Outback Affair: An Affair Novel (Entangled Indulgence) Read Online Free Page B

in her throat. She placed her hand over her mouth and coughed, trying to dislodge it, until the tears ran down her face. She looked up gratefully when Alex handed her a glass of water.
    “Thank you.” She picked up the paper napkin and dabbed around her chin in case any food had escaped.
    Alex leaned back in the chair and watched her wipe her eyes. Unease prickled down her back as guilt filled her. She hated lying; she’d seen enough of that from her father.
    “Alex, I was not quite truthful before. I was being careful…because…you know…well…you never know who you meet in the Outback.”
    “That’s a wise way to be out here. It’s rough country with some odd characters.”
    A wave of heat rose from her neck, and she knew her face would be flaming red, thanks to her pale complexion. He was well spoken, and she decided to come clean. “I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you. I’m not really an actress. I’m actually here for my job or that is, for a job I am trying to get.”
    He leaned forward to eat his meal and tipped his head to the side, waiting for her to continue. Jess took a deep breath and waited until he had started to chew.
    “I’m going out to Cockatoo Springs to do an article on the chef school and interview Alessandro Ricardo, the managing director. You seem to know a lot about bush cuisine, so it would be an interesting angle if I could use you in another article. You could tell me all about the fish, how you catch it, and where it goes.” She spoke quickly, encouraged by the intense interest in his expression. “I could even do a section on your business, all good publicity for you. Maybe take some photos?”
    Now it was his turn to choke on his food. It must be those tiny pieces of rice…or the hot berries on the fish. Clearing his throat, he sat back and observed her for a moment without speaking, and frown lines creased his forehead.
    “Hmm. That sounds interesting. No one has ever asked me about the barramundi fishing before. They’ve not really found it very interesting. Apart from the fishing tourists, that is, certainly not from a cooking angle.” He nodded slowly. “I suppose it could help my business.”
    Jess was surprised to hear a snort from the bar, and she looked up as Janet hurried back into the kitchen.
    “Now tell me, how do you intend to get to Cockatoo Springs?” he said with his arms folded across his chest.
    “I’m going to drive there in the morning.” A feeling of unease wound its way from her stomach to her chest, and it had nothing to do with the fish she had just eaten.
    “You’re going to drive three hundred kilometers across flooded creeks and billabongs? You must have a big four wheel drive truck hidden away.” His face was a picture. “And a truck driver?”
    “Three hundred kilometers?” she squawked. “What’s that in miles?” She did the quick calculation in her head. “That can’t be right. My directions said that Daly River is the closest town to Cockatoo Springs. That’s why I drove down here from the airport.”
    “It is.” He nodded sagely. “This is the outback.”

Chapter Three
    Alex almost felt sorry for the woman sitting across the table from him.
    Almost.
    He knew how hard food journalists from the top magazines had been trying to get an interview with his alter ego, managing director of Cockatoo Springs, Alessandro Ricardo, and it pissed him off. He’d only taken up the position at the request of his dead fiancée’s family. They’d set the school up in her memory. He’d agreed and signed a two year contract on the strict condition he was a silent partner; it was a way he could get rid of the insurance payout from the accident. He didn’t want the money, but he hadn’t wanted to tarnish Emily’s memory for her family. It was enough that he’d been hurt by what she’d done. Her family didn’t need to know about it.
    The promotional side of it drove him crazy. The stupid idea of him taking on an