Moonflower (4 page)

So how
was it possible that this woman, somewhere in her early twenties
with the gangly enthusiasm of a schoolgirl, could have this effect
on him? Effect on him… who was he kidding? She’d blown his mind!
Caught under that carpet, he’d been seconds away from kissing her.
If she hadn’t coughed…

He’d
never
almost kissed a woman within an hour of meeting her, and he
hated the feeling of being out of control. Which is exactly the way
she made him feel. Completely out of control. He’d risen through
the corporate ranks because of his analytical mind. His habit of
thinking every eventuality through to its likely conclusion. He had
an exceptional ability to control his emotions; play a strategic
game. Now he clearly had a problem that needed fixing, and fix it
he would.

Once he’d
showered and put on clean clothes, he went to his study and sent
for the Bosmans.

‘
How was your drive out this morning?’ Sara asked as she closed
the study door behind her.

‘
That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ Reuben said,
motioning towards the chairs at his desk.

Once the
couple were seated, he came around the desk and sat on its edge.
This would have to be handled diplomatically, since Rolf and Sara
had done an excellent job so far. Except when it came to Sophie
Kyle. He had the greatest respect for the couple, and the last
thing he wanted to do was call into question their
competence.

‘
There were a couple of incidents with Sophie Kyle this morning
on our drive out. I’d like some background on her. Tell me why you
picked her for the job?’

Rolf’s pale blue eyes met Reuben’s head-on. ‘She was amply
qualified, Reuben. She’d graduated top of her class throughout her
undergraduate years and has a Master’s degree
cum laude
. Her area of expertise is
endangered species in southern Africa and she grew up in the
Western Cape. She was by far the most appropriate person to set up
a wildlife programme on a farm like this.’

‘
How old is she?’ Reuben asked.

‘
Twenty-four,’ Sara told him.

‘
Good lord! Does she have any experience?’

‘
Conservation requires that a person gain experience throughout
their studies,’ Rolf explained. ‘You’d be surprised how much
experience she already has, despite her age. Both her parents were
nature enthusiasts, so Sophie grew up largely in the outdoors. In
high school she spent most of her spare time as a monitor on local
game reserves. Since then she’s been involved in a number of
projects. Her last was the internationally acclaimed African Wild
Dog Project, which has been an enormous success. She was part of Dr
Benjamin Duval’s team. He’s a famous conservationist,
who—’

‘
Yes, I’m familiar with his work.’

Rolf
looked surprised. ‘She’s got a glowing reference from Dr Duval and
his wife, who is also respected in the industry and has worked with
Sophie. They couldn’t speak highly enough of her; both of her
character and her expertise as a conservationist.’

‘
And character does come into it, Reuben,’ Sara said. ‘What
impressed us with Sophie was her enthusiasm. Her obvious love of
animals and the environment, and this country. Conservation is more
than just a career for her; it’s a passion, a way of
life.’

Reuben
nodded, but wasn’t quite convinced. ‘Okay. We’re tied into an
initial three month contract with her anyway. After that, I’ll
review the situation personally. If things haven’t worked out, we
simply won’t offer her a more permanent position. Could you tell
Sophie I’d like to see her, please?’

Sophie
was in the storeroom that had been set up especially for the
conservation team near the garages. Sipho and Isaac were helping
her take stock of their supplies.

‘
Miss Sara says Mr Manning wants to see you. In his study,’
Patience announced from the doorway.

Sophie
set out for the house immediately.

Just
outside the kitchen she bumped into Sara.

‘
I take it things didn’t go so well this morning,’ she said,
tucking a stray wisp of frizzy hair behind her ear.

Sophie was stunned. Reuben must have spoken to the Bosmans.
Now why had he done
that
? Was he going to fire her? Surely not. ‘I got a puncture,
Sara, and a wall hanging fell down in the hikers’ cottage, that’s
all.’

‘
Oh. Okay,’ Sara said, sounding totally nonchalant as she
passed Sophie and moved down the passage. ‘You need anything,’ she
said over her shoulder, ‘just give me a shout.’

‘
Thanks,’ Sophie said, heading for Reuben’s study.
I just might need another job in the next few
minutes
.

The study
door was closed. Sophie knocked.

‘
Come,’ came the sound of Reuben’s voice.

Sophie
took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and went inside. The room
was exactly as she might have imagined; opulent and English. And
Reuben, seated behind the desk, looked right at home. He was busy
with a document and didn’t look up as she made her way towards his
desk.

‘
Sit,’ he commanded. Sophie obeyed.

She
watched the top of his glossy head for a full five minutes as he
continued to peruse the paperwork in front of him, adding his
initials to the bottom of each sheet.

In fact,
Sophie completely lost herself in him, which was pretty damned
obvious from the way she visibly jumped when he raised his head
suddenly to look at her. Her sudden start made him grin, and Sophie
felt a bubble of indignation burst in her chest.

Megalomaniac. And here I was about to apologise for this
morning, even though it wasn’t my fault. Well, forget that
now!

She stared defiantly back at Reuben; green eyes blazing into
blue.
Let him fire me. This isn’t the only
game farm in the country. I’ll manage somehow
.

‘
So you’ve come up with a plan?’

‘
A plan?’ Sophie echoed in bewilderment.

‘
Species to be introduced to the farm. Conservation of flora. I
believe we’re one of only a few places that still boasts
indigenous
renosterveld
.’

‘
Yes! Sorry. I wasn’t told what this meeting was about. I
thought… Never mind. I’ve got detailed lists, work schedules. The
costings are on my laptop. I can go and get them—’

‘
Talk to me, Sophie,’ Reuben commanded, leaning back in his
chair, eyes fixed on her face.

Sophie
did her best to ignore the percussion band in her chest. Once she
got going on the subject of conservation, there was usually no
stopping her. She soon forgot about her opulent surroundings, even
the man sitting opposite her. Was unaware of the narrowing of his
eyes as they bored into her. Didn’t notice the softening of his
mouth, the quicker rise and fall of his chest.

Sophie
rushed full tilt ahead with statistics and costings, then her
immediate plans to settle healthy herds and animals. Half an hour
later she ended with her vision for the eventual reintroduction of
local endangered species.

Reuben
watched from across the desk as Sophie folded one long, tanned leg
over the other. Every now and then her thick strawberry-blond
ponytail would swish side to side as she explained a point. Passion
seemed to infuse every inch of her. She glowed with it, from her
bronze hair and golden skin, to the flashing green eyes and deep
pink mouth, which she’d run the tip of her tongue over every now
and then.

The
Bosmans had been right. She not only knew her stuff, but obviously
lived for her work. He and Sophie weren’t so different in that way.
And just because he found her utterly disturbing and enchanting,
didn’t mean she didn’t deserve a fair chance. Which was exactly
what he was going to give her. ‘Some time ago, arrangements were
made for myself and my conservationist to purchase the animals we
still need for the farm, so it’s just as well you’ve done your
research. We leave at seven tomorrow morning. Bring along an
overnight bag. We’ll be back the following day.’

‘
Brilliant!’ Sophie said. ‘I’ll be ready.’

Reuben
nodded, then pulled another document in front of him and ducked his
head.

Sophie
unfolded her legs and bounded happily from the study, humming to
herself. She didn’t see Reuben lift his head, shake it, and watch
every second of her jaunty departure across the room.

Chapter
Three

Drastic
times call for drastic measures. So the next morning Sophie dressed
in what she called her interview suit. It was a navy blue short
skirt and fitted jacket worn over a white silk blouse. Not her
usual choice of threads; she was definitely uncomfortable. Compared
to her well-worn khaki shirt and shorts, it felt like a
straitjacket.

Reuben
Manning wanted professional, so professional he was going to
get.

The only
compensation was that she knew it suited her. The deep blue set off
the bronze in her hair and the green of her eyes. Even her cheeks
glowed summer-peach beneath her tanned skin, and the suit’s
precision cut accentuated her height.

‘
Gerry Giraffe,’ she told her reflection in the bathroom
mirror. Although, judging by the way the suit moulded snugly to her
figure, she was unlikely to be mistaken for anything other than a
big-breasted, slim-hipped Amazon.

Once in
her costume for the day, she strode off to the house, breathing in
the fresh morning air. It was going to be a scorcher.

‘
Mr Solomon!’

She
narrowly missed running over the old gardener who’d popped up
suddenly from behind an Iceberg bush flanking the back path to the
house. He’d stepped out right in front of her. For such a decrepit
old man, he moved surprisingly quickly.

‘
Where are you going dressed like that?’ he asked,
suspiciously.

What
could she do but smile? ‘Mr Manning and I are leaving for Brits
today. We’re going to buy new animals for the farm.’

‘
Hmph.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Once you fall in love with this
place, you’ll never leave,’ he told her. His expression changed to
one of triumph and he pulled from behind his back a rose the colour
of a ripe apricot.

‘
What a beautiful rose,’ Sophie said, reaching out and taking
it. ‘I’ve still got the one from yesterday. I’m going to dry and
press it when—’

‘
Off you go,’ Mr Solomon said, waving her impatiently away. He
stepped off the path and disappeared among his rose
bushes.

She
thought about what the old man had said: ‘Once you fall in love
with this place, you’ll never leave.’

Mr
Solomon was probably unaware that life today was largely governed,
not by feelings, but by contracts, and hers said she had just three
months. In fact, she’d barely made it through her first day, which
is why she planned to be on her best behaviour today.

But
first, a big hearty breakfast in the kitchen. Her ferocious
appetite meant she’d won her way into Mrs September’s heart where
many others had failed. The stern cook-cum-housekeeper had made
sure Sophie had first removed her jacket and tucked a large tea
towel into the top of her blouse, just in case she spilled
anything.

Once
fully fuelled, Sophie met Reuben at five minutes to seven in the
entrance hall. And from his double-take, she could tell the suit
was worth every penny she’d paid for it. With eyes wide and
eyebrows lifted, he ran a hand along his freshly-shaven
jaw.

How could
Sophie have known that he, too, had chosen to wear a navy suit,
tailored to fit and emphasise every manly line of his body to
perfection, from muscled thighs and narrow hips to flat stomach and
broad shoulders? His tie was pale yellow silk, and gold cufflinks
glinted against a crisp, white shirt. His thick, dark hair was
immaculately combed and the darkness of his brows emphasised
near-perfect, creamy skin. His eyes below the strong, dark brows
were every bit as navy as the suit. Her stomach flipped.

Quite
suddenly, Reuben scowled, turned on his heel and threw a ‘let’s go’
over his shoulder. Sophie followed him out to the car on wobbly
legs.

The car
turned out to be a very large and sleek Mercedes Benz.

‘
Holy cow,’ Sophie said, ducking her head and scrambling across
the seat. ‘Wow!’

She
looked up to find Reuben staring at her legs, which were slightly
splayed. She quickly pressed her knees together. There simply was
no ladylike way Sophie knew of to clamber across a seat. The
chauffeur stood beside Reuben looking slightly baffled. Reuben’s
gaze slid along Sophie’s thighs, stopping at the tight pull of
fabric across her hips. The look in his eyes was unmistakable and
Sophie’s breath caught in her throat.

Not a good way to start the day.
Take
your mind off him
, Sophie told herself,
looking around for a distraction. ‘There have to be a whole load of
gadgets inside here. Can I have a look around?’