Chapter 45

 

April gave the impression she was relaxed and enjoying the drive towards the Channel Tunnel in Dylan’s Bentley. Paddy had messaged her confirming they’d dealt with customs to okay her fake passport as Gemma Dean.

Henry was on her mind. It didn’t do to get sentimentally involved when undercover, but he had somehow got underneath her skin. A woolly unease gathered inside of her when she thought about him. He always appeared so unhappy.

“Have you been through the tunnel before?” Dylan asked, his eyes focussing on the road.

“Yes, not recently though.”

“Could you drive it yourself?”

She turned her head and gave him a scathing look. “I think I could just about manage.”

“Who were you with?” he grinned, “when you last came?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “you never say much about yourself.”

“That’s because there’s not much to tell.”

“What about your family? Have you any in London?”

“No. I’m an only child.”

“Parents?” he asked.

He knows all of this. Why’s he going over it again?

“I told you, my parents emigrated to Australia years ago. And my dad died.”

“That’s right, you did. Sorry about your dad. What part of Australia does your mother live in?”

“Melbourne.”

Feed him some more rubbish.

“She remarried a widower and became a stepmother to his children. Well, I say children, they’re actually adult now.”

“When did you last visit?”

She paused giving the impression she was mentally calculating the year, “About five years ago.”

“Did she visit you when you were inside?”

“She did actually, yes. Initially I was too ashamed to tell her, but I wrote to her in the end, and fair do’s, she came over. We aren’t terribly close, if I’m completely honest.”

It was time to get him off the subject of her.

“How far is the hotel once we get through the tunnel?”

“About fifty miles. Did I say, when we get to the hotel, I’ve got some business to attend to? Will you be okay using the spa for a couple of hours?”

Spa?

She hated spas.

“I’m not bothered about anything like that, to be honest.”

“It’s got a great reputation. You might enjoy it.”

“I’d rather go sightseeing for a bit, if that’s okay?”

His tender smile caused her tummy to flip.

“You never cease to amaze me, do you know that? I know women that would die to look as good as you, yet you don’t seem to work at it. Do you go in for any sort of beauty therapy regime?”

“No, that’s not me at all.”

“I can see that. Okay, sightseeing it is then. Can you fit in a bit of retail therapy? I’d like you to buy something nice to wear for tonight, my treat.”

“There’s really no need, I’ve brought stuff with me,” she widened her eyes, “or are you worried I’ll let you down in a chain-store offering?”

“I don’t think you could ever let me down, Gemma,” he squeezed her leg, “you’re like a breath of fresh air.” He smiled his oh so sexy grin at her, “And you make me feel very horny.”

She gave him a suggestive look, “Have we time to do anything about that before your business meeting?”

“I’ll make time,” he winked, causing an ache deep within her.

He was far too bloody hot for a criminal.