Blazing Obsession Read Free Page B

building my ‘empire’.” I used the two fingers on both hands to indicate quote marks and smiled.
    I added, “Can we have a chat later?”
    â€œSure. See you in the cafe in about an hour.”
    She pressed the speed button on the treadmill. I nodded, delighted I’d reached base camp.
    She entered the cafe wearing her trademark, stunning smile.
    As I moved the chair back for her to sit, I breathed in the fresh, clean, soapy smell of someone who’s just showered, which I always found slightly erotic.
    I asked how she got on with Bill, her boss.
    â€œOh, Bill’s great. Without him, I don’t think I could have managed to run the sales department. He’s been like a father to me. Not that I’d know
exactly
what a father should be like.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    She took a long sip from her glass.
    â€œOh, it’s too long a story. Maybe I’ll tell you one day.”
    I wanted to learn more, but it didn’t seem the right time to pursue it. I changed the subject.
    â€œHow’s your little boy?”
    â€œGeorgie? He’s great! We’ve recently moved to a flat in Limehouse. He’s quite excited.”
    â€œIt’s just you and Georgie living there then, is it?”
    â€œYes. My mum lives close by. Looks after Georgie after school when I’m at work. Actually, I can’t stay long. Mum’s minding him now. I always like to be home before Georgie goes to bed.”
    Looking at her watch, she said, “I’m late already.”
    She stood and slung her gym bag over her shoulder.
    â€œWell… can we have a chat next week… after working-out?”
    As she reached the door, she turned, smiled, shrugged her shoulders and said, “Sure.” Little flirt, I thought.
    *
    We met every Tuesday night after our workouts for the next three weeks. In between laughing at my mildly funny jokes, we shared our life stories.
    She wanted to know how I spent most of my time.
    â€œMe? I spend every waking hour building up my business. It’s become an obsession, I suppose.”
    â€œAnd what about your home life?”
    â€œDoesn’t exist at the moment. Since my divorce three years ago, I’ve kept my head down. Concentrated on the business.”
    â€œHow long were you married?”
    â€œFive years.”
    â€œSo, are you enjoying single life?”
    â€œIt’s OK.”
    â€œYou must have plenty of girlfriends, good-looking guy like you?” She gave me
that
smile again.
    â€œOh, yes… hundreds! I’ve had my moments, but to tell the truth, I’ve never understood women. Doing business deals are much easier… and less complicated in my experience.” She pulled a face in disbelief.
    I wanted to hear more about her background. “OK, it’s your turn now.”
    She placed her coffee cup on the table and took a breath.
    â€œWell… my mum and dad divorced when I was three. He’s never been in touch.”
    She sighed. “My mum remarried, but my stepfather wasn’t much better. He treated us both badly and disappeared off the scene when I turned eight.”
    â€œOh, that’s not good,” I said. I’d already told her my parents loved each other deeply and I was their golden boy. I remember my childhood with great affection.
    â€œIn any case, I got married, but divorced two-and-a-half years ago. And, as you know I’ve got Georgie.” Her face lit up again at the mention of his name.
    â€œI expect your mum’s proud of him?”
    â€œAre you kidding? He’s Grandma’s only topic of conversation and the centre of her universe. She’s worse than I am. She thinks he’ll be running the country when he’s old enough.”
    Stirring her coffee absent-mindedly, she continued.
    â€œThere’s only one problem. There’s no man in his life. Mum says he needs a role model. His father’s a complete waste of