Free Persona (The 'Professional' series) by Ceri Bladen Page A

while indicating to Ella, “The same as the lady. 
Thank you.”  
    Daniel
leaned back in the chair, his stomach nicely full.  Ella was looking as
though she was still enjoying her meal.  Scarlett, on the other hand, had
hardly touched her meal, sipping the bottled water instead. 
    Daniel
observed Ella again, while she was preoccupied eating.  It hit him
suddenly, it was like a breath of fresh air to be lunching with someone who
enjoyed their food.  He realised that he was fed up watching women pick at
their food, he got pleasure watching Ella.  Just at that moment, she
looked up at him, sensing that he was looking at her. 
    She had a
drop of gravy on her chin.  Daniel discreetly pointed it out to her, Ella
wiped it away with her napkin, a blush rising in her cheeks.  He hadn’t
wanted to embarrass her, Daniel cursed under his breath, if they weren’t in a
crowded restaurant, he would have found another way to get rid of it!
    Daniel felt
Scarlett’s perfectly manicured hand run up his leg again, under the
table.  That’s was it, time to wrap lunch up. 
    He decided
there and then that he wanted to show Ella some of the sights, without
Scarlett, before they had to catch the plane home.

Chapter
16
    Ella was
glad she was in her own apartment.  She needed some space to get her
emotions back on an even keel.  She had been feeling emotionally out of
sorts, struggling for the last week, knowing that she had fallen in love with
someone that she would never be with, not in a million years.  They were
in two different leagues, two different worlds.  He could never love her,
not when he could be with anyone he wanted.  The thought depressed her.
But she was still in love with Jeff too, wasn’t she?
    Eric had
noticed and remarked, when they had returned from the airport, that she looked
pale.  She had told a white lie, saying that all the sightseeing had made
her tired.  Nevertheless, Eric had insisted that she went home for a couple
of days to revive herself. 
    She didn’t
think Daniel had looked too pleased with the suggestion at first.  Perhaps
he would get another journalist in to do her job instead?  No, that was
silly, her car was still up there along with most of her clothes.  She
recalled that Daniel had kindly arranged to have a car bring her all the way
back,  saying he didn’t want her driving such a long way on her own. 
What she didn’t know was, Daniel had desperately wanted to drive her back
himself, but he didn’t trust himself in the close confines of the car with her,
and he certainly did not want to meet Jeff.
    Jeff,
slightly out of character, had been lovely and caring since she had arrived
back.  Well, a little stifling to be truthful, but least he had shown some
interest.  Ella had felt really guilty at first.  She was in this
state because she realised she was in love with Daniel, not because she was
ill.  She was still confused, as the love she felt for Jeff was solid,
calming and what she felt for Daniel was hot, toe curling.  Perhaps she
was confusing love for lust?  She was determined to work out her big case
of lust on Jeff.  Surely then her lustful feelings towards Daniel would
go?  One problem there though.  Since she had returned, Jeff had been
treating her like she would break, tucking her into bed early for rest. 
She would have to put a stop to that, she was not an invalid.  She was his
lover who he hadn’t seen in a while.  Her silky nightdress it was then.

Chapter
17
    She hadn’t
seen him around for a while.  Where was he?  Her breathing
increased.  She was agitated.  She was working herself up. 
    She had just
found out he had gone away with the reporter for a couple of days.  She
bet they had spent every waking hour having passionate sex.  It should be her!
  
    She crushed
the knife she was holding into her palm.  She watched as the blood dripped
off her hand onto the white floor.  It looked so nice.
    Perhaps it
was time to introduce