‘Lorena?’ Mo looked confused.
Netta raised her eyebrows. ‘Lorena Long?’
‘Yeah, I know who you mean. But why would she be doing that?’
‘Because by now she’s probably seen the photo of our fake kiss on the red carpet and because now you’re here with me, instead of with her. I’m sureyou’drather it was her here with you, too.’
Mo hooked his arm over the back of the couch and turned his body to her. ‘Why?’
Netta fidgeted with the cushion she’d pulled into her lap. ‘Because you’re together, aren’t you?’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘I saw you in the stage entry during the rehearsal and after your performance tonight.’
Mo shook his head. ‘I’m not with Lorena.’
Netta gave him a look so pointy it could take an eye out. ‘You guys looked pretty cosy to me. And you look great together. She’s beautiful …you’rebeautiful …’
Mo paused, as though choosing his words carefully before speaking. ‘Lorena has been …tryingfor a while. With me, I mean. I’m not interested, but she’s always there. And she’s not backward in coming forward, if you know what I mean. I’ve told her I’m not up for it but I think she thinks that if she keeps chipping away, I’ll come around.’
‘Right.’ Netta backtracked through her memories of Lorena and Mo together. It had been Lorena who’d initiated contact both times.
‘And sheisbeautiful,’ continued Mo, ‘but not … not as beautiful as you. Not by miles.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Sorry.’ Mo looked mortified. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘You think I’m beautiful?’
Mo rose from the couch and went to the fire, stoking it despite its roaring flame. Netta watched him take a deep breath, his broad chest rising beneath the ludicrous jumper she could no longer see the funny side of.
‘I think you’re more than beautiful,’ he said, the deep gravel of his voice setting Netta alight. ‘And that kiss …’ He shook his head and puffed out his cheeks. ‘There was nothing fake about it for me. It was incredible.’
For a moment, Netta was struck mute. By his words, by the sight of him in front of the fire, by the warm glow of wine in her belly and the desire racing around her veins. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘I shouldn’t have said anything,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t going to. Fuck. Now I’ve made it weird. I’m so sorry.’
Netta sat in silence, aware that this was one of those sliding door moments. Aware that her judgement in these situations was often very questionable in hindsight. Aware that her body had been overriding her head since the moment Mo had come to her hotel room that morning. She took another swig of wine and put her glass on the coffee table.
‘Are you telling me the truth?’
Mo looked her straight in the eye. ‘Yes.’
‘Because it would be pretty shitty to say that to me just because we’re stuck here together and Lorena’s not here.’
‘I told you, I have no interest in Lorena,’ he said earnestly. ‘She’s—she’s not a patch on you, Netta. I’ve been trying so hard to keep it in because I know you’ve just had a break-up and you probably think I’m a dirtbag with women everywhere. I’mnot, by the way. Plus, you’ve told me you’re on that man ban or whatever you call it. Just forget I said anything.’ He rubbed the back of his neck, setting off the music and lights again. ‘Saved by the jumper, hey?’ His face creased into a sheepish smile. ‘I might just go to bed. Let’s start tomorrow afresh. Friends?’ He looked hopeful as he stood, stretching his hand out to shake Netta’s.
A decision landed defiantly in Netta’s mind and there was no question about whether or not to walk through the door before it slid shut in front of her. She took his hand and stood, looking up into his beautiful,beautifulface as her body brushed up against his. Her other hand found his chest, warm and firm under her palm. A look of delighted surprise flashed over his features and melted Netta even more. There was no going back now. The man ban was toast.
‘I’ve been feeling the same way,’ she said hesitantly. The rush of relief on his face pushed her nerves aside and she took his hand, guiding it to her hip as she stretched up onto her toes, pressing her breasts into his chest, her hips to his. She couldn’t quite believe how bold she was being, but this feeling, thisforce, was unstoppable.
His lips parted as she moved her face closer, his hand holding the back of her head, fingers woven into her hair as their lips met. Netta disappeared into the heat of the kiss, entirely engulfed. His mouth moved with hers as though it had been made for this exact moment and his guitar-callused fingertips traveled to the nape of her neck, lingering for a moment before trailing down her spine to the dip of her lower back.
He moved his lips to her ear. ‘Netta.’ His whisper was ragged, his breath hot and tormenting as his kiss dipped to her neck.
Netta ran her hands down his torso, stealing under his jumper to find the soft skin beneath, her fingertips sliding around to his lower back and under the waistband of his pants. He groaned and pressed his body into hers, his desire for her hard against her belly. He cupped her face in his hands once more, and kissed her again, this time with urgency, his lips charged. She ran her hands up the length of his back, his muscles tightening under her touch, and around to his chest. The smattering of hair covering his pecs sent a thrill through her entire body. She couldn’t remember ever being so overcome with longing before. She needed this more than she needed air.
