Promises After Dark by Sadie Matthews

Author:Sadie Matthews [Matthews, Sadie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Adult
ISBN: 1444775871
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2013-02-27T08:00:00+00:00

In the hall, the housekeeper brings out a gorgeous black cashmere coat and helps me into it. I slip my phone into the pocket while she puts a wrap around my shoulders for good measure, and Andrei’s butler brings out his coat and gloves. Then we descend in the lift to the waiting car. We are driven for no more than ten minutes before we arrive at the restaurant, a place of thick linen, silver, crystal and the buzz of sophisticated conversation. All eyes follow us as we pass, and I hear the murmur of Andrei’s name. Of course, he must be famous in this city.

We’re taken to a very grand table and given every courtesy and attentive service. Andrei orders for us, and he keeps up a flow of talk as we wait for our food, telling me about the vision he has for the apartment in terms of art. He wants modern masterpieces, he tells me. And he wants some big names too. If a Picasso or Van Gogh comes up, he’s seriously interested. I listen in a daze, replying when necessary. The food comes and it’s exquisite: incredible classical French cuisine with each plate like a work of art itself. I don’t feel that hungry until I taste it, then my appetite explodes into life. The flavours are so intense that I feel as though I’m living on another level when I eat.

It’s when we’ve finished our main courses that Andrei stops talking for a while and stares at the tablecloth, tapping it with one fingertip. I watch him, a wreath of anxiety curling in my stomach. I get the impression that a crunch moment is approaching. I’ve been lured into the trap – will the door now spring shut? How on earth will I get out?’

‘So, Beth,’ Andrei says. He takes a gulp of the ruby red wine in his glass and I realise with a dart of surprise that he’s nervous. ‘You heard what I said to you in the ballroom. I want you to know that I’m utterly serious. I believe it is necessary to my future happiness to have you. I want you to create my homes and bring my family into existence. I want you to be an integral part of my life.’

‘Well, this is all very romantic,’ I say, trying to laugh and make light of what he’s saying. ‘They should take a cue from you and rewrite the marriage vows! Do you, Beth, agree to be an integral part of my life?’

His hand stops moving and his eyes spark as he looks at me. ‘Don’t joke about this, Beth. It’s very important. I’ve never been more serious.’

I stare back at him. My hands are shaking lightly and I hide them under the tablecloth. ‘You know I can’t do this,’ I say, trying to make my voice as firm as possible. ‘I appreciate what you’ve said to me – I’m flattered – but I’m not the right person for you, Andrei. You deserve someone who loves you.

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