it?
Curling some silken strands of hair round her ear, she shrugged. âI havenât got company. I was just watching some television. You can come in if you like.â
âI would like.â He followed her into the living room and quirked a smile when he saw what was freeze-framed on the television. âYou like that kind of thing, do you? I mean, swashbuckling dramas with plenty of sword-fighting and damsels in distress?â
âI do. Itâs pure escapism, but thatâs no bad thing now and again.â
âI agree.â The magnetic blue eyes glinted. âWe all feel like escaping the world from time to time. Although the world does have some very agreeable distractions...â
âLike what, for instance?â
âMost things Italian.â
Intrigued, Imogen couldnât resist asking, âReally? What do you like so much about Italy?â
âFor starters, the art, the musicâand of course the cars.â
âWhen you say music, do you mean the opera?â
âYes.â
âI love it, too. Even though I donât understand the words, the music speaks to me. How could it not? Itâs so passionate .â
She hadnât meant to tell her visitor something as personal as that. She hadnât even shared that particular passion with her friends. They were all big fans of current music and would probably tease the life out of her if she told them she enjoyed listening to opera.
Seth had gone very quiet . He studied her with all the intensity of a scientist on the potential discovery of a vital new specimen. His expression was indisputably fascinated.
To break a silence that had suddenly become uncomfortable, Imogen nervously interjected, âI didnât expect to see you again so soonâif at all. Is there any particular reason youâve called round?â
Breathing out an audible sigh, he replied, âYes, there is. Something came to my mind that I want to talk to you about. Oh, and Iâd like to invite you out to dinner tomorrow night.â
He might just as well have invited her to NASA in order to fly to the moon with him.Imogen could hardly think straight over her racing heartbeat. And what did he want to talk to her about?
The natural caution that had grown ever stronger after the debacle with her ex was never far away. âWhy do you want to talk to me? You hardly know me. I wouldnât have thought that someone like you wouldââ
âWhat do you mean âsomeone like meâ?â His husky bass voice was both amused and vaguely mocking. âDo you mean someone that lives and works in a very different world from the one you do, Imogen?â
Grimacing, she once again rearranged the slipping neckline of her sweater more securely over her shoulder. âYes, thatâs exactly what I mean. Iâm sure you could talk to any woman you wanted to, with your credentials. It hardly makes sense that youâd want to spend any time with me . Iâm just an ordinary secretary, Seth. I donât understand your world. Iâd be hard pushed to even describe what a Lamborghini looks like, let alone have the opportunity to ride in one!â
âIf you harbour such a desire, that could soon be remedied.â
The smile Seth gave her was melt-in-the-mouth irresistible. It had the same delicious effect as sitting in front of a crackling coal fire on a frosty winterâs day. It warmed her all over.
âI donât have any such desire,â she snapped, feeling testy because sheâd been caught off guard. âYou see how different we are? I donât even have a car!â
The faint lines in his otherwise smooth brow crinkled. âWhy donât you have one?â
âI sold it to get a little extra money to pay some bills. Thatâs why I walked to Evergreen yesterday. Not that I mind walking.â Suddenly wary of having his too interested regard, she started to move towards the kitchen.