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Virtually dancing across the floor, she went in search of Nathaniel, wanting to thank him and share her excitement.
She found him alone in a room used for press interviews.
He was sprawled on the red sofa, eyes closed. His bow tie dangled loose around his neck and his jacket was slung carelessly over the arm of a nearby chair. The coveted Sapphire lay at his feet on the floor.
‘You look completely wrecked.’ Deciding that this wasn’t the time to tell him her good news, Katie walked over to him. ‘Do you want to go home?’
‘Are you kidding? The party is just getting started.’ His eyes opened and she saw instantly that he was well on his way to being drunk. ‘I won a Sapphire.’
‘I know—’
‘And with any luck, my mother might finally figure out who I am.’ Decades of hurt shimmered in those words and Katie felt her heart break in two as she saw his mouth curve into the familiar mocking smile.
‘Nathaniel—’
‘Don’t look at me with those big, sympathetic eyes. Life sucks, angel.’ His eyes shone hard and cynical. ‘You should know that by now. But you’re still hoping, aren’t you? You’re still dreamy enough to be looking out for that happy ending.’
‘I think sometimes you have to work on the happy ending.’ She eyed the bottle of champagne that lay empty on the floor next to him.
Ever since his plane had touched down in LA, he’d been under the most enormous pressure. And then the emotional turmoil of winning the Sapphire …
‘Your speech was—’ she took a deep breath ‘—it was beautiful, Nathaniel. And I know how tough this whole thing must be for you.’ Katie sat down next to him. ‘Do you want to talk?’
‘No. Absolutely not.’ His eyes glittering like jewels, he slid his hand behind her head and pulled her mouth down to his. ‘There are lots of things I want to do tonight, but talking is definitely not one of them.’
Katie tried to ignore the flash of sexual excitement. No, she thought desperately. Physically he was pulling her close, but emotionally he was pushing her away.
‘Nathaniel—’ she dragged her mouth from his ‘—you can’t just run from this.’
‘Do I look as though I’m running?’ With a smooth, practised movement he shifted her under him and gave her a wicked smile. ‘I’m lying. With you.’
‘Yes, you’re lying.’ Desperate, she pushed at his chest, trying to ignore the way his body
felt against hers. ‘You’re lying to yourself. You can’t just pretend nothing is happening ….’
‘Nothing is happening—’ he trailed his lips down her neck ‘—but it will in a minute. I’d better lock the door—I think this calls for a closed set….’
‘No—’ The chemistry threatened to suck her down. ‘No! This is crazy.’
‘Sex with you is always crazy.’ His mouth was warm and skilled and Katie turned her head away, trying desperately to ignore the pulsing excitement building inside her.
‘You’re doing what you always do in a crisis—you’re acting.’
Slowly, he lifted his head. ‘You think I’m acting?’
‘Not the sex …’ Her voice was husky. ‘I think the sex is real. But it’s the only thing that is. You can’t keep running, Nathaniel—’
He said a word that shocked her and then he sprang to his feet and paced to the far side of the room. ‘Why not?’
‘Because it doesn’t solve anything.’ It would have been so easy to let the heat take her. Take the easy
route, her body sang, tempting her. Put your arms round him and do what you’re aching to do.
Nathaniel was staring at her, his eyes a dark, dangerous blue. ‘I’ve had enough talking.’
‘Have you returned Jacob’s calls?’
‘What business is it of yours?’
