Read Online Dark Oil by Nora James - Free Book Online Page B

Capricciosa or the Napolitana, but the others. . .” Martin shrugged. “I wouldn’t go there.” His tone was nearly apologetic. It sounded strange for him. He had certainly softened since she’d impressed him with her strategy document. And perhaps he could relate to how she was feeling right now. After all, he must have experienced it too.
    It wasn’t about the menu being limited. It was the insidious sense of danger that was omnipresent. You could never relax for long without being reminded that infinite forms of disaster were lurking behind every corner.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Lara said, “I probably came across a little snappy. I didn’t mean to. It must be the lack of sleep.”
    Martin shook his head. “It’s fine. You’re not half as snappy as I’ve been.”
    Jack’s lips curled up. He opened his mouth, probably intending to make a snide remark, something like he thought he’d never see the day, but Lara glanced at him and he simply drew a breath.
    If it hadn’t been for the slight twitching of Martin’s left eyelid, Lara would have thought he hadn’t noticed. He looked away, trying his hardest to control himself. She wondered, as she gazed at his serious face, his tight jaw, what had gone on between these two men to create such animosity. They’d been up against each other on more than one occasion for promotions, but somehow that didn’t seem enough.
    The waiter strolled over, a quick smile briefly lighting up his otherwise dull face. He took their order. “Can I tempt you?” asked Jack.
    â€œSorry?” Lara felt the flush in her cheeks. What was happening to her? She wasn’t easy to impress, and certainly hadn’t been troubled by a man since. . .since she’d married Tim. A decade ago. But there was something about Jack, the way his deep voice moved her, the way his gaze connected with her. It was as if they knew everything about each other. She wished she didn’t feel that way with Jack, wished it were more like that with Tim.
    He picked up a bottle of wine and tilted it, ready to serve.
    Lara covered her glass with her hand. “No, I’d definitely nod off.” Her stomach rumbled. “Sorry, I’m starving. I think it’s the time difference. I couldn’t eat much for breakfast.”
    The meals were served quickly and Lara took a hearty bite out of what looked like a perfectly baked authentic Italian pizza. The flavours were delicious, with the right balance of rosemary and thyme, the dough neither too heavy, nor too light. If it hadn’t been for the grittiness, it would have been a delight.
    â€œI think there’s sand in mine.” Lara rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know if I can bear to wait for another one.”
    Martin shrugged. “No point sending it back to the kitchen. There’s sand in everything here, all the time. And I don’t mean just this restaurant.”
    Lara sighed. “I should have known.” She took another bite, and quickly followed it with a gulp of bottled water, trying to wash down the undesirable grains as quickly as possible. She looked through the window. The harshness of the landscape reflected life here. “Is the whole of Negala like this? So barren?”
    Jack shook his head. “You should see the west. It’s lush and the wildlife’s amazing. I’ll take you there one day.” His green eyes, full of enthusiasm, sought hers again. She turned away, before he could make her heart beat faster.
    Jack traced the outline of the tablecloth’s floral pattern with his index finger. “Used to be like that here. Now this side of Negala is on the receiving end of the desert. It’s advancing. The experts reckon it will have gobbled up most of the country by the end of the century. The wind constantly blows in the sand.”
    It was hard to imagine climate change to that extent, a