Page 85 of Never Gonna Happen

‘I’ve missed you,’ said Jamie. ‘It’s lonely here on my own.’

‘I’m afraid you can’t have Louisa back.’

‘Very funny,’ he said. ‘I spoke to three physios in Norwich this morning; one of them sounds perfect and is coming over tomorrow.’

‘Good news,’ said Emily, pushing the plate towards him. ‘Eat.’

They were both quiet for a few minutes as they ate their lunch. ‘I’m going to London on Wednesday,’ she said casually, getting two cans of Diet Coke out of the fridge.

‘With Dad?’

‘Yeah. He’s got some meetings.’

Jamie laughed. ‘So you’ve come back and now you’re abandoning me again.’

‘You’re doing really well now. Super-speedy on those crutches. I’m going to have dinner with a friend while I’m there.’

Jamie looked up at her. ‘Ah, that’s nice. Anyone I know?’

‘It’s Mark, my old boss,’ she said, sitting back down at the table.

‘Oh,’ said Jamie. ‘Any particular reason?’

‘I don’t know the details,’ she lied. ‘He wants a favour, a professional one. I know he’s had two PAs since I left and they haven’t worked out, so I’m guessing he wants my help with the job spec.’

‘Is sleeping with him part of the job spec?’

‘Very funny.’

‘You know you can do this kind of thing by email, right?’

‘Yes, but he asked if I was in London anytime soon, because it would be nice to meet in person. And since I am in London on Wednesday and have no other plans, I said yes.’

Jamie pursed his lips. ‘Is this you punishing me for Louisa?’

‘No, of course not,’ she said. ‘He’s asked for my help, and I thought you wouldn’t mind since we’re all grown-ups.’

‘You’re definitely punishing me.’

‘I’m not,’ said Emily. ‘If you really have a problem with it, I’ll cancel. I don’t care enough for us to fall out over it.’

Jamie pouted. ‘No, it’s fine.’

Emily smiled, wishing she could be honest but knowing her job depended on keeping her work and personal lives separate. ‘What if I promise to call you as soon as I get back and tell you I love you?’

‘What if you tell me now,’ said Jamie, unable to stay annoyed at her for long.

‘Fine, I love you.’

‘Mmm, I’m not convinced. Maybe you should show me.’

Jamie watched as Emily walked out of the kitchen to turn the heavy key in the front door, then pulled the blinds in the kitchen, plunging them into a dim light. She stood in front of him, already feeling the warmth and anticipation building in the pit of her stomach. ‘You want me to use my valuable lunch break to show you how much I love you.’

‘Yes,’ breathed Jamie, lifting her jumper and burying his face in her stomach.

Emily gasped as his hands stroked her back and his lips kissed a trail from her hip bone to her ribcage. She really needed to get back, but sometimes Jamie made it incredibly hard to leave. ‘Maybe I’ll show you first,’ he whispered, as his fingers found the zip of her jeans and slid them down over her thighs, taking her underwear with them. She moaned and buried her hands in his hair as his tongue and fingers found their mark, knowing that this wouldn’t take long. When Jamie took charge, it never took long.

Chapter Forty-One