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‘You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. When I first opened my eyes and saw you, I thought that the heavens had opened up and you’d flown down to save me.’
She tapped her finger on his chest in laughing reproof. ‘You should see someone about that. Want me to call an ambulance?’
‘I think I’m beyond help.’ He caressed the side of her face. ‘My very own personal goddess...’
Cass giggled. ‘Your personal goddess? How possessive is that?’
He leaned in, whispering against her neck. ‘Got a problem with it?’
‘No, I don’t think so. But if I’m a goddess, then perhaps you should kneel.’
The way she bought into his fantasies was the ultimate thrill. ‘I can do that.’
‘Naked...’
‘I can do that too.’ He nipped at her ear and she shivered, her thrill of pleasure echoing in his own chest. ‘Keep that thought for later, eh?’
‘Why? Going anywhere?’
‘No. But we need to talk about...to agree on...some means of contraception.’ The words sounded unexpectedly hard and unromantic, but that couldn’t be helped. The wild, reckless days when It’s all dealt with was enough to reassure him were gone. He’d changed. Even though neither of them wanted a permanent relationship, he could still care about her and while she was with him he’d keep her safe.
She flushed. Something seemed to stop her in her tracks. ‘We do?’
‘We can’t just leave things to chance, Cass. That’s a stupid risk.’
‘I wasn’t suggesting that... But... Can’t you just...do something?’
He wasn’t exactly sure what she meant. But a prickle of alarm was working its way round the back of Jack’s neck.
‘It’s a choice we need to make together, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, of course... It’s just... But...’ She seemed suddenly desperate. As if he’d just suggested something impossible. ‘Whatever, Jack.’
He wasn’t prepared for the sudden confusion which ate away at his desire and for the wounded look in Cass’s eyes. She seemed determined not to talk about it and the thought occurred to Jack that she was hiding something. If she wanted him to trust her, that wasn’t the way to do it.
‘I don’t understand, Cass. Help me out...’ One last plea, in the hope that maybe she would open up. But she seemed to be shrinking away from him with every passing moment.
‘Fine. Have it your way.’ He turned suddenly, choked by the sour dregs of desire. Walking from the room, he heard the door slam behind him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CASS DROPPED TO her knees, staring into the fire, hugging her arms across her stomach. She hadn’t meant to react like that. Why hadn’t she just smiled and forced herself to have that conversation. It wasn’t as if Jack had suggested anything outrageous. Of course they needed protection.
But to her ears, speaking about it so bluntly had sounded like a contract, some kind of business proposal. And all of the agony of the past, all her feelings of failure, had come flooding back. Even talking about protection, or the lack of it, brought back memories of the bitterness that had pervaded her old relationship. Memories of the months that she hadn’t fallen pregnant ever since they had decided to do away with contraception and try for a baby. Thinking about the possibilities and consequences of sex each and every time. Making it a transaction instead of something sweet.
There had been no interruptions, nothing else to blame, and still they’d fallen at the first hurdle. A kiss, a touch, and then they’d torn themselves apart. They couldn’t even manage a one-night stand.
There was no way she could stay here now. She was going to have to suffer the humiliation of turning up on a friend’s doorstep and begging a bed for the night. She’d heard Jack go upstairs and the house was silent now. Cass opened the door, tiptoeing up the stairs. If she could leave without having to face him again and see that coldness in his eyes, all the better.
She quickly stuffed her clothes into her bag. Her toiletries were in the bathroom but getting them seemed like too much of a risk, and she could replace them. Zipping her jacket up, she picked up her bag and opened the bedroom door.
All clear. Wherever Jack was, he wasn’t going to stop her. It was almost a disappointment, but then what would she do if he did try? Neither of them had said anything too hurtful yet, and it was best she got out of here before they had that opportunity.
She walked quietly downstairs. The hall light had been switched off and she put her bag down, scanning the floor for her car keys.
‘Looking for something?’ She looked up and saw Jack in the sitting room doorway.
‘Car keys.’ Keep it short and relatively sweet. Maybe he wouldn’t see that she had been crying.
