‘Not too deeply, please.’ Sophie felt her cheeks heat and dared herself to hold Pam’s gaze. ‘And let me point out we’re not together together.’
But after that moment on the stairs this afternoon… When he’d touched her lips with that very tanned, very sexy and no doubt very experienced thumb, it had been all she could do not to open her mouth and take it inside. To wrap her tongue around it and taste him.
Then he’d swooped in and kissed her. He’d tasted rich, dark, hot. But it hadn’t been long enough. Not nearly long enough. She pressed her lips together. Hard.
And now…now there was next Wednesday… Business trip, she reminded herself.
‘There’s never been a whiff of scandal around Jared.’ Pam interrupted Sophie’s thoughts. ‘But if they see you the way you are now…all pink and flustered-looking…I wonder who’ll be the first to start the rumour mill?’
Sophie glared at her. ‘Not you. You promised.’
Pam made a zipping movement with her thumb and forefinger. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘Tell me what I should know about this upcoming trip to Noosa. I only found out about it this afternoon. By email.’ The funny feeling she’d got in her stomach back at the office unfurled again and started to flap.
‘We were going to Noosa to consult with a few clients and look at property,’ Pam said. ‘And staying overnight,’ Sophie continued.
‘Two nights actually.’ Pam smiled as if they were co-conspirators in a secret, and that funny sensation flapped some more.
‘What if I don’t want to go?’
‘Are you seriously thinking of refusing?’
‘I—’
‘Because if you are, you’d better organise someone else pronto.’ Pam sounded surprisingly aggrieved. ‘This trip’s important to Jared.’ She stared hard at Sophie. ‘I know I go on about him but, honestly, he’s one of the good guys. Think of England. Spending money, Soph.’
Rome, Florence. The Colosseum. Michelangelo’s David. ‘Thinking, thinking. Still doesn’t make it a good idea.’
Sophie realised she wasn’t focusing on the professional aspect. She was temping for Pam and Pam had wangled this job for her instead of going through the agency as she was supposed to. She couldn’t let her down. ‘Just my thoughts spinning, Pam. Of course I’m going.’
Pam’s expression relaxed. ‘Don’t worry, the accommodation’s a luxury waterfront home on Noosa River. Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, spa, pool.’
‘I’ve been looking at the info.’
‘So you’ll know there’s plenty of room to stay out of each other’s way if that’s what you want… Is that what you want, Sophie?’
Sophie evaded the question with one of her own. ‘Why not a couple of rooms in a hotel?’
‘Because Jared wants to refurbish a place here in Surfers that he’s purchased for himself. He saw this one available for short-term rent on the net and liked some of the ideas. And it makes a change from hotels. Lighten up, work might actually be fun for a change. For both of you.’
Oh, Sophie had no doubts about that. None at all. But when they came back she could see the word Complication looming on the horizon, even if Pam was back at work by then. ‘Okay, tell me more. What’s he like out of office hours?’
Pam studied her through very perceptive eyes. Too perceptive. ‘He’s turned up at staff functions with gorgeous sophisticates—always blonde—but never the same one twice. Does that answer your question?’
Sophie shrugged as if it didn’t matter. ‘I reckon so.’ It didn’t matter, she told herself. She frowned, annoyed. It was no concern of hers how many women he had. Then she remembered Jared’s words. A good thing is only a good thing for as long as you enjoy it. ‘So he’s commitment phobic.’
Pam pursed her lips. ‘I’d say it’s more like work-focused.’
Sophie hmphed. She’d reserve judgment on that for now.
‘Career and family are his life,’ Pam went on. ‘He fought for and won guardianship of Crystal and Melissa when he was only eighteen. That was twelve years ago and he’s done a brilliant job all while expanding a now very lucrative and successful business.’
Oh. Sophie tried not to be impressed with his dedication and commitment. It didn’t extend to his relationships with the opposite sex. Again she tried not to compare him with her ex-husband but she couldn’t help it. Glen had loved women. Lots of women.
All behind Sophie’s back.
And it seemed both men preferred blondes.