The Scent of His Woman (9 page)

Lexie smiled an uneasy little smile, ‘that’s enough of that nonsense, come and help
me into this dress or I will still be half naked when I should be ready to go out.’
This dress was strictly a ‘little black number’, being a sleek designer shift in silk with
an elegant square neckline. It hinted at rather than clung to her curves and Lexie felt she
had found just the understated look she was aiming at. To finish the look there was a pair
of Christian Louboutin antique shoes and a little clutch bag by Celestina, into which Mared
popped a lipstick and a small atomizer of her own perfume.
‘There, you are all ready. I can’t wait to see the look on big bro’s face when he sees
you, it’s going to be magic.’
At that precise moment a laughing voice called from the hallway.
‘Just what sorcery are you two up to now?’
Lexie froze and turned to face the direction of the disembodied voice, and her
breath stilled in her lungs as she waited for him to appear.
Geth dropped his laptop case onto the small table beside the door before moving to
join the girls in the lounge. It had been a trying afternoon, while his staff were as always on
top of their game the same could not be said of all other parties to this new venture.
Consequently he had spent most of the afternoon on the phone trying to get his opposite
number in a certain Canadian multi-national to put a fire under his people to make sure
everything was in place in time for the next few days of high powered meetings. As a result
he was running late and all he wanted now was to find Lexie in some suitable little black
number ready to be seen in public, so that they could enjoy dinner and rise to the publicity
his PR staff had arranged. He just hoped Mared had been able to get her into something
suitable. Not that he usually minded her clothes, they were part of her personality, quirky. It
was just that quirky was not what was needed tonight. With that thought uppermost in his
mind Geth rounded the doorpost into his own lounge, stopping dead at the sight that met
his eyes.
Lexie stood in front of the enormous modern fireplace. Dwarfed by its marbled
splendour she reminded him of something from a movie set, an Agatha Christie mystery
maybe. She wore a black silk dress, but rather than the expected sexy thing that would
have clung to her curves, this dress hung elegantly from her diminutive frame and hinted
at, rather than displayed her curves. The colour set off her dark violet eyes and copper hair
to perfection, but it was the changes wrought in that curling mass that made the biggest
impact. Gone were the unruly riotous curls, she’d had it cut and somehow it seemed not to
be so thick. Instead it hung lightly around her face and shoulders in soft waves and as he
moved into the room towards her he caught glints of paler gold threaded through it that
softened the whole effect. Geth realised she was looking at him, both girls were, expecting
him to react, to say something, Lexie’s violet eyes were large and dark, filled with
something akin to apprehension. Deliberately lightening the moment, he smiled.
‘Well now, if this is the result I’ll have to send you two shopping more often.’
Then dropping a swift kiss onto Lexie’s mouth he moved to pour himself a whiskey
before heading off to change.
‘Well, he was impressed, I can tell.’
Mared was triumphant, Lexie was not so sure, but even as she wondered, she
hugged her defiance silently inside. As the days passed and he realised that she had
taken his words quite literally and that everything she’d bought was black, he would come
to see that she was not giving in to him, not at all, and that once this charade was over she
would cut him out of her life, for good!
‘Don’t look so glum’, Mared remarked, ‘you are going to celebrate your engagement
to a most eligible bachelor at the most fabulous restaurant in London, before jetting off to
romantic Montreal,what more could a girl want?’ Now I’m off, I have to get ready for my
own hot date, just don’t tell Geth will you? He still thinks I’m in school! I will see you next
week at the farm and we can swap notes, just don’t tell me anything too personal, yuk, the
thought of anyone wanting to get up close and personal with my big brother is just
guaranteed to make me more than a bit nauseous, it’s a sibling thing I think! Bye.’
Before Lexie could react Mared had planted a quick kiss on her cheek and was
through the door laughing. Left alone for the first time since she’d got out of bed that
morning, Lexie felt the strength drain out of her momentarily, it had been a roller-coaster
day and it was not over yet, there was still dinner and then the flight to cope with. She was
just grateful that by the time they reached Montreal it would be in the small hours and
surely all Geth would want would be to crash out and sleep in preparation for his meetings.
At least she hoped that would be all he had in mind. How she would cope with anything
more was beyond her, what had Mared called it, ‘getting up close and personal?’ Well if he
thought he’d bought himself those privileges, she was just going to have to disabuse him,
and fast. Though just how she was going to do that escaped her right now and with that
thought, she moved to pour herself a small gin. Topping it up with a generous amount of
tonic and adding some ice for good measure, she curled up on the huge sofa to wait,
sipping from the heavy crystal glass, in the hope the alcohol would fortify her.
She was still sitting there deep in thought when Geth returned. He stood silently in
the doorway for a moment and as he watched, she raised the glass to her lips but before
drinking she let a small sigh escape, and for a fleeting moment, no more, he felt the
unfamiliar stab of something akin to guilt. Then, not letting himself analyse it further, he
moved into the room to stand looking down at her.
‘Ready cariad?’
He extended a hand to help her to her feet. Lexie looked up, smiled and put the
glass down on a small table before taking his hand. He led her out to the waiting car,
keeping her close to his side with one hand firmly around her waist. She moved on
automatic pilot, letting him take control and guide her seemed easier, as he pulled her
close and kept her there, she found the warm pressure of his hand on her waist
comforting. By the time they reached the car, she had rallied enough to move away from
him, defiantly belting herself into the seat and putting as much space between them as the
confines of the big limo would allow. To her surprise Geth didn’t react, he just belted
himself in with a wry smile and they sat in silence for the duration of the short journey.
As the car turned into Upper Brook street just off Park Lane, Lexie could see the
buildings on each side, each and every one an imposing sight, this really was the affluent
side of the city. Then as the car came to a halt and the chauffeur opened the door behind
him, Geth unclipped both their seat-belts and she had no choice but to acknowledge him
again. Looking up into his eyes she managed a ghost of a smile, which he returned before
unfolding his long legs onto the pavement and turning to extend a hand to assist her to
follow him. Lexie was still concentrating on making her exit from the car, acutely aware of
the warmth of the hand that enfolded hers. So the explosion of light and noise took her
completely by surprise. What felt like a crowd, but was actually only half a dozen of the
cities paparazzi, mobbed the car.
Cameras flashed and voices shouted, competing for her attention and turning her
word into a nightmare of harsh lights and sounds. For a moment Lexie panicked and
instinctively turned to Geth, needing to be close to his strength, seeking his protection. He
felt small hands reach for his chest and as she moved to shelter against him he wrapped
his arms around her, deliberately creating the safe haven she sought. Keeping her close
he moved from the pavement, guiding her up the steps to the restaurant door, before
turning good naturedly to the following group of journalists.
‘Hey guys give us a break will you? You’ve succeeded in scaring my lady into
silence, not an easy task I assure you. Now if you give us peace to have our meal then by
the time we leave I will have convinced her you don’t really bite and we will give a short
interview.’
‘Are the rumours true then Mr Mathias?
Geth turned without answering and moved Lexie in front of him through the now
open restaurant door into the plush elegance of one of London’s most exclusive
establishments. As the door closed out the clamouring press he gently clasped her
trembling shoulders to move her out of the circle of his arms.
‘Ok cariad? They’ve gone, at least for now, I’m sorry, I should have warned you, my
PR guys let the news leak about an hour ago. They can be nerve racking I know, but you
will get used to it I promise. When we leave here later just stay close to me and just do as I
say and it will be fine.’
Lexie took a moment to let the warm quiet ambience of the place chase the panic from her
brain, then looking up at Geth she gave him a small smile and let him lead her into the
restaurant, where they were soon seated at the best table it could offer. Calming greens
and plush dusky pinks created a stunning backdrop for the elegant pure white of the table
settings. Subtle lighting gave the place an intimate feeling and the quiet, efficient service
underlined the opulence of the place. Lexie gave all her attention to the extensive menu,
wondering how on earth she was going to chose what to have. Page after page of
mouthwatering dishes made the task seem gargantuan, but when Geth, seeing her
indecision, offered to order for them both she declined. No need to let him think he is in
absolute control, she thought. Eventually she decided on a starter of lobster salad with
mangoes, avocado, basil and lime, followed by roast saddle of rabbit with crispy potatoes.
Geth also ordered the lobster salad to start but then opted for a steak. As Geth ordered
and approved the wine, Lexie watched him from under lowered lashes, it was obvious he
was completely at home in this setting, he looked like the million dollar man he was, it only
served to make her wonder again at his insistence on this ridiculous charade.
‘Penny for them cariad,’
Lexie hesitated as his voice broke gently in on her reverie, then reaching for her
now filled glass, she took a deep breath and smiled back at him. She was in the most
amazing restaurant which would normally be way out of her reach, sitting opposite a
gorgeous man, his diamonds sat sparkling on her finger and she was just about to be
whisked away to a city and country she had always longed to see but had never imagined
she would ever be able to afford. Mared was right it would be madness not to make the
most of this and that was what she would do. Enjoy this right here right now for what it
was, an incredible opportunity she would never have again, and be damned to what might
follow, she would cope with that one thing at a time. Geth watched, on guard, as she
obviously tussled with her thoughts, then breathed a sigh of relief as she lifted her glass,
tilted her head slightly to one side questioningly and smiled at him. He followed her lead
and raised his own glass slowly, waiting, letting her take the initiative, and when she lightly
clinked their glasses and murmured a quiet toast, ‘ here’s to us, at least for a while’, he
returned her smile, and Lexie felt again the little twist of response deep in her gut as his
smiling eyes held hers.
The wine was delicious, reminding Lexie of the few days she’d spent cycling
through France on a cheap student break. The warm mellow sun of a late French summer
seemed to shine from the glass and she could taste the remembered breeze scented with
herbs and fruits in its full flavoured richness. The food needless to say was like nothing
she had ever eaten before and she marveled at how such dainty portions, beautifully
presented, could hold such depth of flavour. Throughout the meal Geth was charm itself,
he kept her chatting, drawing her to speak of the things that filled her life. Occasionally
offering a little information about himself, his work and his family. Once their empty dishes
were removed Geth ordered L’Assiette du Chef, which turned out to be a selection of the
chefs favourite desserts and a selection of French and British farmhouse cheeses, to finish
the meal. Lexie was entranced by the array of perfect miniatures she was presented with,
and Geth smiled indulgently as he watched her. As she slowly tasted one unctuous little
pot of Apricot and Cointreau souffle he felt his guts kick in an almost painful reaction to the
contrast between the innocent pleasure mirrored in a pair of deep violet eyes and the
sensual erotic movement of the silver spoon as it slipped, oh so slowly, between dusky
pink lips. Thankfully the table hid the evidence of his sudden arousal, giving him time to
regain control.
Just at that moment, the Maitre d’ appeared flanked by a pair of waiters bearing an
elaborate silver ice bucket, a magnum of champagne and a pair of crystal flutes. He
proceeded to pop the cork with quiet efficiency and as the froth settled into its sparkling
golden, foam topped perfection, he offered the compliments of the establishment on this
joyous occasion, to a stunned Lexie. Geth, smiling just sat back and watched as she gave
gracious thanks and sipped her wine with a soft glow of pleasure. ‘Oh my’ she thought
silently, heaven, absolute heaven, but a niggling little voice in the back of her mind would
not be silenced ‘but what will the price be?’ it questioned.
All too soon, they meal was over and it was time to leave. The private jet that would
carry them to Montreal was waiting, Geth explained.
‘We’re flying from a small private airfield near London at 11 pm, the flight is a little
under seven hours so with the time difference, Montreal is five hours behind London, we
will land at 1 am. We should be at the apartment by 2 am that way we get a few hours to
rest before the day begins. I have a breakfast meeting scheduled tomorrow and then after
an hour or two in the office, I’ll be back to take you with me to a lunch meeting. After that
we have the rest of the day free to spend as we please.’