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Her insides squeezed. He looked good. Better even than in a business suit or austerely formal evening clothes. Almost, but not quite, better than bare naked.
Bess watched him tug at something near the gate. The movement accentuated his strength and agility. He could have been an athlete if he hadn’t become an engineer and corporate CEO.
Her mouth dried as she took in broad shoulders and those taut buttocks, perfectly outlined by faded denim.
You still want him badly.
Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
‘Elisabeth.’ He’d seen her and for a fleeting moment she basked in the glow of his unfettered smile. It was like walking out of a cold cellar into bright daylight. The sort of smile she’d grown addicted to as he courted her, persuading her that a marriage of convenience wasn’t only sensible but desirable.
She almost envied the naïve woman she’d been, content to hope for a miraculous happy-ever-after, despite marrying a man without a romantic bone in his body.
Bess stood taller, nodding to the estate worker beside Jack. ‘Is there a problem with the moat?’
Jack thanked the other man for his time then left him to approach her. ‘We were discussing the logistics of draining it temporarily. There’s a damp problem in some of the rooms that will become serious if left.’
She’d seen the flaking paint and smelt the musty dampness in a couple of ground-floor rooms. ‘But why are you getting involved? We’re here temporarily.’
He nodded, but not before she saw a flash of something, quickly hidden, on his face. The fine hairs on her body prickled.
‘Aren’t we?’ She tried to remember what he’d said about the owners. Were they his friends? In the eighteen months they’d lived together Jack had never mentioned acquaintances owning such a unique property.
The crazy suspicion surfaced that Jack had bought the place. But that was impossible. Jack liked urban living. His life was full of city events designed to promote his business. He preferred the convenience of luxury hotels to a home of his own.
‘That’s right, though the owners are away indefinitely so you can stay as long as you like.’ He shrugged. ‘Meanwhile, what can I say? I’m an engineer and the complexities of water management here are fascinating.’
‘So you’re just curious, not actually getting involved?’
A slightly wistful smile appeared on his face. It made him look younger and less serious. No trace now of the corporate giant. Her heart hammered.
‘It would be tempting to do some hands-on work.’ He must’ve seen her surprise for he shrugged. ‘Boardrooms lose their gloss after a while. Doing something practical holds a certain appeal.’
Surprise lifted her eyebrows. She’d never heard Jack express anything but enthusiasm for his high-octane business. Never heard him yearn for anything else.
‘I’ll look into what needs to be done while we’re here, scope out a possible plan of works. I’m surprised the owners haven’t tackled it earlier.’
Two things struck Bess. First that he saidwe. Jack intended to stay here with her. A ripple of excitement coursed down her backbone. Secondly that he had time to investigate a complex building and engineering problem. How long did he anticipate they’d stay?
After two weeks here Bess had fallen for the old place. It was beautiful and grand, an architectural and historical treasure. But it was also quirky and cosy with uneven floors, nooks and even a secret passage.
More than once she’d imagined a small child with deep blue eyes and a shock of dark hair, running along the sunny gallery. Or children playing with the antique rocking horses.
Her breath snared. That wouldn’t happen, not here. Even if the house tugged on her heartstrings as the perfect place to raise a family.
Bess couldn’t afford to fantasise. She should have learned her lesson. From now on there’d be no romantic dreams. She’d focus on reality.
Which meant accepting that Jack wasn’t the only one who’d behaved badly. She met his gaze squarely, hesitating for a second because she hated confrontation. Though this wasn’t confrontation, it would lay her open to judgement. But it had to be said.
‘I have an apology to make. The day you brought me here I accused you of wanting to buy our baby, or persuade a court to give you sole custody.’
She remembered his stark horror as she’d said it. The memory pressed on her like a weight.
‘It was a horrible thing to say and I had absolutely no reason to believe you’d behave like that. We have our differences...’ What an understatement. ‘But you’ve never done anything to make me think you’d stoop so low.’
Bess spread her hands, determined to be completely honest. ‘I was feeling completely overwhelmed. By the pregnancy. By the paparazzi. By seeing you again. I took out my fears on you and it was unjustified. That must have hurt and I’m sorry.’
Jack’s gaze meshed with hers and warmth invaded her body. It wasn’t sexual. It was a more profound sensation, like he’d reached out and gently hugged her.
