was that the interior of such a traditional house would be decorated with such an eclectic mix of both traditional
and
modern furnishings and fittings. This was evidenced by the extremely contemporary black metal coatstand that might have been a sculpture standing just inside the door and the beautiful rosewood Regency armchair—both resting against a white marble floor that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a luxurious Italian villa.
As Drake led her down the hall to the foot of a staircase with a tasteful green and gold runner, she saw to her surprise that instead of a balustrade it had a sheer glass wall running alongside it. She couldn’t help turning towards her companion with a quizzical smile. ‘You’re a conundrum—you know that?’
His brow furrowed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well …’ Sighing thoughtfully, she deliberately chose her words with care. No way did she want to make another inadvertent blunder and offend him. ‘You design these incredible state-of-the-art modern buildings, yet you live in a very traditional nineteenth-century house. And when you walk through the door there’s another surprise. Instead of traditional furnishings you’ve plumped for a real mix of old and new. It intrigues me.
You
intrigue me.’
Reaching towards her, Drake all but stopped her breath when he slowly and deliberately tucked some dark strands of her silky hair behind her ear. His silvery eyes glinted with warmth and humour, but Layla detected a surprising hint of vulnerability in the fascinating depths too—a vulnerability that he had to take great pains to keep hidden from the world at large, she was sure.
‘I’m very glad that I intrigue you,’ he replied. ‘Whilst I don’t see my wealth and position as some kind of “golden ticket” to get me anything I want, as your ex-boss did, I’ll happily accept any advantages that might act in my favour. At least where you’re concerned, Layla.’
When he said such seductive things to her he made it very hard for her to gather her thoughts. ‘So why do you live in a house like this when you’re renowned for designing some of the most contemporary buildings on the planet? That’s what I’d like to know.’
‘The watchwords for the Regency era were proportion, symmetry and harmony. I rather like that. As well as the desire for aesthetic beauty that the architects used as their guide, there’s something very comforting and solid about the houses that were constructed then. But I also like the challenge of modernity … designing buildings that meet more contemporary needs—such as larger spaces to live and work in with plenty of light.’ Drake’s well-shaped mouth shaped a grin. ‘But that’s enough talk about design for one day. It feels too much like work. I don’t know about you, but my stomach is crying out for some food. Let me show you round the rest of the house, then I’ll go and cook our dinner.’
‘I admit I’d love something to eat—but I’d also love to see what else you’ve done here.’
‘Then I’ll lead the way. But first give me your coat. You can leave your bag on the chair there.’ Waiting until Layla had done just that, Drake gestured her to ascend the staircase in front of him. ‘It will be my pleasure to show you round.’
After showing Layla three bathrooms with freestanding baths and every conceivable modern convenience that anyone could wish for, several bedrooms with chic French-style beds and original oil paintings on the walls, then a frighteningly elegant living room with exposed brick and French doors that led out onto a charming decked terrace, Drake proposed that they see the rest of the house after they’d eaten. So with that in mind they headed for the kitchen, where he proceeded to extract the ingredients for the stir-fry they’d agreed on from a large stainless steel refrigerator.
The kitchen was another testament to Layla’s host’s eclectic good taste. Every cabinet, piece of furniture and
and
modern furnishings and fittings. This was evidenced by the extremely contemporary black metal coatstand that might have been a sculpture standing just inside the door and the beautiful rosewood Regency armchair—both resting against a white marble floor that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a luxurious Italian villa.
As Drake led her down the hall to the foot of a staircase with a tasteful green and gold runner, she saw to her surprise that instead of a balustrade it had a sheer glass wall running alongside it. She couldn’t help turning towards her companion with a quizzical smile. ‘You’re a conundrum—you know that?’
His brow furrowed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well …’ Sighing thoughtfully, she deliberately chose her words with care. No way did she want to make another inadvertent blunder and offend him. ‘You design these incredible state-of-the-art modern buildings, yet you live in a very traditional nineteenth-century house. And when you walk through the door there’s another surprise. Instead of traditional furnishings you’ve plumped for a real mix of old and new. It intrigues me.
You
intrigue me.’
Reaching towards her, Drake all but stopped her breath when he slowly and deliberately tucked some dark strands of her silky hair behind her ear. His silvery eyes glinted with warmth and humour, but Layla detected a surprising hint of vulnerability in the fascinating depths too—a vulnerability that he had to take great pains to keep hidden from the world at large, she was sure.
‘I’m very glad that I intrigue you,’ he replied. ‘Whilst I don’t see my wealth and position as some kind of “golden ticket” to get me anything I want, as your ex-boss did, I’ll happily accept any advantages that might act in my favour. At least where you’re concerned, Layla.’
When he said such seductive things to her he made it very hard for her to gather her thoughts. ‘So why do you live in a house like this when you’re renowned for designing some of the most contemporary buildings on the planet? That’s what I’d like to know.’
‘The watchwords for the Regency era were proportion, symmetry and harmony. I rather like that. As well as the desire for aesthetic beauty that the architects used as their guide, there’s something very comforting and solid about the houses that were constructed then. But I also like the challenge of modernity … designing buildings that meet more contemporary needs—such as larger spaces to live and work in with plenty of light.’ Drake’s well-shaped mouth shaped a grin. ‘But that’s enough talk about design for one day. It feels too much like work. I don’t know about you, but my stomach is crying out for some food. Let me show you round the rest of the house, then I’ll go and cook our dinner.’
‘I admit I’d love something to eat—but I’d also love to see what else you’ve done here.’
‘Then I’ll lead the way. But first give me your coat. You can leave your bag on the chair there.’ Waiting until Layla had done just that, Drake gestured her to ascend the staircase in front of him. ‘It will be my pleasure to show you round.’
After showing Layla three bathrooms with freestanding baths and every conceivable modern convenience that anyone could wish for, several bedrooms with chic French-style beds and original oil paintings on the walls, then a frighteningly elegant living room with exposed brick and French doors that led out onto a charming decked terrace, Drake proposed that they see the rest of the house after they’d eaten. So with that in mind they headed for the kitchen, where he proceeded to extract the ingredients for the stir-fry they’d agreed on from a large stainless steel refrigerator.
The kitchen was another testament to Layla’s host’s eclectic good taste. Every cabinet, piece of furniture and
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