Flawless. Sara Craven
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the end, it had been easy. Too easy, perhaps. Certainly not what she’d expected.
What have I done? she thought, a pang of unease shivering through her. What have I started? I’ve got a tiger by the tail, and I can’t—I dare not let go.
There was no turning back, not now. And perhaps there never was.
Squaring her shoulders, she went to find Clive.
SAUL KINGSLAND’S CAR was long, sleek and powerful. Of course, Carly thought, her lip curling as she settled herself into the passenger seat.
Their departure from the reception together had caused something of a sensation. The atmosphere of disappointment and frustration among the other girls had been almost tangible.
‘I just hope you know what you’re doing, that’s all,’ had been Clive’s valediction.
And Marge had said softly, ‘Oh, I’m sure she does.’
I shall have to be careful with Marge, Carly thought, as Saul eased the car into the traffic. She’s altogether too shrewd.
‘Do you like Italian food?’ Saul asked. ‘Or are you on some kind of permanent diet?’
‘Good lord, no.’ She gave a slight shrug. ‘I suppose I’m lucky. I seem to burn up a lot of calories.’
‘Yes, I can believe that. You’re very cool on the surface, but underneath I suspect there’s a mass of tension.’
She bit her lip. ‘Not that I’m aware of.’ She gave him a small cool smile. ‘I’m a very uncomplicated person, actually.’
‘I’ll let you know about that,’ he said, ‘when we’re better acquainted.’
‘Comments like that make me nervous,’ she replied. ‘I like my privacy.’
‘But if we’re going to work together—achieve some kind of rapport, we can’t remain strangers.’
‘You think it’s all decided, don’t you? All sewn up.’ There was an edge to her voice.
‘I’m taking nothing for granted where you’re concerned, lady. That’s why we’re having this meal together—to see if we can establish some kind of basis to proceed from.’
‘And if we can’t?’
It was Saul’s turn to shrug. ‘Then I find another Flawless Girl from somewhere. No one’s irreplaceable, after all.’
‘Is that Public Warning Number One?’
‘You’re in the business,’ he said. ‘You know the score as well as I do.’ There was a brief silence, then, ‘Your agent really doesn’t want you to do this, does he?’
‘Clive has—reservations.’
‘But he said it was your decision.’ He sent her a sideways glance. ‘He made me wonder if you were just playing games with me—playing hard to get.’
‘Of course not. Why on earth should I?’ Her mouth was dry suddenly.
‘You tell me,’ he said laconically.
Carly was quiet for a moment. Then she said, ‘Perhaps I should put my cards on the table. I was in two minds about the Flawless assignment when I went to the reception tonight. I—I still am, come to that.’ She ran the tip of her tongue along her lower lip. ‘But you were right about one thing—I did want you to notice me, and that was even before I realised who you were.’
‘I’m flattered.’
‘And I’m ashamed,’ she returned. ‘I shocked myself this evening. I don’t usually—come on so strong.’ She forced a little laugh. ‘There—confession over.’
‘You won’t be made to do penance,’ he said. ‘I’m glad to know the attraction was mutual. Now, all we have to do is relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.’
He found a parking space, and they walked the remaining hundred yards to the restaurant’s entrance. Carly had half expected Saul to put his hand under her arm, or clasp her fingers with his as they walked along, but he made no attempt to touch her even in a casual way. In view of her recent admission, she found this restraint intriguing, but she was relieved by it too.
It wasn’t a large restaurant, and it relied heavily on the intimacy of its atmosphere. The lights were low, the tables screened from each other by trellis-work covered in climbing plants, and in one corner a lone guitarist played music which was pleasant without being obtrusive.
‘The food here used to be wonderful,’ Saul remarked, handing her a menu.
It still was. They ate stuffed courgette flowers, and scallops grilled in their shells, followed by osso buco and roast quails with polenta. To finish the meal Carly had a frothy chocolate concoction, rich with cream and liqueur, and Saul asked for cheese. The coffee was strong, black and aromatic, and served with Strega.
While they ate, the conversation had been general. Carly had encouraged Saul to talk about his life in America, and the glossy magazine scene in New York. He also told her about a book he had coming out.
‘I did a hell of a lot of travelling while I was over there,’ he said. ‘So, it’s a kind of odyssey in pictures. My tribute to everything I liked best about life Stateside. Places and people that I loved.’
His tone gave nothing away, but Carly found herself wondering how many of those people had been women.
‘It sounds—illuminating,’ she said. ‘Do you intend to go back to America?’
Saul signalled for more coffee. ‘At the moment, I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘My plans are—fluid. I need to see how things work out for me here, once the Flawless assignment is finished.’ He paused. ‘And, while we’re on the subject, have you come to any decision yet?’
Carly gasped. ‘I’ve hardly had time to think,’ she began.
‘Really?’ He gave her a straight look. ‘I had the impression several times tonight that you were so deep in thought you were a million miles away.’
She flushed a little. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve been poor company …’
‘I didn’t say that.’ He leaned forward. ‘If you’re still not sure, spend the day with me tomorrow, and I’ll take some pictures of you—convince you that way.’
Carly shook her head. ‘I can’t tomorrow. I’m going home to visit.’
‘Where is home?’
‘In the country. Very quiet and dull.’
‘With you there?’ He slanted a smile at her. ‘Impossible. Tell you what, why don’t I come with you? I was going to walk you along the Embankment and through the parks, but a rural background would be even better.’
‘I’m sorry, but it’s out of the question.’ Her flush deepened. ‘It’s going to be rather hectic—a houseful of people. My sister’s getting engaged.’
‘Not so quiet and dull, after all,’ he said.
‘It usually is. My family is—very conventional. I don’t think they altogether approve of my life in London.’
‘And what heinous sins do they think you commit? Perhaps I could reassure them.’
‘But you don’t know me,’ she said. ‘You don’t know what I’m capable of.’
‘Not at this moment,’ he said. ‘But I intend to know you, Carly North, in every way there is.’
He was smiling, but as the grey eyes met hers Carly was conscious of a curious intentness in their depths. She felt