An Unexpected Proposal

Chapter 2

"Oh man!" Shelly was by Abigail's side like a shot. "What did he say to you?" she asked breathing excitedly in her ear.

"He introduced himself," Abi replied. "And then asked me to have dinner with him."

Shelly's eyes widened, her mouth dropped wide open. "Oh wow. Abi."

When Abi didn't respond, Shelly's smile disappeared completely. "Oh no, don't tell me you rejected him. Andreas Karidis! Abi..."

The sad and horrified look on her friend's face almost had Abigail laughing out loud. "Actually," she explained, "I didn't say anything. He was arrogant enough to just assume I'd be joining him."

Shelly slapped her arm playfully. "Excellent! Go for it girl."

Abigail looked over at her friend. "Go for what, Shell?" she asked. "He said this has to do with the charity. And you know better than anyone I've been burned before. I'm not interested in a relationship with a man like that. I want something real."

"Ok, how about I take your place?" Shelly asked. "Although, by the way Karidis was looking at you, I doubt he wants anyone else at that table," she said. "And how do you know what kind of a man he is? You've spoken to him for a grand total of five seconds."

Shelly was right. But that didn't stop the fear creeping into Abi's heart. These sensations she had just experienced with Andreas were dangerous. She knew her heart better than anyone. She'd have to tread very carefully.

Abigail shook her head slightly. "Still, he did say it was for the charity. Maybe I should..."

As Abigail left the building, the cool night air hit her face. Almost immediately, the cameras began flashing so brightly she could barely see where she was going. People were calling out her name, "Abigail, over here! Abigail, give us a smile! Abi, where are you going?"

There was a line of limos out front and of course paparazzi with their cameras and flashing lights at the ready. Abi wasn't sure which car belonged to Andreas and the flashing lights made it hard to see anything. She placed her hand over her eyes to shield them from the brightness. She realized then, too late, that this was Karidis' plan. He wanted her to come out the front and get into his limo with him so the whole world would see them together, would know she was with him. And all of a sudden, the anger began to rise within her.

Just as that thought hit her, a hand came around her waist and she immediately jerked back. "It's just me," came Andreas' voice next to her. He gently guided her to the only white car amongst all the black ones waiting near the kerb, camera lights still flashing blindingly.

Andreas opened the door for her and guided her in. His hand on her waist, his tall, muscular frame over her, she felt protected by him from the paparazzi, as odd as that seemed. A strange sensation of security washed over her.

Once inside and the door closed, the noise was immediately shut out and silence filled the cabin. The car began to glide off and the crowd around it dispersed to let it through.

Without meaning to, Abi let out a huge sigh of relief. Andreas' sharp eyes were on her.

"I would have thought you were used to this by now," he said.

She looked up at him. He was even more stunningly handsome in the subdued lighting of the limo. His black hair was short and pushed back, displaying a chiselled face with a bone structure that would make any master artist foam at the mouth. He had undone his tie and his shirt buttons were open at the top exposing a bronze, muscled chest. Abigail was momentarily stunned at how her body reacted to this man, blood rushing to her core and her nipples hardening. She inwardly cursed her traitorous body and silently thanked herself for wearing the leather jacket before she left the building.