A chagrined expression crossed his face. I put my hand up to stroke his cheek saying flippantly, ‘It’s OK, I still lo—’ I stopped. His hand trapped mine, an eyebrow quirking. There was a silence. I chickened out. ‘I think that she might have been elsewhere last night. She didn’t exactly seem pleased to see us.’
‘Now you mention it, was it my imagination or was she a bit shifty?’ he observed.
‘Mm, if it wasn’t you she was out atPhantomwith last week or Yo Sushi, I’ve got a good idea of who it might have been.’
Now if Daniel had been a girl he would have been straight in there wanting to know all the details, but he seemed to take it as a green light. A slow smile crossed his face, a knowing look in his eyes. All of a sudden he seemed far more interested in trying to spark some life into my erogenous zones. A considerably warmed up hand was making a new foray, slinking up the side of my ribs, dancing on the edge of ticklish and wildly erotic. I couldn’t help it, a small moan escaped. He took complete advantage of my half-dressed state, the palm of his hand spreading, his thumb inching over my nipple. A zing darted downwards; my lips met his, move for move and before I knew it, I was sinking back, the warmth of his body spread over me, our mouths fused in a delicious kiss.
* * *
I woke up cold and alone — virtue intact. Damn it! I’d returned to my empty bed at about five and, despite every nerve end tingling with frustration, had amazingly dropped off straight back to sleep.
The morning got off to a good start when I got my first love text.
Gd mrng sweetheart. Sleep well? Xxxxxxx
My heart did a funny little flip and I lay back on my pillow, a silly grin on my face, counting the kisses on the message. How sweet was that? He was only the other side of the wall.
From there it all went downhill.
It should have been a relief when Kate finally phoned, but she was listless and weepy. I felt so helpless. All I wanted to do was give her a big hug. Never had I felt so far away.
‘Hi, sweetie. How are you?’
‘OK,’ she said wearily. ‘I want to go home but they won’t let me.’
‘How’s Bill?’ I asked warily.
‘Fine,’ she said.
‘Oh,’ I was flummoxed. Pulling teeth would have been easier. ‘Just fine?’
‘Yes,’ she said her voice breaking.
‘Kate, don’t. I thought you’d be mad at me for telling him.’
‘Too late now,’ she said with a sniff, her voice sounding thick as if she had a cold. ‘He knows. Anyway, there’s no baby, so he doesn’t need to stick around.’
‘Kate. You know that’s not true. If you’d seen him the night he flew out.’
‘How was he?’ she asked pathetically eager.
‘In a state.’
‘Honest?’ she asked quietly.
‘Yes,’ I said exasperated. This wasn’t like Kate. Normally men fell like ninepins at her feet with her stepping over them with careless abandon. When had things changed? Was Bill really that important to her?
‘For God’s sake, Kate. The poor man dropped everything, hopped straight on a flight and flew twenty-four hours to see you.’
‘You think he really cares?’
Duh! I was trying to be gentle with her, she clearly wasn’t herself. Good job she was so far away, otherwise I would have given her a good shake. ‘Kate! Listen. Of course he bloody does. You can ask Daniel if you don’t believe me. Shall I put him on?’
‘Daniel?’ her voice sounded puzzled. ‘He’s with you?’
‘Erm, yes. Actually I meant he’s here in the flat but now you mention it, I could say “with me”. We’re still working on it.’
‘You and Daniel.’ She brightened up. ‘Yay. About time. You finally dislodged him. I want details but not now. Bill’s going to be here soon.’
