Chapter 2

The loud scraping of chairs signalled the end of the press conference. People started to mill about while waitresses served even more glasses of champagne and trays of canapés. Stephanie drained her own glass and smiled her thanks as she accepted another drink. After all it would be a shame not to take advantage of the free champagne and the man's generous hospitality.

Stephanie's face flickered with amusement as she looked towards the front of the room to see the man in question standing deep in conversation with some tall leggy blonde. Really, what were the odds that she would meet this man on an aeroplane only to rebuff him and be instructed to cover his press conference less than twenty four hours later? And better yet conduct an interview with him.

Stephanie shook her head slightly as she took a large sip of the champagne. She had a feeling she was going to need it. As her blue eyes settled on him once more, she noticed with alarm that he had finished his conversation and was now walking over in her direction. She quickly cleared her throat and smoothed down her best black pencil skirt. For some reason, seeing Mr Levesque was making her feel slightly uneasy right now. Maybe it was because she didn't fully appreciate before how powerful this man really was. She'd been doing some more research and Paul had a scary reputation in the European business world. He was also a genius, something her boss had told her just this morning as well as being listed as one the cleverest entrepreneurs of this generation. All in all, he was a very successful and powerful man not to mention ridiculously wealthy.

She noticed he was wearing yet another expensive suit. It was a dark grey colour with a white shirt underneath and definitely designer and probably cost more than her entire wardrobe put together. She had to give him credit. Paul was dressed immaculately and stood out a mile from everyone else in the room. Stephanie brushed off a loose thread from her own black jacket as he finally stopped in front of her with a hint of a smile on his lips.

"So, it looks like we meet again."

"Much to your displeasure, I'm sure."

Paul's deep laughter made his shoulders shake and Stephanie tried not to notice how handsome he looked in the low lighting of the room or how good he smelled.

"In fact, I'm surprised you even agreed to this interview." she continued.

"Well when I saw it would be you that would be conducting it, I couldn't resist." he replied smiling. "Shall we?"

Stephanie nodded and gathered her things together carrying them to the small table and chairs in the corner of the room where Paul was already standing holding out a seat for her. It looked like the man had manners. She smiled her thanks and sat down as he took the chair directly across from her.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday." said Paul before his smiling his thanks at the waitress who had placed down fresh drinks at their table.

Stephanie shrugged as she guided her hair behind her ear and slid her glass in front of her. "You're entitled to your opinion."

"Yeah, well maybe you'll be able to change that. Tell me about yourself, Stephanie."

Her blue eyes stared at him. "I thought I was supposed to ask you that being the interviewer and all."

Paul lifted his shoulder placing his drink down. "I think I'd rather hear about you."

"Trust me, I'm not that interesting. Now, if we could get down to some questions." replied Stephanie, leafing through her notepad.

"So I guess this is where the interrogation begins then." he smiled.

"I'll try and make this as quick and painless as possible for you, Mr Levesque."

"Manage that and I'll be forever in your debt." His brown eyes stared at her making Stephanie shift in her seat uncomfortably. "Which might not be such a bad thing if you think about it."

She ignored the flirtatious tone in his voice as her eyes stared at the neatly written notes she'd made earlier. "You're branching out overseas. It seems European success obviously isn't enough for you, Mr Levesque."

Paul's lips lifted into a smile. "Well in my opinion you can never have enough success."

"Is that why you're opening an office here? To have even more success?"

"Well, that and because this is my home."

Stephanie wrinkled her brow. "But I thought Geneva was your home."

Paul shook his head. "Only for the last ten years. I got the opportunity to work over there when I graduated from NYU and I took it. I acquired my first big client within the first month then before I knew it, I had offices in six major European countries including London and Paris."

"So New York is next on the list."

He nodded. "It's always been my dream to move back here. It was just a matter of time." He took a sip of his drink, his brown eyes appraising her. "You know the journalists I've encountered back in Europe aren't half as beautiful as you."

Stephanie felt the heat rush to her cheeks at the unexpected turn in the conversation as she quickly took a gulp of her own champagne.

"And you're even more beautiful when you blush." he grinned.

"Em, thank you." she stammered. "So, next question…."

"Will you have dinner with me?"

Her blue eyes went side with surprise. "What?"

"It's a simple question, Miss McMahon. Will you have dinner with me or not?"

Stephanie quickly shook her head. "I don't think that's a very good idea, Mr Levesque."

"Paul. My name is Paul." he reminded her.

"Well…Paul… I think we should just concentrate on getting this interview done."

"Hey, I'm new in town. You wouldn't want me eating all alone would you?"

"Well I'm pretty sure there are plenty of women out there more than willing to take you up on that offer."

"Yeah but I'm not interested in them. I'm interested in you."

Stephanie swallowed feeling a little taken aback by his answer. "Yeah, well I don't do dates I'm afraid."

"Who said anything about a date? I'm only asking you to accompany me to dinner." he replied, his brown eyes twinkling as his fingers raked through his blonde hair. "So, what do you say? You can ask me anything you like."

Stephanie shrugged as the allure of being wined and dined in an expensive restaurant finally won her over. "Then I guess I can't refuse."

"Good." smiled Paul. "Anywhere you would recommend?"

"Well that depends."

"On what?"

"On what you're in the mood for."

"Oh I don't think you'd want to know what I'm in the mood for." he chuckled as his stare smouldered in her direction and Stephanie blushed once more wondering what on earth she'd just let herself in for.