She shivered. But whether it was from his words or the cool breeze, she didn’t know. She just knew that the longer she stood outside talking to this man the more people were starting to notice. And—“Is that person taking our picture?”
He pivoted, and sure enough, the person pointed his camera and then grinned. “Thanks, Eric! Who’s your girlfriend?”
Her breath stalled. “I’m not—”
“Don’t speak to them,” Eric cautioned. “People like that want to make a quick buck from people like us.”
People like us?While she’d wanted forever to be part of this stratosphere, she wasn’t sure she wanted all the trappings. “I can’t believe you have photographer stalkers.”
“I have a lot of things, EJ.” He smiled without humour. “That’s why it’s sometimes hard to discern what is real and what is true.”
She nodded. “There must be a lot of people in your world who want something from you, so you can never be too sure about their motives.”
“Exactly so.” His eyes glinted. “I have to admit it’s crossed my mind a time or two about the motives of certain entrepreneurs I’ve had the fortune to dine with.”
Her cheeks heated. “You don’t mean me, do you? You know I’m only interested in your money.”
He laughed, and she heard what her words sounded like.
“Oh my gosh.” Yet more cringe time. How gauche was she? “I didn’t mean to sound so mercenary.”
“On the contrary, I prefer to know what this is. And you’re right. Ours is strictly a business relationship.”
“Absolutely.”
He studied her a moment longer. “Of course, if ever you might wish to have another coffee or indeed a meal, I could be persuaded to think of it in another regard, if you wished.”
She blinked, her heart hammering. Was he really saying what she thought he was?
“And if that proves to be the case, I do hope you’ll let me know.”
Oh my goodness.Was he hinting he’d like to date her? Her words slipped out faster than her brain could keep guard. “If that ever proves to be the case, I will let you know.”
“Good.”
“Good.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for today, Eric.”
“Thank you, EJ.” He clasped her hand. “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” His fingers caressed hers. “And you’ll let me know if ever you do change your mind, won’t you?”
She pulled her hand away. “I will.”
“Promise?” he asked in a low tone.
For an answer, she only smiled and walked away, taking care not to hurry in case he thought she was scared. She wasn’t scared. Well, not really. And not of him necessarily, but what this latest interaction could actually lead to. Something way bigger than she’d imagined. Beyond her wildest dreams.
Some might say she was playing with fire, but never had she felt so alive.
Chapter 13
In all his years of knowing Emma-Jane Bennett, never in Jordan’s wildest dreams had he imagined walking into a supermarket and seeing her face splashed across the cover of a weekly women’s magazine. And certainly not pictured in a restaurant with one of Australia’s richest men looking like he wanted to devour her. Seriously?
Hurt creased his chest as he picked up the magazine and flicked through a couple of pages to the article. ERICCHURCHILL ANDHISMYSTERYBRUNETTE, screamed the headline.
And sure enough, the article didn’t hold much information apart from that, certainly no details about EJ, which was probably something to be thankful for. He guessed this was from her Dream Match appointment with Eric when he’d been too sick to attend, so that was something at least. But it didn’t change the savage pang of jealousy he felt. They certainly looked very cosy in that picture.
EJ had called him on her journey home, saying the meeting had gone very well. He hadn’t realised it had gone so well that people were now speculating even more that it was a date. He was tempted to call her again, to see if she knew about themagazine cover, but then figured if she hadn’t yet, it might freak her out. Then figured if she walked into a supermarket and saw her face on a magazine cover, that might freak her out even more. So he did what any best friend would do and called her.
“You’ve reached EJ. Please leave a message.”
