Page 57 of Seasons of Sin

“I emailed Melania, didn’t I?”

She toyed with the stem of her flute. “Yes. The timing is a little coincidental though. After all, I just ran into Rocco a couple of nights ago and then bam! You appear out of nowhere …”

“Coincidental,” he said with a small smile.

“He told you?” She demanded softly.

Thaddeus inclined his head.

“And that’s why you’re here.”

He lifted his flute of wine and sipped it without dropping the hold he had on her eyes. “It ispartof why I’m here,” he conceded finally.

Saphire expelled a breath angrily. “Then youarewasting my time. And your own. I have nothing to say to you on … our personal matter.”

His laugh sent daggers dancing down her skin. “Liar.”

She lifted her chin angrily. “Do you have any morerelevantquestions?”

“You don’t think Melania sent you to meet me because she wanted to exploit our history?”

“She doesn’t know about our history,” Saphire retorted tightly.

Thaddeus felt his footing slip a little. “You didn’t tell her?”

“No. Why would I?”

“Even when I emailed?”

“Of course not! Are you kidding me? I’m twenty six and this is the first job I’ve ever had. I’m not going to stuff it up by prattling on about my failed relationships.”

The pain in his chest was for her vulnerability. The admission made a tenderness swell inside of him that he had thought long gone.

“You have done volunteer work for the charity for years …”

“Volunteerwork,” she spoke slowly, to spell it out for him. “This is a proper, paid position. And Melania wants to make it more permanent. I don’t want her to think I can’t handle a simple negotiation with a man who’s appeared out of thin air begging to give us money.” She closed her eyes. “So if your plan was to see me again, and to use my position in Hope Renewed to get me here, then you’re potentially ruining my reputation at work for no good reason.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I would never dangle a carrot to a charity and not follow through. Of course I intend to donate.”

Saphire felt strange. Adrenalin had spiked and dropped, and now she was deflated and a little queasy. “Donate. Don’t donate. It’s your decision.” She stood up slowly and reached for her bag. Her eyes met Tony’s and she offered him the hint of apologetic smile. Before the waiter could arrive, Thaddeus shook his head.

“Sit back down.”

“I can’t.” She stepped away from the table. “I really need to go.”

She dipped into her wallet and pulled out more than enough Euro to cover the meal they’d never share. She threw them down onto the table with fingers that weren’t quite steady. When her eyes met his, he was instantly reminded of a hunted animal, terrified and in a corner. “Please don’t call me. I’ll have someone else get in touch tomorrow to explain the options open to you.”

His heart was thudding in his chest.

He watched her walk out and swore, then jerked out of his seat and moved swiftly after her. The night air was the slap of reality he needed. She was moving quickly down the footpath, and though he couldn’t see her face, he could tell her arms were folded over her chest.

He ran to catch her and when he spun her around tears were gliding down her cheeks as they had been that last night they’d spoken; the disastrous night in Athens.

“Saphire,” he groaned, lifting his hands and cupping her face. “Where are you going?” She shrugged out of his touch and for good measure pushed her hands against his broad chest.

“Don’t touch me,” she said angrily. “For God’s sake, just leave me alone.”

“I want to talk to you. Not about work. About you. And me.”