The Antique Love (25 page)

“Well?” He raised his eyebrows impatiently. “What is it?”

Sophie was getting her first taste of Jean-Luc Olivier’s famous drive in action.

“The United States is a large country,” she said dryly. “Do you think two months will be long enough?”

His lips twitched. “Are you afraid of hard work?”

Sophie thought of the promise that bound her to her mother. She thought of the many months she spent working days as a secretary and evenings as a waitress to help pay her father’s debts after his business collapsed and to keep her brother’s music lessons going. Jean-Luc didn’t know the half of it.

She shook her head. “I don’t mind hard work.”

* * * *

“
Bon
.” Jean-Luc smiled. To his delight, a genuine smile appeared for a couple of seconds, transforming Sophie’s tearstained features. Her red mouth widened and two enticing dimples appeared. He felt his heart leap. She had not smiled at him properly since she arrived in his office and it pained him to know he was the cause of such distrust. He was overwhelmed with the urge to reach for her. But maybe the flame in his eyes had flared too strongly, because instantly she took a step back. Her smile vanished, and she was gazing at him warily. He choked down his disappointment. Of course it was too soon—far too soon—to coax Sophie out of her mistrust. He had two months. Two months in which to understand the real reason she had left him and to win her trust. As much as it went against the grain, he knew he would have to slow down and allow Sophie to approach him at her own pace.

With an effort, he increased the distance she had made between them and turned toward the door.

“Good,” he said again gravely. “Let’s carry on with our tour.”

He held the door wide and waited for her to pass, noting she kept their careful distance, making sure not to touch. But maybe his cautious approach was beginning to pay off. Although Sophie was no longer smiling, the tension had gone from her shoulders and the faint strain from her face.

And, he noted dryly, at least she had still not run away.

* * * *

End of Sampler.
A Silk Romance
is available at MuseItUp Publishing and all online reputable vendors.

To Joe

Wish you were here

To my friend Andy, who proves accountants can be heroes.

The Antique Love © 2013 by Helena Fairfax

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, or events, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

MuseItUp Publishing

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Cover Art © 2013 by Charlotte Volnek

Edited by Nancy Bell

Copyedited by Jessica Naccari

Layout and Book Production by Lea Schizas

eBook ISBN: 978-1-77127-396-1

First eBook Edition *September 2013

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