Web of Deception - By Nina Blake Page 0,24
so much.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Don’t you like to ski?”
“I liked it when I was a teenager. It was great fun. My class went on a skiing trip in high school. That’s the only time I’ve been.”
“Then you’ll have to go again. I think you’ll like the hotel.”
She slid her arms more tightly around his neck but her gaze remained fixed on his collar, her expression more thoughtful. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Things are already going so fast. We’re spending so much time together.”
“That’s a good thing. I like your company and I’m sure you enjoy mine too. There’s a strong attraction between us. Why wouldn’t we want to spend time together?”
Kate still didn’t look up at him. “Things have already gone much faster than I would have liked. You know what I’m talking about. Last night. Sleeping together. I’ve only just broken up with Mark and suddenly you and I are together. It’s been very rushed.”
Mark was out of the way and out of her heart so Daniel knew there was nothing standing in his way. She wanted some reassurance. That was all.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.
Her eyes shot up at him. “I’m just wary. Meeting you. Sleeping with you. None of this was part of my plans.”
“Not everything goes to plan.” His lips curled to a suggestive smile. “It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves.”
“I didn’t want things to go so fast.”
“Don’t you trust yourself?”
“Of course I do.”
Daniel drew her closer. “There’s a strong pull between us. You can’t deny the chemistry.”
“I told you I don’t believe in that kind of thing.”
He knew he had her. “No. That’s the reason you’re reluctant. Because you know there’s something between us. Come away with me for the weekend and show me there’s nothing there. Prove to me you don’t feel anything.”
Kate looked flustered. “I don’t want to go away for some dirty weekend.”
Daniel took her hand and the two of them started walking away from the beach.
“It won’t be anything like that,” he said. “Was last night dirty? Certainly not. And I know you enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. Why are you so scared?”
“Just because I don’t want to go away with you doesn’t mean I’m scared.”
“But you are.”
She shook her head as she walked. “No, I’ve just made my share of mistakes and I don’t want to repeat them.”
“Last night was no mistake.”
“I meant before that. Before I met you.”
“Everyone makes mistakes. It’s a risk you take by living.”
The wind whipped her hair around her face. She pushed it back in vein. “But I kept making the same mistake over again and now I’m worried I’m doing it again. Falling for the wrong man. The one with all the glitz and glamour.”
“Kate, don’t be ridiculous. You’re not that shallow.”
She smiled wanly. “I was once. I was twenty-four at the time so I can’t even use my age as an excuse.”
Daniel tried to think back. She’d mentioned something about a high-flyer. That was what she’d called him.
“Was this the ad guy you talked about once?”
She nodded. “Craig Deal. I was smitten. Completely taken in by him. I thought we had so much in common because we both work in creative fields. He was a director at an ad agency, and he mixed with exciting people. Knew everyone in the industry. Very well-connected. He was always getting free VIP tickets to concerts. He had no problem getting a table at any restaurant, any time. I thought he was fabulous. Fell for him hook, line and sinker.”
“And you found out he wasn’t as wonderful as you thought?”
“We were together for about six months. It took me a while to work out that with Craig everything was to do with appearances and being cool. It was all about being seen at the right places with the right people. He knew hundreds of people and they all seemed to bend over backwards for him but I never saw him do the slightest favour for anyone. He never went out of his way to help anyone. Not even me.”
“Was he seeing someone else?”
“No, nothing like that. He just lived his life on the surface and as soon as I started to question that, he dumped me. I found out later that he liked blondes. That was his first criteria in selecting a girlfriend. It made me feel very insignificant. So, after me, it was a younger woman with bleached hair and a bigger bust than mine.