Nights of Passion. Anne Mather

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ streamed towards them, illuminating palm trees and huge planters filled with flowering shrubs. Waxy anthuriums and scarlet proteas grew in careless profusion, reminding her of the semi-tropical climate, the heat of which had been briefly relieved by the fresh breeze blowing in her face.

      ‘There’s a tropical storm off Cuba,’ Joe commented as she tucked her tumbled hair behind her ears. ‘With a bit of luck, it won’t come our way.’ Then he smiled. ‘How’s Daisy tonight?’

      Rachel thought how ironic it was that Joe seemed more concerned about her daughter than the girl’s father. ‘She’s fine.’ She paused. ‘She really loves the video iPod. She’s been watching one of the films you downloaded for her.’

      ‘That would be fun for you.’

      ‘Well, we did talk a little. Mostly about the fact that she wants to come home with me.’

      ‘To England?’

      ‘Hmm.’ Rachel nodded. ‘I’ve explained that Dr Gonzales might not agree. I’ve got an appointment to see him tomorrow morning.’ She hesitated and then went on, ‘I half wish she could. Steve has other plans, I think. He didn’t expect this to happen.’

      Joe’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel. So Lauren had apparently got her way about the proposed trip to New York. He didn’t know why he felt so angry about the way they were treating Daisy, but he did. She wasn’t his daughter, but that didn’t stop him from caring what happened to her.

      ‘Why don’t you stay on for a couple more weeks?’ he found himself saying, almost without his own volition. ‘I have a house on Biscayne Bay you could use. It would give Daisy time to recuperate.’

      Rachel caught her breath. ‘I couldn’t do that.’ ‘Oh, right.’ Joe frowned. ‘You’ve got a deadline for your book. I’d forgotten about that.’

      ‘The book’s not a problem.’ Rachel lifted her shoulders. ‘I wouldn’t be able to work if I was worrying about Daisy.’

      ‘So what is the problem?’ asked Joe quietly, bringing the powerful sports car to a halt outside what looked like a private dwelling. ‘You don’t want my help, is that it?’ His eyes narrowed. ‘What are you afraid of, Rachel? That I’ll expect some personal compensation in lieu of rent?’

      ‘No.’ Rachel glanced anxiously towards the building they were parked outside, wondering if she’d been entirely wise to trust him after all. ‘I—we, that is, Daisy and I—we can’t stay in your house.’ She shook her head. ‘However innocent your offer is, it wouldn’t be right.’

      She thought Joe swore, but he thrust his door open without saying anything more and seconds later he was at her side of the vehicle, offering her his hand. His fingers were surprisingly cool considering the temperature, or perhaps it was the sweaty slipperiness of her own that made such a contrast.

      Rachel’s skirt slid along her thighs as she swung her feet to the pavement, and Joe felt another surge of frustration at the effect those slim bare legs had on his libido. For God’s sake, what was wrong with him? She wasn’t the kind of woman to get involved with. The word ‘commitment’ simply wasn’t in his vocabulary.

      Meanwhile Rachel was making an effort to smooth her tangled hair. Threading her fingers through it, she was intensely conscious of how her action exposed a provocative wedge of her midriff. Had Joe noticed? she speculated, her pulse quickening. Of course he had. She caught her breath. Was he wondering how far she was prepared to go?

      The appearance of a young man wearing a black waistcoat over a crisp white shirt and pin-striped trousers brought a welcome breath of sanity to the situation. ‘Evenin', Mr Mendez,’ he greeted Joe familiarly. ‘Evenin', ma’am; welcome to the Sea House. And how are y’all this evening? Hopin’ that tropical storm gives us a wide berth, I’ll bet?’

      ‘You got it.’ Joe forced a smile and handed over his car keys. Then Rachel felt his hand in the small of her back. ‘Come on.’ He ushered her up the steps into a lamplit foyer. ‘The food here is excellent. I always come at least once when I’m in Miami.’

      The maître d’ met them in the foyer; a short, dark-skinned man of Latino ancestry, he greeted Joe like a long-lost brother. ‘Joe, my man,’ he said, shaking Joe’s hand warmly. ‘I heard you were in the city and I was wondering if you were going to pay us a visit this time around.’

      ‘Would I miss tasting your seared sea bass?’ asked Joe good-naturedly, his hand slipping naturally about Rachel’s waist. ‘Meet Henri Libre, Rachel. He’s another South American exile who’s made a name for himself in Miami and New York.’

      ‘How do you do?’

      Rachel allowed the little man to take her hand, supremely conscious when Joe’s fingers moved against her skin. If his intention was to ensure she was aware of him, he was wasting his time. She’d been aware of no one else since he’d arrived at the clinic.

      The restaurant was through opaque glass doors, and it was instantly cooler once the doors closed behind them. Henri offered them a drink at the adjoining bar, and Joe asked her if she’d like a cocktail. ‘You must try Antonio’s margaritas,’ he said, nodding to the barman. ‘He makes the best cocktails in the city.’

      Rachel was helped onto a stool at the bar, and presently a broad-rimmed glass was set in front of her. ‘Try it,’ Joe said, watching her. ‘I’ve told Antonio to hold the salt.’

      The tequila caught the back of Rachel’s throat, and for a moment she felt as if she couldn’t get her breath. Then the alcohol found its way to her stomach and she took a steadying gulp of air. The last thing she needed was to get tipsy, she thought. Being with Joe was intoxicating enough as it was.

      Leaving her glass on the bar, she half turned to survey the room behind her. From what she could see, the restaurant was small and intimate, lamplit booths and carefully arranged trellises of greenery providing both privacy and anonymity for the guests. Which was probably why Joe liked it, she reflected a little cynically. A man of his wealth and power was bound to attract attention wherever he went. Yet, despite his obvious attraction for women, he didn’t strike her as the kind of man who would court notoriety.

      ‘Don’t you like it?’

      Joe, who she noticed had accepted only a soft drink, drew her attention, and she swung round again, bumping her knees against his. ‘Oh, sorry,’ she said as he parted his legs to accommodate her. But instead of allowing her to move back to the bar, he imprisoned her knees between both of his.

      ‘My pleasure,’ he said. ‘So, tell me, do you like the margarita?’

      Rachel glanced at the drink. ‘It’s very nice,’ she said breathily. Then, in an effort to distract herself, ‘You’re only drinking tonic.’

      ‘I need to keep my head around you,’ said Joe huskily. His eyes darkened as they rested on her mouth. A tiny drop of liquid rested on her lower lip, and before he could stop himself he’d leant forward and captured it with his tongue. ‘Have you any idea how good you taste?’

      Rachel swallowed. ‘I don’t think you should make fun of me,’ she protested, and Joe stifled a rueful laugh.

      ‘Oh, baby,’ he said. ‘I’m not making fun of you.’ He hesitated, and then continued roughly, ‘Myself, maybe. I’m the one who’s drowning here.’

СКАЧАТЬ