I stopped at the front door and turned to look him in the eye.
‘I want to know. It’s important.’
‘Why?’ His voice sounded husky and there was something in his eyes as he held my gaze, while snowflakes danced around us. He pulled the two sides of my jacket closer together to keep me warm, and then leant towards me, his body just inches from mine. ‘Why is it important, Lucy? Isn’t it enough to know I was concerned?’
I shook my head vigorously, the wine I’d imbibed, clearly having an effect on me.
Several tendrils came loose from my chignon, some of which fell around my shoulders, and some, across my face. He reached out one hand and brushed them away from my eyes, his fingers touching my cheek, and sending ripples of heat to every part of me.
I swallowed and tried to maintain my breathing at a steady rate, but my heart was racing and my legs were feeling weak.
‘No. Because one means you care about me, and the other means you were thinking of yourself.’
The shock in his eyes was evident and he stepped back and stared at me.
‘I’m not sure what’s going on here, Lucy, but as I explained today, I don’t do relationships. I don’t get involved. I’m not looking for anything other than a good time. If that’s going to bea problem for you, say so now. We haven’t seen one another for ten years. Please don’t try to make this into more than it is.’
‘More than it is! You were the one who wanted to have a drink to catch up. You were the one who called and asked if you could join me for lunch. You were the one who asked if I’d like to spend the week with you. Please explain how, exactly, I’m the one who is making more of this than it is.’
His brows shot together and he glared at me, and then he turned abruptly and marched away. I thought he was leaving, but he spun around and stormed back.
‘Okay. Yes. That was all me. I admit that. But … that’s because something special happened between us ten years ago, and I’ve never felt with anyone what I felt with you back then. Seeing you again today was like … I don’t know what it was, but I do know I wanted you so badly today that it took every ounce of strength for me to walk away and leave you this afternoon. I want you, Lucy. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone. But that doesn’t mean I love you. Or anything stupid like that. It just means I had the best sex with you I’ve ever had in my life. And I wanted to experience that again. I wanted to see if it would be as good this time. I wanted … I don’t know what I wanted. But I do know what I don’t want. And that’s this. This drama. This … questioning. This … whatever this is.’
‘So it really is just about sex for you then? All you want is a holiday fling. A week of sex and then we go our separate ways. Just like we did ten years ago.’
‘Yes. That’s exactly what I want.’
‘Well fine. Come in and let’s have sex then. Because you know what, Sam. That’s all I want from you too. Just sex, sex, and more sex. Nothing but sex. Okay?’
‘Okay!’
‘Fine.’ I rammed the key in the lock, flung open the door, and stepped inside. ‘Well? Come on then.’
He made a sort of strangled sigh and then he gave a nervous laugh and ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as he did so.
‘What the hell just happened?’ His voice was calmer now.
I calmed down too. ‘I have no idea. I think I’ve drunk far too much wine today. I should probably sleep it off.’
‘That might be sensible,’ he said.
I let out a sigh. ‘Don’t stand out there, Sam. It’s snowing. Come in and I’ll make some coffee.’
He hesitated. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure.’ I walked along the hall and threw my jacket on the back of the sofa and then I kicked off my boots.
He followed me inside and his eyes scanned me from head to toe.
‘What?’ I asked, standing up straight. I may have pulled my shoulders back and stuck my chest out just a little.
He shook his head as he removed his leather jacket. ‘Don’t shout at me, but you look … fantastic.’
I burst out laughing. ‘You look pretty good yourself.’ He really did. He was now wearing smart black trousers and a white shirt.
He grinned. ‘Thanks.’
‘Sit,’ I said. ‘Unless you’d rather stand.’
