He appeared calm, Camila would give him that much. But even still, she detected a fresh hint of surprise on his face. Another breath pushed slowly through his lips before he continued. “I find it’s better to do business if—”
“We’re not doing business, okay? I’ve never worked for you. I don’tintendto work for you. What I’d like to do is refresh your memory.” She held her breath for a blink, released a deep exhale, and gave him a hint. “Mr. Shimwah’s party—we bumped into each other on his back patio steps.”
She studied his face as he took in her words, waiting for a flash of enlightenment.
At last, it came. A fresh glint sparked in his blue eyes.
He pointed at her. “Quail eggs.”
“That’s right.” She might feel a level of satisfaction, but Mr. Benton didn’t look the least bit sorry. He looked more pleased with himself for remembering.
His chest and shoulders puffed as he nodded. “Yes, I remember now. That was a great meal, actually. You’re a talented cook.”
Camila’s lips were parted and poised for her next words. Words that evaporated before she could even speak them. Her thoughts bounced back to the social media posts. “If you think so, you should tell yourgirlfriendthat. She posted about me that night, in case you didn’t know, and made me look like a total idiot. I’m still trying to recover.”
His gaze shifted for a beat, taking her in from head to toe. An odd dose of heat skittered over her skin as he met her eyes once more.
“I didn’t know that,” he said, voice raspy.
Grandma used to say Camila possessed a secret talent—one that was nearly foolproof: she could spot a lie from a mile away. And as she tuned into those senses, catching the sincerity in his blue eyes, Camila detected truth in his words. In fact, she’d bet his billions that he truly didn’t know about the posts.
“Listen,” he said, putting his arms up to either side of him. “I apologize for any part I might have played in Adel’s post. Let me make it right by employing you this month. If the food at Shimwah’s is any indication, I’m sure I’ll be pleased with your services, and I can make a public recommendation online.” He tipped his head a bit.
“Well, have my PA post it from my account since I’m no good at that stuff.”
Camila felt her shoulders loosen, the tension seeming to drain from them as she considered his offer. “That would be nice.”
She remembered thinking he was attractive when he wandered into the pantry at the dinner party. That attraction or anything resembling it had vanished upon his outburst on the steps. Adel Bordeaux‘s posts had made the two of them seem downright ugly from her perspective.
But in that moment, with the powerful billionaire just steps away from her, Camila felt that attraction creeping in once more. She gulped as her cheeks flushed warm. “I won’t stay if your girlfriend’s going to be here.”
“She won’t.”
“Not even for a visit?”
Another two steps brought him even closer. Had she realized he was so tall?
He dropped his arms to his sides. “Not even for a visit.”
A new level of relief swept through her. Maybe this was doable after all.
“So?” Mr. Benton stretched a hand toward her. “You’ll stay?”
Camila went over the payment in her mind, adding his promise to the mix. Having his recommendation would go a long way. Heck, it’d be coming from the very guy she’d spilled the dumb quail egg on to begin with; what was better?
At last she managed a stiff nod as she reached to shake his hand in return. “Yes, I’ll stay.”
The brooding furrow in his brow smoothed a bit. “Now,” he said, “let’s try this again, shall we? I’m James Benton. And you are…” He lifted his chin as he drifted off.
“Camila Lopez.” She firmed up another handshake, since he still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“Camila,” he said with a nod.
The sound of her name in his deep, powerful voice caused warmth to circle her heart. Very few people pronounced her name with the accent. She liked the way he had.
“It’s late,” he said. “Why don’t I fend for myself this evening, and we can start fresh in the morning?”
“If that’s what you’d like.” She tried to hide the disappointment she felt at his request; she was anxious to get cooking. It was what she was there for, after all.
