The Lethal Encounter Read Online Free

original sitting position and continued to finish her drink,
picking up a newspaper that was folded on the other side of the table. Despite
it being in French, she studied it closely and felt somewhat protected by its
presence.
     
    “Would you like to join us
for a drink?” Said a voice not four foot from her table. Katie's heart gave a
lurch and she looked up, only to see Peter Jarvis standing over her. His eyes
were staring intently at her and a slight smile played around the corners of
his mouth.
     
    “Oh, no, no. I couldn't
possibly,” stammered Katie, who immediately, and to her horror, started
fidgeting in her seat. “I couldn't interrupt your night and I’m sure your
friends are waiting for you.”
     
    As soon as she said the
words, Katie realised the trap she had fallen into and so did Peter Jarvis as
he sat down in one of the chairs beside her.
     
    “In that case, I'll join you
for a nightcap. What would you like?” he said as he signalled a waiter from the
bar to take their order. “A brandy maybe, or glass of wine?”
     
    “No, I'm fine thanks,” said
Katie, at last finding her voice and some semblance of control. “I'm just
leaving actually.”
     
    “No, I insist. It's only
early and you probably don't have anything else to do apart from go up to your
room and watch some late night movie or read your book. Have a brandy with me.”
He relayed the order to the waiter and turned back to Katie before giving her a
big smile.
     
    Despite her inner turmoil,
Katie could not help feel a spark of anger. Men like Peter Jarvis were just too
used to getting their own way, particularly, she imagined, with women, and she
did not want to appear to be yet another fawning conquest for a celebrated
captain of industry.
     
    However, looking at this man
beside her, a man who had provoked such a massive reaction in her earlier, she
had an overwhelming sense of curiosity.
     
    “Well, if you portray me in
such mundane, boring light, then I feel obliged to remain and be entertained,”
Katie said. “After all, this could be an amazing opportunity.”
     
    Peter looked at her
quizzically, wondering for a moment if she was being genuine or making fun of
him. Unable to decide he held out his hand and said.
     
    “Allow me to introduce
myself, Peter Jarvis”.
     
    “Katie McGovern.” Katie
replied as she took his hand. His grip was dry and firm and, as they shook, his
eyes met hers again and a tingle flashed down her body. She pulled her hand
away and hoped he had not felt the slight tremor that she knew had gone through
her body.
     
    “Did you enjoy your meal?
That restaurant is a particular favourite of mine. Louis, the head waiter,
always looks after me so well and the chef is first rate. Did you try the meat?
It's excellent.” Peter said smoothly.
     
    On the one hand Katie hated
his confidence, his sheer belief in the fact that he could walk up to any woman
and start a conversation without worrying about the consequences, but, on the
other, she was genuinely pleased at the attention of an incredibly good looking
man who obviously preferred to talk to her than stay with his friends at the
bar. The latter who, she noticed out of the corner of her eyes, were
surreptitiously looking at them together. No doubt smirking at his latest
conquest, she thought.
     
    She looked at him closely,
trying to ascertain whether or not he had known of her discomfort or the effect
he had on her. His eyes were staring intently at her face but, apart from his
open smile, his questions seemed genuine.
     
    “It was good and I did have
the meat,” she said “that was also excellent.”
     
    “And what brings you to Cannes. Katie? Work, or pleasure?” Peter said.
     
    It was at that moment that
Katie realised he had no idea who she was, what she did or that she worked for his
very company. Indeed, she was just about to tell him her circumstances and her
connection to him when something stopped her. She was over the initial