AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She placed the papers on the desk. ‘You know, for someone who’s looking at a solution to all their problems, you don’t seem very happy.’
‘I know. And I don’t really understand why.’
‘Maybe your gut is trying to tell you something.’
‘Maybe.’ The dark green of her top suited her skin tone. It was a sheer fabric, with a camisole underneath, and he realised it was the first time she’d worn something that wasn’t made of wool and layered her in thick fabrics that disguised her shape.
Was she feeling more comfortable in her skin and no longer felt the need to hide away? Or was it simply that she’d become acclimatised to the lack of decent central heating? Either way, the sight of her pale skin around her neckline wasn’t helping to dampen his attraction towards her. The faint outline of her collarbones and the curve of her neck disappearing into her hairline held his gaze. A few loose tendrils of hair had escaped the braid and were curled onto her shoulders, softening the contours of her face.
If anything, he wanted her even more than he had last night, and that was saying something. But it didn’t matter how he felt. This wasn’t about him – well, not entirely. Whatever his feelings, allowing his emotions to run amok would only hurt her and confuse him – and he was struggling enough as it was. He needed to do the right thing, which meant reining it in.
‘I suppose we should talk about what happened last night,’ he said, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could censor them.
She sat back and gave him a tentative look. ‘I was wondering if you’d bring that up.’ The colour in her cheeks intensified, and he knew it had nothing to do with the heat from the fire. ‘Part of me thought you might pretend it never happened, and we could avoid the torment of discussing it.’
‘I was tempted,’ he admitted, feeling his own cheeks growing warm.
‘Me too.’ A rueful expression appeared on her face.
‘The truth is… I enjoyed it… Really enjoyed it. I like spending time with you, and in the heat of the moment, it felt like the right thing to do.’
She let out a long sigh. ‘Oh, God, why do I feel like there’s a great big but coming.’ She rubbed her cheeks. ‘I’m not sure my self-esteem can cope with the whole “what seemed like a good idea last night feels wrong this morning” speech, so can we skip the part where you try to let me down gently and just move past it? I’m fine, okay? No permanent damage. I’ll survive.’
He was so shocked by her response that it threw him for a moment. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t that. ‘It didn’t feel wrong last night, and I don’t regret it this morning—’
‘But—’ She stood up, her raised hands forming a barrier between them. ‘It was still a one-off, right? That’s what you’re trying to tell me. You have no desire for a repeat performance.’ She turned away. ‘It’s okay, I get it. I’m not dumb enough to think it meant anything.’
Panic raced through him. ‘Why would you think it didn’t mean anything?’
‘Oh, please. Credit me with some intelligence.’ She glanced at him, one eyebrow raised. ‘Are you telling me it wasn’t just a one-off?’
‘Well, no, it was… but not because I don’t like you…’ Or didn’t want to do it again, because boy, he did. It had been unbelievablyhot, and he wanted nothing more than to pick up where they’d left off. ‘But I don’t think it would be in either of our best interests to pursue something when we both know it can’t go anywhere.’
She closed her eyes. ‘You’re right… It would be foolish and crazy to start something, especially when I’m leaving in two days’ time.’
Her words sent further shock waves racing through him. ‘Two days? That soon? But I thought you were staying until after Christmas?’
Her eyes flickered open. ‘I would’ve done if I hadn’t managed to get the probate application completed. But there’s no need for me to stay now that everything’s done, or can be dealt with remotely. No point hanging around.’
He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Right.’
‘It’s not like there’s any reason for me to stay.’ Her expression held the glimmer of a challenge, as if she was waiting for him to contradict her.
‘I guess not.’ He wanted so badly to touch her, especially as he thought he saw a flicker of disappointment skim across her face, but he knew it would only complicate matters. ‘And I’ll be heading home to Leeds in the new year, assuming the sale goes through, so it’s not as if we’re going to…’ He trailed off, not wanting to admit the truth.
‘Have any reason to see each other again?’
He nodded. ‘God, that’s depressing.’
‘No point ignoring reality,’ she said, leaning heavily on the chair, as if needing the support. ‘Like you said, it’s in both our best interests. Besides, neither of us is exactly in the right headspace to offer anything more meaningful at the moment, are we?’
She was right, but far from easing the ache in his chest, the pain only intensified. ‘Can we still be friends?’
‘Sure.’ She nodded, but there was a definite tremor in her hands. ‘Friends it is.’ She stepped away and forced a smile, her voice conveying more conviction than her body language. ‘Now that’s sorted, back to business. Do you want the good news or the bad?’
There was so much more he wanted to say, but none of it would have been helpful, so he took her lead and reluctantly accepted the change in topic. ‘Good news, please.’
‘The garage blocks have sold at auction, so you have another chunk of money available to tide you over until the care-home sale goes through. I transferred the funds this morning.’
