‘And change us as people.’
‘Yes.’
‘Until we lose sight of who we are and what we want and what any of this is really about.’
‘Well—’
She got to her feet and paced to the window. Hunter raised his head and pricked up his ears. ‘And then one day we wake up and our parents are getting old and can’t make decisions for themselves and our siblings are getting older and theycanmake decisions for themselves and you’re working and working because there’s a tiny chink of you that believes what you’re doing telling other people’s stories is vital to the world, yet you’re sad a lot of the time and lonely more of the time and you look in the mirror and see the last layer of hope in your eyes fading faster than a winter sunset.’
‘No,’ Jacques said, getting out of his seat. ‘No, don’t say that.’
‘That’s when you really question the point of everything.’
‘Stop,’ Jacques ordered.
‘Because, when all is said and done, it doesn’t matter what’s said… or done, it’s all… just over and?—’
Her breath left and whatever her next words were going to be they stayed confined as Jacques’s mouth clashed with hers. It was so passionate and hungry, so sweet and intense and wildflower-infused that she got an immediate head rush. But instead of common sense catching up, Orla was riding this feeling of guard-dropping for the spur-of-the-moment it was. She kissed him back, harder, and coiled her arms around his neck.
‘Thisis the point of everything, I think,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Undeniable connection.’
‘But,’ she replied. ‘What if it’s misinterpretation?’ She looked up at him, a knot of anticipation for his reply in her throat.
‘But,’ he said softly. ‘What if it is not?’
He didn’t say anything else, he just lifted her up into his arms and headed in the direction of his bedroom.
44
Where are you?
Wyd?
Hellllloooo
*2 missed audio calls*
Don’t you want Thai food?
*4 missed audio calls*
Orla was reading Erin’s messages as her phone began to ring again. Naked, and wrapped up in Jacques’s bedcover, she didn’t know what to do first – answer and get ready to lie, or not answer and get dressed and hope she could be more convincing a liar in person. At her age she shouldn’t be in this position – or any of the positions she had been in no more than moments ago with Jacques…
‘Leave it,’ Jacques said, an arm snaking around her waist.
‘I can’t leave it,’ Orla replied. ‘It’s Erin and if I don’t reply the likelihood is she will be knocking on your bedroom door.’
She jumped as there was a noise at the bedroom door.
‘Relax,’ Jacques said. ‘It is Hunter. He is not used to this door being closed and locked.’ He dropped a kiss on her shoulder. ‘So, do not worry. No one is coming.’
And that was in a complete contrast to the past hour also… She wet her lips, flooded with the hot memories, and then rapidly regrouped.
‘I have to answer or she won’t stop calling.’
He removed his arm from around her waist and lay back in bed.
She took a breath and answered.
