She could think of a whole number of reasons, not the least being her casserole, which was filling the fiat with its beguiling aroma. And not being taken so completely for granted featured prominently too.
She paused her eyes going again to Declan, who had risen from his seat He looked back at her, brows lifting, mouth twisting scornfully.
It was that look which did it Which decided her to ignore the fact that she was obviously an afterthought and take Jeremy up on his invitation after all.
To hell with Declan Malone. Let him think what he wanted.
'That would be wonderful.' Deliberately, she let her voice caress the words, her answering glance defiant 'I can hardly wait'
She heard Declan make a small, angry sound in his throat, then he turned sharply and went to the door, slamming it behind him.
'What was that?' Jeremy demanded.
'Nothing.' Olivia said, crossing her fingers. 'Nothing at all. Oh, darling, I'm so glad to hear from you.
And that, she thought, was at least the truth.
But she didn't want to examine too closely why she felt that Jeremy's call could have been a lifeline, thrown at exactly the right moment.
Because she didn't need saving, she told herself resolutely. She was fine, and well in control of the situation- wasn't she?
CHAPTER FIVE
Jeremy took her to a restaurant on the King's Road-much patronised by young trendies, he informed her, with a trace of patronage himself.
Olivia, who'd rapidly changed into a shift dress the colour of wheat, topping it with a dark brown and white striped jacket, felt seriously overdressed amongst the grungy colours favoured by the rest of the clientele.
Again, it wasn't the most romantic rendezvous he could have chosen either, she thought rather sadly. It was brightly lit, noisy and overcrowded, and the food was ordinary in the extreme.
But then, as he said, it was the kind of place where you came to be seen, she rationalised, as she dutifully ate her burger and the rather stingy portion of fries which accompanied it.
While they drank their coffee, Olivia handed over the details of the flats she'd picked up that day, and Jeremy received them with raised eyebrows.
'You don't waste much time,' he commented in a slightly aggrieved tone. 'I was going to start looking next week.'
It just seemed such a splendid opportunity.' Olivia heard and despised the placatory note in her voice.
'Hmm.' He scanned the sheets rapidly. 'Actually, I've heard of these people. They've a good reputation. I'll bear them in mind.' He folded the papers and put them into an inside pocket of his jacket 'But don't you think you should find a permanent job before we go any further? I mean, temping isn't the most stable of livings.'
'I've already thought of that.' Olivia smiled at him.
'I don't see why I shouldn't continue what I was doing in Bristol-training people in computer systems.'
Jeremy gave her a pitying loot 'I doubt you'd find much call for that in London. People are pretty clued up here, not like the provinces.'
That's what you think, thought Olivia, remembering Colin Sutton's anguished expression.
'Although you might find something in office administration, when you've a little more experience,' he added kindly. 'Don't try to run before you can walk, Livvy.'
Thanks for the encouragement, Olivia thought forlornly.
She said, 'You're probably right' Then, to the hovering waitress, 'No more coffee, thanks.'
Olivia had hoped they'd walk along the King's Road for a while, talk, recapture some of the old magic, but Jeremy immediately hailed a taxi.
'You can show me this flat of yours,' he whispered ardently, his lips brushing her ear as the cab drew away.
'You said it wouldn't be safe,' Olivia reminded him, very conscious of the driver's presence.
'To hell with that.' His voice thickened. 'I'm not waiting any longer. Oh, God, Livvy … ' He took her into his arms, kissing her passionately, while one hand stole beneath her jacket to stroke her breasts.
She was passive in his arms, neither resisting his advances nor particularly welcoming them either, wishing with all her heart that he'd waited until they were alone. Especially when his fingers slid under the edge of her skirt.
'Jeremy.' She pushed away the exploring hand. 'He'll see.'
'Don't be such a prude,' he teased. 'Cab drivers see this every day.'
'Not from me they don't,' Olivia told him with hauteur.
'Have it your own way,' he said with a touch of impatience. 'But you'd better loosen up a little when we get back.'
She flinched inwardly. This was going to be their first time together. She wanted it to mean as much to him as it did to her. Not just some graceless coupling as thanks for an indifferent meal.
Slowly, she unlocked her door, while Jeremy paid off the cab.
'Well, this is it.' There was a nervous tremor in her voice as he followed her in. She moved towards the kitchen, trying not to hurry. 'Would you like some more coffee?'
'There's only one thing I want,' he said softly, his smiling glance traversing her body, stripping her naked. 'Don't play hard to get, Livvy. Not now we're finally together.'
'We've been apart for several months,' she reminded him, her throat tightening. 'Maybe we should get to know each other again first'
'The best way to renew acquaintance is in bed,' he told her throatily. He pulled her towards him, slipping her jacket off her shoulders and tugging down the zip of her dress almost with the same practised movement 'X want to look at you, darling, every sweet, desirable inch of you,' he muttered huskily.
She backed away, holding on to her dress, trying to laugh. 'Now wait a minute...'
'That's all I've ever done-from the moment we met' He sounded petulant, even angry. 'But enough's enough. Tonight you're going to come through, Livvy.'
She'd reached the wall. Her back was against it There was nowhere else to retreat to. And Jeremy had reached her, fumbling with his clothing.
'As there doesn't seem to be a bed,' he said, grinning wolfishly. 'This will have to do, my love.'
'No,' Olivia twisted under his grasp. He was, she realised, totally aroused-and determined. Whereas she …
My God, she thought Surely I'm worth more than this- a quickie up against a wall.
The sudden knocking at the door was like the answer to a prayer.
She found herself thinking, Declan?
Then heard Sasha's voice. 'Olivia, are you all right? Humph has been barking-as if there's a prowler. May I come in?'
'Just a minute.' Olivia ducked under Jeremy's arm, feverishly rezipping her dress.
It's my landlady. You'd better go in the bathroom,' she whispered to him.
'Get rid of her,' he mouthed savagely back at her as he obeyed.
Olivia went to the door, combing her fingers through her hair.
'Dear girl,' Sasha said as she came in. 'Humph is making such a fuss, I thought I'd better check on you. Have you seen or heard anything peculiar? Have any strangers been hanging around?
She was looking her usual exotic self, in slim-fitting black trousers and a tunic top embroidered with poppies, with a black bandanna tied round her hair. She glanced around as she spoke, the bright eyes missing nothing.
'Everything's fine,' said Olivia, torn between conflicting emotions of annoyance and amusement, commingled with relief. She didn't believe there was a possible prowler for one moment Sasha, she had no doubt, was acting on Declan's instructions. 'Humph just heard me come home, I expect.'
'Oh, he's used to you,' Sasha said dismissively. 'He only sounds off if he hears a footstep-or a voice--he doesn't recognise.'
She gave Olivia a searching look. 'You seem rather flushed, darling. Are you running a temperature? Of course, it has been warm for the time of year.'
'That must be it,' Olivia agreed gravely.
'It's so nerve-racking living on your own,' Sasha went on, with a sigh. 'Declan says I should install panic buttons down here, and in my own part of the house, in case of problems, and I'm sure he's right.' She gave Olivia one of her blinding smiles. 'But you've got your little mobile phone, haven't you, darling? So if you get nervous at any time you can always call me.
'I'll bear that in mind,' Olivia promised as Sasha flitted to the door and, with one last smile over her shoulder, vanished.
'What was that all about?' Jeremy demanded sourly, emerging from the bathroom.
Olivia sighed. 'I think she was telling me she knew you were here.
Jeremy muttered an obscenity. 'I knew she'd be spying for bloody Declan,' he said vengefully. He gave his surroundings a cursory look. 'Well, this is clearly a non-starter as a love-nest I'll have to think of something else. See if I can borrow a key from someone who's going on holiday.'
Olivia bit her lip. 'I don't think I'd be very happy with that'
'What's the matter with you?' He stared at her. 'You come all this way to be with me, and now you're backing off.'
'I came all this way so that we could live together, openly and permanently.' Olivia lifted her chin. 'Not to have a squalid secret affair in other people's beds.'