Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Audrey
“Thank you.” Tapping my credit card on the small terminal I pulled the huge coffee towards me with one hand and smiled at the barista with the other.
She wasn’t old but she wasn’t young either and neither was she looking at me. Her eyes were glued to the person behind me and I turned. Curious to know what had caught her attention so completely.
My eyes landed on a chest. And even under the thick wool coat that was dotted with rain drops the width of his chest was impressive. So was his height. It seemed to take forever for my eyes to wander over the damp obviously expensive coat to his face.
“Hello.” He nodded his head politely. And I could do nothing but stare at him with my mouth open. There was something familiar about him. Like I had seen him before.
Again my eyes swept over him. My brow furrowed as I tried to make sense of the sense of familiarity.
It was something about his height and the breadth of his shoulders.
Butterflies took flight in my stomach. A nervous energy that I couldn’t contain and I fidgeted awkwardly. If my coffee hadn’t been in a take away cup it would have spilt all over my hand and scolded me.
Could this man be my neighbour? The one who I had -
“It’s Audrey isn’t it?” He continued to smile at me. The curve of his lips and flash of teeth were meant to be charming and I could see why people would think they would but to me they did nothing but make me feel uncomfortable.
“Corals granddaughter?” He continued when I failed to answer and was doing nothing but staring.
Finally I found my voice. “Yes.” I didn’t smile at him although his grin grew. “Do I know you?”
If he turned around and said yes then I was going to freak. This man for all his good looks and charm was dangerous. It oozed off of him in waves. Disguised under the perfect outter shell.
He shook his head. And I let out an auditable sigh of relief. “No I don’t think we have ever met. My father knew your grandmother though.” He continued to smile and I continued to stare. “We sent flowers. From the King Family?” He cocked up one dark eyebrow. “I hope you received them with our most heartfelt condolences.” He paused. “Coral was a dear friend to my family?”
“Thank you.” Nodding my head politely. I reached for my cup. It was strange he seemed eager to make conversation and he was gorgeous , if slightly older than me and I wanted nothing more than to get away from him.
God I was confusing myself. One minute so horny that I was making up shadowy stalkers and then next running away from flesh and blood man who was eager to talk to me.
“Did you know my grandmother?”
“Not really. I only met her once. But-“ His eyes bored down into me.
I was remembering something from my past, but it was blurry. I was sure id met him before though. I just couldnt pin point where.. Or when.
I cut him off. “Well thank you for your -“ a sip of scolding hot coffee and I let out a cry. Clamping my hand over my mouth.
“Let’s sit down and talk shall we?” His hand complete with think gold band on one of his fingers gripped my arm. “We can get the lid off the cup of lava before you do yourself some more damage.”
I laughed before I could help myself.
“Here, let’s sit shall we?”
I glanced at the window that looked out on to the wet street. Frowning I dropped into the chair he had pulled out for me. Crazy thing was that I didn’t really remember walking across the packed coffee shop but here I was. I had let him lead me and hadn’t put up any sort of fight but then why would I? He was just a handsome charming man, who wanted to sit and have coffee with me. It was my crazy grief stricken mind that was playing tricks on me and making me believe everything around me was dark and foreboding.
“So your father knew-“ I began to say.
“Very well. In fact as far as I’m aware our families have been friends and neighbours for a long time.”
Friends? Neighbours? My ears pricked up. “We are neighbours? You live in the house-“ I motioned to the side like we were standing in my garden and I was pointing towards the house of my nearest neighbour.
“Yes.” He shrugged. “At least my family own the property. We have for several generations. I’m Michael.” He held out his hand. “Michael King.”
Gingerly I shook his hand , my eyes glued to his as I squeezed his fingers. It was one of the rules my grandfather had taught me early on. Always shake hands like you meant it. Always meet a man’s eyes when you did so. My grandparents hadn’t raised me to be a wall flower.
His eyes locked with mine. And it was almost like he was daring me to say something. It was just I didn’t know what he was waiting for me to say.
“Nice to meet you Michael.”
“You didn’t react how i thought you would.” His fingers slipped from mine.
“Was I meant to react in a certain way?” Curious I cocked my head to the side and studied him. Yes I had thought he looked familiar but that was before he told me his name. “Are you famous or something?” Again I let my eyes rake over his face. He was handsome enough to be famous. Like a movie star or a model.
Throwing back his head , he boomed out a laugh. “No. No nothing like that at but most people recognise the name of nothing else. But it’s good that you don’t.” Reaching across the table , he covered my hand with his. “Let’s keep it that way shall we?”
There could be no mistake now, he wasn’t flirting with him. It almost sounded like he was threatening me. Even the too wide smile was back.
Leaning back I yanked my hand away from his. “I’m guessing the inviting me for coffee wasn’t because you were charmed and just wanted my company.”
His smile slipped but a muscle twitched in his jaw like he was trying not to laugh again. “You are a very beautiful and charming young woman but no. I came here to talk business.”
“I don’t think we have any business to discuss Mr King.” It felt more natural fo call him that then Michael. “If you will excuse me.”
“We want to buy your grandmothers house Audrey. And my family is willing to pay over the market value for it.”
Half out of my chair , I froze. Turning back to him so sharply that the corner of the table sliced across my thigh and left a trail of pain.
“It’s my house now. My home.”
“You’re young and beautiful Audrey and if what I have read is true then you are talented as well. A woman like that should not be stuck alone in a house like that with no one around you.”
“No one around me?” My voice was a shrill whisper. “What do you mean by that? I have neighbours. It’s not like your place is empty.”
A shadow swept across his face and he didn’t even try to hide it. The mask of charm and civility slipped. “What do you mean?”
“I took over-“ suddenly my mouth was dry and I couldn’t find the words. “I made some food with the apples that were left for me. I left it in your house. Your families house.” I amended quickly when his look darkened even more.
“You were in our house.” He stood so suddenly that the chair he had been sat on almost toppled back.
“It wasn’t like that and then the dish was sent back empty.” I didn’t mention the fact I had run from his house because I had sensed something there and neither did I mention the encounter under the apple tree. I wasn’t sure either of them had been real. And I didn’t want him to think I was nuts.
“So,” I stuttered. “Not quite alone.”
He stared down at me with eyes that looked dark but were blue I was sure of it. “Don’t go on to our property again Audrey, It’s not safe.” Digging deep into his coat pocket he pulled out a white card. “The building is derelict and you could get hurt.” He added quickly, sliding the card over the table until it rested against my cup. Just millimetres away from my fingertips.. “Think about what I have said about your grandmothers house though. We will pay anything for it. When you have made the right decision give me a call on that number.”