‘What then?’
‘I just don’t want to make it too easy for you.’
‘Easy?’ She pierced a cube of paneer rather aggressively. ‘Surely conversation should be easy? Isn’t that the whole point?’
‘Yes, but like I said before, you don’t strike me as someone who enjoys taking the easy route.’ His face lit up in delight. ‘I know – let’s make a deal.’
‘What kind of deal?’
‘Firstly, you let me pay for this meal, andthen,’ Jacob continued over Olivia’s attempted protest, ‘if you agree to come for a walk and get some dessert with me, I’ll let you ask me some questions.’
‘Absolutely not.’
‘Why?’
‘Because that’s a stupid deal.’
Olivia sat back in her seat, fully taking in the strange creature opposite her. His wild hair looked like it had seen abrief kiss from a comb, and his white shirt glowed pristine under the lights. The dark eyes remained the same: searching, curious and intense in their gaze.
‘All right, then.’ He licked his fork wickedly. ‘No questions for you.’
‘Jacob! I can’t let you payagain.’
‘Who says?’
‘I do! And besides, why does everything have to be some sort of bargain with you? Why is nothing straightforward?’
‘Because what in life ever is?’
He extended his hand across the table.
‘Do we have a deal?’
Olivia folded her arms across her chest. There was no way she was going to let him do this. No way …
‘Look.’ He leant forwards. Olivia could smell the scent of his soap and see the freshly shaved stubble on his chin. ‘It’s your last night here. I know it’s expensive. I know you are an independent woman who can afford to buy her own meals and look after herself. I just …’ He dropped his gaze momentarily. ‘I just would like to treat you, if that’s all right?’
Olivia felt her guard lower a little.
‘And this way, you get something out of it too. All the information about me that you want.’ He grinned, edging his outstretched hand an inch closer to hers. ‘Please?’
As much as she hated to admit it, there was something deep inside her that needed to know more about this man, with his beetle-black eyes and his irritatingly attractive smile.
Slowly, she brought her hand up to meet his and shook it firmly.
‘Fine. We have a deal.’
*
‘I swear we’ve already been down this street,’ Olivia huffed, a sense of déjà vu settling over her as they wandered aimlessly along yet another dusty side road.
Jacob turned around and looked behind him. ‘Hmm, I don’t think so. I don’t remember seeing that cat before.’ He pointed at a scrawny tortoiseshell across the street.
‘Pleasedon’t tell me you’ve been using stray animals as landmarks, or I’ll lose my mind.’
‘No, that would be ridiculous!’ He laughed. ‘And “landmarks” suggests there’s a final destination in mind.’
‘And you’re only telling menowthat there isn’t?’
