Love the sensation of being desired.
Cherished.
Even if Ronan didn’t hear her words, there’s no missing the whooping and shrieking coming from my mobile. I twist my head to look out of the window, hiding the crimson stains flushing my cheeks.
‘I’m going to need a full debrief,’ Ashley squeals. ‘Pun intended.’
‘I’ll text you when I’m on the way home.’ I need to wrap this conversation up sooner rather than later. ‘Tell the girls I love them so much and I can’t wait to see them.’
‘Will do,’ Ashley promises. ‘Have fun.
I hang up before she can embarrass me further.
‘Everything okay?’ Ronan asks.
‘Everything is fine, but Ashley wants to hang out with the girls for another couple of hours. Do you have somewhere you need to be, or can I take you for dinner to thank you for driving me across the country?’
‘You mean driving you into the most decadent oblivion of your life?’ Ronan’s fingers slip higher for a fleeting second, reminding me exactly what he’s capable of.
‘Cocky, aren’t you? Who said it was the most decadent oblivion I’ve ever experienced?’ I pout.
‘You did! When you screamed my name and bucked so hard beneath me, I thought I’d have to tie you down with a rope the next time.’
‘Next time?’ I pinch his thigh. ‘It was supposed to be one night only. Something you’re an expert in, if the tabloids are to be believed.’
‘Savannah,’ he tears his eyes from the road to stare at me for a long beat. ‘What part of “I’ve been obsessed with you since you totalled my car” isn’t sinking in? The only reason I spent every Saturday night drinking and fooling around was because the woman I wanted was more off limits than a nun. Believe me when I say I never wanted anyone the way I want you.’
I inhale deeply. ‘Dinner?’ I deliberately change the subject.
A wince flickers across his face. ‘I actually have dinner plans.’
My face falls to the floor as I try to hide my disappointment.
What did I expect? The man’s already given me most of his weekend.
‘You could join us, if you like, though?’ Something like mischief flickers in his bright blue eyes.
‘Us?’ It’s barely more than a squeak.
‘My family.’ He says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like now we’ve had sex three, no wait, four, (or is it five?) times, I should go to dinner with his family.
Panic stirs in my sternum.
It’s too much.
It’s too soon.
Being seen with him will ruin everything I’ve worked for.
I stare out of the windscreen, seeing everything but nothing.
A part of me really wants to meet his family. To learn more about this man who I thought I had sussed but was so wrong about.
But I can’t.
I just can’t.
‘Thanks for the invitation, but it’s probably best if I don’t.’ The regret is unmissable in my voice. ‘I’d hate foreveryone to get the wrong idea.’ Or the right idea, that we can’t keep our hands off each other even though I’m sworn to celibacy for the sake of my brand.
