‘I’m not so sure we are all that different. We seemed pretty in sync the other evening.’
Now she looked as if she was squirming a little. Brodie took pity on her. ‘I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m happy to have a little fun. If you are. I still want you, Jess.’
She looked around and then whispered, ‘I’m not just an easy shag because I’m here and it’s convenient, and there’s only one bed. I saw the condoms in your washbag.’
He sighed. ‘Jess, for what it’s worth, I haven’t been with anyone in months. Those condoms might not even be in date any more.’
No one had interested him. Until now.
Jess gave him a look. ‘Yeah, and I saw a pig falling out of the sky into the pool earlier.’
But she didn’t sound so sure.
‘You have a very low opinion of me.’
‘I think you’ll live.’
Brodie realised he really liked this with her. The way she sparked back at him.
He put an arm across the back of her seat and saw how the little hairs went up on her arms. He felt a jolt of electricity. She wanted him. Waiters were starting to bring out starters. They barely noticed.
‘Why fight it, Jess? If we both want it. We’re adults. We’re not playing games. We both know what this is.’
‘What’s that?’
‘A fling.’
He noticed her breathing was shallower, her breasts moving up and down under the bodice of her dress. He realised it was stretchy. He wondered if it would just peel down.
His gaze drifted up to her jaw, and up to her profile. She looked regal in that moment. And then she turned to look at him and he braced himself for her to tell him to stop flirting with her. ‘Look, Jess, I’m sorry, I?—’
‘OK.’
‘OK, what?’
‘I want you too.’ Her gaze was so direct. Her eyes dark brown in this light. Green flecks.
A surge of lust mixed with something that felt like relief rushed through him. ‘Are you hungry?’
She shook her head. ‘Not for food.’
‘Want to get out of here?’
She nodded.
Chapter 23
Jess
Iwas taking Tash’s advice and also heeding the clamour of my own blood and body. Why was I denying myself this? He wanted me. And I wanted him badly enough to taste it.
Brodie was looking at me so intently. As if he didn’t believe what he was hearing. As if he could see all the way through me to where a mass of contradictions swirled in my gut. The desire for this and the pull to deny myself because I was somehow desecrating Cal’s memory.
And, because I’d been hurt before. But he’d just assured me that there were no emotions involved. Just pure, physical lust.
Brodie took my hand and stood up, pulling me up with him. A few people looked up, but then went back to conversations or eating.
There were French doors open nearby and Brodie went towards them, taking me with him. He was holding my hand tight. When we stepped outside, the evening air was still warm. The sky was a dark lavender colour.
