‘Speaking of your apparently very dangerous work.’ Stuart interrupted her pitiful thoughts. ‘How’s it going? Any closer to finalising the formulation yet?’
Kelly didn’t bother to smother her sigh. This was why she hadn’t been excited about meeting Stuart tonight. Ben, who probably shouldn’t be commenting on his client’s outfit, had boldly done so. The personal comment had shocked her – she couldn’t remember the last time anyone had complimented her appearance – but it hadn’t upset her. Not when his eyes had burned with such blatant appreciation. Stuart on the other hand, who surely should be looking at her as if she was at least remotely attractive to him, hadn’t remarked on the outfit she’d carefully selected, or the make-up she’d painstakingly applied. He’d simply launched into work. As usual. And God, she was passionate about her work, loved to talk about it, but not all the time. Sometimes, she wanted to be reminded that she was more than a scientist. That she was a person with likes and dislikes, with needs that went beyond the practical and into the emotional. The physical. The intimate.
As the waiter took their orders, her eyes strayed outside, to the black Audi parked opposite. She could just about make out Ben’s large frame, but not those piercing green eyes.
‘Kelly?’
‘Umm?’ she replied distractedly.
‘I asked if you’d seen that latest piece of research on …’
Stuart’s voice drifted away and Kelly founded herself wondering if Ben had a girlfriend – she hadn’t spotted a wedding ring. What would she think about him sharing an apartment with another woman while he was on a job?
‘Kelly?’ This time Stuart sounded annoyed, and as his eyes snapped to where hers were still focussed, she flushed guiltily. ‘Is that him?’
It wasn’t cool to be thinking of one man, while on a date with another. ‘Yes. He’s waiting in the car outside.’
‘Is he taking you home then?’
‘Yes.’ She fiddled with her napkin. ‘He’s staying with me.’
She watched as Stuart’s eyes turned from surprised to cool. ‘I guess that means inviting myself over tonight is out of the question?’
Another sliver of guilt ran through her. Was she being a tease, going on dates with him when she wasn’t sure she wanted anything more? But how was she supposed to know what she wanted, if she didn’t get to know him outside work? ‘You’re welcome to come back for a drink.’
‘A drink wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.’ Stuart sighed, surprising her by reaching for her hand and giving it a kiss. ‘This is our fourth date, Kelly. I was hoping we would move beyond a goodbye kiss on the cheek.’
Kelly found she couldn’t look at him. Suddenly she wished they were talking about work again. Work she understood, she knew what she was doing. This, whatever it was she was doing with Stuart, something millions of women managed with confidence and ease, left Kelly floundering. Should dating really be this difficult? Wasn’t it meant to be fun?
‘I’m sorry.’ It was all she could think of to say.
As the food arrived and Stuart quietly tucked in, she could feel the irritation, the disappointment, radiating off him. What was she supposed to do though – invite him back so they could make out on the sofa, in the full knowledge that Ben was waiting in the car outside?
Is Ben really the problem?
The thought niggled at her while they talked, the conversation moving on from work, to science in general, to world affairs. It still niggled as they settled the bill.
Did she like Stuart enough to want to kiss him, or was she trying to force something that simply wasn’t there?
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Reach for a Star Page 34
