Conall smiled. ‘What, you don’t have enough to do?’
‘More than enough. Those performance targets we agreed are a real stretch, but they’ve been good for the team. I’m seeing a bit more lateral thinking in the group. Some of those young hires are really stepping up.’
‘Excellent. I look forward to hearing about the lateral thinking next time we catch up. For now I’d better go and reread what you sent me.’
He ended the call, but instead of looking at the proposal, Conall scrubbed his hand over his face. It had been a hellish few days and it was affecting his work, something he’d believed impossible, until now.
He and Greer had tiptoed around each other with exaggerated caution.
Conall had tried to talk to her about that night, that kiss, but each time she froze him out. Normally that wouldn’t stop him, but the raw hurt in her eyes, so at odds with her mask of control, got to him every time and he’d refused to pressure her.
He’dfeel better for sorting things out, but he wasn’t brutal enough to force her to talk before she was ready. Not after everything she’d been through.
Which left him frustrated and antsy.
Over the previous days he’d taken more meetings out of the office than usual, needing to escape her presence and his conscience. Today he’d decided to work from home, but now it looked like he’d have to double check everything he’d done.
Distracted didn’t begin to describe his mental state.
The fiasco was his fault. Greer had needed reassurance and comfort that night. But one touch andhe’dneeded more. He’d been unable to hold back until it was almost too late.
But the doctors had warned she needed time to recover fully.
Greer had wanted more from him and he’d been triumphant and eager to take what he craved, until he recalled she wasn’t herself. She struggled to adapt after her accident, and with the many things she couldn’t remember.
Despite the extremity of his need, Conall wouldn’t allow himself to be like his father, who took advantage of vulnerable women.
Oh, Conall intended to seduce Greer. But it would be a seduction of mind and body. He wanted, needed her tochoosehim, not feel pressured or unsure. There’d be no shortcuts, no tricks. No coercion.
Pain shot through his jaw as his molars ground. He almost welcomed the jab of discomfort. It was better than his regrets sitting low in his gut.
All he’d done in the end was hurt her. Instead of giving her comfort he’d distressed her.
The night he’d taken her home after the opera, the outside light had spilled over his shoulders from behind. He’d read her expression when he finally relinquished her.
Her brittle attempt at composure, and the anguish he read between the cracks, had wrenched his gut and fed his guilt. She was still hurting now, despite the air of efficient calm she wore like a defensive cloak in the office, acting like a polite stranger.
They couldn’t keep on like this.
Nor could they turn back the clock. That taste of her had unleashed something dark and hungry and he didn’t know what to do with it. Abstinence was no longer working and he couldn’t shut himself away from the office indefinitely.
A knock on the open study door made him turn. It was his housekeeper, Alice Robinson. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but you have a visitor.’ She paused. ‘Greer Munro.’
Conall stared, his mind racing.
Greer, here? After days having as little to do with him as possible, she’d come to his home. Why, when she could easily call or text?
His first, instantaneous thought was that she’d come to say she was resigning. What else could bring her here?
Bile rose in his throat. He’d never thought it would come to this. Already part of his brain was calculating his next step. Because losing her was impossible.
‘Show her in please.’
‘Would you like refreshments before I leave?’
Conall shook his head. ‘No, thanks. It’s time you left.’ Alice was spending a few days off with her sister in the Southern Highlands. ‘You go and enjoy your break.’
‘Thanks, I will.’ She paused, frowning. ‘Don’t forget I’ve left tonight’s meal ready in the kitchen. And I’ve been baking today so there’s plenty of food for while I’m away.’
