She’d looked tired, dark shadows beneath her incredibly huge eyes, making them appear even more stark in her face. Her clothes, as usual, had been two sizes too big, skimming the bony angles of her body, hanging instead of hugging. He’d suspected she hadn’t eaten any of the goodies he’d had delivered to her house. Goodies he’d deliberately curated to tempt her – sweet flaky pastries, scrumptious pizzas, rich curries and risottos and pasta dishes heaving with protein.
Expensivelygoodchocolate.
She’d looked so tense Valentino had wanted to cross that room and pull her into his arms. Take the yoke of anxiety from around her neck. But he’d known that wasn’t what she wanted.
What she’d needed.
She’d needed for McKenzie tohear,but it had taken so long to get to this point with so many setbacks, he knew she didn’t dare hope in case it too went awry.
But it hadn’t. It had been like Valentino knew it would be – a success. Like Peyton would have known had it been anybody other than her own precious flesh and blood. And that moment, the moment of hearing was – as always –joyous.
Hearing Peyton laugh, even more so.
It was rich and full throated and she’d been happier than he’d ever seen her, and that had been breathtaking. Valentino realised then that he hadn’t heard her laugh. Trulylaugh. With joy. Withabandon. He’d known she hadn’t had a whole lot to laugh about the last three years so the fact he was instrumental in giving her a reason for laughter had been gratifying.
And… humbling. Being privy to these momentous occasions in his patients’ lives never got old. But this one? It meant more than most.
Hell, when had that little girl and her mother become so personal?
A noise behind him alerted Valentino to Peyton’s return, and he placed the photograph back down and turned. She was fully dressed again in a different set of baggy clothes, looking neat as a pin – nothing like the ironed-out hot mess who had climbed out of his lap mere minutes ago.
Her hair was damp as if she’d showered – a quick shower for sure because she hadn’t been gone that long, but still… What didthatmean? Had she needed to wash the memory away or had it been a more practical measure given they hadn’t used a condom?
Valentino wasn’t sure. Nor was he sure what the woman before him needed. He’d known what the Peyton who’d straddled him had needed but he had no clue whatthisPeyton needed. Lucky for him, she chose that moment to smile – a genuine one if a little subdued – and though he still didn’t know what to give her, he knew she wasn’t shutting him out either.
He smiled back and hers grew bigger, travelling all the way to her eyes, whammying into his chest. Man, he could get used to that smile. Used to seeing it every evening. Every morning. Which was all kinds ofwhat the hell? A frisson of unease crawled up his neck because there was no denying in such a short time this woman had gotten under his skin.
He shouldn’t have come over tonight. After the emotional tenor of the day. After witnessing McKenzie hear for the first time. Was it any wonder that they’d ended up naked on her couch burning off all their suppressed attraction?
Which had been amazing butcomplicating.
Because where could this really go? After they’d already decided they’d just be friends. And they’d soon be working together again. They weren’t a couple – Peyton had made that clear. She was a single mother with a high-needs child and he was here temporarily with a lousy track record for anything long term.
‘So…’ She folded her arms, her teeth digging into her bottom lip for a moment before she released it. ‘That happened.’
‘Uh huh.’
‘It wasn’t…’ More lip torturing. ‘…supposed to happen again.’
Valentino nodded. ‘Uh huh.’
Did she want him to apologise? He would if that’s what she wanted even though it had beenherwho had kissedhim. Her who hadstraddledhim. The truth was he could have stopped it though – probably. Even if just standing here looking at her he was bombarded with images of them doing it again.
Now.
Him stripping her out of those shapeless clothes and doing it in every room in the house. And then maybe come back and do it all again tomorrow.
Cristo!Non. Non. Non.
‘I don’t think…’
Her voice drifted away as her fingers clenched and unclenched around her upper arms. Her gaze locked with his and Valentino could see she was struggling to find the right words. Suddenly, she looked lost and… exhausted. Mentally. Like she’d reached her limit for being the responsible adult in her life today.
Clearing his throat, Valentino stepped into the breach. ‘This was just a blip,’ he said, throwing her a life line as he gestured dismissively between them with his hands. ‘I think we’re both adult enough to understand that today was highly unusual. It was emotionally charged and sometimes, things like this happen.’
‘Right.’ She nodded. Not enthusiastically but with at least passable conviction. ‘Things thatshouldn’thave happened.’
‘Yup,’ Valentino agreed, trying to convince himself as much as Peyton. ‘It was just an… outlet,’ he added. ‘A one off.’
