Sarah's Child Read Online Free PDF Page B

at that. No spirits?
    Im not much of a drinker. My metabolism cant handle it. I found out in college that Im the worlds cheapest drunk.
    When she smiled, her face took on an animation that made him catch his breath. He shifted uncomfortably. Damn! Everything she did made him think of sex.
    I think Ill pass on a drink, unless youre inviting me to dinner? His eyebrows rose in question.
    Sarah sank back into her chair, unnerved by the speed with which he presumed on their newly formed friendship. How could she invite him to dinner? It was already late in the afternoon, and she hadnt bought groceries. The most nutritious meal she could offer him would be peanut butter sandwiches, and Rome didnt look like a peanut butter man. What did he like to eat? Frantically she tried to call to mind the type of meals Diane had prepared, but Diane had been such a total disaster as a cook that her efforts had been limited to the simple things she could prepare without too much risk, and which reflected necessity rather than anyones preference. Sarah was an excellent cook, but there was a limit to what could be done with a partial loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter.
    Finally she turned up her palms helplessly. My cupboards arent bare, but theyre the next thing to it. I can invite you to dinner, but it will be a late one, because Ill have to go shopping first.
    Her candor delighted him, and he laughed, a genuine laugh that made his dark eyes dance with light. Sarah caught her breath. He certainly wasnt handsome, but when he laughed, Rome Matthews could charm the birds out of the trees. That dark velvet laugh made her spine tingle, and she thought of lying in bed with him in the darkness, after making love. Theyd talk, and his voice would wash over her, the rumbling tones making her feel secure and protected.
    Why dont I take you out to dinner instead? he offered, and suddenly Sarah knew that hed planned that all along, but had decided to tease her first.
    All right, she accepted softly. What do you have in mind?
    Steak. If we cant find the worlds biggest steak in Texas, then it cant be found. I havent had lunch, he confessed.
    Because he was so hungry, they had an early dinner. Sarah sat across from him and chewed her steak without really tasting it, her mind on Rome and every nuance of his expression, every word he uttered. She felt bemused by the turn of events; she simply couldnt believe she was eating dinner with him, making normal conversation, as if the abrupt, searing moments in his arms the night before had never happened. Shed been out to dinner hundreds of times before, but always with men who had never ruffled her layers of indifference. She wasnt indifferent at all with Rome: she felt bare, exposed, though it was an inner vulnerability that wasnt revealed by her calm expression. Her nerves were quivering, and her heartbeat was accelerated.
    Still, she managed to make normal conversation, and it was inevitable that the talk should turn to their work. Sarahs boss, Mr. Graham, the senior vice president, nominally outranked Rome, but it was no secret that when Mr. Edwards, the chairman of the board, retired, Henry Graham wouldnt be the one who advanced to the chair. Rome was young, but he was a brilliant corporate strategist, and he understood every phase of the company. Sarah thought he was perfectly suited for such a high position of authority; he had the forceful personality, the intelligence, the charisma, needed to handle the job. In the years shed known him, shed only seen him lose his temper once while at work, and that display had sent people scurrying for cover. He had a temper, but it was usually under iron control. That made it doubly surprising that hed lost his temper with her the night before, with so little provocation.
    At first Rome was a little stiff, as if wary of saying too much to her, but as the hours wore on he relaxed with her, leaning forward over the table in interest, his gaze fixed intently on her face.