Romance for Cynics. Nicola Marsh

      FOUR

      Lucy didn’t like feeling powerless. She’d felt it once before, around the time Adrian dumped a whole heap of whoop-ass on her head in the form of a divorce. She’d done everything humanly possible in the ensuing years to ensure she never felt that way again.

      But following Cash’s impulsive kiss yesterday morning, that was exactly how she’d felt. Powerless. Out of her depth.

      He’d done it to rattle her probably. Or just because he could. Guys like him were used to kissing women every day of the week. A power play? An ego trip? Whatever the reason, she didn’t want to bring it up again by asking him.

      But she did have to reassert control and that meant putting him on the back foot this time.

      She’d assumed meeting him for dinner in a pokey, no-frills Indian restaurant in the heart of Melbourne’s busy CBD would do just that.

      She’d been wrong.

      From the moment he’d strutted into the place wearing faded denim and a navy polo top, she’d been fidgety and edgy and altogether too flustered.

      The guy looked incredible.

      She’d never seen him in anything other than slick suits. She preferred him that way: hands-off. The kind of guy she’d never go for again.

      But this new, improved version of Cash, his fingers stained orange from eating chicken tikka with his hands, sweat beading his brow from the fiery prawn vindaloo and the constant appreciative moans after every mouthful?

      Way too appealing. And ruining her plans to rattle him good and proper.

      ‘How did you find this place?’ He dipped a piece of naan bread into a golden dahl before popping it into his mouth, his rapturous expression making her increasingly uncomfortable.

      Could he look any more...orgasmic? Damn.

      ‘Stumbled on it a lifetime ago, been coming here ever since,’ she said, ladling more lamb korma on her plate in an effort to keep her hands busy and her mind firmly on the meal. ‘The quality of the food more than makes up for the lack in décor.’

      ‘I don’t give a flying fig how a place looks if the food tastes this good.’ He scooped up a healthy serve of aloo gobi and spooned it into his mouth to prove it.

      ‘Aren’t you just full of surprises?’ she said under her breath, not sure whether to laugh or cry at this turn of events.

      Pretending to be Cash’s girlfriend would’ve been easier when she didn’t like the guy. Seeing this relaxed, easy to conform side of him? Not good for her peace of mind.

      She didn’t want to like him.

      Not with the memory of that kiss on constant replay in her head.

      ‘Go on, admit it.’ He swiped at his mouth with a serviette. ‘You’ve misjudged me.’

      Great. Not only was the guy easy-going and gorgeous, he was astute too.

      ‘Don’t know what you’re talking about.’ She crossed her fingers under the table for telling the little white lie.

      ‘Yeah, you do,’ he said, impossibly smug as he leaned back in his chair and studied her with an intensity that burned hotter than the curries she’d eaten. ‘Because of all that beat-up crap in the media, you thought I’m used to dining in five-star restaurants and I’d hate a place like this.’

      Lucy added intelligent to his growing list of attributes. Double damn.

      She chose her response carefully, not wanting to give away too much. ‘Not an entirely ludicrous assumption, considering you’re in the papers every week attending some fancy shindig with a famous woman on your arm.’

      ‘You’ve kept tabs on me?’ His conceited grin infuriated her. ‘Why, Lucy, I didn’t know you cared.’

      ‘I don’t,’ she snapped, instantly regretting her terse answer when his grin widened. ‘It’s called Googling and being prepared, considering I’ll be your girlfriend for the next week.’

      ‘So you plugged me into a search engine to check me out. Even better.’ He winked. ‘Discover anything interesting?’

      ‘Only that you have too much time on your hands by the number of flashy functions you attend.’

      And that he had a thing for vacuous blondes. She decided to keep that particular insight to herself.

      ‘Networking is a huge part of my job,’ he said, his grin fading as he reached for a water. ‘I get most of my clients by word of mouth.’

      ‘So why should the ramblings of one woman threaten to derail a reputation you’ve built over the years?’

      His eyes widened in appreciation. ‘You have done your homework.’

      He gulped the water and set the glass on the table. ‘Unfortunately, the referral network my business thrives on is pretty fragile. Stars in the TV industry can be fickle and gossip is easily spread. All it takes is one false rumour and...’

      He shook his head. ‘I won’t let that happen. I’ve worked too damn hard to build up my business to let it be ruined by a vindictive woman.’

      His honesty impressed her. ‘So what happened to make this woman so intent on revenge? Did you break her heart?’

      ‘Didn’t get that close.’ He screwed up his face in disgust. ‘She wanted more than one date, I didn’t, and she didn’t take the knock-back kindly. Next thing I know she’s threatening all sorts of bizarre scenarios. I got the impression she’s desperate for publicity for her fledgling career and others I’ve spoken to aren’t impressed by her antics off screen in general.’

      ‘That’s sad.’

      ‘Don’t feel sorry for her. I’m the one she can ruin with her craziness.’

      Lucy leaned forward and patted his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be the epitome of a sane girlfriend to counteract your loony ex.’

      ‘She’s not my ex—’

      ‘Kidding.’ Lucy tried to move her hand away but not fast enough, as Cash turned his over and captured hers.

      ‘It’s kinda nice having you want to protect me.’ His thumb brushed her pulse point and she almost leaped off her chair. ‘Something tells me we’re going to be very good together.’

      For one insane moment, with Cash holding her hand and staring at her with blatant interest, she could almost believe him.

      ‘And something tells me if we don’t get our stories straight your reputation isn’t the only one about to flush down the toilet.’ She withdrew her hand. It did little for the residual tingle in her palm. ‘So what’s the spin we put on our faux romance?’

      ‘We stick to the truth as much as possible,’ he said, looking way too comfortable for a guy about to perpetuate a big, fat lie, while she all but squirmed at the thought of being filmed for some hokey Valentine’s Day fundraiser. ‘We met six months ago through a mutual friend but haven’t started