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I run my finger around the rim of my wine glass, thinking about my sister and how she’s the perfect example of a woman who could have been running the world instead of turning a blind eye as a matter of form to her husband’s infidelity. A shiver of anger runs down my spine. And far be it from me to criticise any woman’s choice in life. I believe feminism and equality bring with them an inherent right to choose—there is nothing ‘wrong’ with choosing to take a career break and raise children. In fact, I admire the hell out of women who do it. But it needs to be a choice—that is to say, a viable alternative has to exist in order for that to be a choice. Can women still have families without suffering financially?
‘So don’t sell, then,’ he says with a lift of his shoulders.
I nod, considering that. ‘But there’s a risk in that too.’
‘Oh?’
‘There’s a risk that I won’t be able to grow my community to continue providing this level of support. There’s a risk someone else will step into the breach and charge more, offer less, but still elbow me out of business with fancy advertising and media reach. I feel like I need to remain at the forefront of this and that’s going to take an injection of capital. Selling a portion of the business is the smart thing to do, but, God, I hate having every man and his dog weigh in on it for me.’
‘Sure,’ he agrees sagely. ‘So ignore every man and his dog.’ He reaches into his back pocket. ‘Call me. Any time.’
My heart stammers.
‘Purely business.’ He lifts his hands. ‘We both know what we’re looking for on a personal level. But if you want to discuss your options, bounce something off me, then just give me a call.’
I take the card, staring down at it. ‘Why?’
‘Because I know what I’m talking about.’
I shake my head impatiently. ‘Why would you offer to help me?’
* * *
That’s a great question. Why would I offer to help some woman I screwed last night? Just because she’s amazing in bed, why am I—frankly—breaking all my usual rules? I’m here in her suite and I don’t even really want to admit it to myself but I would have been pretty disappointed if she’d said no. Okay, it wouldn’t have killed me. I’m pretty confident this infatuation will pass quickly but, yes, all day I’ve been infatuated with her. I’ve had a stupid smile on my face and I’ve been counting the minutes until I could be here with her again.
I had fun last night.
Lots of fun. And I want more.
The doorbell rings. She frowns, looking towards it.
‘Room service,’ I explain, gently easing her feet to the ground and standing up.
‘You ordered room service? Isn’t that a little presumptuous? What if I’d turned you away?’
I throw her a knowing grin over my shoulder as I walk off. ‘I’m here, aren’t I?’
CHAPTER FIVE
I’M NEVER GOING to get through this. I towel my body dry, staring out at the view towards the marina, mentally marking the dates off in my mind. Dad’s birthday was yesterday. Cross that one off.
And I feel disloyal for thinking that way—this is my family and of course I love them. It’s just easier to love them from a distance. I grimace, reaching for my coffee and taking a drink.
Okay. It’s more than that.
The first time I had sex with Zach I had a fleeting thought that it was like riding the best high ever. Pleasure soaked my body. I felt as though I were flying and filled with stardust and rainbows. I felt—amazing.
And that high didn’t go away. Not any of the times we had sex during our two nights together. And now I’m like a junkie in severe withdrawal because it’s been too long since my body’s known his. Without my permission, my eyes drift to a white rectangle placed against the pretty fruit bowl on the kitchen bench. Zach’s business card stares at me.
Call him.
I bite down on my lower lip, reaching for the card and running my fingers over the cardboard edges. I slide it from hand to hand, feeling the corners, indecision rushing through me.
I can’t call him. Neither of us wants more than what we’ve already shared. He’s a total man whore, and we both made it abundantly clear we only wanted a night or two of passionate sex. Which we had. And it was amazing.
I was adamant about the limits of this and so was he.
I can’t just go back on my word.
