“Oh … Isee.”
“No it wasn’t likethat. He was very sweet. Nothing happened.” Chloe said
“Nothinghappened?”
“Well nothing happenedthen … it was much later that something happened.”
“You are killing meChloe … What happened?”
“We madelove.”
“Finally.” Samanthaleant forwards and hugged her.
“I don’t normally kissand tell … but … It was wonderful. He told me he loved me Samantha … and … Ithink I am falling in love with him too!” Chloe’s smile lit up herwhole face.
“I am happy for youboth.” Samantha hugged her.
“I am so glad to hearyou say that. I know Todd and Patrick are like your family. Toddhas become more to me than even I was willing to admit. He has beenkind and generous, sharing his apartment, inviting me into hislife. I want us tobe friends too Samantha, good friends, okay?”
“Good friends.”Samantha agreed. “Now, good friend, let’s get moving or you won’tbe ready for your date tonight. I took the liberty of booking anappointment with my hairdresser in Albert Park, my treat. I’ll dropyou there and get back to the office if you don’t need me. Will yoube alright to take a taxi home afterwards.
“That was very sweetof you. It will be lovely to have my hair done. I’ll be fine totake a taxi back to Docklands, really. Let’s go.”
“After you, MissArmstrong. I’m only the chauffeur.” Samantha chuckled.
When Todd returned to theapartment, he could hear Chloe moving about in her bedroom. Heshowered and changed into one of his signature dark-blue Armanisuits in record time, and noticed her door remained closed. Hefigured he had time to order a car to drive them into the city.Standing by the desk and facing the window, with his mobile phoneto his ear, he didn’t hear Chloe approach. He turned around, stilltalking. When he caught sight of her, all speech desertedhim.
A cream ankle-length sheath, bothelegant and chic, adorned her body. The soft fabric clung in allthe right places and showcased her figure to perfection. An ornategold clasp at the front of the halter neck negated the need forjewels, other than the gold teardrops in her ears. Her hair, sweptup and pinned in a loose French twist, gave her an elegant profile.Other than a touch of mascara to enlarge her eyes, and coral lipgloss, no other make-up marred her porcelain skin. Sandals withthin gold straps encircled her ankles.
Chloe smiled shyly, and his heartbeat a little faster.
It took him a few seconds torealise he hadn’t completed his call. He raised his mobile andhastily concluded the arrangements, never taking his eyes off herfor a second. “You look stunning Chloe. Picture perfect, in fact.”She appeared to glide towards him. He lifted her hand to his lips,and looked into her eyes as he pressed his lips to the back of herhand.
“I’m pleased you thinkso.”
“I‘m torn now.” Toddsaid.
Chloe looked concerned. “Torn.Why? I don’t understand?”
“On one hand, I amanxious to take you out to dinner to show you off. And on theother, I am anxious to be home again to take you tobed.”
“After all the timeSamantha and I rummaged through my wardrobe to choose anappropriate dress for this dinner, and the time I spent in thebeauty salon having my hair cut and styled, I think you had bettertake me out. But … I’m not opposed to coming homeearly.”
“Let me get yourwalking stick,” Todd looked around the room for the errantstick.
“Perhaps I won’t takeit. I was hoping I could lean on you tonight.”
“It’s not for you,it’s for me. I’m going to be beating the men off with a stick whenthey lay their eyes on you tonight.” He held up her hand, andtwirled her in a slow circle to better enjoy the 360-degree view.He let out a low wolf whistle.
His old-fashioned compliment madeChloe blush. “It makes a change to dress up tonight. I wasn’t surewhat to wear.”
“You look and smelldelicious. Good enough to eat.” Todd leaned in and tugged gently onthe lobe of her ear with his lips, and kissed the patch of softskin underneath. She shivered involuntarily, and he witnessedgoosebumps prickling her skin. He tucked Chloe’s hand in the crookof his arm and strolled to the door.
“Ditto Todd. You lookvery handsome in that suit. It’s Armani, right? And is that Bvlgaricologne you’re wearing? You smell divine. I have a powerful urge tonuzzle your neck right now. But if I did that, we wouldn’t get outthe door, would we?” Chloe picked up her clutch purse and a lightwrap from the chair.
She obviously intended to beprepared when the sun went down. Although he could guarantee beingcold would be the last thing she would be worrying about later. Hecould almost reach out and touch the sizzle in the air betweenthem.
As they made their way down inthe lift and through the foyer to the chauffer-driven car parked bythe kerb, Todd noticed all eyes swivelling towards them. He wasn’tat all opposed to the envious glances he received. He feltextremely honoured to be accompanying such an elegant and beautifulwoman to dinner.
The maître de at Silk Restaurantin Crown Complex had reserved a table for them by the window. Onceseated, a gregarious waiter appeared, opening leather-bound menuswith a flourish, and announcing the chef’s recommendations. Thedescriptions of the various dishes had her salivating. Opting tosample a few entre plates, Chloe made her choice. She sat back toperuse her surroundings, and allowed Todd to place their order. Sherecognised a few TV celebrities sitting at the table next to her,and noted the well-dressed women accompanying them. So glad she hadtaken the time to find something special today, she glanced inTodd’s direction. He finished reading the menu and looked up,catching her eye and grinning at her. Judging by the way his eyessoftened when he looked at her, he appeared equally pleased withher efforts.
Todd had ordered champagne, whichhe sampled before accepting the bottle. The sommelier poured forthem both. He raised his glass. “I would like to make a toast. Tothe most beautiful woman in the room, and I am thrilled to sayshe’s sitting at my table.” Todd lightly touched
