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‘What?’ Ally blinked and managed a shaky smile. ‘Oh—yes. She had to drop two chocolate cakes off with Jack on the way home.’
Sean frowned and set the bottle down on the table, reaching for a corkscrew. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Fine.’ Ally stood up and checked the casserole, removing the lid and giving it a stir.
‘Don’t tell me—your mother told you that I was a bad influence and that you should run a mile.’
Ally gave a short laugh and tossed the spoon into the washing-up bowl, before opening a cupboard and handing him two glasses. She watched while he poured the amber liquid and handed her a glass.
‘On the contrary, she was recommending that I jump into bed with you at the earliest possible moment.’
There was a moment’s stunned silence and then Sean threw back his head and laughed, a rich, totally male sound that made her nerve endings tingle.
‘Was she now? Well, I never—what a fantastic woman.’
‘She remembered you…’
The smile faded and those dark eyes narrowed. ‘Ah, now I see. She doubtless regaled you with harrowing tales of my depraved youth.’
She blushed under the heavy sarcasm and took a sip of wine. ‘Well, let’s just say I can now understand why you avoid commitment.’
His jaw tightened. ‘I see.’
Something about his chilly tone made her hesitate. ‘Well, it can’t have been easy for you—’
‘Spare me the psychology, Ally. I don’t need it!’ All traces of warmth had vanished and his eyes glittered angrily. ‘So what have you decided? That you’ll let me have my wicked way with you because you feel sorry for me?’
Ally frowned. Boy, was he sensitive about his past! ‘Don’t be ridiculous…’
His mouth was a grim line. ‘Don’t patronise me, Ally! I can see it in your face. All of a sudden I’m a poor boy who needs mothering and who’ll change his ways for the love of a good woman.’
‘I didn’t say that—’
‘You didn’t have to.’ He gave a wry smile and drained his wineglass in one gulp. ‘Forget supper. All of a sudden I’m not hungry.’ He banged his glass down on the table and strode out of the kitchen, leaving her staring, open-mouthed.
* * *
Ally tapped on the door of Sean’s consulting room the next morning, taking a deep breath when she heard his clipped tone. He was working on the computer and his fingers stilled when she entered, his expression cool and unwelcoming.
‘Yes?’
The words came out in a rush. ‘I came to say I’m sorry. Mum wasn’t gossiping, but I can see that it must have looked that way to you. And I don’t feel sorry for you—at least, I suppose I do in a way but that hasn’t got anything to do with me going to bed with you—’ She broke off, horribly uncomfortable under his steady scrutiny.
He leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you telling me that you’re sorry or that you want to go to bed with me?’
‘Neither.’ She blushed fiercely and chewed her lip. ‘I mean, I am sorry, but— Oh damn you! You know what I mean.’
She glared at him and he stood up and walked across to her, his eyes suddenly gentle.
‘And I’m sorry, too. I overreacted. I’m afraid my childhood isn’t my favourite topic of conversation.’ He lifted her chin and scanned her face. ‘So, are you going to take your mother’s advice?’
She looked away, her heart hammering. ‘Don’t tease me, Sean. It isn’t fair.’
‘Who’s being fair?’ He gave a short laugh and cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. ‘It isn’t fair that I have to look at you every day and not touch. It’s no wonder I’m behaving like a maimed lion. I’m suffering from a serious case of male frustration.’
‘I don’t parade myself!’ Her mild protest was ignored and her stomach flipped over as he brushed his thumb along her lower lip.
‘You’re driving me nuts, do you know that?’
