He smiled again, that slow, infuriating smile that told her he thought he still had the upper hand. Well that’s what you think buster she thought silently, one coffee and one peck on the cheek and you will be out the door you arrogant man, just you wait and see.
‘Well come on then, lets go. The sooner we get back the better, then, you can have your payment and be on your way back to London in an hour.’
As she marched out in front of him Geth was quietly confident, not only had she agreed to let him take her home, but she would allow him to stay for coffee too. He was also willing to bet that one kiss she had promised would not be the only one she would give him, given the way she had responded in his arms earlier it was a sure bet, he was certain of it.
The rest of the journey was uneventful and they pulled up outside her shop just under an hour later. Lexie hated the way her heart had started to race, and her hands felt clammy with apprehension as she exited the big car. Standing on the pavement outside she could see just how out if place it looked parked on Llan-aberth village green, its sleek pewter grey lines spoke of an affluence that was at odds with the slightly shabby sleepy little village. She looked over to where its owner was standing and saw the same mismatch, his dark grey suit must have cost the earth, and his white shirt was as crisp as when she’s first set eyes on him hours ago. For the life of her she couldn’t imagine what a man like this wanted from either Llan-aberth or from her. Geth walked slowly around the car to her side.
‘Now I am willing to bet you have a key stashed away somewhere, at least I hope so as I think I may have a bit of a problem fitting through your windows.’
He was looking ruefully at the tiny sash windows at the front of the building as he spoke. For a split second Lexie regretted that there was a key under the pot of lemon scented geraniums to the right of the doorway, the thought of watching him lose his elegant composure breaking in to her home was quite tempting. Before she had a chance to say anything he spotted the quick glance she gave the pot of flowers and understood. Moving the pot to one side he retrieved the key.
‘Well that’s a relief anyway, he said with a smile as he put the key in the lock and opened the door, total lack of security saves the day, well saves my suit anyway.’
The door opened into her little shop, fragrant with herbs and other scented merchandise. Geth stood looking around, senses bombarded by the overwhelming femininity of the place, he’d got the impression that Owain had not liked the shop, now he understood why, there was not a red blooded male alive that would. The place was tiny, making him feel huge and clumsy, it was packed to the rafters with merchandise in pale pastel colours, frilled, beaded and beribboned. The ceiling was hung with great swathes of drying vegetation, herbs he assumed and here and there tiny bells hung on bright ribbons, they were beginning to tinkle gently in the draught from the open door. He turned to find her watching him, gauging his reaction.
‘You grow this stuff yourself?’
‘Some of it she answered, some I buy in if I can be sure it is Fair Trade’.
He nodded, ‘and the shop does well?’
‘Yes most of the time, and anyway I don’t need much I grow most of my own food on the allotment, I barter for other stuff I need, I get by ok.’
She tried to read the look on his face but he turned away.
‘You live through there I assume,’ he indicated towards the door behind the tiny counter as he spoke. ‘
Yes the kitchen is through there and I have rooms upstairs but mostly I live in the conservatory,’ she moved past him as she spoke opening the door, and indicating for him to follow.
He expected the room beyond the door to be the same as the shop and was surprised when it was not. The little kitchen was bright and airy, mainly because the far wall was taken up entirely by patio doors leading into a small conservatory. The kitchen itself was fitted with clean lined contemporary style units in deep crimson with hints of stainless steel and a range of bright stainless pots and pans hung from the ceiling. The Welsh slate tiled floor ran through into the conservatory which was simply furnished with two small comfortable looking sofas covered in thick cream cotton throws and liberally scattered with cushions in the same colour as the kitchen. A wicker coffee table with a shiny glass top and a small wooden bookshelf crammed with books were the only other items in the room. The minimalist approach contrasted so completely with the shop it stopped him in his tracks and he turned to look at her, surprise evident on his face.
‘Well’ she remarked ‘you didn’t expect me to actually live in the shop did you? I stock what sells, what people want, here I like things easy to keep clean and the only herbs I use myself are fresh from the garden. I do sell some fresh herbs in the shop in season, but mostly people want stuff that lasts and is prettily presented, it’s just business.’
He smiled his understanding and moved to look at the garden as she busied herself putting the kettle on. The summer sun was fading but he could still make out the riot of plants that filled the space beyond the windows of the conservatory and somewhere water was trickling. Too much like farming was his only thought, he’d never been that keen on greenery. He turned and seated himself on the nearest sofa and watched her bring in the coffee.
‘Only instant I’m afraid, but it is Fair trade.’
‘I’m sure it will be fine,’ he remarked, watching her face and knowing she was thinking of the other payment that had been promised. They sipped in silence for a while, he the coffee, she a cup of some pink herbal concoction he noticed.
Then unable to stand the tension she began to ask about the project, not knowing what else they could possibly talk about.
‘What will happen now at the site? You must know the protestors won’t give up, or let you go against the wishes of the locals.’
He was noncommittal, ‘the work begins tomorrow, we secured the site today and anyone trespassing will be dealt with legally, it’s the only way. Quite frankly I’m surprised you side with a band of professional protestors like them, all they do is delay the inevitable and push costs up. Planning has been granted and we are perfectly entitled to carry on with the work.’
She felt her temper flare, ‘what arrogance, so you ignore what the village wants just so you can make even more money, is that it?’
‘Ah but you know as well as I do that not every one here is opposed to the business park, some want the work and some see the opportunities working with us can create.’
Suddenly she understood, that was what she must have told him when he’d plied her with wine and charm, she must have let him know there was disagreement between locals about the development, she may even have told him that not all the locals agreed with bringing in the protest group to help. Oh the cheek of the man, it was too much. She was just about to demand that he leave when the door to the shop opened and her sister Florence bustled in.
At first she did not notice the big man sat in the conservatory as she unloaded the bag of groceries she was carrying onto the work-top.
‘Hi’, she called, ‘the shops open you know, I didn’t have to use my key, you better go lock up, it’s getting late. Brought you some odds and ends that were on offer in the supermarket, you can swap me some more honey, ok? Hey have you seen that car outside, some big fancy thing all macho and out of place...’
She tailed off as she turned and saw Geth, the look on her face as she registered who he was, was nothing less than priceless. Looking from her sister who was on her feet by now to the man seated in the conservatory as if he owned it, she was lost for words.
Lexie took the opportunity to escape the madness for a brief moment at least, grabbing the shop keys and muttering something about locking up headed out through the kitchen leaving Geth to introduce himself.
‘Hi’, he said getting to his feet and offering her his hand, ‘I’m Geth, you will one of the famous sisters, Florence, I’m guessing.’
Florence was charmed from the moment he spoke, she’d seen him in the papers obviousl
y but in the flesh he was impossibly dreamy, and big, goodness he fairly filled the place. Sensing that at least this sister was favourably impressed Geth continued with the charm offensive.
‘I’m afraid your sister ran into a bit of trouble in London today and I felt it best to see her safely home, she’s still a little edgy so it’s good you came round.’
Just at this point Lexie re-entered the room and catching the tail end of his sentence retorted with venom.
‘Edgy, if I’m edgy then you’ll know all about how that came about.’
She threw at him. Then regretted saying anything as she caught the look he aimed at her sister, “see”, it seemed to say. Turning to Florence, she said pointedly.
‘Mr. Mathias was just leaving’ and she turned to pluck his half empty coffee cup from the table, but before she could remove it, he covered her hand with his and took the cup back. ‘
‘Hey not so fast, I haven’t finished and this constitutes part of the payment that you insisted on remember.’
Infuriatingly he reseated himself and proceeded to explain to Florence how he had been happy to help but that her sister had been adamant he must be paid for his trouble.
‘A cup of coffee for the meal and the usual fee for rescuing a damsel in distress, that’s right isn’t it cariad?’
Florence was open mouthed by now, what had her madcap sister got herself tangled up in? Gethyn Mathias, Welsh playboy extraordinaire sitting in her conservatory calling her cariad! And just what did he mean by the expected payment for rescuing damsels in distress?
Geth watched Lexie’s stricken face and relented, getting to his feet he proffered his hand to her sister.
‘Charmed to meet you but I really must leave now.’
Then taking a stunned Lexie by the shoulder, he guided her out through the door, saying as he went.
‘Come now cariad, and see me out properly.’
Lexie allowed herself to be propelled to the outer door and watched as he turned the key in the lock and opened it, standing stock still she waited for him to kiss her, determined not to respond, not at all, she would show him how impervious to him she really was.
‘Well, time to pay up don’t you think,’ the amusement was infuriatingly evident in his voice.
When all she did was stand and wait, he gently prompted.
‘This is where you kiss me, one kiss bestowed upon your knight in shining armour as we agreed.’
Lexie steeled herself, knowing he was making her give him the kiss rather than take it just to emphasis the point. Stepping forward and reaching up she put her hands on his shoulders and quickly planted a peck on his cheek, slightly rough now with the days growth of stubble, even that brief contact was searing, hot and sexy. She’d intended to step back quickly and escape through the shop door before he could object. Geth however knew just what she intended and slipped his hand around her waist stopping her escape.
‘Now come on, that is not entirely in the spirit, is it?’
His voice was gently mocking as he moved his face close to hers.
‘Have dinner with me tomorrow and we will renegotiate.’
‘No.’
Her one word answer made him smile.
‘OK, then pay up nicely now,’ he rejoined as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth.
Lexie tried to fight the kiss but it was as if she was drugged, it was all she could do to keep any hold on her thoughts as his mouth moved against hers, gently coaxing until she surrendered completely and moved in closer to his warmth. Geth felt it, her sweet lack of resistance and wrapped his arms around her as he delved deeper into her soft open mouth. Then suddenly he broke the kiss, not wanting to push her too far.
‘I have to go away on business for a couple of days, but I will pick you up Saturday at eight, I know a nice little pub not far from here that will do quite nicely for our first proper date.’
He stepped away as he said it and unlocked the car but turned back quickly when she retorted.
‘I won’t be here, and I’m not interested in a date with you.’
He grasped her upper arms pulled her back to him his voice edged with impatience.
‘Oh but we know that’s not true don’t we cariad, be here and be ready,’
Then he gave her a quick kiss on her pouting mouth and walked away, leaving her in no doubt he’d won the argument as he drove off. Neither of them noticed a furtive movement as a camera lens was drawn surreptitiously back into the shrubbery across the green, if they had they would also have seen the smirk on the face of the photographer as he muttered ‘gotcha!’
Lexie returned to her stunned sister.
‘Don’t just don’t say a word, just pour me a drink and let me be.’
Florence poured out two glasses of wine and it was quite a while before she left, having elicited as much of the whole sorry story as she could from her sibling. Lexie kept some of the fine detail about the night at the apartment to herself though, no need to let even her sisters know the whole tragic truth, not after all the years of pretense that was just unthinkable.
Chapter 4
The following morning Lexie woke early feeling as if she’d not slept a wink. She had spent the night of tossing and turning, nothing had helped, not even her usual fail-safe lemon balm tisane. Try as she might, she could not get thoughts of Gethyn Mathias out of her head and by 5 am she’d given up, wrapped herself in her favourite fluffy toweling robe and got up. Quickly making a strong cup of coffee she wandered out into her little garden to enjoy the early morning sun. Things did indeed seem a little clearer in the light of day, she thought as she sat sipping coffee and breathing in the soft fragrances of her herb garden. She had to admit though, that she was no closer to deciding what to say or do to get him to understand that she wanted nothing more to do with him and that dinner was certainly out of the question Saturday evening or any other evening for that matter.
The next few days passed uneventfully enough, in a determined effort not to think of Geth and the mix of unfamiliar emotions he roused in her, Lexie threw herself into spring cleaning the shop. It was therapeutic, delving into forgotten corners and lifting the dust, rearranging the sweet smelling goods on display and generally sprucing things up. On Friday her bag turned up, wrapped in brown paper and posted by some unseen GLM employee she assumed, as there was no note simply an unsigned company compliments slip. It was a relief to have her bits and pieces back. By the weekend she had begun to get things back into perspective, when Geth called for her, if he called for her, she would just explain that she really did not want to go to dinner with him, simple. He couldn’t make her go out with him, he would have to see that, she thought as she bent to pick up the Saturday morning post.
Leafing through the usual mix of bills and circulars she found a heavy official looking envelope. Upon opening it she stopped dead in her tracks, the letter from the leasing company she rented the shop and her little flat from wrote to inform residents of a change of ownership. She scanned the letter with growing unease, it was vague about the details, only seeking to inform residents of the change, reassure them there was nothing to fear and promising to pass on any relevant information as it became available. it did indeed sound as if there was nothing to worry about, but she resolved to check her tenancy agreement and make an appointment the following week with her solicitor to check her legal position anyway.
She had also decided that she would get around to the protest site as early as she could this morning, to see what they planned to do next and play her full part in whatever that may be. She was fairly certain no-one would find out how GLM had got the upper hand, but she felt the least she could do was be up there in the forefront of the next phase of the battle. Not only to assuage her guilt, but the thought had come to her that if Gethyn saw she was still set on supporting the enemy, he might think again about his misplaced interest in her. Maybe he would see that to her, he was not so irresistible. So an hour later she loaded the car with supplies, enough breakfast mu
esli and goats milk for all and set off for the protest camp, which was just over a mile away on the outskirts of Llan-aberth.
As she’d expected the camp was alive with activity, far from giving up, the protestors were in the process of blockading the road and preparations were well in hand, she soon found out, to cut through the newly erected chain link fencing and re-occupy the land they were fighting to save. All around the site entrance was chaos, GLM 4x4s were edging their way in despite the efforts of the protestors, who were doing their utmost to stop anyone entering the site. There was very little room for other vehicles and Lexie decided to unload all her supplies and then drive back down the road to park about fifty yards away. If the cutting of the fence did take place, then you could be sure the police would be involved and she might be glad to slip away unnoticed if things got too much. Geth’s promise to handle things legally was fresh in her memory. By the time she walked back to the protest things were a little calmer, no more GLM vehicles seemed to be driving through and protestors were milling around a little aimlessly waiting for whatever would come next. Lexie took the opportunity to pass around breakfast and as she did so she chatted with a few people she was a little familiar with, trying to get a feel for how they might progress. It seemed their leader, a small, intense, wiry individual who went by the adopted name of Rowan, hadn’t arrived yet, once he did, they warned, it might get nasty, for that was when the fence would be cut and they would re-occupy the land. Rowan was just making sure the press was there, it would be essential that they reported on any heavy handed tactics from the opposition, for they were sure GLM would bring in the police and try to forcibly eject the peaceful protestors. The boss had arrived already and his ruthless reputation was well known. So Geth was there already she thought, wondering if he was watching, if he’d seen her playing her part in opposing him.
Just at that moment she heard a commotion at the gates, Rowan was back and she could hear his voice raised in anger. It took her a minute to realise that whatever he was saying, it involved her, somewhere in the tirade he was issuing she could make out her name and the others around her were starting to make the link too. Pushing through the crowd Lexie made her way to the front, her heart in her mouth, please don’t let him have found me out she prayed, but how could he know, it just wasn’t possible? As she reached the front of the crowd the ranting Rowan was waving a newspaper in the air, almost incoherent with rage and as he caught sight of Lexie, she knew with certainty that he did know and somehow it had to do with the rag in his hand.
The Scent of His Woman Page 5