Boudoir Secrets

Chapter 52

James had surprised her. He had been a different man when they last met. They sat in silence for over two hours, neither wanting to speak first. She had been the one to break it.

"So... not so poor?"

The corners of his lips twitched, unsure of whether to suppress the smile or not.

"Not so brutishly stupid either!"

That made him smile. He lifted the cigarette to his full lips and took a long drag, inhaling the smoke deeply before releasing it in a thin and continuous tendril above his head.

She played nervously with her glass, uncomfortable being in a situation where she didn't have the upper hand. James continued to sit in silence as she squirmed in her seat.

"Have you turned mute?"

Finally he broke his peace and laughed. He didn't say anything, just inhaled more smoke and laughed. It was driving Arianrhod crazy! She decided to stop saying anything further. Two can play that game.

Fo another fifteen minutes they sat staring at one another, neither speaking.

"I kept telling you I wasn't stupid and that it was dangerous for your health to assume so."

It was her turn to laugh. She didn't have his self-control however.

"How could you? Why did you lie to me?"

James sat up in his chair and rested his arms on the table, stubbing his cigarette in the ashtray.

"You never asked," he said quietly.

A waiter paused at their table and enquired if they  were needing anything. Arianrhod ordered her fourth whiskey and James his usual bourbon.

"So why the secrecy?"

He lent back in his chair and looked at her, scanning her face before responding.

"It suited me."

"So laconic."

Around them the cafe started closing. Tables were being cleared and chairs being stacked. The waiter nervously handed them their bill in a leather presenter and walked back to the organised chaos of clearing and tidying up.

James smiled and pulled out his wallet. No use pretending he couldn't afford it. He paid and stood.

"What now?"

James smiled down at her before answering, "You are dying to see my place, aren't you?"