Perfect Slave by Becky Bell Read Free Book Online

and Charles Hawksworth was totally charming and totally attentive. He asked her about her work and about Silverton and told her, in turn, why he believed in the future of the company.
    It was not until coffee was served in delicate china cups that Andrea, emboldened perhaps by the premier cru served with the meal, returned to the subject that was her major concern.
    â€˜You didn’t answer my question,’ she said.
    â€˜What question was that?’
    â€˜Why you invited me here, rather than any one of a hundred other beautiful women I’m sure you meet every day.’
    He smiled. ‘Would you like a brandy?’
    â€˜No, thank you.’
    â€˜I hope you don’t mind if I do.’ He gestured to the maid, who was still standing by the kitchen door, and she immediately left the room. ‘Do you mind if I am perfectly frank with you?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜I am a rich man, Andrea. I have been a rich man for quite a long while. And the biggest advantage of being rich is that it means I can get whatever I want. My slightest desire, my smallest whim can be catered for.’
    â€˜I can understand that,’ Andrea said.
    â€˜Good.’ He paused, bringing those deep blue eyes to bear on her again. For a moment the world stood still. ‘My wealth, naturally enough, allows me to develop certain... tastes.’
    Andrea’s pulse was racing. The palms of her hands were sweaty and she was having trouble remembering to breath.
    â€˜It also seems that I have an intuitive ability to know whether women share these tastes. That, in a nutshell, is why I asked you to come here.’
    â€˜You’ve only seen me once in that conference room,’ Andrea said, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice.
    â€˜Perfectly true. And of course I may be wrong about you. Absolutely and totally wrong. In that case we will have had a pleasant and enjoyable evening together, and that will be that.’
    â€˜And if you are right?’
    â€˜Then we will I hope have a great deal more to share with each other.’
    The auburn-haired maid came back into the room with a silver tray, a crystal decanter and two balloon glasses. She set the tray down on the dining table.
    â€˜Are you sure you won’t change your mind?’
    Andrea needed a drink to calm her nerves. ‘I will.’
    The maid poured the brandy. It was a liquid amber, like autumn leaves. She put the stopper back in the decanter and went back to stand by the door.
    â€˜I think you should get to the point,’ Andrea said bravely. So far everything she had suspected about Charles Hawksworth was true. She was sure now he knew all her secrets.
    He smiled. ‘You are aware of the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Are you easily shocked?’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’
    â€˜Good. Then perhaps I should give you a little demonstration.’ He beckoned to the maid. ‘Julia, how would you rate your performance tonight?’
    â€˜I spilled the wine, sir.’ During the main course the maid had spilled three or four drops of the wine on the table cloth.
    â€˜Laurie would normally take care of disciplining such small annoyances, but tonight I would like to show my guest how we deal with these matters.’
    â€˜Yes, sir.’
    â€˜You know what to do.’
    â€˜In here, sir?’
    â€˜No, in the sitting room. We’ll bring our own glasses.’
    Julia immediately walked out, not by the kitchen door this time, but into the hall that led to the sitting room.
    â€˜Julia has been with us now for three months. She’s worked out very well, all things considered.’
    Andrea’s heart was beating so fast she could hear it in her eardrums. ‘What are you going to do?’
    â€˜Bring your glass; you’ll see.’
    Charles got up and came around to the back of Andrea’s chair. For a moment she thought he was going to put his