Free Irrepressible You by Georgina Penney Page B

of wine later, Amy still had no idea what Ben did for a living, but that didn’t seem so important any more.
    ‘I’m not going to be able to walk out of here after that chocolate mousse,’ she groaned, discreetly rubbing her tummy while blotting her mouth with her napkin.
    ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure they have a device for extracting overfed customers at closing time. What do you think it’s called?’ Ben lounged back in his chair, looking effortlessly handsome and just a little bit predatory.
    ‘A wheelbarrow?’
    ‘Hmm, no.’ He feigned thoughtfulness. ‘It probably would be a wheelbarrow, but you’re obviously not well versed enough with the tricks of marketing. It would have to have an attractive name. We’re effectively talking about glutton extraction here.’
    ‘Are you calling me a glutton?’ Amy asked incredulously.
    ‘You’ve forgiven me for all offence this evening, remember? And no. Of course not. Perish the thought. A more effective way of removing you would be if I came around the table, threw you over my shoulder and carried you out of here. It would be incredibly manly. You’d be impressed.’ He grinned.
    ‘Or vomiting down the back of your suit.’
    ‘There is that. No. Wheelbarrow it is.’ Ben sighed. ‘Shall we go?’ He gestured to a passing waiter and requested the bill before turning back to find Amy rifling in her handbag.
    ‘Everything alright?’
    ‘Yes. Fine.’ Amy found her purse.
    Ben’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you sure because, correct me if I’m wrong, you’re brandishing that like you intend to pay.’
    Amy shrugged, forcing a cheerful smile. ‘Um, yeah. I don’t mind. I’ve really enjoyed myself. Dinner was lovely.’
    ‘So have I, and to keep it that way I’d suggest you put your money away.’ Although he still wore a contented feline smile, Ben’s tone conveyed obvious displeasure.
    ‘Are you sure?’ Amy bit her lip as he withdrew a wad of notes from his wallet and left it on the table, enough for the dinner and a generous tip.
    ‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Otherwise I’d be mortally offended.’
    Amy grimaced. Damn. Why hadn’t she listened to Myf earlier? She should have known Ben wouldn’t be like the men she’d dated in the past who’d let her pay without blinking. She’d offended him, which was the last thing she wanted to do after having so much fun tonight. Reaching out, she rested a hand on his sleeve. ‘Thank you. Dinner was lovely.’
    ‘My most profound pleasure,’ he replied, tucking his wallet back in his pocket and then noticing Amy’s downcast expression. ‘Oh damn. You’re not upset, are you?’ He looked horrified at the thought. ‘This isn’t some ludicrous Australian ritual I’ve failed to grasp, is it?’
    ‘No!’
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘Positive,’ she insisted.
    ‘Wonderful. Shall we go then?’
    ‘Okay.’ Amy heard herself say shyly, feeling a little derailed and not quite sure what was supposed to happen next. Normally she’d suggest going back to her place but right now that didn’t seem right. She stood up and Ben placed his hand on the small of her back, proprietarily, scorching through her dress as they left the restaurant.
    Ben opened Amy’s car door and took advantage of her slightly tipsy state to keep his hands on her as long as possible as she climbed in. Somewhere in the last five minutes the evening had spun a little out of his control and he was at something of a loss. His original plan had been to wine and dine the lady and then end the night with the promise of seeing her again in the near future. He’d changed his mind. He was enjoying himself far too much to want the evening to end, despite the complete curve ball she’d thrown him by trying to pay for dinner. The meaning of Myf’s earlier comment should have given him warning; he’d failed to grasp its significance, much to his peril.
    His fleeting irritation had dampened Amy’s mood and it was evident that he’d have to put