Irresistible Temptation(20)

Only he wasn't there, she discovered with a start Instead she was  confronted by Declan, sitting at the other end of the bench, watching  her.

Olivia shot upright, uneasily aware that she had a crick in her neck.

'You?' she queried dazedly, pushing her hair back from her face. 'What are you doing here?'

'I'm a resident-remember? I live just over there.' He pointed. 'So I'm allowed to be here.'

'I meant when did you get here?' She shook her head. 'I didn't hear you … '

'You're telling me.' He sounded amused. 'You were out for the count.'

'Oh.' She gave him a suspicious look as she rubbed her neck. He would be  the one to find her snoozing in the sun, she thought savagely, head  thrown back and mouth, no doubt, wide open. 'Was I snoring?'

'Just purring a little.' His voice was solemn, but his eyes were dancing. 'It must have been a beautiful dream.'

She flushed. 'I-I don't remember.' She paused. 'Why didn't you wake me?'

'Because you looked so peaceful. And so relaxed too, for a change. I didn't want to see you snap back into uptight mode.'

It was disturbing to contemplate that he'd been sitting there, watching  her, and she'd been totally unconscious of it She wondered how long he'd  been there, suspecting that her face was red and her appearance  generally dishevelled. She also hoped that she didn't talk in her sleep …

She bit her lip. 'Haven't you been at work today?'

'Indeed I have-spending a lot of time trying to contact you through your  agency. When they couldn't reach you, I thought I'd try the personal  approach. But when I called at the flat Sasha said she'd spotted you  heading for the garden.' He spread his hands. 'So here I am.'

'My God,' she said. It's like being in the village at home. Their  grapevine has the Internet beaten to a pulp. I thought Londoners minded  their own business.'

'But I'm not a Londoner,' he said. I'm Irish, just passing through. And  everyone in my own village takes a healthy interest in each other's  affairs too.'

'But how did you know I'd be here in this particular spot?' She shook  her head. 'I thought no one ever came here. That I'd have it to myself.'

'Dream on, Olivia.' His voice was sardonic. 'It's a favourite thinking place of mine too.'

'Oh.' She was silent for a moment, digesting this. Realising with  chagrin that her sanctuary was nothing of the kind. More of a minefield,  in fact She decided to go on the offensive. 'Why are you trailing me  like this?'                       
       
           



       

'Because we've made you a job offer and we'd like an answer as soon as possible.' His tone was matter-of-fact.

'And supposing I haven't made a decision yet?' She lifted her chin.

'Then any time in the next twenty-four hours will do. No pressure, of course,' he added laconically.

In spite of herself, she felt her mouth twitch into a reluctant grin.

'Even if I'm going to say no?'

'Now why should you do a stupid thing like that?'

'An instinct for self-preservation, perhaps?' she suggested drily.

'And what makes you feel you need to preserve yourself?' His voice suggested mild interest only.

'Any number of things.' She swallowed. 'I-I shouldn't have had dinner with you last night'

'Didn't you like the food?'

'It was-wonderful.' She stared rigidly at her hands, tightly clasped in  her lap. 'But that's not it I had no right to accept your invitation-get  myself into that situation.'

'Well, don't worry it,' he said soothingly. 'I promise I won't make it an obligatory clause in your contract.'

She gave him a level look. 'That isn't what I mean, and you know it.'

'Why, Olivia,' he said mockingly. 'Surely you're not coming all  nineteenth-century over a goodnight kiss. It's just a small social  convention after all.'

'Oh,' she said 'Is that what you call it?'

'Yes,' he said softly. 'And I'm sorry to my heart if you read more into it than that'

'It was hardly,' she said, 'a peck on the cheek.'

'No,' he agreed. 'But at the same time it's a world away from the way I'd kiss you if I seriously meant to make love to you.'

He paused, and Olivia, suddenly breathless, felt the silence tingle along her nerve-endings.

'And if you don't believe me,' he added gently, the silvery eyes  lingering on her parted lips, 'you could always move closer and allow me  to show you.'

She swallowed past her dry throat, her gaze fixed on him as if she was  mesmerised. Because, she thought numbly, it would take so little to do  as he said. To go into his arms, and taste his mouth on hers again. To  feel his hands exploring her bare skin, the long fingers divining all  her most intimate secrets, coaxing her to some unguessed-at edge of  pleasure.

'After all,' he went on, more briskly, 'the sun's warm, the grass is  dry, and I've nothing planned for the next hour or so. How about you?'

She gasped, finding sanity and speech in the same second. 'Are you mad? How--how dare you?'

Declan laughed. 'I dare because when you take on that prim look, the temptation to tease you a little is quite irresistible.'

'So, perhaps you understand why I don't want to work for you.' Her voice shook.

'Oh, you'd be much safer at work,' he said. 'There it's construed as  sexual harassment, and it involves tribunals and hefty compensation. We  all avoid that stuff like the plague.

Olivia hit her lip again, aware that he was still winding her up.

She said quietly, 'I notice you haven't mentioned Jeremy. He might have an opinion about my working for you.'

'And, presumably, about my taking you to dinner?' He shot her an amused glance.

'Possibly.' Her heart was suddenly hammering again.

'Then why tell him?' He sounded totally reasonable. 'After all, it was  hardly a heavy date. And I meant what I said, Olivia. The truce still  stands. I'm not out to make trouble for you.

Her immediate reaction was one of relief. Yet here she was  again-involved with Declan in another conspiracy of silence. And that  couldn't be right But she'd worry about that later.

She said, 'I still don't think accepting Academy's offer would be wise.

'No,' he said 'You're probably quite right After all, you have your  future all mapped out You don't need a real job. And Jeremy's already  had one career woman in his life, so I doubt he'd be keen to take on  another. He finds success in others a little swamping.'

He nodded reflectively. 'I can see it would be far better for you to stick to temping. Not nearly so risky.'

Olivia stared at him. 'That's ridiculous,' she objected heatedly. It's  also unfair, untrue, and not what I meant either. And Jeremy would be  delighted if I got a decent job,' she added defiantly.

'I bow to your superior knowledge,' Declan said with a faint shrug. 'Then what's the problem?'

I am, she thought wretchedly. Because I don't trust myself when you're  near me. I don't trust my reactions. You make me feel as if I'm being  unfaithful to Jeremy, and it worries me.

Head tent, she said, 'I suppose-it's an instinctive thing … '

He sighed 'Olivia, listen to your head rather than your heart You need a  well-paid job. We need a trouble-shooter-someone who can teach the  secretarial staff how to use Scriptec properly.'

'But that wouldn't take all my time,' she objected.

'No, but you won't be idle,' he said drily. 'You'll be taking over Kim's  duties while she's on maternity leave- providing clerical support,  researching programme material. God, the list is endless.' His mouth  twisted. 'I can promise you won't be bored.'                       
       
           



       

No, she thought That's what I'm afraid of.

'Would you like me to clear it with Jeremy for you? Make sure he has no serious objections?'

The faint note of mockery she detected needled her.

'I don't need his permission,' she said tautly. 'Or anyone's.'

'Then you'll take the job?'

She hesitated, then gave a curt nod.

'Good,' he said crisply. 'Then we'll expect you back on Monday. We'll  make all the arrangements with the agency, and pay their commission. I  hope that's satisfactory?'

'Yes.' she said. 'Thank you.'

He got lithely to his feet 'Then I'll go, and leave you to your repose.'

'I think I've slept enough,' Olivia said with asperity. 'It seems to  have addled my brain.' She got to her feet too, leaching down for her  carrier. 'There's just one thing-who do I report to on Monday?'

'Kim worked for me.' He smiled at her, the silvery eyes glinting. 'Did I forget to mention it?'

And was gone.

The agency had phoned twice during the day, Olivia discovered when she  got bade to her flat And there was also a message from Jeremy, with a  number where he could be reached after five.

Judging from the background noise, and the fact that he had to be called  to the phone, Olivia decided that he must be in another pub or wine  bar, and sighed inwardly.

His voice was ebullient as he greeted her. 'Hi, sweetie. How's everything going?'

'Good, I think,' she returned, more sedately. 'Actually, I've been offered a job,'.

'Yes, with the temp agency. You told me.'

'No, this is slightly different-'

'Well, I hope it pays well,' he cut across her. 'Because I've been  checking out flats, and the kind of thing we'll need is going to cost an  arm and a leg.'