“There’s no need to talk to me like I’m a child,” I say stiffly.

“I wasn’t,” he says with a grin. “It’s simply an observable, objective fact, like the ones you’re so fond of.”

“Well, if that’s the case I had better go and get changed.” I keep my voice deliberately detached. “Thank you for the lesson.”

“Do you want to know what I think?” Ben asks slowly.

“Not desperately.”

“I think you don’t dislike me as much as you would like to believe,” he says, using that smooth voice I’ve heard him use on other girls. The flirtatious eye-twinkling is happening too.

“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows. “Is this the famous charm I’ve heard so much about?” He looks startled. “I don’t dislike you, so you can save the performance, Ben,” I say, mildly amused now. “I’ve already seen it in action and I’m sure it’s very effective on some people, but I don’t think it will work on me.”

Something that I can’t identify flashes in his eyes. “Oh really?” he asks softly.

“Really.” I nod.

“What a shame.” His voice is low as he moves a little closer, and the tingling feeling of anticipation between us grows again, my heart thumping irregularly in my chest. Soon, we are standing so close that I feel sure he’ll be able to hear it himself. I tilt my chin and look up into his so-blue eyes. The exact same blue as the margins of a swallowtail butterfly, I realize.

“Do you want me to kiss you, Bea?” he asks softly.

I take a sharp breath. Do I want him to kiss me? My body certainly seems to think so, given that it’s currently swaying towards him like a flower towards the sun.

“Absolutely not,” I say, relieved to hear that my voice is crisp, steady.

“Well I won’t, then.” His voice is still low, intimate. “At least” – the corner of his mouth tugs up – “not until you ask me to. Nicely.”

I step smartly back, unable to believe that seconds ago his smirking mouth looked so appealing. “That won’t happen,” I say firmly, disliking the jangling, nervous feeling in my belly.

“We’ll see,” he replies with maddening carelessness.

I give him the coolest, calmest smile I can muster, then swing around on my heel and stalk off. His self-satisfied laughter chases after me as I disappear into the tree-lined avenue, determined to put as much space between us as possible.

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Rounding a corner at some speed I walk smack into Ursula. She is wearing wide, red silk trousers and a peacock blue shirt. Large sunglasses with blue frames are perched on her nose and her lips are scarlet. She looks like a particularly glamorous butterfly.

“Oh, sorry,” I say, reaching out a hand to steady her.