Free One Hot Winter's Night by Serenity Woods Page A

more than a whisper.
    “Now they do. I have to. You see, don’t tell anyone, but my real name’s Heathcliff.”
    She stared at him. “You’re kidding me.” That was too weird.
    “I’m afraid not. My mother is a huge Brontë fan.” He grinned, stepping back from her. The band had finished, and everyone had started to move to the tables, ready for dinner.
    “Think about it,” he murmured. “Let me know when you make up your mind.” And, taking her hand, he led her toward where Alexander was sitting.
    She followed him, her head spinning. As many orgasms as we can cram into one night. Oh my. How was she supposed to turn down an offer like that?
    The tables seated eight. Alexander was talking to a couple from the Egyptian Museum on his right. Sayed sat the other side of them. Heath led Cat next to Alexander. Then, to her surprise, he took the seat next to her. He shook out his napkin, seemingly oblivious to the glares from Sayed and Alexander, and accepted a glass of champagne from the waiter.
    “ Skål !” he said to her, holding up his glass.
    Her lips twitched, and she clinked his glass with hers. “ Skål .”
    Oh dear. This was going to be a very awkward evening.
    In actual fact, though, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable meals she’d had for a long time. Heath started the conversation by asking Sayed about his collection of artefacts, and before long they were all discussing archaeology and relics, and the atmosphere gradually thawed. Only Alexander was quieter than usual, his gaze settling on her thoughtfully more than once.
    Toward the end of the meal, Heath glanced at him and then looked across at Cat. “What’s up with him?” he asked her. He was in the process of polishing off his last course, a rich chocolate mousse cake she’d decided not to have.
    She wasn’t going to think about what he’d offered to do with the chocolate sauce. “Alexander’s cross with me. No idea why.”
    He looked across at the older man, taking another spoon of the cake. “That might be something to do with me.”
    “What did you say?”
    “He’s worried I’m going to break your heart.” He sucked his spoon, studying her with his warm, hazel eyes. “Don’t worry. I told him we’re only having sex.” He laughed out loud at the alarm on her face. “I’m joking, Catherine.”
    “Don’t call me that.” She glared at him. “What did you really say to him?”
    He smiled. “I told him he doesn’t have to worry—that I have no intention of hurting you.”
    She huffed.
    He raised an eyebrow. “What was that for?”
    “I haven’t forgotten you’re the Silver Fox. You know what foxes are famous for?”
    He scooped up the last of his dessert. “I don’t know any famous foxes, but I’m sure you’re about to enlighten me.”
    “For being sly, sneaky, and cunning.”
    He licked his spoon. His eyes twinkled. “A cunning linguist?”
    She rolled her eyes. “And a master debater? Yes, I’ve watched Austin Powers too.”
    He grinned. “Actually, that reminds me of a quote from Hamlet : ‘Alas poor Yorick, I knew him, Fellatio.’”
    They both burst out laughing. Everyone at the table looked over at them, and Cat bit her lip, leaning back as the waiter placed a coffee before her. She glanced at Alexander, who was frowning at her. “Care to share the joke?” he asked.
    Cat didn’t dare look at Heath. “We were just talking about Shakespeare.” She sipped her coffee.
    Heath scooped a spoon of sugar into his cup. “We were discussing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and debating the best actor to play Flute.”
    Cat coughed into her drink. Alexander would be perfectly aware of the Ancient Greek term for oral sex, and she was pretty certain Sayed was too, judging by his raised eyebrows.
    Heath blew on the hot liquid in his cup, hiding a smile. She kicked him under the table and he winced.
    She took another mouthful of coffee and glanced at Alexander. He was staring at her, not smiling, but not