‘What if I tell you that I’ve decided that after today I don’t want to see you again?’

      ‘I won’t believe you. Not after what just happened between us.’

      Drake’s expression was as serious and formidable as she’d ever seen it.

      ‘Look, I’m not interested in having some meaningless fling with you that will burn out in a few days or even a few weeks. I’ll only agree to see you if you let me into your life a little … if you give me the chance to get to know the man behind the successful veneer you present to the world. If you’re willing to at least consider the possibility, then I’ll agree to another date with you.’

      ‘Setting aside what I do for a living, and my public reputation, I’m a very private man, Layla. I very rarely let anyone get too close to me … especially women.’

      He almost didn’t need to say the words. Straight away she detected evidence of the war that raged behind his haunting grey eyes. Tension momentarily made her breathing shallow.

      ‘So your previous relationships with women have usually been based on satisfying sexual desire and nothing more? Is that what you’re telling me?’