The Lethal Encounter

by Amy Alexander

  Just then Katie's phone rang and she guiltily rummaged in her bag to retrieve it, all the while mouthing a “sorry” to other diners, although she was not quite sure why she was doing that.

  Looking at the incoming number, she pushed the receive button and place the device to her ear.

  “Hugo, hi,” she said in a tone slightly lower that normal speaking. “You've just caught me having dinner, so can't speak too loudly.”

  “No problem, I just rang to see how you were and when you were likely to be back,” said Hugo in his usual laid back drawl that was one of the first things that had attracted him to her.

  “I'm coming back tomorrow lunchtime, I'll be back in the office in the afternoon.” Responded Katie, turning her head towards the beach to shield her conversation from the rest of the restaurant.

  “Hey, you'll never guess who's sitting just across from me…..none other that our boss Peter Jarvis,” added Katie in a conspiratorial tone.

  “Really? Probably doing one of his mega deals and chatting up the ladies. You be careful of him, Katie McGovern, his reputation is lethal,” said Hugo.

  “Hey, he's just in the same restaurant as me, we're not on a date,” teased Katie, sensing that Hugo did not like the idea of her being in the same place as Peter Jarvis.

  “Perhaps we can grab a bit to eat after work tomorrow, have a drink, stuff like that,” went on Hugo.

  “That would be good. Why don't I ring you when I get back?” responded Katie, wanting really to end the conversation. She always felt that people desperately tried to listen in when hearing people talk (although they probably couldn't care less in reality) and did not want to provide any snippets.

  “OK, cool, speak then,” said Hugo, before signing off.

  Katie clicked the red button on her phone and smiled to herself.

  Hugo was a colleague who worked in a different department to her at Shire and they had started “going out” a few weeks ago after getting chatting at an office function, realising that they both had a good deal in common and both obviously finding each other attractive. The three or four dates had been good and she knew that he was now expecting the big jump into bed. Whilst she did not find the idea unattractive by any means, she had done enough of the casual sex stuff to realise that good things were probably worth waiting for. So far they had enjoyed some pretty steamy kissing and fondling sessions but nothing further. Perhaps tomorrow would be a good time to consummate things. Katie felt that she was ready to commit to a relationship again, even though her last, rather acrimonious, break up with a boyfriend of over two years some months previously still left a sour taste in her mouth.

  Katie put her phone down on the table in front of her and absentmindedly stirred the coffee that had been placed there whilst she was speaking. She looked up again and across at Peter Jarvis who, she realised with a huge jolt, had his head turned and was staring straight at her with a slight smile on his face. In that instance, Katie felt as if her insides had been pulled out of her.....in the same way as those magicians pull tablecloths off tables without disturbing the glasses and cutlery. She immediately looked away and her heart started thumping uncontrollably.

  “Oh for god’s sake, get a grip.” Katie said to herself, unable to believe her reaction. It was as though she had been transported back to seventh year at school when Andy Marshall had looked at her in the history lesson and given a huge wink. She rubbed her hands together and immediately became aware of her ridiculous self-consciousness. She tried to look every where but at that table across the room and, at the same time, found it virtually impossible not to. It was as if her head and eyes were being irresistibly drawn back and she turned to look over again.

  Peter Jarvis was no longer looking at her and she breathed a huge sign of relief. Her heart was still pounding but the adrenalin that was pumping around her body started to slowly recede. She finished her coffee in one quick gulp and signalled to her waiter for the bill. He nodded and disappeared into the recesses of the restaurant. Meanwhile, she sneaked another look at Peter Jarvis, at exactly the same time as he glanced over again in her direction. This time their eyes locked in a lazy embrace and Katie felt another surge of adrenalin pump through her. Her stomach dropped again and she felt as if her body was going to melt under his piercing gaze.

  Then he smiled.

  Not just a quick grin, or even a smile of mutual acknowledgement. No, this was a huge, open, welcoming smile that emanated from him and floated lazily across the restaurant to envelop Katie in its warm and welcoming entirety. It was an amazing feeling but, before Katie could respond with any sort of meaningful riposte, his head had turned and he had resumed the conversation with his colleague. She took a deep breath, convinced now that he knew precisely the effect he was having on her and was relishing at her discomfort.

  Whatever the reasoning, it was all too much and Katie grabbed the bill out of the waiter's hand, gave it a cursory glance and returned it with her credit card. The man seemed to take an age inserting it into the machine and then slowly punching in the totals before handing it back to Katie. She quickly looked at the figures in the small window and pressed the numbers on the keypad, forgetting momentarily her PIN number. She handed it back and, as she did so, she noticed with disgust that her hands were shaking. All she could feel was something akin to a magnetic power on the other side of the restaurant and the only thing she wanted to do was to get out of there as quickly as possible.

  Pulling up her bag and phone she rose unsteadily and headed for the exit, knowing without a shadow of doubt that her progress was being watched. Ridiculously she straightened her back and walked with measured, laboured steps that, she realised afterwards, must have made her looked like she was desperate for the toilet.

  Katie stumbled up the steps and mounted the Croisette in relief. She started walking quickly in the direction of the Palais, not that she had any intention of going there, but she just needed to get away from that restaurant.

  After five minutes of brisk walking, she crossed the road and went up the long drive of the Majestic Hotel. Once in the lobby, she turned left into the bar and sat down in an empty seat bordering the veranda and the swimming pool. It was only then that she let herself calm down and, after ordering a glass of wine, she thought back.

  Her immediate reaction was one of disgust at herself…..for being so totally, utterly out of control and over the top. For ten minutes, she had behaved like a love struck schoolgirl and what’s more, she could not for the life of her understand what had happened. She was twenty eight years old, had been through several relationships (as well as two casual encounters), and yet she had been struck down by one look from a man she did not even know. OK, he was very attractive, but then so were many men and none had ever that effect on her. She thought back to that look Peter Jarvis had given her and she felt her insides rollover again and her skin began a familiar tingle. Of course, she knew what this feeling was…..but she just couldn’t for the life of her understand its intensity.

  Still, now she was out of the restaurant, she could look dispassionately back and had to laugh at herself.....she had so wanted to linger over her coffee as well!

  She was tempted to ring one of her best friends at home to tell them of the incident but, looking at the time, realised they would all be busy with their various lives - maybe she would ring later. For now she would enjoy her drink and then make her way back to her hotel for maybe a coffee at the bar and then a good nights' sleep.

  CHAPTER 2

  Strolling back down the Rue d'Antibes for a bit of late night window shopping, Katie felt almost isolated from events earlier that evening. She certainly felt back in control and, as she turned back towards the Croissette and her hotel, she felt calm and relaxed. With a quick break into a trot, she mounted the steps to the hotel and entered the lobby, veering by the concierge to collect her key, before heading for the bar and a final coffee to make up for the one cut short earlier. She sat down at a table and comfy chair on the f
ar side of the room and placed her order with an attentive waiter who she recognised from previous night.

  She had drunk about half her coffee when she heard chatting and laughing from the door and to her absolute horror, saw Peter Jarvis enter with the same people who had been in the restaurant with him. They made their way to the bar and ordered a large round of drinks. Ridiculously, Katie found herself screwing around in the chair so that her face was somewhat obscured from the party, although her rational side could not fathom why she was doing it. Furtively she snatched a glance over and was relieved to see that she had not been spotted. Feeling slightly sheepish, she retuned to her original sitting position and continued to finish her drink, picking up a newspaper that was folded on the other side of the table. Despite it being in French, she studied it closely and felt somewhat protected by its presence.

  “Would you like to join us for a drink?” Said a voice not four foot from her table. Katie's heart gave a lurch and she looked up, only to see Peter Jarvis standing over her. His eyes were staring intently at her and a slight smile played around the corners of his mouth.

  “Oh, no, no. I couldn't possibly,” stammered Katie, who immediately, and to her horror, started fidgeting in her seat. “I couldn't interrupt your night and I’m sure your friends are waiting for you.”

  As soon as she said the words, Katie realised the trap she had fallen into and so did Peter Jarvis as he sat down in one of the chairs beside her.

  “In that case, I'll join you for a nightcap. What would you like?” he said as he signalled a waiter from the bar to take their order. “A brandy maybe, or glass of wine?”

  “No, I'm fine thanks,” said Katie, at last finding her voice and some semblance of control. “I'm just leaving actually.”

  “No, I insist. It's only early and you probably don't have anything else to do apart from go up to your room and watch some late night movie or read your book. Have a brandy with me.” He relayed the order to the waiter and turned back to Katie before giving her a big smile.

  Despite her inner turmoil, Katie could not help feel a spark of anger. Men like Peter Jarvis were just too used to getting their own way, particularly, she imagined, with women, and she did not want to appear to be yet another fawning conquest for a celebrated captain of industry.

  However, looking at this man beside her, a man who had provoked such a massive reaction in her earlier, she had an overwhelming sense of curiosity.

  “Well, if you portray me in such mundane, boring light, then I feel obliged to remain and be entertained,” Katie said. “After all, this could be an amazing opportunity.”

  Peter looked at her quizzically, wondering for a moment if she was being genuine or making fun of him. Unable to decide he held out his hand and said.

  “Allow me to introduce myself, Peter Jarvis”.

  “Katie McGovern.” Katie replied as she took his hand. His grip was dry and firm and, as they shook, his eyes met hers again and a tingle flashed down her body. She pulled her hand away and hoped he had not felt the slight tremor that she knew had gone through her body.

  “Did you enjoy your meal? That restaurant is a particular favourite of mine. Louis, the head waiter, always looks after me so well and the chef is first rate. Did you try the meat? It's excellent.” Peter said smoothly.

  On the one hand Katie hated his confidence, his sheer belief in the fact that he could walk up to any woman and start a conversation without worrying about the consequences, but, on the other, she was genuinely pleased at the attention of an incredibly good looking man who obviously preferred to talk to her than stay with his friends at the bar. The latter who, she noticed out of the corner of her eyes, were surreptitiously looking at them together. No doubt smirking at his latest conquest, she thought.

  She looked at him closely, trying to ascertain whether or not he had known of her discomfort or the effect he had on her. His eyes were staring intently at her face but, apart from his open smile, his questions seemed genuine.

  “It was good and I did have the meat,” she said “that was also excellent.”

  “And what brings you to Cannes. Katie? Work, or pleasure?” Peter said.

  It was at that moment that Katie realised he had no idea who she was, what she did or that she worked for his very company. Indeed, she was just about to tell him her circumstances and her connection to him when something stopped her. She was over the initial panic of his approach and was starting to relax, so why spoil things now? If she told him that she worked for Shire, then he would surely jump and leave immediately?

  “Work, I'm afraid,” she said finally. “I work in the computer software business and I'm down here seeing some clients along the coast. I suppose I could have stayed at Antibes or somewhere a bit closer but I just love Cannes.”

  “Computer software eh, what company? I'm in that business myself so probably know them.”

  “Yes. You're the Peter Jarvis. I recognise you from the trade press. You're quite the industry superstar, aren't you?” Katie said, avoiding the question he had put to her.

  It was Peter's turn to look questioningly at Katie in an effort to detect any sarcasm in her voice. His face relaxed when he saw none.

  “Well, I've been lucky. I hit the market at the right time and things have gone well. I've got some great people working for me and that helps!”

  Again Katie knew she should come clean and admit her position, but she was starting to enjoy herself now and bent forward to pick up her brandy from the table. She brought the glass to her lips and took a sip. Whilst brandy was not her nightcap of choice, the aroma of the drink hit her nostrils and the warmth of the liquid as it slid down her throat relaxed her even more and she smiled at him over the rim of the glass.

  “Mmmn, a multi-million pound company a bit lucky? I don't think so.” Katie was much more sure of herself now and felt under control. “And what about you? Are you sealing another deal or just having fun?”

  “Bit of both really. I always try to mix business with pleasure if you know what I mean.” Peter stared at her, seeming to openly admire her look and appearance. Katie felt flustered again under his stare and was immediately annoyed. She was not going to let him get under her skin again!

  “And I'm sure you get a lot of both,” Katie responded, knowing that she would sound catty. She softened the remark with what she thought was a knowing smile but then realised that just made the initial comment look worse.

  Thankfully, Peter did not appear to notice.

  “Yes, well, indeed. How long are you here?”

  “I'm going back home to London tomorrow, morning flight,” said Katie. “I live in London,” she added.

  “Yes, I'm going too.....but to Frankfurt for a meeting. Where in London?”

  “Maida Vale”

  “Nice.” Peter said. “I lived there once. On the corner of Sutherland Avenue, in a little flat on the top floor of one of those huge white houses. Great pub on the roundabout. Good thai restaurant above it, I seem to remember.”

  “It's a Gordon Ramsay restaurant now,” said Katie, glad the conversation had moved away from work.

  “Really, that's nice. I know Gordon, he's a nice chap…..overworks terribly though.”

  Silence ensued and both took sips of their drink.

  “So who are you with tonight?” Katie asked.

  “Oh, that's Pierre Casson, my main agent in France. Well, not really an agent, more a fixer, and those people work for him. I've known them for ages. Pierre helped me start in France.....it's terribly bureaucratic as I'm sure you know. You need someone on the inside to help oil the cogs.”

  Katie did understand this. Her recent deal was fraught with paperwork and legalese. In fact the agreement had almost stalled as a result…..but then Peter Jarvis might know that.

  “In fact, a big deal foundered here recently, but the team did a good job getting it signed off. I did not have to get involved. See - that's the value of good people!”

  Again, Katie felt a pang
of guilt. She knew this would be the time to come clean and admit her connection, confessing that she too was part of his organisation. In many ways, that would make the whole “meeting” easier. But something stopped her. She did not want him to become “her boss” with all those attached connotations and she certainly did not want him to take fright and return to his friends at the bar. In truth, she was starting to enjoy herself and, as the evening wore on into the early morning and the more they chatted, the more her enjoyment levels increased.

  In fact, now that her initial nervousness had momentarily ceased, she realised that her first instincts from the restaurant, were spot on. She found Peter Jarvis hugely attractive and it was making her feel surprisingly good to be with him. She stared intently at him as he talked, becoming fixated by the little row of wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. And his eyes! A marvellous mixture of brown and green, that remained fixed on her almost the whole time. His stare was drilling right into her and every now and again he leant forward and touched her forearm or elbow. These movements were not done in a lusting or aggressive way, but more to emphasize a point or expression. Every time their skin touched, it was as if a small electric shock was shooting around her body and, to her consternation, she felt herself starting to become aroused. It was a subtle feeling to begin with, just a few gentle waves cascading around her body and ending in a delightful throb between her legs.