by Susan Napier;Kathryn Ross;Kelly Hunter;Sandra Marton;Katherine Garbera;Margaret Mayo
‘What’s wrong with the floor? I thought he was doing the staircase.’ She shook her head.
‘One problem usually begets another in these old properties, Caitlin. You’ll learn that as you go along.’
‘Thanks,’ she grated dryly.
He grinned. ‘Knowing you, you’ll soon have the problem solved.’ Then he glanced at his watch, picked up the picnic box and the rug. ‘I’ve got to go. I’ll speak to you later.’
‘Yes…see you later.’
She watched as he disappeared around the side of the house, leaving her alone in the heat of the orchard wondering if she had just imagined the last hour.
Chapter Six
‘IF RAY is as attractive as you say, then I think you should go.’ Heidi’s voice was positive. ‘What have you got to lose, Caitlin?’
Caitlin thought about the way Ray made her senses dissolve into chaos just with a smile. ‘Apart from my self-control, you mean?’ And my heart, a little voice whispered waywardly in her ear. Strenuously she ignored that. She didn’t intend opening her heart again to anyone for a very long time.
‘He has a weird effect on me, Heidi. I’ve never known anything like it. He touches me and I turn to jelly.’
‘Well if some drop-dead gorgeous Frenchman wanted to whisk me off to Paris for the weekend I’d definitely go.’
‘No, you wouldn’t, you are happily married.’
Heidi laughed. ‘Whoops, almost forgot that.’
Caitlin smiled; it was good to hear her friend’s cheerful voice. She’d missed her.
‘I’m just a bit wary, Heidi…’
‘After what you’ve been through, that is understandable,’ Heidi said sympathetically.
‘He’s not the type to want a serious relationship and that’s fine…Part of me thinks it will just be a bit of fun and I should go for it. But there is another part of me that says I could get burned here. He’s a smooth operator…’
‘Mr Cool?’ Heidi asked.
‘Oh, yes, definitely Mr Cool. It’s six days now since he issued the invitation and I haven’t had sight or sound of him in that time. In fact I think he is in Paris now. He said he was there this week on business, so for all I know he’s changed his mind about the weekend anyway.’
‘Well, you’ve got his mobile number, haven’t you? Ring him and find out.’
Caitlin frowned. She was definitely against ringing him. Why, she didn’t know; maybe it was that arrogant manner of his or that laid-back confidence that said he knew he could have any woman he wanted. Well, to hell with that—she had far too much spirit to give him the satisfaction of running after him. It wasn’t her style at all.
‘No, I don’t think that is a good idea,’ she murmured. ‘Anyway I’m starting to go off the idea of Paris. After all, I should have been in church this Saturday exchanging vows with David. It’s too much, too soon.’
‘I wasn’t sure if I should tell you this or not.’ Heidi hesitated. ‘But Peter and I went to China Town last Saturday night for a meal, and David was in the restaurant.’
‘Really?’ Caitlin frowned. ‘On his own?’
There was a brief pause. ‘No, he was with a voluptuous blonde. And she was all over him, Caitlin, like a bad rash.’
‘Oh.’ A cold, raw feeling swirled inside Caitlin.
‘I shouldn’t have told you, should I?’ Heidi said apprehensively.
‘No, I’m glad you did, because stupidly I’ve been worried about him.’
‘You are joking! Why?’
Caitlin shrugged helplessly. She couldn’t explain the complex feelings she had about David. ‘There was a part of me that wondered if I should have stuck around to help him. He does have a problem, Heidi—’
‘You’re telling me.’ Heidi’s voice was brusque. ‘Apart from the gambling, he’s a thief as well as a liar. Remind me again…How much did it cost you to extricate yourself from the mess?’
‘You know very well it was a big chunk of my savings.’
‘And you’re worried about him?’ Heidi sounded angry now. ‘You are far too soft-hearted. Let me tell you, Caitlin, he didn’t look one bit worried about you on Saturday night. The guy is a user.’
‘Maybe you’re right but…I suppose he couldn’t help himself. Gambling is a bit like alcoholism, isn’t it?’
‘I don’t know but I think you are well out of it.’
‘I suppose so. I’m a disaster when it comes to picking men, aren’t I?’ Caitlin said wryly.
‘Ray sounds all right.’
‘Well, at least he’s honest and up front,’ Caitlin agreed. ‘He’s been straight about the fact he’s not looking for a serious commitment…and he’s been brutally honest about this house.’ She perched herself on the window ledge, her eyes moving over the shambles that had once been the lounge. There was a hole where the staircase had been and a bigger hole where part of the floor had once been.
‘Well, grab him quick and have a fab time in Paris.’
There was a sound of a car drawing up outside and Caitlin looked out of the window wondering if it was Ray. Her heart sank a little as she saw it was a van. ‘I’ve got to go, Heidi. Someone’s coming to the door. And no, it’s not him.’
‘Pity.’ Heidi laughed. ‘Don’t forget to send me a postcard.’
‘I might not go,’ Caitlin warned as she glanced outside and noticed the logo on the van. ‘Gosh, I think it might be the electricity people here to connect me. Now this is a wonderful surprise—I’d been told they could be another three weeks.’
‘You see, things are looking up.’ Heidi laughed. ‘The future is looking bright.’
Over an hour later golden light spilled through the house and Caitlin’s fridge and immersion kicked into life. She was back to civilisation. Heidi was right, she thought as she filled up the ice tray for the freezer. The future was what mattered now and she wouldn’t dwell on the past. A hot bath and then an ice-cold gin and tonic beckoned.
She was just running the bath when her mobile rang again. It was an unfamiliar number not keyed into her address book, so she answered it half expecting a wrong number.
‘Hello, Caitlin.’
She recognised Ray’s voice immediately and she was filled with surprise and pleasure. ‘Oh, hi, where did you get my number?’
‘I took a note of it when I had your phone in my possession. So, how are things going with the house?’ he continued swiftly.
‘They are progressing well.’ She closed her mind to the mess in her lounge.
‘Have they reconnected your electricity yet?’ he enquired.
‘Well, yes, as a matter of fact they have.’ She smiled. ‘You must be psychic; they’ve just been here.’
‘I’m glad things are going well for you, Caitlin.’ His voice held that note of relaxed humour that made her stomach dip.
She sat down on the edge of her bath. ‘So, how are things going with you? Did you get the contract with Roger Delaware all signed up?’
‘Yes. He was up at the house the other day. He asked me to pass on his regards to you.’
‘That was nice.’ She made her voice airily light. Was he ever going to mention Paris? she wondered. And if he did, what should she say?
‘I think he really wanted to call to see you.’ Ray laughed. It was a warm laugh to which every sinew of her body responded positively.
‘I meant to come over to see you myself, but I haven’t had a minute. Work has been chaotic.’
‘And I thought you French had such a relaxed attitude to work. What about those long lunches with wine?’
‘They have been sadly missing. But I’ve been in a Paris frame of mind recently…the big city always makes me much more driven.’
‘Are you there now?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I’m phoning from my apartment. The weather has been lovely today, a bright, cloudless blue sky…not that I’ve seen much of it. I’ve been in the office since first light.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Yes, well,
hopefully I’ll make up for it at the weekend.’
Caitlin felt her heartbeat increase. Here it was—he was going to ask her again.
‘Have you got a pen handy?’
‘A pen?’ She was puzzled by the request.
‘Yes, I want you to take down a number.’
‘I’ve already got your phone number.’
‘Haven’t used it, though, have you?’ He laughed. ‘No, this is a different number.’
Hastily Caitlin got up to find her bag and root through it for a pen. ‘Okay fire away,’ she said as she poised with her diary and pen in one hand, the phone tucked under her chin.
He reeled off a number and she wrote down. ‘So what is this?’ she asked as he finished.
‘It’s the reference number of your flight on Friday. Now, you have to be at Nice airport at five-thirty, and you collect your ticket at the Air France desk. You’ll need your passport to confirm your identity.’
‘You’ve already booked me a seat?’ She didn’t know whether to be cross or flattered. ‘But I haven’t told you if I am coming yet!’
‘Well, I got impatient waiting so I booked the flight anyway. I’ll pick you up at the airport. Oh, and pack a few warm clothes—although the weather is good it is a few degrees cooler than the south. I’ve got to go, Caitlin, I’ve got a call coming through on my other line.’
Caitlin opened her mouth to speak, but he had already gone. Now what should she do? she wondered restlessly. It was very presumptuous of him to just book her flight like that. By rights she should just ignore it. It would probably be the sensible thing to do.
She sighed and then looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Being sensible hadn’t really got her very far up to now. Maybe it was time to take a risk, live dangerously and fly to Paris. Although her heart bounced very unevenly against her chest at the thought, there was also a wave of excitement that completely engulfed her. She reached for her gin and tonic and took a deep mouthful. Roll on Friday. Whatever would be would be and she wouldn’t analyse the rights and wrongs of it. She deserved a fun time anyway, after the last few weeks. Murdo would definitely approve, she thought with a grin.
The flight from Nice to Paris was short. It seemed as if the jet was no sooner up in the air than it was preparing for landing. Caitlin’s stomach seemed to flip wildly as they made the steep descent into De Gaulle but she wasn’t sure if it was the air pockets they hit or the fact that she was here in Paris…and a whole weekend with Ray stretched before her.
Ray spotted her immediately amidst the crowds in the arrivals hall and he smiled to himself. It had been a calculated risk just booking her ticket and he had half expected her not to turn up.
Caitlin hadn’t seen him yet, but, instead of walking over to her immediately, he stopped and took the opportunity to study her as she looked around for him. The long grey skirt and matching cropped jacket she wore were teamed with black high-heel boots and a red top. They skimmed her slender body in a stylish way, making her look taller than her five-feet four. Her long dark hair was loose around her shoulders; it curled slightly at the ends and gleamed chestnut gold under the overhead lights. She looked absolutely stunning. As if sensing his gaze on her, she turned and their eyes connected across the crowded concourse. He saw the smile of relief on her face.
‘I thought for a moment that I had been stood up,’ she said lightly as he reached her side.
‘So did I.’ He grinned. ‘I half expected you not to come as a punishment for my impetuosity.’
‘It crossed my mind,’ she admitted.
‘Well, I’m glad you are here.’ He smiled.
She looked up into the warmth of his eyes and she wanted to say, Me too. But the words wouldn’t come out. ‘Thanks for the ticket,’ she said lightly instead. ‘And of course I’ll pay you for it—’
‘Caitlin.’ He cut across her firmly. ‘Shut up, will you?’ Then he leaned closer and suddenly she was enveloped in the warmth of his body as he kissed her lightly on each cheek. ‘Welcome to Paris,’ he said softly as he pulled back.
Her heart was racing so hard against her ribs that it was actually hurting her. She looked up at him wordlessly and, just as she thought he was going to pull away completely, suddenly his lips brushed against hers. It was just a light, almost teasing caress but it set clamouring fires of fierce desire instantly blazing inside her.
‘So are you hungry?’ he asked casually as he moved back and picked up her overnight case from beside her.
She wondered if their kisses didn’t affect him as intensely as they affected her. Maybe he was used to that level of sensuality when he kissed…
Aware that he was waiting for her reply, she hastily pulled herself together. ‘Eh, yes, starving, in fact,’ she lied. The truth was that she was so wound up that eating was the last thing on her mind.
‘Good. I know a great little bohemian restaurant on the Left Bank.’
He strode ahead of her, leaving her struggling to keep up. She noticed the way women looked at him as they wove their way through the crowds. There was open admiration in their eyes. It was no wonder they were attracted to him, she thought as he turned and waited for her by the doors. He was formidably handsome, and the dark suit he wore emphasised his stylish Parisian good looks.
They found his Mercedes in the car park and while she settled herself in the comfortable leather seats he stored her case in the trunk.
‘Is it okay with you if we go directly to eat or do you want to go back to my place first?’ he enquired as he slid behind the driving wheel.
‘Oh, let’s go and eat,’ she said hastily. She wanted to put off going to his place for as long as possible; just the thought of being alone with him there made her insides tighten with a weird kind of apprehension.
They travelled in silence. Caitlin watched his hands on the wheel of the car—capable, confident hands. She tried to think of something to say, something that would take her mind off the thought of those hands travelling with equal ease and confidence over her body. But nothing came to mind.
He changed gear and the sports car roared down wide tree-lined streets. It was dark now and the cobbled streets glistened under the beam of the powerful headlights.
‘You seem to know Paris pretty well,’ she managed weakly at last.
‘I spend a lot of time here. And I suppose you could say it is my hometown, it’s the place where I was brought up. My mother was a Parisian model who worked for some of the top fashion houses. And my father was a merchant banker here.’
‘Are your parents still alive?’ Caitlin probed lightly.
‘No, my father died when I was sixteen and my mother ten years later. She made a disastrous second marriage which ended in an acrimonious divorce. Her health was never good after that.’
‘I’m sorry, Ray, that must have been awful.’
‘That’s life, isn’t it?’ He pulled the car into a vacant parking space. ‘I used to blame my stepfather for making her so unhappy. But looking back I realise it wasn’t entirely his fault. My mother was desperately unhappy after my father died and I suppose she was on the rebound. She was looking to recapture what she once had and that can be a dangerous route.’
She followed Ray as he stepped out onto the pavement. The night air was cool, and the pavements glistened from an earlier shower.
She wondered if that reasoning was what kept Ray a single man. Maybe he felt he’d been lucky having one good marriage and didn’t want to push his luck by getting involved again. Then, realising that she was analysing him, she pushed the thought to the back of her head. Ray was single because that was the way he wanted it, she told herself sharply. And it was none of her business.
‘Careful on these cobbled surfaces, they can be slippery,’ Ray said as he waited for her to walk around to join him. He took hold of her hand as they waited for a space in the traffic to cross the road.
She liked the touch of his hand, cool and firm against hers.
As they rounded a corne
r she could see the Seine, its silky dark surface reflecting the lights of the city, its banks lit with an amber necklace of light.
‘That’s where we are going.’ Ray let go of her hand to point down at the amber light and she realised it was a terrace overlooking the river. ‘There are great views of the river from there. And the food is very good.’
‘Sounds wonderful.’ She smiled. ‘Is this where you bring all your latest conquests?’ As soon as the words left her lips she regretted them. What on earth had made her say something as crass as that?
‘I wasn’t aware that you were a conquest.’ His eyes moved over her face thoughtfully, and then he smiled. ‘Yet…’
The gentle emphasis on that last word made her blush furiously.
‘Well, when I said conquest I meant the fact that I’m here in Paris with you…not…anything else.’ She tried desperately to extricate herself but with each word felt she was making it worse.
He laughed and took hold of her hand again. ‘Come along, Caitlin, it doesn’t do to think about anything too deeply on an empty stomach. You’re here and that’s all that matters.’
They walked down the slip road towards the restaurant in silence. Ray opened the door for her and then stepped back to allow her to enter the building first.
It was warm inside, despite the fact that the sliding doors were open onto the terrace. Maybe the heat was generated by the amount of people, because the place was full to overflowing; people were sitting and standing at the bar area and each candlelit table seemed to be occupied. Or maybe the huge bread ovens just visible through a stone archway generated the heat. The place had a wonderful lively atmosphere, with just the right mix of sophistication and informality; the French conversations swirled around Caitlin as they made their way to the bar.
‘Do you think we will get a table?’ Caitlin asked. ‘It’s very busy.’
Before Ray could answer he was greeted by a man behind the bar who came around and embraced Ray warmly with much back-slapping approval.
For a moment they spoke in French. Caitlin was fascinated to listen to Ray speaking in his own language. If his English sounded sexy, it was nothing to the wonderful melodious tones of his native tongue.