"Linda, we've all had days like that. Think no more about it. Let's get straight to business, shall we? I've attended many functions at this property over the years and I've always loved this house and the gardens so I'll cut straight to the chase. Subject to a final review by my accountant I'm ready to make an offer. Let's go inside and chat about it in the library, shall we?"
George led the way to the library, he walked quickly for a man of his age, he was clearly a young and energetic 52 year old. In fact, he looked quite a few years younger than he was. Linda noticed he wasn't wearing a wedding ring.
They sat down in two antique leather chairs by the crackling fire before, nervously, Linda plucked up the courage to ask. "Will your wife be joining us today at some point or would you like me to show her around another day?"
George relaxed into the leather fireside chair. "Oh, that won't be necessary. We recently divorced. I'm quite a private person as is she, and we made a point of keeping the whole matter out of the papers. It's a well kept secret, if you will."
Linda's heart missed a beat and she felt herself blushing. She fidgeted with her jacket and hoped George hadn't noticed.
"Don't be embarrassed about asking, please. You're just doing your job. I understand. Really, it's perfectly ok."
Linda was speechless. For the first time in her professional career she was completely lost for words. She didn't know what to say. All she could tell was that her heart was beating way too fast for a business meeting. And, George did have lovely deep blue eyes.
George continued, "Are you feeling ok? Do you want a glass of water?"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, my mind was wandering, too much on my mind, you know. Is there anything you wanted to ask me about the property?" Linda did her best to snap back into her professional demeanor.
George looked around the room before replying. "Right now, nothing comes to mind, I've stayed here many times as a guest on long weekends so I know the place inside and out. I'll get my accountant to talk to you later today and he'll do all the number crunching and prepare my offer. As far as I'm concerned this is a done deal. My only request is that we keep this between ourselves. I abhor media attention."
"Certainly. This is strictly between us. You can count on the utmost discretion."
"Thank you, Linda."
Linda looked up at the ceiling mural and marveled at the intricate detail. "This is such a beautiful house, it'll make a great home."
George's eyes lit up and a big smile spread across his face. "It is, I'm very excited about it, I have big plans for this place. I've accumulated an extensive art collection and it's mostly in storage, I need a grand house like this to put the paintings and sculptures on display in an appropriate setting to show them off.
"I'm also planning to use the garden for summer concerts. I'm involved with the Cambridge Philharmonic, this would make the perfect venue."
Linda's ears picked up and she beamed, "I'll be there in the front row if you do."
"So you like classical music, Linda?"
"I adore it. I'll be in Vienna next month for the outdoor concerts. I can't wait."
"I'll be there myself. We should meet up."
"For sure, it's a date, er, I meant, it's a deal," Linda giggled.
George laughed and stood up, "I'm terribly sorry but I need to get back to Cambridge for a board meeting at my new start up, my driver will be keen to get on the M25 before the traffic picks up."
"No problem, here's my card with my direct number, I look forward to talking to your accountant later today. Thank you Mr.Preston."
"Oh please, call me George," George laughed with a twinkle in his eye as his driver closed the rear passenger door before driving off into the afternoon traffic.
Linda leaned against her car with a silly grin on her face. She'd have to compose herself before heading back to the office or Karen would know exactly what was on her mind.
* * *
One month had passed and at last Linda was walking by the Danube, the sun warmed her bare shoulders and she looked fabulous in the white summer dress Karen had helped her to pick out. The dress made the most of her slim figure and she felt as good as she looked. There he was, she could just now make out George taking a seat at the riverside cafe. She walked a little faster and felt that flutter in her heart again.
"Hello George, we're both right on time as usual," she joked.
"Yes we are, great to see you again," George enthused as he firmly kissed Linda on both cheeks. "You look beautiful, Linda. Absolutely stunning. I've been looking forward to seeing you again for weeks. And you look even better than I expected."
"Oh, thank you. That's very nice of you, George." Linda tried but failed badly to contain her excitement. She dropped her purse and bumped into the table as she bent down to get it, nearly knocking over the vase of yellow flowers.
"Sorry, I'm so clumsy today. Better not invite me around your new house," she giggled.
George released his grip on the flower vase and laughed. "Oh, you must come and visit. I've put a lot of work into the house and most of my art collection is now hanging. I'd value your opinion. I have a few pieces I'm undecided about. Maybe you could help me."
"Certainly, I'd love to. How about tomorrow?" Linda flirted, surprising even herself. She never talked like this.
George smiled, "You know something, I've been thinking about you a lot lately, you made quite an impression on me. I have a very good feeling about you. And if I might be so bold, I 'd like to ask you out on a date."
Linda beamed, "I thought this was a date. In fact this is the first time I've dated a client so I've broken the golden rule to see you, so, yes, now that I'm breaking the rules, I'd love to have another date with you."
"Great, I'm delighted you said that, Linda. You see I don't have much recent experience with women, I was married for a long time. So, I hoped I hadn't misinterpreted any signals of interest. But for once I thought, what the heck, lets throw caution to the wind. Thank God you said yes."
George looked into Linda's eyes and moved closer to hold her left hand, "You're a very beautiful young woman, I haven't stopped thinking about you since we last met. The whole time I've been fixing up the house I wanted to phone you, to hear your voice, to have you call around for afternoon tea, simply, to spend some time with you.
"I stopped myself because I thought it would be inappropriate so soon after doing business together. I was delighted when I finally found the nerve to text you to see if you were still going to Vienna."
Linda felt her breathing quicken as she looked into George's blue eyes. "Oh, me too. I was looking for reasons to phone you, I drove past your house many, many times on the way to meetings but I remembered how important discretion and privacy is to you so I forced myself to remain professional. Professional at all times that's me. I'm so, so pleased we've moved on from that," Linda confessed, feeling the lovely warmth of his hand.
George moved closer, he squeezed Linda's hand and softly kissed her on the cheek, "You're wonderful. Honestly, I never thought I'd meet someone special after my marriage ended. I thought that was it, I'm too old to move on, too set in my ways to start all over again, but then you walked into my life and I haven't felt the same since.
"It was pure fluke we met in the champagne lounge that night. I rarely go out. And then when I met you again to buy the house I knew I couldn't ignore fate. It was just too much of a coincidence. For a hard nosed scientist like me it was hard for me to do this but for the first time in my life I decided to trust my heart. Thank God I did," George whispered.
"Tell me about it. I am the world's greatest over thinker. When I met you at the house I felt scared, confused and so happy all rolled into one. I couldn't stop giggling," Linda laughed. "This is the only way you've ever seen me, I can assure you this is not the way I usually am."
George spoke softly and slowly. "There is something about you, I can't quite put my finger on it but it's like I've already known you for years. That day when we
sat in the library of the house, that's when I felt it. Talking to you is so easy, so effortless, I never need to explain what I mean. That almost never happens when I meet people. Somehow, you just get what I'm about."
"When you said you love the arts, you had me. That's when I knew I was in big trouble," Linda whispered, enjoying even more the now familiar warmth of his hand in hers.
"Linda, we're a great fit, no doubt about it. I'm so happy we're having this conversation. I was so worried I was expecting too much and that you wouldn't feel the same way. This is such a relief."
"Oh, me too, I'm so happy, so happy I met you, you turned up right on time. Dreams do come true, it's true, it's true!" Linda giggled. "Oh no, there I go again, what are you doing to me George?"
"Don't blame me Linda, I didn't do anything," George laughed and looked into Linda's sparkling eyes. "Tell me though. Now that you mention dreams, I'm curious. Do you have any dreams for the future? Maybe a thought that is always there in the back of your mind, something you'd always love to do one day?"
"Yes, I do have one secret dream. I've only ever told one other person about it, Karen, I tell her everything. You'll get what I'm talking about when I tell you, I know you will, I can see already there's a romantic side to my professor, a side of you that's adventurous and daring. A side that most people don't see. Am I right?"
"You are actually," George laughed, "But, come on, don't keep me in suspense any longer, I can't take it. What is this secret dream of yours? Does it include me?"
"It most certainly does, George," Linda whispered as their faces touched and they kissed, softly, finally, at last. George looked into her eyes and felt his heart soften even more. "I simply adore you Linda," he replied and kissed her again.
Linda whispered in his ear, "Now that I've broken my golden rule by kissing a client I suppose I can tell you about my dream..."
* * *
"It's a perfect day darling, look at that sea," George shouted from the terrace.
Linda skipped out of the open kitchen doors and kissed George firmly on the lips, "Oh my, the Caribbean is stunning today, simply amazing, just like my husband."
George put his arm around Mrs. Preston's waist. "I have some good news to report. I just got off the phone with London. The garden concert is on schedule. And by special request, they'll be performing that Bach piece you enjoyed so much in Vienna. I'm sure you remember that evening."
"I'm sure I'll never forget that evening, George. How would I ever have guessed you were such a good kisser? You don't look like the type. You are just full of surprises, all good ones of course. Any surprises lined up for me today? What do you have planned for me today?"
"Oh, I thought we'd take the boat and go into town. Go to that great seafood place you like so much, and after lunch, I have in mind a lingering siesta with my beautiful wife."
Linda hugged her man and kissed him again, "Am I dreaming? Are you really here, with me, in our plantation house, by the Caribbean, do dreams really come true?"
"Yes darling, dreams do come true, dreams come true but only when you dream with your heart," George held his wife and knew he was home, home at last.
About the Author
Norah C. Peters has always loved telling stories that make people smile and she especially enjoys writing stories that lift the human spirit and get us in touch again with what really matters in life: love and friendship. When she's not writing she can usually be found losing track of time in the garden with a hot cup of tea close to hand.
Never Kiss the Clients Page 2