AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Teddy nodded approvingly. This was the one reassuring thing he’d heard all evening. For a few minutes he sat in silence, sipping his Bordeaux contemplatively. Then he asked Alexia, “What was his name?”
She seemed surprised by the question. “Does it matter?”
“It matters to me, yes. I’d like to know.”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you.”
Teddy looked at her, disbelieving. “What? Don’t be silly, darling. Who was he?”
“I would if I could, Teddy. But I can’t. You’re just going to have to trust me on this one.”
“Trust you? That’s rich! You clearly don’t trust me enough to confide in me.” Teddy stood up angrily and began pacing the deck. Suddenly all the peace and ease of the evening had gone. He felt like he’d been punched in the stomach.
Alexia pleaded. “Don’t be angry. You knew what we were getting into when I put my name forward for this job.”
Did I? thought Teddy bitterly.
“I’m not some back-bench MP anymore. I’m the home secretary.”
“I know your job title, Alexia.” It was unlike Teddy to lose his temper, especially with her, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.
“Then you should also know that there are going to be things, many things, that I’m not able to share with you.” Alexia fought back. “It’s just the way it is.”
“So why tell me anything? Why tell me you’re worried about this man and then not let me help?”
Alexia sensed the frustration in his voice, and the hurt. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said anything. But after the other night, in Lucy Meyer’s kitchen, she’d felt a growing need to talk about her fears.
“I told you because you asked. And because I wanted to be honest, as honest as I can be.”
“Yes, well. It’s not bloody good enough!”
Standing up, she wrapped her arms around Teddy’s waist and pressed her body against his. It was an affectionate gesture. Vulnerable. Needy. Contrite. Despite himself, Teddy felt his heart melting.
Turning around, he pulled her into his arms.
“I want to protect you, Alexia. That’s all. Can’t you understand that?”
“You are protecting me.” Alexia whispered. “Right now. I need you so much Teddy. I couldn’t do any of this without you.”
Teddy kissed her hard on the mouth. He would never stop wanting her.
Never.
Lying naked and sated in bed, wrapped in Michael De Vere’s arms, Summer Meyer stared at the ceiling, grinning from ear to ear.
It was official.
She was over Chad Bates.
Michael’s breath tickled her ear and the warm weight of his body pressed against her back. He smelled of sweat and cologne and sex, and Summer didn’t think she had ever wanted a man quite so badly. Kissing him, she whispered, “I was thinking about what you said before.”
“You mean about your arse being the eighth wonder of the world?” Michael’s hand crept downward.
“No, not that.” Summer giggled.
“Because it is, you know. Honestly, if you were English, I’d be having that thing preserved for the nation. Of course, you Yanks have no sense of heritage.”
“I mean what you said about us not really knowing each other, even after all these years.”
