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‘Why are you being like this? I know you want me, Daisy. And I want you. Like I’ve never wanted any woman—ever. I can’t sleep. I can’t work. It’s driving me crazy—’
As he broke off Daisy felt a treacherous warmth slide over her skin, the pull of his words strong and relentless like a riptide. And then abruptly she shivered. Of course he wanted her. She’d rejected him. Men like Rollo didn’t like to be thwarted.
‘You want me because you can’t have me,’ she said flatly. ‘That’s all.’
There was a long, gritty silence.
Finally he drew in a breath. ‘That doesn’t explain why you kissed me.’
She couldn’t speak—didn’t want to reply. But he waited and waited, and she knew from the uncompromising set of his jaw that he was going to keep on waiting until she gave him an answer.
Not just an answer but the truth.
Looking down, she swallowed. ‘I kissed you because for one utterly senseless moment, part of me—the stupid, weak, irrational part I despise—wanted to have sex with you,’ she said at last.
There was a fraction of a pause, then he said quietly, ‘What about the rest?’
She frowned. ‘The rest?’
Glancing up, she felt her pulse stumble. She’d supposed he would be gloating, but there was no sign of triumph. Instead his jaw was taut and his eyes were searching her face.
‘You know—the smart, strong, rational part you admire.’
With shock, she realised he was attempting to make a joke. But she didn’t laugh. She couldn’t even smile. She felt too exposed, too vulnerable.
Shrugging, she stared past him. ‘Our relationship is complicated enough, Rollo. Sex would just make it even more muddled.’
His eyes on her face were clear and unflinching. ‘I disagree. Sex is simple. It’s people who make it complicated. They expect too much. But you and I, we don’t have to worry about that.’
She stared over at him, dry-mouthed, recognising the truth in his words. For she’d done it herself—confused sex with intimacy and love, and been left feeling foolish and crushed. And he was right: that wouldn’t happen with them. There wouldn’t be any expectations or disappointment or pain.
‘Do you know how rare that is, Daisy? We can’t let this moment pass.’
His face was expressionless, but something in his voice made her body twitch in response.
It would just be sex.
Pure, primal passion.
As though reading her thoughts, his eyes rested on her face.
‘I know you feel it,’ he said softly. ‘I feel it too...because I want what you want.’
She shivered, tasting his words in her mouth.
‘What do you want?’
Her voice was hoarse, her breath burning inside her chest as hesitantly he reached out and touched her throat, resting his hand softly against her pulse, so that her heart began to beat hard and slow.
‘I want this...’
He lifted his fingers and pressed them lightly against her mouth.
‘And this.’
Breathing out unsteadily, he stepped closer. With fingers that were both gentle and firm he loosened her ponytail, catching hold of the long, blonde hair. For one infinitesimal moment they stared at one another in silence. And then heat rushed through her as he tugged her head back, his pupils flaring.
‘And this.’
