They’d then shared the communal evening meal Jeanne had prepared for all the workers. Again, Lycos had joined in cheerfully. Arielle had been aware that Jeanne’s knowing eyes had taken in that she and Lycos were on more than friendly terms. But she’d said nothing, and for that Arielle was grateful.
She had been glad, too, that Lycos had been civil and neighbourly to the couple whose land neighboured that ofMas Delfine.She hoped it meant he would not sell themasto new owners who would not be good neighbours to Jeanne and Claude. She pushed the thought away. The time would come when themaswas no longer her home, but for these precious final days, however long they lasted, she would not let thoughts of the future spoil this golden time.
My swan song, made possible because of what has happened between Lycos and myself. Giving me good memories of this last time here, instead of sad ones.
For that she would be grateful to Lycos. As for anything more…
She must not ask. This must be enough.
He was speaking again and she paid attention.
‘Would you mind if I abandon you tomorrow morning?’ he asked. ‘I’ve promised to take young Daniel out for a spin in my car.’
Arielle’s face lit up. Daniel was Jeanne and Claude’s son, home for the harvest. The lad had been instantly wowed, and dead impressed, when she and Lycos had arrived in Lycos’s growling monster.
‘Oh, that’s so kind of you!’ she exclaimed warmly. ‘He’ll be your fan for life!’
Lycos laughed. ‘He’s a nice kid,’ he said.
She brushed his cheek with her lips. ‘And you are a nice man, Lycos Dimistrios,’ she said softly, warmly, her eyes aglow. ‘A good man.’
He met her eyes, a curious light in his. ‘Good?’ he echoed. ‘I’ve not been called that before,’ he said slowly.
For an instant that strange look held in his eyes. Then it changed. Became very familiar.
And its effects were very familiar.
She felt her breath quicken, her pulse quicken, her lips part.
His kiss was sensuous, arousing. She heard him deposit his liqueur glass. Felt him shift position and get to his feet, scooping her up into his arms as he did so. She gave a cry that was half laugh, half gasp.
He kissed her again, more deeply, more arousing. Eyes devouring hers. Heavy-lidded and with one expression, one purpose, in them only.
‘Bed,’ he said. The single word was a husk and a growl, and a promise that made her insides melt.
Chapter Eight
Lycos was lookingat his phone, a slight frown on his face. Out of nowhere a sliver of unease coursed through Arielle. She paused in the act of beating fresh eggs, gathered that very hour from her obliging hens, ready to make a breakfast omelette. A late breakfast, for passion had overcome them before rising—as it so often did.
He put his phone aside on the dresser, but his frown remained.
‘What is it?’ Arielle asked, eyes resting on him. A cold feeling of apprehension crept over her.
She knew what she feared. That this golden time, this sweet swan song to ease her parting from her home, was ending. Her time with Lycos was ending.
She felt a fear stab at her. Did it come from knowing she must leave her home for ever? Or from the thought of losing Lycos for ever?
Both must happen.
But must it be now, this very morning?
For a moment, the memory of standing out in the courtyard the day Lycos had arrived to take away all that she held dear burned in her head.
But now it is not just my home that I hold dear…
She felt her mind shy away, unwilling to confront that truth. Yet knowing it was there, all the same.
Because how could it not be? She could tell herself all she liked that this time with Lycos must only be transient, to easeher to the new life that must await her when he no longer wanted her and she no longer had themasto call home.
