‘You would?’

She enjoyed his startled reflex. It made him human. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

It took him a moment to answer, her sudden agreement unnerving.

She smiled. ‘Do you think I want something? You do, don’t you?’

‘The thought crossed my mind. Forgive me if I’m wrong.’

‘I do want something.’

His gaze went shuttered. ‘Tell me what it is,’ he coolly said.

‘A night on the town. It sounds like fun.’

A flint-eyed scrutiny. ‘That’s it?’

‘Jesus. You’d think I’d asked for your first-born. Does everyone always want something from you?’

‘Mostly.’ He blew out a breath. ‘Yeah, a lot of them do.’

‘I don’t.’ Well, maybe a little something. Just maybe.

His smile slowly unfurled. ‘In that case, consider it a date, Miss Hart. It’s a three and a half hour flight. We should be there for dinner.’

A date! She had to stop herself from verbally freaking out. ‘Dinner sounds lovely,’ she said, proud that she’d been able to keep her voice even. In contrast, her brain was practically exploding she was thinking so many things at the same time. First, the classic Cinderella dream that every young girl brought with her into adulthood regardless of the sheer futility of such a scenario. But really Dominic Knight was as much Prince Charming as any fantasy could contrive. Then, after jettisoning the Cinderella myth, she focused on the word ‘date’ like some star-struck teenager. That at least was a marginal reality, and she intended to relish every minute of the evening because she would be the envy of every woman who had eyes to see. And after the soft-focus lens on romance gave way to a more stark reality, she ran through possible fantasies of a more lurid sexual nature. At which point, she abruptly punted and returned to the more pleasing romantic images filling her mind.

But Kate wasn’t the only one pleased.

Dominic started making plans.

CHAPTER 7

Two cars were waiting for them at the airport. Max politely took his leave of Kate, offered her good wishes for her future, told Dominic he’d talk to him next week, then loped towards a waiting car and jumped in.

‘He’s impatient to see his family,’ Dominic explained as the car sped away.

Max has a family? ‘I don’t suppose he gets home often with your schedule.’

‘We have a deal. It’s every two weeks – mostly – this time it stretched to three, so he’s in a hurry. Here’s our car.’ He guided her to another shiny black sedan.

After the evening in Amsterdam, Kate wondered what kind of family. Was he married or did the Roche family live here? If he had a wife, was she Chinese? Not that it was any of her business. Really, it wasn’t. ‘Is Max married?’ The words escaped before she could censure her brain, so there was no further point in being discreet. ‘He doesn’t look like he’d be married. He looks like he should be carrying an AK-47.’

Dominic gave her a blank stare for half a heartbeat. Then he said, ‘Max is married. He has a young son. Anything else?’

‘Sorry. It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone who looks so much like a mercenary.’

‘Actually, Max is a physicist.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Like a physicist who defuses suitcase bombs? Or builds them or trades in nuclear secrets?’

Dominic smiled faintly. ‘You have a vivid imagination, Miss Hart.’ Always an asset for what he had in mind tonight. Although she’d seemed sexually demanding in Amsterdam. He’d have to tame that impulse. As for Max’s MI6 history, evasion was best. ‘The work Max does for me is quite ordinary. No nuclear secrets, just business. His wife is also English,’ he added, in an effort to establish Max’s unremarkable bona fides. ‘Max and Liv are both from ex-pat families. His son, Conall, will be one this week. That’s about it.’

Their driver had the car door open. Dominic waited for Kate to get in, then followed her into the back seat.

‘I was just curious after … well … that night in Amsterdam,’ Kate said. ‘He seemed to know everyone at that club.’

Curious indeed. ‘The Ritz-Carlton, Dan.’ He settled back in the seat and smiled at Kate. ‘If you’re asking whether Max is happily married, he is. He adores his wife and son. Hollywood couldn’t do it any better.’

‘Oh.’ Surprise turned into a smile. ‘That’s great. I like Hollywood happy endings.’

‘I thought you might.’

‘You say it like there’s something wrong with happily ever after.’

‘On the contrary, if only it were true the world would be a better place.’

‘Cynic.’

‘Welcome to my reality.’

‘That’s what comes from making too much money. The thrill is gone.’

He laughed. ‘You know that, do you?’

‘Call it a calculated guess.’

‘In any case, Miss Hart, tonight we’re going to forget about reality and making money. We’re just going to have fun.’

She lifted her brows. ‘Do you know how to have fun?’

An easy smile. ‘You tell me tomorrow.’

They’d landed at the old airport on Kowloon so it was a relatively short drive to the Ritz-Carlton where they were whisked up to the 117th floor with such exaggerated courtesy by the hotel manager that Kate understood Dominic Knight’s financial status was well known. On reaching the club level, the small, trim man and Dominic spoke briefly in Cantonese before the manager pivoted back to the elevators and Dominic turned to Kate. ‘Let me show you to your room.’ He indicated the direction with a nod. ‘If it’s convenient,’ he said, moving down the wide corridor, ‘I’ll pick you up for dinner at eight. Hong Kong is all about food. Some say there’s shopping and finance too but’ – a quick smile – ‘mostly it’s food. We’ll start with drinks at the China Club.’ He stopped at a set of double doors. ‘If you need anything, ask your butler.’