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Mary giggles. "Lord Steamy is back."
Aw, shit. Since I sex-dumped Callum, I do not want to see his best friend. Maybe I spent the entire weekend fighting the impulse to sneak over to Callum's place and order him to fuck me again. And maybe I dreamed about him doing that. But I will never get naked with him again, and I'd hoped never to see him again. If I talk to Hugh, I'll feel like I'm cheating or…something.
Yeah, okay, my head is so messed up when it comes to men that I can't trust my own judgment.
I do the cowardly thing and try to escape before Hugh realizes I've seen him. I know he already saw me, but this is desperation, not a sensible plan. I hurry toward the door to the treatment area while pretending I haven't noticed the Brit sauntering across the waiting room.
"Kate," Hugh calls out. "Wait, please."
Damn, damn, damn.
I halt inches from the door and turn toward the man I cannot avoid anymore. "Good morning, Hugh."
"Are you trying to get away from me?"
"Why would I do that?"
He touches my arm. "I just want to talk, love. Do you have a moment?"
The answer is, unfortunately, yes. I still haven't found another client to fill Callum's empty slot on my schedule. Just thinking about him gives me a strange pang in my chest. But I don't want to be rude. Damn, I wish my parents hadn't raised me to be a good girl.
"Okay, fine," I say. "Come into my office."
"Thank you, Kate."
I lead him down the hall and into my office, though I leave the door open. Why? No idea. I'm not worried I'll go wild and throw myself at Hugh. He's attractive and charming, but I just can't muster any romantic interest in him. But I am intensely attracted to the grumpy Scot.
Hugh sits in the chair Callum had occupied the last time he came here, while I take the one behind my desk.
"Nice office," he says, glancing at the windows. "Nice view too. But I don't see a couch. Thought that was required for a psychotherapist."
"Feel free to lie down on the floor if you'd be more comfortable that way."
"Only if you lie down with me."
Even his sexy tone doesn't stir any interest in me. If Callum had spoken those words in that way… Oh, damn it all to hell. I need to stop thinking about him.
"That was a joke," Hugh says. "I apologize if I've offended you."
"Not offended. I was thinking about something else." Someoneelse. Maybe I should tell Hugh what Callum and I have done, but I don't want to hurt his feelings. It's nobody's business, anyway.
"Please have lunch with me," Hugh says. When I start to balk, he raises a hand to silence me. "Not a date. Just two friends having a meal together. I'd like us to get to know each other, as mates. If something else develops after that, it will happen naturally. I won't push. You are an incredible woman, and I want to know you better. No pressure."
"That's very sweet, Hugh. But I don't think—"
"It's only lunch." He raises a hand, palm out. "I swear on my father's grave."
His father died? I didn't know that. I suppose he had to inherit the title of viscount of whatever-it-is from his father, which means his dad must have died. I wish he hadn't told me that because now I feel bad for him. Not that I worry I'll suddenly develop an urge to date him or sleep with him simply because he told me about his father.
"Okay," I tell Hugh. "Lunch. But only lunch, and nothing else. This does not mean I want to date you."
"I love it when you get tough and tell me not to get any cheeky ideas. It's adorable."
"Uh, whatever. You're a nice guy, Hugh, but I am not going to fall head over heels for you. Got it? I do not date anymore."
"Not for now. You said it was a temporary celibacy vow."
Did I say that? Can't remember. "It's a long-term moratorium."
