‘I’m taking that as a challenge.’
‘I’ll look forward to seeing how you handle that.’ A smile ghosted Jemma’s lips, but her focus was on her screen as she tapped at the keyboard.
‘I’m not keen on you driving out to your dad’s in this weather, Jem.’
She snorted. ‘Next you’ll start singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”.’
He crooned the first couple of lines.
‘I really can’t,’ Jemma replied, not even getting the beat right.
He groaned. ‘You could have warned me that you can’t hold a tune. I might have to rethink the begging.’
‘I do quite like a bit of abject grovelling.’ A notification popped onto her screen and she scanned it, then pouted. ‘Gerard wants me in the office tomorrow.’
‘I thought you were cleared to work from here for a while?’ Although Jemma had said—with her usual degree of confidence—that they’d manage a long-distance relationship, he wasn’t keen on trying it so soon. At all, in fact, but he knew this relationship was going to require negotiation and sacrifice. And he was totally there for it. Just … he’d have liked to have Jemma to himself for more than a few hours at a time.
‘I still have to go into the city on occasion. I’m due in court at the end of the week. And when Gerard clicks his fingers, we jump. Besides’—she pointed at the screen—‘there’s not a whole lot of data I can compile for him. I’ve assessed the potential, calculated the obstructions and competition. There are only so many statistics available, basically lists of what’s gone to court from regional jurisdictions. Those figures aren’t going to change overnight and I guess setting up a new practice has to be a bit of a leap of faith.’
‘I guess the risk is Gerard’s, anyway.’
Jemma screwed up her nose. Adorably. It’d be wrong if he kissed it while she was talking work. ‘Only financially. If I say the practice is viable and it fails, it’s my reputation on the line.’ She blew out a tense breath. ‘I risk looking like an idiot.’ She paused, frowning as though lost in thought. ‘Regardless, I wouldn’t steer Gerard wrong for personal gain.’
‘Personal gain?’ His heartbeat competed with the rain drumming on the iron roof.
Jemma set aside the laptop and regarded him levelly. ‘I want to have that adventure with you, Hamish. I’m not sure exactly what it’ll look like, but I’m telling Gerard thatI’m throwing my hat in the ring to head up a rural branch of GB&A.’
‘Girl, you want to get in my pants so bad.’ He kept his tone light even though he was having trouble breathing. When Jemma made up her mind to do something, there apparently wasn’t time or room for rethinking.
‘I believe I’ve been clear about that,’ Jemma said haughtily, though her eyes danced. Her breath mingled with his in warm bursts as he drew her back into his arms.
Was this how adult relationships worked, an open statement of desire and need met with intelligent consideration and, ultimately, agreement? In which case, why had he wasted so many years playing around?
Even as the thought occurred to him, the answer came: because he had been unknowingly waiting for Jemma … and perhaps because he’d had wild oats to sow before he’d been capable of settling into a relationship. Now he was ready.
‘You know I’m not that easy,’ he teased.
‘I’m anticipating you being quite the opposite.’ A smile tickled the corner of Jemma’s lips, but then she tapped the closed computer. ‘But I do have to head back to the city.’
‘Gerard can wait,’ Hamish murmured against her neck. He nipped her earlobe, avoiding the earring he suspected was diamond, then moved his lips to the sensitive pulse beneath her ear. Jemma had finally agreed to his terms yet, in doing so, she’d expertly flipped the tables; he was now chasing her.
She pushed herself from his chest with a groan. ‘No. Much as I want to … experience the storm with you, I need to get back to the cottage and pack my gear so I can head off early. Now I have a plan, it’s logical that I use the rest of this week to tie up loose ends. And make sure that Gerard isaware of my preference. If anyone’s going to set up a rural office for him, it’s going to be me.’
‘You moved on quickly from “hat-in-the-ring”,’ he teased.
She lifted one shoulder. ‘I’m the best for the job. I’ll make sure this branch of GB&A outperforms the city office. And that everyone knows it.’
Jemma was serious about getting down to business, Hamish realised with a mixture of admiration and frustration. ‘Will this fill your cup, though, Jemma? You know, like we talked about.’
She threaded her fingers through his. ‘Baby steps, okay? Working out here will be … better.’ She tapped her chest. Her heart. ‘I just have to find that balance between beingthebest and … beingmybest.’ For once, she looked a little lost, as though the concept was daunting. ‘Does that make sense?’
He nodded.
‘I’ll get on the seeder at daybreak. I’ll have to work through till dark, but then I’ll head down to the city as soon as I finish up.’
‘Flattered at your eagerness, but there’s no need,’ Jemma said. ‘I’ll be back on Saturday. Possibly earlier, depending on court.’
‘You needn’t think I’m letting you stay there alone,’ Hamish said, tightening his arms around her. Jemma raised an eyebrow and he gave a chastened grin. ‘Yep, heard it the moment I said it. Sorry.’
