‘She thinks he’s more attractive than you.’ Hattie cocked her head to look up at him, all innocence. The quick amusement and challenge in her teasing smile made his pulse kick up a notch.
‘And what do you think?’ he asked, lowering his voice, keeping his gaze on her face.
Her eyes twinkled for a second and then she grinned. ‘Don’t you know?’
‘I might need a touch of reassurance.’ He lowered his voice.
She laughed up at him, her brown eyes, full of amber flecks, dancing like leaves in autumn. ‘Luc Brémont. You. Do not. Need any kind of reassurance. You were born with super-power flirting genes.’
He grinned at her. ‘But of course.’
It was tempting to tease her some more but he did want to help Alphonse.
‘I am being serious. I think Fliss likes him more than she’s letting on.’
‘I hope you’re right. What if it all goes wrong?’ Hattie looked genuinely concerned.
‘Where’s the romance in your soul?’ He lifted her chin and kissed her on the mouth.
‘I’m too sensible to be romantic,’ she said, putting on her best prim face.
He kissed her again, his lips toying with hers before he felt her mouth soften beneath his.
‘I don’t believe that, Hattie.’ His hand skimmed her jaw and he whispered against her mouth, ‘I don’t think anyone has looked after you properly,’ before deepening the kiss and sliding a hand along her collarbone.
When they pulled apart, she looked up at him, pink and a little dazed. Adorable – and he couldn’t help a sharp tug of possessive satisfaction. He did enjoy disconcerting her.
He kissed her quickly. ‘And I don’t think you’re sensible. Not at all.’
‘Luc Brémont, you’re a very bad influence.’
‘I know,’ he said, touched her lips with his fingers and left the room before she could have the last word.
ChapterThirty-Two
Later that afternoon Hattie set off down to the vineyard on her mission and found Alphonse sitting on the wooden bench in front of the cellars, scrolling through his phone. There was no sign of Luc.
‘Hi, Alphonse. How are you today?’
‘Bonjour, Hattie,’ called Alphonse. ‘Luc has gone into Hautvillers, I’m afraid.’
‘No problem.’ She knew that because he’d told her just before he left. ‘I just wanted to get some fresh air. It’s a beautiful day.’
‘It is.’ Alphonse lapsed into silence and went back to his phone.
‘Are you looking forward to the wedding?’ she asked, cursing at her inanity.
He shrugged. ‘It will be good forMamanto get Yvette off her hands.’
‘She’s enjoying Fliss’s company.’ Even to her that sounded a lame way of introducing the subject.
‘Mm,’ said Alphonse. Hattie’s heart sank. She was rubbish at this sort of thing and he wasn’t the most talkative of people – unless he was talking to Fliss. It was the lightbulb prod she needed. They were perfect for each other.
‘I don’t suppose you’d come out for a drink with us this evening.’
Alphonse looked up.
‘With me, Luc and Fliss,’ she added.
