‘My vice definitely isn’t chocolate brownies,’ he drawled. ‘And we both know how I look at you. I want you, Libby. I’ve never pretended otherwise. And you want me.’

Her gaze flew to his. ‘I don’t.’

He shrugged carelessly. ‘Yes, you do. You want me every bit as much as I want you. But you’re afraid to admit it.’

Libby bit her lip. It was absolutely true. She was afraid.

She was afraid of what he could do to her. Of what he could make her feel.

‘You are absolutely the last man in the world I’d have a relationship with,’ she said flatly, glaring as yet another nubile female passed and cast a lustful glance at Andreas. ‘Do you realise that every single woman who passes this table looks at you?’

Andreas removed his sunglasses and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘But I’m not looking at them,’ he pointed out quietly, his eyes dropping to her mouth. ‘I’m looking at you, Libby.’

Her heart hammered against her ribs and she was consumed by a sexual excitement so powerful that she squirmed in her seat. She looked at him helplessly, thinking that perhaps it had been easier to control her feelings when he’d had the sunglasses on. He had the sexiest eyes she’d ever seen. What was it about him?

He was sitting on the other side of the table, for goodness’ sake.

He hadn’t even touched her and yet she could feel him with every inch of her body.

She swallowed hard and dragged her gaze away from his face. ‘Well, I don’t want you to look at me,’ she said, stabbing her brownie with more force than was necessary. ‘Do you want some?’

‘What I want is for you to relax with me,’ Andreas said, his tone amused. ‘You are behaving as though I’m a lethal predator and there is absolutely no need. I want you and I refuse to pretend that I don’t, but I have no intention of pouncing on you in the middle of the West End. I’ll wait until you’re ready.’

Awareness warmed her insides. ‘You’re awfully sure of yourself, Dr Christakos.’ Her hands shook slightly and she placed the cup back down on the saucer. ‘What if I’m never ready?’

He gave a slow smile. ‘You will be. And in the meantime I’m enjoying the wait. It serves to intensify the satisfaction when we finally get together.’

His words hung between them and she stared at him wordlessly, wanting to say something cutting but totally mesmerised by the look in his dark eyes.

What woman in her right mind would say no to a man like Andreas?

He leaned across and helped himself to a piece of brownie. ‘So, after this, are we shopping?’

He was so cool and relaxed, so totally sure of himself that she merely nodded.

‘Yes.’

‘For you or Adrienne?’

‘Both.’

‘Are you buying something for tonight?’

Suddenly unable to eat another mouthful, Libby pushed the remains of the brownie to one side. ‘Just shoes. I already have enough dresses.’