Instinctively she knew she could rely on Conall’s promise.
‘Thank you.’ She pressed her lips to his, lingering at the delicious familiarity of them together. ‘That helps, it really does. But why didn’t you say anything?’
‘When you came around in hospital you didn’t remember anything about us together and you didn’t seem to want more from me. I was cautioned against forcing your memories. The doctors stressed patience and one step at a time, so I held back.’ He lifted his shoulders on a deep breath. ‘Until my control snapped.’
Conall looked almost guilty and she hated that. All he’d done was try to protect her. She pressed her lips to his again, revelling in the freedom to do so. ‘I’m glad it did. It’s a relief, knowing.’
Given how hard he’d worked to protect her, fighting his own instincts all the time, it must have been tough for him too. ‘Are you ready for breakfast?’
‘I’m starving. But for details as well as food.’
‘Fair enough.’ He passed her a glass of orange juice. ‘Freshly squeezed.’
‘Juice making and coffee brewing? Such talent.’
Conall waggled his eyebrows. ‘I thought after last night you might be impressed by something more than my kitchen skills.’
Greer stifled a laugh, the lingering shreds of regret about not remembering them together fading. ‘I am impressed, don’t you worry. I was wondering if later you might demonstrate some of that considerable talent again.’
His expression turned wolfish and though she knew he was playing, taking her mind off her loss, she was delighted in the idea of him eating her all up.
‘That can be arranged. If you finish your breakfast. I don’t want you fading away from lack of nourishment.’
Greer drained her glass of tangy juice and passed it to him. ‘What have you got for me?’ His gaze snared hers. ‘I mean food. On the tray.’
She could get used to his teasing, hungry stares. Could definitely get used to sharing his bed.
As they ate she insisted he tell her how and when they’d got together. She’d always been scrupulous about not revealing her feelings for him.
‘It was a week after we moved here from Perth. A Friday night.’
He took a mouthful of the cheese-and-herb omelette he’d made. Greer was in the process of demolishing hers. He really did have hidden talents. ‘Go on.’
‘I was working late and you appeared in my office doorway wearing that blue sparkly dress, the one that only comes halfway down your thighs.’ He paused. ‘You had your hair loose and said you were going to the Opera House for a drink before a performance. Jarvis Jellicoe had suggested it to you.’
Greer’s forehead twitched. Jarvis was a sometime business associate of Conall’s. She remembered telling him she was moving to Sydney, and him responding with a list of things she should do, including visit the Opera House.
‘And?’
Conall put his empty plate aside and took her hand. ‘I was jealous. For well over a year I’d fought my attraction to you, because we worked together and I didn’t want to take advantage. But when you’d dressed up to spend the evening with Jarvis—’
‘I was going out with Jarvis?’
She couldn’t believe it. The man was a decade older and while she liked him, she’d never consider dating him.
‘No. I got my wires crossed, but I only discovered that later.’ Conall looked rueful. ‘I forbade you to go. I blocked the doorway and lectured you about not mixing business with pleasure. And about company loyalty.’
Greer’s eyes bulged. She couldn’t imagine biting her tongue after that. ‘What did I do?’
Conall opened her hand, tracing circles of delight on her palm, his smile wistful.
‘You were magnificent. You marched up and poked me in the chest. You said your private life wasn’t my concern. Then you reminded me of all the hours and effort you put into my success. You mentioned you’d already had a job offer from a competitor in Sydney, but if I had doubts about your loyalty you could always find me a new PA.’
She blinked, not surprised she’d stood up for herself, but that she’d been ready to leave the job she loved, and leave Conall. But after so long yearning for what she thought she couldn’t have, maybe she’d decided it was time to put distance between them.
‘And then?’
He shrugged. ‘I said you weren’t allowed to resign. Then I blurted out that you were irreplaceable. I also said something about being damned if I’d sit back and watch you go out with Jarvis instead of me. That I’d wanted you from the day you first walked into my office.’
