Page 52 of Cold and Bitter Snow

“Hey, Siena, what’s wrong?” he asked, bringing her closer and wrapping his right arm around her. She let him hold her, not wanting to move for fear of causing him any pain.

Next thing she knew, she was sobbing.

He made reassuring sounds as he held her.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so relieved you’re okay—"

“Why did you leave, Siena?”

She looked up through her tears, confused. “You didn’t need me there anymore. We were going to part ways anyway, so—”

“Why do you think that?”

“We slept together once, Conor. That’s all.”

“Is it?” he asked. His gray eyes bored into hers.

“My report is almost done. I’ll be leaving Le Miroir soon.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Okay?

It’s not okay. It’s not going to be okay. Don’t you realize that I l—

“I’ll need some time,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Time for what?”

“Time until I’m cleared by the doctors. Time to quit my job and for Luc to find a new housemate.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, her mouth hanging open.

“I thought I’d made myself clear. I want to give us a chance. I don’t want us to live thousands of miles from each other.”

“You’d come to London to be with me?” she asked.

“I’d go anywhere to be with you.”

“The rest of our lives won’t be as exciting as the last weeks. You know that, right?”

“I know that I’m in love with you, Siena. When I saw you in Raoul’s arms I—”

“I felt the same way when I saw you fall. I never want to go through that again.” She shook her head. “I keep seeing it every time I close my eyes.”

“Let me give you something else to think about,” he said. His right hand moved up her waist and towards her breasts.

“Hold your horses, Conor. Aren’t you getting a bit carried away? I don’t think that’s what the doctor—”

“I disagree. I think you’re exactly what the doctor ordered.” He lowered his lips to her neck and nuzzled her gently. “We can be really careful. I’ll show you.”

And then he did.