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that only gives us superficial knowledge of each other. I already know, and respect you for your dedication to your work. But tonight I wanted to see the real you.”
    She smiled and teased him next to bring back the ease between them. “And your little trailer that made me laugh just now, I believe I would have liked that man behind the suit very much.”
    “Does that mean were I to propose another date with me, you would accept?”
    Well, she had no one else to blame but herself. Like a true man of Business that he was, Henry leaped to turn this slightest of chance into a most favourable of possibilities for him.
    Elaine was aware Damian McBain, Trevor’s older brother, was considering investing resources from McBain Industries into helping Henry expand his business. And since the day he learnt of Henry’s interest in her as a wife to him, Damian wanted Elaine to consider this ‘opportunity’ with a pragmatic approach.
    If things worked out, Damian wished to sweeten the deal with Elaine and Henry’s wedding. He had said it would forge a stronger connection with the other company and provide Elaine a safe, secure and brighter future. The latter consideration coming from Damian, left her somewhat speechless.
    That it was the only time he had ever shown her that he saw her differently than a wall in a room, or an empty vase on a desk, didn’t stop her from baulking from what he suggested. Her life was hers to make, she decided. But that didn’t mean she had written-off everything the McBains had done for her.
    When he insisted on setting up at least one meeting, she couldn’t outright refuse him. No one dared refuse Damian McBain anything.
    But a second date with Henry? Ordeals of this dismal evening revolved before her eyes.
    Her pensive pause was making Henry anxious, his expectant face quickly falling at her long silence. She didn’t think he loved her, but he seemed to care.
    “All right, I’ll come.” Her yielding immediately alleviated his morose colour. She contented with the thought that, at least, her decision was making two people happy. Henry and Damian.
    “You won’t regret it.” He offered enthusiastically. “I’ve been told my charm dazzle girls the second time around. So I warn you, come prepared.”
    They shared a companionable laughter. He really was charming when he wasn’t trying too hard.
    Of a sudden, Henry was leaning over the console, reaching for a kiss. And when Elaine realised she was unconsciously retreating from it, resolutely, she made herself stop.
    It was just a harmless kiss from her date tonight.
    She couldn’t still be hung up on what passed between her and Trevor only two days ago, could she?
    No, she wasn’t. And to prove this to herself, Elaine remained unmoving, forcing a receptive smile.
    Emboldened by that unspoken invitation, Henry gladly took over. He touched his eager lips to her cold, rigid ones. As he moved and coaxed, she started to relax. But just when she determined his kiss wasn’t that bad, he began seeking entrance into the soft, sweet recess of her mouth.
    Elaine couldn’t do it. She froze. Her mind recoiling from ceding him such clear sign of a woman’s first surrender to a man she loved. And that was the problem, she didn’t love Henry.
    He must have sensed her strong reluctance, since she felt him breaking the kiss.
    He smiled down at her as if in complete understanding. “I think we will save the rest of the kissing, too, for our second date.” Then added, “It has to improve with my charm, honey,” more to valiantly console himself.
    Elaine cringed inwardly at the endearment. She wasn’t ready for it. Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed on another date. But guilt from earlier still tugging at her conscience wouldn’t let her cancel. And she had promised Damian, she would give Henry a fair chance.
    Perhaps that was it, she merely needed to allow herself to get used to all this.
    Noting the lines of deep contemplation etched on her forehead,