SILK WICKEDNESS 35

For the rest of the meal Claudia avoided Guy’s eyes as if they were death rays.

What exactly had that ‘but’ been saying? I want you, but that's all it is, so don't get any ideas. Or, I want you, but it's just not on at the moment . Or even a bit of both. I want you, but I'm not sure whether it's any more than that, and in the circumstances I'm not that bothered about finding out.

By the time their coffee arrived, the strain of keeping up airy smiles and chat was a nightmare. When he suggested a liqueur, she shook her head. I'm ready for bed. I didn’t sleep very well last night.’

‘You slept this afternoon,’ he pointed out.

‘I’m still tired,’ she fibbed.

Anoushka gave a large yawn, covering it belatedly with her hand. ‘I’m shattered too.’ She glanced up at Guy. ‘Do you mind if I go up now?’

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Claudia, a little too quickly.

‘If you’ll both wait one minute till I’ve signed the bill,’ he said patiently, ‘we can go up together.’

Until they were in the lift, she avoi