His hand was warm around mine, his grasp solid and comforting. In all my dates, my mini-relationships, I didn’t remember holding hands. It had always been too intimate. “What’s your plan for tomorrow?” I said as we approached my parents’. “I’m going to go through some papers with Katie first thing and then head back to London mid-afternoon.”
“I’m going to go to the office first thing, maybe leave early. Can you let me know when you set off? I’ll check your apartment and I’m going to add some extra security to the Callaghan Green offices too. There will be someone based there to keep an eye out.”
“Are they going to be using my spare room?” I said, dreading the answer.
“No. Your apartment should be secure enough and you’ll have a panic alarm fitted and we’ll monitor it for any attempted break ins. If we think there’s a chance you’ll be targeted then someone will stay. Maybe me,” he said, his words measured and calm.
“I didn’t think you’d let anyone else,” I said with a smile.
“I would,” he said seriously. “I have employees I trust and if I can’t look after you then I’ll have one of them. I don’t trust Dean Lacey, Claire. He worries me and I’d rather you didn’t continue with Katie’s case.”
“I know. But you know that’s not going to happen. She deserves to have someone decent in her corner, K. I need to get her out of this mess financially and mentally healthy,” I said.
“And alive,” he said, stopping near the front door and turning towards me. “Both of you. Nick’s been researching him and he’s got connections who aren’t exactly friendly.”
My hands shifted onto his biceps and up to his shoulders, feeling the wall of solid muscle. “You’re bigger than you used to be.”
His lips curved into a smile, his huge hands now holding my hips, fingers curving onto my ass and I felt heat between my legs bloom already. “Age. And I learned how to work out properly.”
“I like it,” I said quietly. “I liked how you felt before too, but even more now.”
His eyes held mine. “I won’t see you in the morning because I’m going to leave before rush hour, but can I take you out to dinner tomorrow? On a date? I never got to take you out properly before.”
Tears formed in my eyes and I felt my heart attempt to burst into song. “Yes,” I said. “Does that mean you’re going to turn up at mine with flowers and chocolates?”
He kissed the top of my head tenderly. “I’ll bring you anything you want.”
The tears escaped. I looked up at him and he brought his mouth to mine. It was almost chaste, no tongue just promises and then he led me inside the house, giving me one last silent kiss before he made his way to his room, leaving me wanting, needing. No different to how I had been for the last thirteen years.
Chapter Eleven
Claire
I struggled to sleep until the early hours of the morning, my body making me pay for having drank too much alcohol and I resolved yet again to moderate the number of drinks I had in one go. My sleep was sullied with scenes involving Killian: strange montages of him being present and then having gone away, telling everybody but me; another where he was married to a girl from my law degree course, everybody around me overjoyed for them and I was having to pretend I was happy for them while trying to suppress my heartbreak. It didn’t take a genius to analyse them and by three am I felt anxious and worried but determined that this time Killian and I had to give ourselves a fair chance, and to do that I had to tell him what happened that summer.
I woke feeling better close to nine, thankful that I didn’t have to battle the other London commuters to get to work on what looked like it would be the hottest day of the year so far. Instead I took a leisurely shower and finished the pot of coffee Marie had made before they had left, making myself eat some yoghurt and granola even though I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t the best at taking care of myself, especially when I was preoccupied.
Katie was sat outside the cottage when I got there, a pot of coffee on the table next to her and her iPad in hand.
“Anything interesting?” I said, taking a seat opposite her and putting my satchel down.
“Dean was at the opening of a new restaurant last night, one he’s invested in,” she said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t have a date, not that he would be so stupid.”
“Is there any speculation where you were?” I asked. The media could be both a help and hindrance. Both Dean and Katie had the ability to manipulate what would be put in the press and any comments made could be used to help predict what Dean might throw at us.
“Of course. ‘Dean Lacey’s wife, the model and spokesperson, Katie Worthington, was conspicuously absent from the opening. This is the third time this month she has failed to accompany her husband to prestigious events prompting speculation that the couple’s marriage is at breaking point.’” She put the iPad down and looked cross. “Either they’ve got insider info or they’re accurately predicting events. Fuckers.”
“Any photos of Dean?” I said, reserving any comments.
“Two. He looks like normal. New suits, I think. They’re not ones I found for him. That was part of my role, you know, to ensure he looked presentable every day. And give him a blow job while I did his trousers up.” She looked as if she was going to vomit.
“It’s over now. You’re never going to have to be on your own with him again. Where’s Nick?”
“He’s taken the twins to a nursery in the village. A couple of spaces have come available so he can get them there for a couple of days each week. It’ll be good for them,” she said. “Although it’s strange them not being around this morning. They’re absolutely gorgeous and so bright.” She looked a little wistful.
“What time’s your appointment?”
“Quarter past two. It’s a blessing. I don’t know what would’ve happened when Dean found out,” she said. “As soon as this is over I need to date again and meet some decent men.”
