‘What?’ My gaze rises fleetingly from an image of my back; the light in the photograph softly focussed, practically black and white. My spine is highlighted, almost pronounced, the silhouette of my body like an hourglass. ‘Pictures?’
‘I’m loath to bring it up, but when your ex turned up at your apartment, back in Dubai? He said he had picturesof you, I think...’ His words trail off almost uncomfortably.
Like a sudden cold stone in my stomach, I realise what he’s referring to: Shane on my doorstep with his worthless apologies, expecting me to be grateful and forgiving. Instead, he turned up in the middle of a terrible row Kai and I were having. I was almost naked, wearing nothing more than a sheet.
I’ve seen it all before, have a few pictures of her somewhere.
Right before Kai went for him.
‘Would it bother you?’ I try not to look at him, continuing to absently flick through his phone.
‘I’d be lying if I said no.’ His reply is quiet, his eyes downcast. ‘You’re mine now. It’s that caveman thing. I wonder if I could induce him to part with them.’
‘Why would you do that?’ I ask immediately.And horrified.‘Surely they’d be of no interest to you?’
‘I don’t want to see them,habibti.’ He rubs one finger across his nose. ‘Okay, maybe I do. Call it sick curiosity, though I meant moreforyou. For your peace of mind. That and I’d hate to think that he might still be looking at them.’
‘Then let me put your mind at ease,’ I answer, biting back a measure of chagrin. ‘He probably has a couple. Pretty tame ones. I was... topless sunbathing. So, in theory, he might not be the only one who took pictures. But that would be flattering myself as mine weren’t the only boobs exposed.’
‘Topless bathing? I’vegotto get you to France.’ He chuckles, suddenly looking thoroughly amused. ‘That sounds so unlike you.’
‘It was. Is.’ I shrug. ‘It was a while ago. A group of us were at the beach, we’d all been drinking cruisers. I thought I was being brave.’ I half turn from him, trying not to recall the day. I won’t tell him about later on, the blinds half drawn in our holiday let, the sun casting shadows across Shane’s face as he’d brought out his phone. The sand covering my skin like a dusting of brown sugar.
‘Hey, don’t be upset.’
‘I’m not,’ I answer quickly. ‘Just, these.’ I hold the phone in front of him. ‘They’re dangerous.’
‘Dangerous how? You and I are for keeps.’ He pulls me into his arms, settling his thighs behind mine. ‘You’re mine. And you’re wonderful. And I’m in awe of you.’
‘Yeah, right,’ I scoff.
‘It’s true.’
‘Were you not at my mum’s door yesterday? Did you not watch me regress to a stroppy teen and totally lose my shit? That’s not the definition of awesomeness, as far as I’m concerned.’
‘I said I wasinawe, though I thought that display was on the right side of awesome. Good to know you aren’t completely without familial issues. I’ll admit, it was fun to watch.’
‘Gee, thanks.’ I say, swinging my hand behind me in an effort to slap his arse. And failing. ‘I suppose I’ll have to go home at some point.’ I sigh deeply. I so don’t want to. ‘They’re probably wondering where I am.’
‘They know you’re with me.’
‘They saw us leave together, but they don’t knowwhoyou are—where I am. ‘Cos I haven’t—’
‘I called,’ he interrupts.
‘What?’ I twist my head over my shoulder. He can’t be serious, can he?
‘I called today. Yesterday evening, I suppose. While you were asleep. I thought I ought.’
Ah, fuck. So pleased I was comatose for that. ‘What did they say? Did Geoff answer the phone? Give you a hard time?’
‘Calm down. I spoke with your mother.’ His arms tighten and he nudges my thighs with his. ‘I apologized for not introducing myself, told her you’d fallen asleep and that I’d be sure to get you to call in tomorrow, though I rather got the impression she thinks you’ll be continuing to stay with them. She said something about you having flu, and that I was to let her know when we were due to call.’
‘Piss off,’ I say with half a laugh. ‘She did not.’
‘I’ve been invited to something called morning tea. Is that like high tea? Afternoon tea with cakes and cucumber sandwiches? Sounds very proper.’
‘Hang on—she invited you?’ Twisting my head, I try to look at him. He must’ve pulled out all the charm stops for a reaction like that. ‘How’d you get the number? Never mind, just don’t be fooled. Shit will hit the fan the minute I step through that door. They’re the ones responsible for letting Shane in and constantly interfering. I don’t want to drag you—’
