Read Online Fearless Maverick by Robyn Grady - Free Book Online Page B

lowered
purposefully back down into her seat. When their eyes met again, that
knee-knocking smile had only spread wider.
                 ‘Would
it help if I said please?’
                 ‘I’m
sorry.’ Collecting her pen, she pretended to focus on her notes. ‘But I have
work to do.’
                 ‘Client
appointments?’
                 ‘Guest
speech.’
                 ‘I’m
good with speeches. We can discuss it over lunch.’ From beneath her lashes, she
saw him saunter across and her heartbeat began to flutter. ‘Or I can organise
take-out. We can have a picnic in here.’ His attention zeroed in on a photo
framed behind her. He squinted, then chuckled. ‘Hey, that’s you .’
                 Libby
groaned. This is why she’d never
wanted him in here. Questions. The answers of which were her business and
nobody else’s.
                 Nevertheless,
she acknowledged what was obvious. ‘Yes, that’s me, but a long time ago.’
                 She
braced herself, waiting for him to ask about her current surfing habits again
like he had this morning; she’d rather not discuss it. Instead his gaze swept
over and he smiled.
                 ‘C’mon,
doc. The limo’s waiting.’
                 She
reclined back and studied him for a drawn-out moment. Finally she huffed. ‘You’re
not giving up, are you?’
                 ‘I’ve
done everything you’ve asked these past two weeks. We deserve some time-out.’
                 ‘You’ve
done everything I’ve asked?’
                 At
her unconvinced look, he let slip a grin. ‘Well, sometimes you might’ve needed
to ask twice …’
                 A
runaway smile stole across her face. Then her gaze fell to her disarray of
notes. She’d vowed to have this first draft down by the end of the week. But
her stomach did feel empty. Maybe her brain would work better after a good
meal. And that was the only reason
she was going. Although to believe conversation wouldn’t vie toward the
personal was naive. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d heard from his sister
about his mysterious brother again.
                 Giving
in, she unfolded from the chair, raised her chin and stipulated, ‘One hour.’
                 ‘One
hour?’ Alex broke into a broad smile. ‘We’ll discuss it over lunch.’
                 Twenty
minutes later, Alex’s chauffeur-driven limousine parked outside a
quaint-looking restaurant. The high-pitched ornate roof and rattan features
suggested an oriental bent. Then Libby caught a whiff of spicy aromas and saw
the establishment’s name.
                 Malaysian
Pearl.
                 As
the uniformed driver assisted her out, Libby sent Alex a look. ‘Is this place
supposed to be a hint of some kind?’
                 ‘I
figure since I missed the race in Sepang I ought to enjoy some of the flavours
of the country I won’t get to visit this year.’
                 ‘You’re
a fan of Malaysian food?’
                 Joining
her, he set his palm lightly on the small of her back and winked. ‘The hotter,
the better.’
                 Libby
moved away from his touch. She wasn’t certain he was speaking about curries.
                 They
moved up the timber plank path, past the peaceful trickling of a rock pebble
water feature. Inside they were seated in a private corner, which was cloaked
by palm fronds, bamboo dividers and bordered by generous windows overlooking
the blue silk-stretched waters of the bay. The interior reflected Eastern
symmetry, simplicity and serenity—a smiling Buddha sat on a podium facing the
entrance, authentic wooden lamps featured on each table and background music
offered the tranquil strains of flutes and tinkling bells.
                 Settling
in,