Free Her Heart's Desire by Lauren Wilder Page A

sure that wouldn‘t impress Marisa at all, being one in a succession of secretaries to shag his brother. No, that wasn’t her style, no way.
    William knew he had a chance. She was definitely interested, otherwise, why ring him?
    He rang Langan’s and reserved a table in the main dining room for Friday at eight. Oh, well, he thought. May as well push the boat out. He grinned, feeling very pleased with himself. Marisa would love the traditional and elegant restaurant famed for its celebrity clientele. She couldn’t fail to see he had made a big effort for her. She was going to get the full treatment, wined and dined then seduced in his fantastic bachelor pad overlooking Trafalgar square. How could she resist?
     
    * * * *
     
    James glanced up from his computer screen as Marisa entered. He hadn’t seen her for a few days, and he caught his breath. She looked lovely, as always. She was wearing a pretty pink silk blouse, and her grey pencil skirt was tight around her bottom, accentuating her curves.
    He felt his blood temperature rise. She smiled at him warmly, and he made an effort to look cool and professional. He smiled back and said hello then went back to his screen, trying to concentrate on something other than her. Realising he couldn’t, he switched his computer off and stood to leave.
    ‘I’m going up to London on Friday. I’m meeting up with William. He’s going to show me around a bit,’ she said suddenly as she busied around organizing files over-spilling with pages of menus.
    His jaw tightened as jealously overwhelmed him.
    Not William, the Playboy of Mayfair ! He loved his brother dearly, but he wasn’t about to allow him to seduce Marisa and toss her aside like all his other conquests. He had to think quickly. He cleared his throat and smiled at her.
    ‘Oh, I see. Well, that’s a coincidence because I was in fact going to ask you to come up to London with me tomorrow. I think it’s high time you met the London team.’ James waited for her reaction.
    ‘Right, I see. Well, I suppose two trips to town in one week are better than none.’ Marisa seemed pleased, but James felt deflated. She was still going on Friday! He couldn’t have that. William fawning all over her? It just wasn’t on. He decided to try something else.
    ‘Is William picking you up on Friday?’ he asked casually, watching his computer screen, pretending to be otherwise engrossed.
    There was an edge to his usual soft, deep voice, and he wondered if she could tell he was reacting strongly to her date with his brother.
    ‘No, I’m meeting him in London, at the station,’ she replied. He gazed at her, his mind working rapidly for a logical solution.
    ‘Well, that won’t do at all,’ he said. ‘If you are so eager to see London, may I suggest that you forfeit your plans with William and I take you to London myself on Friday instead?’
    Marisa’s face lit up. ‘Well, of course if that fits in better with your plans, I can change my evening with William to another night. I’m sure he won’t mind,’ she said gently.
    James clenched his jaw. He had to stop himself from telling her he didn’t want her to go out with William ever. That William was entirely unsuitable for her. He was crazy with jealousy; he couldn’t stand the thought of another man touching her, let alone his own brother !
    ‘Very well, Friday it is then.’
    ‘Great, it would be useful to familiarize myself with the London office, in case you ever needed me to go there alone,’ she said.
    ‘Yes, you’re quite right, Marisa. I should have taken you long ago. it‘s important you know where it is.’
    ‘Okay that‘s great. I will look forward to it.’ She smiled.
    ‘Well, that’s settled then,’ he said, gazing at her, feeling like a lovesick fool.
     
    * * * *
     
    Marisa practically skipped out of the office. She was bursting with joy. He wanted her, he really wanted her. She hadn’t been imagining it. He was clearly jealous about William. She