Master of Her Virtue - By Miranda Lee Page 0,22

any point.

Because she didn’t want to get just any old boyfriend. Meeting Leo had somehow spoiled her for that idea. Neither did she want to lose her virginity just for the sake of it. If and when she had sex, she wanted it to be with someone special; someone dashing, handsome and charming; someone who put her at ease and made her feel incredibly attractive; someone who’d called her a wicked temptation and had kissed her with the kind of passion which, yes, had made her want to do anything he asked.

In short, when and if she had sex, she wanted it to be with Leo Wolfe.

But that wasn’t going to happen, was it?

Only a miracle would make that dream come true, and Violet didn’t believe in miracles.

CHAPTER EIGHT

A SOMEWHAT DEPRESSED Violet was having breakfast two mornings later when her mobile phone rang.

It was Henry calling, she noted, a jolt of adrenaline immediately charging through her sluggish veins. For a split second she hoped he was ringing her with another invitation—a farewell dinner for Leo, perhaps?—but she suspected it was nothing of the kind. No doubt it was just some query to do with work. Henry never actually stopped working, not even during their Christmas break.

‘Good morning, Henry,’ she answered, pleased at how coolly professional she sounded. ‘Great party the other night. So, what’s up? Someone send you a book you actually like for a change?’

‘No, no. Nothing to do with work. I have this small problem which I’m hoping you can help me with. The thing is, sweetie, tonight is Leo’s last night here and I’ve organised a night out on the town for just the two of us. Dinner at a nice restaurant at Darling Harbour, followed by a show. They’ve brought back Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for a short season. It’s playing at the Lyric, the theatre in the Star. You know where I mean, don’t you?’

‘Yes, Henry, I do know the Star.’ One could hardly live in Sydney and not know of the city’s one and only casino. Not that Violet had actually been there. But she knew it was a glam place, even more so since undergoing a major refurbishment not that long ago.

‘Been there, have you?’

‘Actually, no, I haven’t, Henry.’

‘Have you seen Priscilla?’

‘Only the movie, not the musical.’

‘That’s good. Then you’ll really enjoy going with Leo tonight in my place.’

‘What?’ Violet hadn’t meant to sound so sharp. Her reaction was shock, not reluctance to go.

‘Is there a problem with that?’ Henry said. ‘I thought you wouldn’t mind. After all, you and Leo got along famously the other night.’

‘Well, yes, yes, we did,’ Violet admitted, still trying to get her head around the situation. ‘So, why can’t you go?’

Henry sighed. ‘Must have eaten something bad yesterday. Either that or I’ve caught a nasty stomach bug. Anyway, I still feel ghastly this morning. I couldn’t possibly go out tonight. So, how about it, Violet? It’s not too much to ask, surely?’

‘Does Leo know you’ve asked me?’ Violet choked out.

‘Well, no, actually. Not yet. He’s out doing his morning row on the harbour. The man’s obsessive about his daily exercise regime. Makes me tired just watching him. But I know he won’t mind. He thinks you’re terrific.’

Violet tried to speak but her mouth had gone bone-dry. For the past thirty-six hours she’d thought of nothing else but Leo Wolfe, his kiss and what he’d said to her afterwards. The thought of going to dinner and a show with him tonight was the stuff dreams were made of. Dreams and miracles. Was fate being kind to her here, or cruel?

‘I’m surprised at you, Violet,’ Henry ground out before she could agree. Which of course she was going to do, once she got some moisture in her mouth. ‘Leo might have the reputation for being a ladies’ man but, I assure you, you are perfectly safe in his hands. My son is a true gentleman.

‘What’s that? Yes, Leo, I’m talking about you, believe it or not. It’s Violet on the phone. I’ve just asked her to go out with you tonight instead of yours truly because I’m simply not up to it. Anyway, the infernal girl is umming and aahing like you’re some kind of sexual predator about to pounce. Here, you talk to her.’

She swallowed as she waited for Leo’s voice to come down the line.

‘You don’t have to go, you know, Violet,’ were his first words, delivered in a rather irritated tone. ‘No one’s forcing you.