Desire (#2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

nothing,” I said. “I’m just being my usual clumsy self.” I tried to mop up the mess with a napkin and signed the check.
    I thought about asking Colin if he noticed anything odd about the newspaper man, but when I looked again, the man had disappeared.
    As we walked to the exit, I tried to convince myself I’d been imagining things. Why on earth would they follow me all the way here?
    I looked out at the busy London thoroughfare and waited for the concierge to try and conjure us up a black cab. I craned my neck, looking around for the man with the newspaper. I’d only seen his face for a moment, but I was sure I’d recognise him. How could he vanish like that in a busy hotel? It didn’t make sense.
    Even after we climbed into the black cab, I kept my eyes on the entrance. For a moment, I thought I spotted him. Then, a lady wearing a large, elaborate hat, moved through the revolving doors, blocking my view. I turned and looked through the rear window as the cab pulled away.
    “Are you all right, Kate?” Colin asked.
    I turned back around to face him and leaned back into the seat. “Fine. I just thought I saw someone …” I shook my head. “It’s nothing.”
    As the black cab cruised along the bus lane, I looked out at the historic buildings lining Brook Street.
    It didn’t take us long to reach the Tate. As Colin leaned forward to pay the driver, I felt a wave of affection for him. It really was lovely of him to organise this for me. I’m quite sure he had visited London numerous times in the past, so he must have arranged this trip to the Tate solely for my benefit.
    “Thank you, Colin,” I said as I climbed out of the cab.
    He closed the cab door behind us and offered me his arm.
    “For arranging this.” I nodded at the elegant entrance to the Tate Britain. “It really is very kind of you.”
    “Oh, Kate,” he said, patting my hand. “This is much more fun than work.” He winked at me as we walked up the stone steps and passed a group of tourists munching their sandwiches.
    “Besides,” he said. “This was Benjamin’s idea.”
    “It was?” I looked at Colin surprised. “I didn’t think he was into all this touristy stuff.”
    “I think he is making an exception for you.”
    A warm glow spread through my body. Maybe Benjamin did care about me. Perhaps it was more than just sex?
    “Yes. He’s going to try and meet us here. We’re extremely privileged, you know? I’ve never known him to take time off work for an excursion before.”
    I grinned like an idiot, hope creeping into my heart.
    At the reception area, we collected tickets for the current exhibition. Entrance was free to the main part of the museum, but Colin inserted a couple of notes into the large plastic collection container.
    “Now where shall we start?” he asked as we stood by the coloured floor plan.
    “How about the Renaissance?” I suggested eagerly.
    We made our way through hallways with high ceilings, passing groups of tourists with black earphones over their ears carrying audio equipment. I preferred to look at the paintings and look at the captions rather than listen to an audio guide.
    We had made our way around ten of the paintings when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Benjamin striding towards us. Tall, dark and handsome and thoroughly intoxicating.
    His dark bad-boy looks started a fluttering in my belly. My eyes raked over his broad shoulders, sharp dark, grey suit and expensive leather shoes before they travelled back up to his gorgeous face.
    I realised I was holding my breath.
    He leaned over to kiss me, and I breathed in his delicious clean scent.
    He turned to say something to Colin when his cell phone rang. He grimaced, pulling it out of his jacket pocket, and turned away from us to take the call.
    Colin looked down at me, and obviously noticing my disappointment, said, “That’s what happens when you run a billion-dollar concern. Everyone wants a piece of you all the time.”
    I