and carefree.
She stretched lazily, and sat back on the wooden seat, her legs angled towards him. She was aware that he was watching her closely, too closely perhaps, and a feeling of desire began to spread slowly through her.
"You should be careful about sleeping in strange beds, you know," he said out of nowhere, his voice low.
"I'm sure I'm not the first woman you've found in your's," Leah joked back.
"Yes, but by invitation. I have to admit, I had mixed feelings when I saw you. In spite of your unflattering hairdo and that awful dress, some men might have taken advantage."
Leah suddenly found herself choking with laughter. She put her hand over her mouth, trying and failing to stop. It was no good, she couldn't control herself.
"What's so funny?" James asked sharply.
"It's you . I've just realised who you remind me of! Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice . The bit where he proposes to Elizabeth. He explains he has mixed feelings towards her, too ..."
"I'm not proposing to you," James interrupted.
"But then he goes on to say that she is so much below him in social status. You must know who I mean. Mr Darcy - aristocratic, wealthy, a bit of a stuffed shirt, pompous ..."
"Did you just say pompous?" he asked.
"Well, yes ..."
"Can you swim?" James enquired.
"Yes, why?" Leah was puzzled.
"Because I might just pick you up and throw you in the river," he answered as he leaned towards her.
Leah jerked backwards on the seat as his hand came out, grasping her behind her head.
She was afraid, just for a moment, that he was actually going to carry out his threat, but instead he tangled his fingers in her untidy hair and pulled her roughly towards him.
Like that, he kissed her, and she was lost.
§
The student returned on time, and punted them back in silence to Magdalen Bridge, where James took his wallet from his back pocket and quickly thrust a large handful of notes towards the startled punter. Obviously a hugely generous tip.
Then they walked back to the car in silence, the sexual tension growing and quivering in the air around them with each passing second.
James opened the door and she sat down shakily as he went round to the driver's side and slid in. The silence grew as they sat side by side, not putting on their safety belts, not looking at each other. Eventually, she heard him take a deep breath.
"So? My place or a hotel?" he asked.
CHAPTER NINE
James
It all started off just as I’d planned. I picked her up on time, drove carefully and gave her the benefit of my business lecture. As she started talking about her plans, I suddenly had the idea of indulging in a bit of investment, just for fun, as a change from my usual multi-million pound deals. She could hardly believe her luck, but I have the feeling that it may be all just enthusiasm and not much real understanding. At the end of two years, I'll probably be part owner of a fancy flower shop!
I've had to bail Jake out a couple of times with the bar in Crete, but that's okay. He's got a young family now and I can't let him go under.
She'll report to Amanda and I'll just keep an overview of the situation.
Amanda did a great job of arranging the day on Sunday. I just mentioned going out for a touristy time, that I might like to revisit Oxford, and left it to her to come up with the ideas and book everything in advance. She's a good PA, intelligent, hard-working and attractive. Sometimes I get a bit distracted when she's leaning over my desk to talk to me, but I make it a rule not to mix business with pleasure. Mostly . I'll make sure she gets a bonus next month.
Surprisingly, in Oxford, I found Leah good company. She was lively, interested in everything, ready to enjoy the day, a refreshing change from most girls, who can easily get bored unless you’re spending money on them. The picnic hamper was an unexpected hit, too.
I remember, she was sitting opposite me, on the wooden seat, and she took off her
Learning to Kill: Stories