came from a hundred miles off. “I confess you’re a good kisser, and I hope you’ll admit I’m not so bad myself.”
“I’m certainly not complaining.” He was glad that his voice, though a little hoarse, sounded almost normal.
“But we shouldn’t get too fond of each other. The last thing I want is to get involved with a guy like you,” Cat said serenely, though her apparent calm was at odds with the rate at which her chest was rising and falling under her sweater.
“The feeling’s mutual.” Rather put out, Leopold took a step back.
“Come on, don’t be cross. I don’t deny that you’re an extremely handsome man and that I’ve had a lovely time with you today, but really, we both know that we couldn’t be more different.”
“I wasn’t asking you to marry me,” he replied.
“Shame.” Catalina sighed, giving him a look of feigned sadness. “But I can tell you’re one of those men who’s allergic to commitment.”
With something like a grunt, Leopold finally released her. “We should head back,” he announced. “The sky’s turning dark.”
The smile disappeared from her face. “We’re not in any danger, are we? Just thinking about falling into this water gives me goose bumps,” she said, rubbing her arms.
Seeing her frightened face, his eyes softened and he tried to reassure her. “I’m a good sailor. Trust me.” With surprising agility for a man of his size, he leapt into the little cabin and, seconds later, reappeared with a couple of yellow raincoats. “Put one of these on. You’re going to need it.”
Catalina pulled on a raincoat and obediently followed his directions. The sailboat cleaved through the choppy waters of the Thames at full tilt, but within a half an hour the rain began to pour down. Keeping a firm hand on the tiller, Leopold stole a glance at Cat, and a smile spread across his face. Despite her hood, the young woman’s hair was drenched, and the raincoat was so enormous on her that she looked like a little girl in fancy dress. He was overcome with a sudden wave of tenderness, and he put an arm around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing to be afraid of!” he shouted.
“I’m not afraid anymore!” she answered, trying to make herself heard above the din of the rain and wind. Judging by the glimmer in her eyes, she was telling the truth, and Leopold felt a surge of admiration for her.
An hour and a half later, Cat was standing at the door to her apartment, handing back the sodden raincoat. “Thank you so much for inviting me, Leo. I had no idea sailing could be so thrilling. I had an amazing time!”
Leopold examined her face looking up at him and smiled again; he could see she wasn’t lying—Catalina couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. “You should go have a hot bath or you’ll catch pneumonia.”
“Yes, Dad. Good night,” she said teasingly, quickly disappearing through the door.
What an exasperating woman , he decided.
Despite everything, he had thoroughly enjoyed himself. Miss Stapleton was a force of nature to be reckoned with, he thought. Of course, she was in no way the kind of woman he was attracted to; she was too forthright, she was rather unsophisticated, and she had an irritating tendency to turn everything into a joke. Granted, she had a charming side, but her body wasn’t voluptuous enough for his taste . . . Then again, he couldn’t forget that rush of testosterone he’d experienced when he kissed her. It’s the novelty, along with the fact that I haven’t been with a woman in so long. I’ll call Alison next week , he promised himself.
He and Alison had been dating on and off for almost two years. She worked at a law firm that had handled a number of affairs for Sinclair & Associates, and she often accompanied him to the dances and social events he was frequently invited to attend. Alison was a successful career woman; she understood perfectly how important Leopold’s work