about Beth's reaction; she could feel a tingling sensation right down to her toes. 'Yes, a dozen times,' she responded huskily, her starry eyes roaming over his chiselled features. He was so attractive, sometimes she had to pinch herself to make sure what was happening was real and not a fairy tale. She had seen the avid glances the other female diners cast in his direction. He was certainly the most dynamic virile man in this floating palace of a restaurant.
'You have that effect on me, Beth. I'm so besotted by you, I end up repeating myself like a parrot.'
'You! A parrot! Never,' she exclaimed. 'A hawk, now. . . That I could believe,' she teased, while hugging his words to her heart.
'Parrot, hawk—whatever. But this bird has to fly away tomorrow.'
'You're leaving?' Beth could not hide her consternation. 'But when? Why?'
'As it happens, I have promised my sister I will attend her birthday party in Italy tomorrow night. But, that aside, I have to be in New York on Monday. I do have a business to run, Beth. Usually I only visit London once or twice a year at most. Surely you must have realised I cannot stay here indefinitely.'
The more he talked, the more her heart sank. So much for her fairy tale romance. Dex was leaving. Withdrawing her hand from his, she picked up her coffee cup and drained it, then replacing it carefully on the table, she looked back at him.
'Yes, of course. I mean, who would want to spend their life living in one of the best hotels in London?' She tried to joke but her voice shook, and it took an almighty effort of will simply to hold his gaze. But Dex saw through her charade immediately.
'It is not the end of our relationship, Beth. In fact, it could be the beginning.' Grasping her hand once more, his eyes narrowed intently on her face. 'You can meet me in New York. I will arrange it, and I promise you will have a great time.'
Beth's heart lurched in her breast. The desire flaring in his eyes was a potent reminder of how it could be between them. If she let it. . . But common sense prevailed. How could she take off around the world with Dex? Just like that? There was her work, her friends, her apartment. And what exactly was Dex offering? She noted he had not asked her to his sister's birthday party; he was not about to introduce her to his family.
Obviously a brief fling at best was all he had in mind.
'No, sorry. I have to be at work on Monday,' she managed to say prosaically.
'Of course, foolish of me to ask.' Dropping her hand, he signalled for the waiter and ordered a brandy.
The boat docked some five minutes later; the diners were allowed to linger, but Dex suddenly seemed in a hurry to leave. He paid the bill, and, slipping the coat he had given her over her shoulders, urged her back on shore. The walk to the car and the drive back to her apartment were completed in silence.
Beth cast a few sidelong glances at her companion, but he appeared deep in thought and disturbingly remote. Had she blown her chances by refusing to go away with him? The thought hurt, but her sensible side told her it would hurt a whole lot more if she gave in to his demands and had a brief, lustful affair.
Finally, when Dex stopped the car outside her apartment, he turned in his seat and spoke. 'Would a ring make a difference, Beth?'
She shot him a startled glance, not sure she had heard correctly. 'A ring?' she queried. His features were shadowed in the dim light and she could not read his expression. But his husky chuckle was all too audible.
'Why the surprise, Beth? After last Sunday, I should have realised it is the obvious solution. I want you in my bed and in my life.'
God alone knew that was where Beth wanted to be, but she couldn't hide her amazement. Wide-eyed, she stared at Dex. Was he actually proposing?
'You mean an engagement ring?' She couldn't believe her ears.
'Of course. And, sliding his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket, he produced a small velvet ring box. 'I hope you like it, Beth, darling.'
She stared transfixed at the diamond solitaire ring nestling in the open box. 'You mean it? You really mean it?' It was all her wildest dreams come true. She turned moist luminous green eyes up to Dex, emotion overcoming her.
'You love me, you want to marry me,' she said, in a voice that shook with the enormity of the occasion.
'Of course.' And, lifting her left hand to his lips, he sucked gently on the third finger of her hand.
His lips felt like a ring of fire, and a million sensations flooded through Beth's slender frame.
Dex's silver eyes smiled into hers, and gently he slipped the diamond ring onto her wet finger. Then, folding her fingers in his huge hand, he murmured huskily, 'Consider yourself engaged, hmm?'
'Engaged?' Beth repeated.
'Heaven forbid. You have caught my parrot syndrome.' Dex chuckled again, a dark melodious sound, and with consummate ease slid her into his arms, kissing her with a thoroughness that left her a long time later staring bemused and breathless up into his darkly handsome face.
'Now that is settled, do I finally get to see your bedroom?' he demanded throatily. 'Say yes. You know you want to.'
'But it's so sudden, and I still can't go to New York,' Beth mumbled stupidly, so bowled over by the ring, his proposal, his kisses—simply by the man. She couldn't think clearly. 'I have to be at work on Monday.'
His eyes narrowed, moving slowly over her, and his mouth twisted. 'You're right, as usual,' he agreed. 'I did promise not to rush you.'
She shook her head 'Oh, no, Dex.' She lifted her hand to his face, her finger tracing the firm line of his mouth. 'I didn't mean. . .'
'Hush, Beth, you're tired and I am an insensitive fool.' And, opening the car door, Dex slid out, came around to the passenger's side and helped Beth out. He picked her up and carried her in his arms into her apartment building. He set her on her feet at the door of her apartment and kissed her once more, before taking the key from her purse and opening it.
With a large hand on her back, he urged her inside. 'The bedroom can wait, but remember you are mine. I will be back on Friday. Be good.' Then he was gone.
Beth was left standing looking at the closed door, her head spinning and her heart pounding. She was engaged.
Dex loved her. They were going to be married. She stumbled across the room and sank down on the only armchair. She twisted the ring around on her finger, watching the dancing lights in the heart of the diamond, studying it from every angle. It was a token of his love and commitment. A soft sigh parted her love-swollen lips. She had foolishly let Dex leave, thinking she was still not ready to share the ultimate act of love, when in reality her whole being was crying out for his possession.
Later, as she climbed into her lonely bed, she licked her lips, savouring the taste of his kisses. Dex loved her, and on Friday she vowed she would show him just exactly how much she loved him. . .
CHAPTER FOUR
Beth yawned widely and snuggled deeper into the soft bed. Dex was right. She was tired. But a tiny disquieting thought hovered on the edge of her mind. For a newly engaged man Dex had shown marked restraint! Friday could not come quick enough, was her last thought before sleep claimed her.
She woke up the next morning to the ringing of the telephone.
'Sorry to wake you, Beth.' Dex's deep, sexy voice brought a dreamy smile to her sleep-flushed face.
'Any time,' she murmured.
'I'm at the
airport and I couldn't leave without hearing the sound of your voice. How is my fiancée this morning?'
'Wishing you hadn't left last night,' Beth said boldly, his 'my fiancée' giving her the confidence to reveal her innermost thoughts.
'Now you tell me,' Dex groaned. 'And I'm leaving in a few minutes. Hold that thought until next weekend. Ciao.'
On Monday morning Beth glowed with happiness as she walked into the office. Everything looked different; she was an engaged lady, she thought, and, bubbling over with the joy of life and her marvellous love, she proudly displayed the diamond ring on her finger.
Within minutes, everyone in the firm knew; the female employees oohed and ahhed over the ring, and asked a million questions, until Beth's head was buzzing.
Linking arms with her Mend, Mary, she stepped out into the pale autumn sunshine and the two girls headed for the local delicatessen-cum-diner, where they usually ate lunch.
'Come on, Beth. Who exactly is he? What does he do? I want the whole story from the beginning.' Mary was a couple of years older than Beth, tall and slim, with cropped fair hair and blue eyes that saw far too much. 'Are you going to stay at work when you marry, and when is the wedding?'
The last question gave Beth pause for thought. She had not heard from Dex since his brief call on Saturday morning. They had never discussed a wedding date, or her work, and suddenly she was prey to all sorts of doubts. When she thought about it, Dex's proposal in the car had not been particularly romantic. In fact, she could not remember his exact words, except, 'Of course'.
For some reason she did not understand herself, Beth answered all Mary's questions very circumspectly. She simply said his name was Dex, and that they had met through mutual friends. But she had fallen in love with him at first sight.
Mary was genuinely happy for her. 'AH right, I'm convinced you love him. But marriage, Beth. Isn't it a bit quick? Whirlwind romances can be notoriously fragile.5
Beset by a host of conflicting emotions, by the time Beth got back home on Monday evening she was thoroughly despondent. After all, she hardly knew Dex. A few days was not a very long time in which to decide to spend one's life with a man, as Mary had reminded her as they'd left the office together.
But Dex's telephone call from America, half an hour after she got home, cured her blues in seconds. He was coming back early. His plane would arrive on Wednesday, at noon.
'That's marvellous news. I've missed you,' Beth said happily.
'Yes, well, I've missed you,' he returned flatly, without much enthusiasm. But as he continued Beth realised why.
Unfortunately, Dex explained, the purchase of the casino had not gone as smoothly as he had thought. The casino director, a married man in his fifties, had apparently been having an affair with his very clever young secretary, a devious young woman chasing after a much older man.
The thought crossed Beth's mind that Dex really had a thing about women who dated older men, but she didn't get a chance to speak as Dex continued.
Apparently, completely against company policy, the director had entrusted the girl with the combination of the safe. The secretary had not turned up today. When the director had made enquiries at her home he had discovered she had vanished at the weekend, and a great deal of money from the casino had gone with her. The police had been informed and the girl would not get away with it
'I'm sorry you're having problems, Dex.' Beth finally managed to get a word in, and she was almost sorry for the thief. Dex would be an implacable enemy. Dismissing the thought, she added, 'But I'm glad you're coming back.'
'No, Beth, I'm sorry for boring you with business, but don't worry, I'll have everything sorted out within a few hours of arriving in England.' His voice deepening throatily, he added, 'I'll call at your apartment no later than four. Be ready and waiting; we'll have an early dinner, and a long, long night together, hmm?'
Beth was glad he couldn't see her blush, but, at her mumbled assent, his sexy chuckle told her he knew exactly how she was feeling.
She looked around the small living room for the umpteenth time; not a thing was out of place. She had taken the day off work to prepare for Dex's arrival and the apartment was immaculate. The fridge was stocked with a selection of goodies, plus a bottle of champagne, she had washed and pampered her slim body with essential oils, her hair was styled in a mass of curls on the top of her head, and her make-up was as perfect as she could make it. There was nothing more to do but wait.
Glancing at her wristwatch, she sighed. It was no good; it was already five-thirty, and if she sat around her apartment another minute she would go mad. Without giving herself time to question if her action was advisable, Beth grabbed her purse, slipped on a tailored red wool jacket, the companion to her short straight skirt, cast one last look around her immaculate home and walked out of the door.
Signalling a cab, she climbed into the back and gave the address of the Seymour Club. She could hang about no longer. Dex had told her to wait for him but he obviously hadn't expected to be so long at the club, so why not give him a surprise and meet him there. . .?
She walked into the foyer and headed for the gaming rooms, then Mr Black appeared.
'You are a member, madam?' Not a flicker of recognition crossed his swarthy face.
Not an auspicious start, Beth thought, and for a moment she was hit by a sudden attack of nerves. She hesitated, then, remembering she was the fiancée of the owner, she said boldly, 'Mr Giordanni is expecting me, I am his fiancée.' Waving her engagement ring in front of his face, she added, 'If you remember, we met last week.' She was relieved to see the glimmer of a smile in the man's hard face.
'But, of course, Bethany Lawrence. Forgive me. Mr Giordanni is in the office. You know the way.'
'Thank you,' Beth said with a broad grin. Dex was here and in moments she would see him.
She pushed open the door of the outer office and walked in. Standing by the desk was a rather flustered- looking middle-aged woman, talking to someone on the telephone.
'I'm sorry, sir, but as a temporary worker I don't do overtime. I finish at six and I'm leaving now.'
As Beth watched, the woman's face turned scarlet.
'Don't worry, I won't be!' the woman yelled, and slammed down the phone. Catching sight of Beth, she said angrily, 'If you have come to see Mr Giordanni, he's in there.' She indicated the door with a wildly waving hand. 'With some other chauvinist pig like himself from America. Please yourself if you want to wait, but I'm out of here and I won't be back. The man is a tyrant.' Picking up her purse, she pressed a button on the telephone communication console and left.
Another bad omen, Beth thought glumly, as the other woman slammed the door behind her. So, now what? She eyed the closed door of the inner sanctum, and some of her courage deserted her. Dex was in, but apparently he had company. Should she just barge in, or wait?
She walked to the desk and sat down in the functional swivel seat. Perhaps if she rang through and told Dex she was here. . . She eyed the machine in front of her, not quite sure how the thing worked, then tentatively picked up the receiver and pressed a button. To her horror a voice spoke—not over the telephone, but from the intercom. . .
'As you've terrified the secretary into leaving, there's nothing more to do here. These notes will have to wait until the morning. So how about you and I have a night on the town.'
Beth, not recognising the voice, replaced the telephone receiver, but the speaker continued.
'Remember those two models last time? I have Deirdre's phone number. What do you say?'
Beth stared aghast at the buttons in front of her. Which one switched the damn thing off? She didn't like the way the conversation was going, and she wished she didn't have to listen to it.
'Sorry, Bob, but unfortunately I have a prior engagement.'
At the sound of Dex's voice Beth's heart jumped, though his 'unfortunately' was not what she wanted to hear. But what followed was even worse.
'Some other time, maybe. But
we can have a drink together before I leave. This particular girl won't mind waiting.'
Beth's hand fell from the machine. She no longer had any wish to switch the thing off. There was something about Dexter's tone of voice, his confident assumption that she would wait for him when, by her reckoning, he was already two hours late, that made her back stiffen with outraged pride. It might be true, but he didn't have to tell his friend.
'Easy, is she?'
'Surprisingly, no. Beth is amazingly resistant to my charms, and clever with it,' Dexter said with a wry laugh. 'Which is one of the reasons I got engaged to her last week.'
The 'clever' part she didn't like. But Dex was defending her, and now he would tell his friend the other reason for their engagement was that he loved her, Beth thought, relaxing slightly. But she could not have been more wrong. . .
'My God, I don't believe it; one of the world's best-known misogynists and you're engaged to be married. Did you actually buy the woman a ring?'
'Yes, yes, I did.'
Dex sounded oddly defensive to Beth's ears, but at least he had confirmed they were engaged. The bark of laughter from the other man did nothing to reassure her.
'But I thought after the games your ex-wife, Caroline, played on you, the money she grabbed, you vowed never to marry again.'
Ex-wife. . . The words rang in Beth's head. Dex had never once mentioned he had been married before. Her lovely face went pale, and she pushed the chair back— she really must make her presence known. Eavesdropping on a private conversation was despicable, and it was not like her at all—even if it had been an accident. But she froze at Dex's next words.
'Who said anything about marriage? It might never come to that. Suffice it to say, the girl was going out with Paul Morris and I saw a chance to put a stop to that, and took it.'
'Ah, now I see. Your sister Anna is still nuts about Morris, is she?'
'Yes. Personally I can't fathom what she sees in the man, but she wants him, and you know me—I'll do anything to make sure Anna gets what she wants. Apparently, after a year together, Morris decided he was too old for Anna and told her she deserved someone younger, someone who could give her the family she craves. . . Which is ironic under the circumstances. But, anyway, they had an almighty row and he left Italy and returned to England.
Giorganni's Proposal Page 5
