“So how do you explain the twin models from Milan photographed topless on your hotel balcony in Cannes?”
“They needed a place to crash and I spent the night on the phone to Hong Kong.”
Noelle’s lips thinned as she nodded. “And the Spanish heiress who ran away from her wedding with you?”
“It was an arranged marriage and she was in love with an architect from Brussels who happened to be doing some work on my apartment in London.”
“You’re asking me to believe you’re in the habit of rescuing women these days?”
He understood her skepticism. Five years earlier his playboy reputation had been well earned. But the day he’d arranged for Noelle to study in Paris was the day he’d begun to change. She’d been the first woman he’d saved. And the only one who’d needed to be rescued from him.
“There’s a long list of women I’ve helped. I could put you in touch with some of them if it would help improve your perception of me.” She wasn’t going to take his pursuit seriously if she thought he hadn’t changed.
“I’m sure there are scads of women who would line up to sing your praises.”
“Have dinner with me.” He repeated his earlier invitation, determined to convince her this wasn’t a ploy or a scam. “We have a great deal to talk about.”
She shook her head. “The only thing that concerns me is your intentions for my son. We can talk about ground rules here or at your office. There’s no reason for us to become more than civil acquaintances.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I can name several very good reasons why we should take our relationship to a close, personal level. Starting with the fact that I make you nervous.” He caught her chin and turned her face so he could snare her gaze. “I think that means you still have feelings for me. I know I have feelings for you. We belong together.”
“I’m with Geoff. Nothing you can say or do will change that.”
Christian slid his thumb across her lower lip and watched her pupils dilate. No doubt she was counting on her words and actions to effectively put him off, but there was no hiding her body’s reaction.
With a slow smile, his hand fell away. “We’ll see.”