Kitabı oku: «It Started With... Collection», sayfa 19
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘WELL? How was it last night?’ Dora asked when they finally caught up with each other over mid-morning coffee. ‘I was too sleepy to ask you when you got home. Sorry. I hope you didn’t think I was rude to leave like that.’
Jessie had actually been grateful. She’d staggered home around one, having declined Kane’s offer to walk her to the door, using the excuse that it was late enough. But she must have looked a right mess with her hair all over the place and not a scrap of make-up remaining on her face. Anyone other than a half-asleep old lady would have known on sight that she’d been having sex all night.
Jessie swallowed at the memory. Not just sex. Hot sex. Incredible sex. Sex such as she’d never known before.
‘I had a very enjoyable time,’ she said with an amazingly straight face. ‘The food at the restaurant was fabulous. You know that place down on the beach at Balmoral?’
Dora didn’t, thankfully. She said she’d never been to Balmoral, either the suburb or the beach.
Jessie invented a menu from scraps of memory of the last time she was there, all the while trying not to think of the incredible meal she had had last night. The food hadn’t been incredible. It was just a couple of frozen dinners, washed down with white wine and finished off with a selection of melons. Incredible was the fact that they’d been naked whilst eating, and sharing one of the kitchen chairs, with her being forbidden to feed herself.
In hindsight, their various sexual encounters the previous night seemed decadent. But at the time, they’d simply been exciting.
‘Where did you go afterwards?’ Dora asked.
‘Just back to his place for a while,’ Jessie said nonchalantly.
‘And?’
‘He has a very nice house. Not unlike yours.’
‘And?’
‘It has a glorious view of the ocean and it’s chock-full of antiques. Kane must be worth a fortune.’
‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘Jessie Denton, did you or did you not go to bed with the man?’
Jessie blushed at this unexpectedly forthright question. ‘Don’t ask questions like that, Dora. Emily might hear.’
‘Not at this distance, she won’t,’ Dora replied.
They were sitting at the small plastic table setting outside their communal laundry, which was a good way from where Emily was happily playing in her fig-tree cubby house.
Jessie sighed. ‘Yes, I did,’ she confessed.
‘Good,’ Dora pronounced. ‘He’s a really nice man.’
Jessie clenched her teeth hard in her jaw lest she open her mouth and say something to disillusion Dora.
‘And he really likes Emily,’ Dora added.
‘He divorced his wife because he didn’t want children,’ Jessie couldn’t resist throwing into the conversation.
‘What? Are you sure about that?’
‘Positive. He told me so himself.’
‘Strange. He doesn’t act like a man who doesn’t like children. He’s very patient, for starters. And kind.’
‘Maybe he just doesn’t like babies. Emily is not a baby.’
‘True. But that’s a shame. I thought he might have been the one.’
‘Which one is that?’
‘The one who’ll marry you and be a father to Emily. She’s very keen on that idea, you know.’
No, Jessie didn’t know. ‘You mean, on having a father? She’s never spoken about it to me. Emily hasn’t missed out on anything, not having a father,’ she argued defensively.
‘How do you know? She’s a deep little thinker, your Emily. She sees other fathers coming to pick up their children at the day-care centre. She might have been wanting a father for ages, but didn’t want to say anything to upset you. She loves her mummy a great deal but I think she’d love to have a daddy, too. That’s why Kane’s been such a big hit with her. And why she asked if you two were going to get married last night.’
Jessie’s heart turned over. It was already happening, what she’d feared all along. If she kept seeing Kane, Emily was going to get more and more attached to him and one day, poof, he’d be gone and her little girl would be broken-hearted. Her own broken heart she could cope with. She was a grown-up. But how could you explain to a four-year-old that adult relationships didn’t always end in marriage? They usually just ended.
‘He wants to take me and Emily out this Sunday,’ Jessie said with a worried frown on her face. ‘I’m going to have to call him and tell him no.’ She should never have said yes in the first place. She was weak, weak, weak!
‘But why, for pity’s sake?’
‘Because it’s not fair on Emily, letting her think he really likes her. It’s not Emily he wants, Dora. It’s just me.’
‘You don’t know that. Ask him.’
‘No. He’ll only lie to me.’
Dora looked at her with shocked eyes. ‘I knew you were cynical, Jessie. I didn’t realise you were that cynical. For what it’s worth, I think you’re making a big mistake. He’s a nice man and deserves a chance. Not only that, you deserve a chance. And Emily, too. Don’t make hasty decisions. Give your relationship with Kane a bit of time. OK, so it might not work out, but if you don’t try you’ll never know. Life can be cruel but it can also be wonderful. You have to believe that or life isn’t worth living. I was very lonely and depressed till you and Emily came along. In fact, I was in danger of being a miserable old witch of a woman, I was so full of regrets and resentments. But you brought some light into my life. You and Emily. You’re a lovely girl, Jessie Denton, but where men are concerned you’re way too hard. And way too distrustful. I’ve seen a lot of life and I’d put my money on Kane being a decent man. He might even change his mind about having children now that he’s become involved with you and Emily. People can change, you know.’
Jessie didn’t think that a man who divorced his wife over that single issue was likely to change. At the same time, she supposed she was being a bit hard on him. He’d really been wonderfully warm and considerate last night. He had the capacity to be a sensitive new-age guy as well; he was very capable in the kitchen. And he could give a massage like a professional. He made a great boyfriend and lover, even if not a husband and father.
She’d be out of her mind to voluntarily give him up. Just the thought of never experiencing again what she’d experienced last night made her feel sick. At the same time, she had to make some firm ground rules between them. No pretend family outings. No coming over till Emily was asleep at night. And no expecting her to stay at his place all night on the occasions they did go out.
There! That was reasonable.
Kane didn’t think so when she rang him during Emily’s after-lunch nap.
‘You’re being ridiculous again,’ he growled. ‘About everything. Jessie, I really like you. No, that’s a lie. I love you, damn it.’
Jessie gasped into the phone.
‘Yes, yes, I’m sure you don’t believe me. But it’s true.’
‘It’s you who’s being ridiculous,’ Jessie countered once she got over her shock. ‘I know what you love, Kane Marshall, and it isn’t the real me. It’s the silly, weak woman I became last night. I don’t know what got into me to let you do all those things. My only excuse is that I hadn’t been with a man in such a long time. And, of course, you seemed to know just what to do to tap into my dark side.’
‘Your dark side? I wasn’t trying to tap into your dark side, sweetheart. Just your feminine side. That side you put on hold most of the time whilst you’re being one tough mamma who thinks all men are lying scumbags who couldn’t possibly love you or want you for anything other than sex. For pity’s sake, I know you’ve been hurt by other men in the past. Your less than admirable father and that creep, Lyall. But that doesn’t mean all men are bad. You don’t like other people misjudging you, or jumping to conclusions over your morals, but you’re only too ready to jump to conclusions over mine.’
Jessie winced. He was right. She knew he was right.
‘You’re a wonderful girl, Jessie,’ he said more gently. ‘But you really need to get that chip off your shoulder. I want you in my life. You and Emily. But you have to believe in me, and trust me. I don’t know what else I can say to convince you that I’m sincere. Look, if you don’t think you could ever love me back, then I suppose I’m just wasting my time. If last night was just you exorcising your sexual frustrations then I guess that’s that, then. Just let me say that last night was the most incredible night of my life. You are everything I want in a woman and a lover, Jessie Denton.’
Jessie felt totally chastened by his speech. And moved. ‘I…I thought last night was pretty incredible, too. I’m sorry I said what I said, Kane. And I’m sorry I’m such a bitch.’
He laughed. ‘In a way, I like that about you. But I like the woman you were last night, too. They’re both you, Jessie. And I love them both.’
‘I wish you wouldn’t keep saying that you love me.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I’m afraid of it.’
‘Yes, I know that, sweetheart. But you’re going to have to get used to it. I love you and I’m not going to go away.’
She was beginning to see that, his reassurance flooding through her heart like a giant wave, washing away some of those old fears, the ones where she did think no man would ever truly love and want her, not now that she had Emily. Her mother had drummed into her that no man really wanted another man’s child.
But was he talking marriage here? She didn’t like to ask. It was premature. And what about the matter of children? Dora could be right there. Maybe he would want children with her, if he loved her enough. If not, at least she already had Emily. And he seemed to genuinely like Emily.
‘It might be nice if you told me what you feel for me,’ Kane inserted softly. ‘I need some encouragement here.’
‘I doubt you ever need encouragement when you want something, Kane Marshall.’
‘I’ve never wanted something quite so unattainable before.’
‘How can you say that after the way I acted last night? You said “jump” and I said “how high?”’
‘That’s just during sex. On a day-to-day basis, you’re extremely difficult to handle. Now, am I allowed to come over today?’
‘No.’
‘How come I knew you were going to say that? What about tomorrow? Can I take you and Emily out, as I was going to?’
‘Yes, but no sex.’ This edict was more for her benefit than his. She was so tender down there, it wasn’t funny.
‘I wasn’t expecting any. Besides, I’m knackered.’
‘That’s today. You’ll be recovered by tomorrow.’
‘You could be right. I’ll be even more recovered by Monday.’
‘Monday is a work day.’
‘Yes, but there’s always our lunch-hour. Karen always goes out and I have that lovely office—complete with that huge Chesterfield—all to myself.’
Jessie’s cheeks burned at the thought. Just as well he couldn’t see her. ‘You don’t honestly expect me to do that, do you?’ she said, trying to sound shocked and not excited.
‘A man can always hope.’
‘Friday night is our date night,’ she said primly. ‘You’ll have to wait till then.’
‘Friday night is a definite, then? No excuses?’
‘No excuses.’
‘Next Friday night is the office Christmas party,’ he told her in an amused tone. ‘As the acting boss, I’m obliged to attend. As a new employee, I will expect you to be there too, in a sexy party dress.’
‘You devil! You tricked me.’
‘You should have remembered.’
‘I’m not having you make love to me in your office.’
‘You gave me your word. You told me you were a woman of your word.’
‘That’s emotional blackmail.’
‘No one will notice if we slip away from time to time,’ he said softly. ‘My office is out of the way. And it has a lock on its door.’
‘But I wouldn’t be able to relax,’ she protested. ‘I’d be worried what people might be thinking.’
‘Who cares what they think? After Christmas, I won’t be the boss there any longer and no one will think a thing.’
‘They’ll always think you hired me because you fancied me.’
‘Mmm. Could be true.’
‘But it isn’t! You know it isn’t!’
‘Yes, I know. I was only teasing. We’ll be very discreet. Tell me you love me, Jessie Denton.’
‘No.’
‘But you know you do.’
‘All I know is that you’re a very arrogant man. And far, far too sure of himself. You need pulling down a peg or two.’
‘And you, missie, need a lot more loving.’
‘Is that what they’re calling it these days?’
‘Would you rather I used a cruder term?’
‘No.’
‘Good, because I’m not just talking about sex. I’m talking loving in the wider context. You need everything a man who loves you can provide. You need caring for. And protection. And support. And security. You need someone there to help you when things go wrong, someone you can turn to and rely upon.’
Oh, how wonderful that would be, she thought with a deep sigh. But was it just a dream, a mad promise from a lust-crazed fool, or the offer of a man genuinely in love?
Jessie had been cynical too long to accept what Kane was offering without any wariness whatsoever.
‘What you need,’ Kane finished, ‘is me.’
‘Yes, I certainly do,’ she agreed. ‘You’ve revitalised my libido with a vengeance. But we’ll both have to wait till Friday to tackle it.’
He swore. The first time he’d sworn in front of her.
‘What you need, madam,’ he ground out, ‘is being put across my knee and having your bottom soundly smacked.’
‘Ooh,’ she said mockingly. ‘Is that a promise or a threat?’
‘You’re full of bulldust, do you know that? You’re scared stiff of me, that’s the truth. You’re scared stiff of what I can make you feel and what I can make you do. Come Friday night, you will tell me you love me. Right there, in that office. Even if I have to smack your bare bottom to get you to say it. And that’s a promise!’
Jessie was speechless, her heart pounding at the images he evoked. And the feelings. This couldn’t be love, she told herself. This was just lust. He’d totally corrupted her last night.
‘That’s not love,’ she whispered shakily.
‘What is it, then?’
‘It’s torture.’
‘Aye, it’s that too, till you surrender to it. I’ve surrendered to my feelings for you. So when are you going to do the same? No, don’t answer that. I can be patient. Just remember I’m never going to let you go, Jessie Denton. You are mine. So get used to it.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TEN o’clock Monday morning saw Kane sitting at Harry’s desk, feeling quite satisfied with the way his relationship with Jessie was going. Yesterday, he’d proved to her that they didn’t have to be making mad, passionate love to enjoy each other’s company. He’d also showed her—at least he hoped he had—that he had the makings of a good father for Emily.
On the Saturday, he’d bought a child car seat so there’d be no objections to his driving them out to the rural outskirts of Sydney on the Sunday. After an hour’s investigation on the internet, he’d found a horse-riding establishment that catered for children, and had other entertainment as well. Bouncy castles and the like.
Emily had enjoyed herself enormously, although by the time they arrived back home around six o’clock, she’d been very tired and a little out of sorts. She hadn’t eaten much of the take-away pizzas Jessie had allowed him to buy this time, which Jessie said wasn’t like her at all.
Kane had insisted on taking Emily’s temperature—he’d heard horror stories of children coming down with meningitis lately—but her temperature proved to be normal. Jessie had said she was probably over-tired. They’d done a lot that day. After a bath, Kane had read Emily a story till she dropped off.
Afterwards, even though Jessie had let him stay, Kane had made no attempt to make love to her. He’d watched the Sunday-night movie with her—a Harrison Ford action thriller which could bear reviewing—and chatted about various topics during the ads. Books. Movies. Music. Kane had discovered she had a wide taste and knowledge of all three, which didn’t really surprise him. She was a smart cookie. He’d known that from the first moment he looked into her eyes. She had intelligent eyes.
Although he’d been dying to make love to her, Kane had contented himself with a goodnight kiss. He suspected Jessie wouldn’t have objected too much if he had seduced her, but he hadn’t wanted to take the chance. She always seemed so quick to believe the worst of him.
By Friday, however, he wouldn’t be capable of being so noble. He wouldn’t be waiting till the party finished, either. Hell, no. Kane shuddered over the thought of how long this week would prove to be.
When the phone rang, he reached forward and snatched it up.
‘Kane Marshall.’
‘Kane, I have a problem.’
Kane snapped forward in his chair. It was Jessie, sounding worried.
‘What is it? I thought you were here, at work.’
‘I am. The day-care centre has just rung me. Emily has come down with conjunctivitis. Apparently, one of the other children had it on Friday. Anyway, because it’s so contagious, they want me to go and pick her up.’
‘That’s fine, Jessie. You go. No problem. I’ll square it with Michele.’
‘That’s just it. Michele’s not here. She had an appointment with her obstetrician this morning, and she’s relying on me to do this magazine layout by the time she gets back. I would really hate to let her down, Kane. I’ve tried to ring Dora but she’s out, too. Lord knows where. She’s usually home on a Monday. I can leave Emily at the centre but they’ll put her in a room on her own. It’s a kind of quarantine rule they have. They did this to her once before when I was working at the restaurant and she got very upset. She thought she was being punished. I…’
‘I’ll go get her, Jessie,’ Kane immediately offered. ‘Just ring them and let them know who I am and that you’re giving me permission to pick Emily up. I’ll take her to the doctor, too. Get her some drops for her eyes.’
‘Would you, Kane? Would you really?’
Kane was amazed at the surprise in her voice. ‘Yes, of course. It would be my pleasure. Poor Emily. There’s nothing worse than having sore eyes. Does she have a regular doctor you take her to?’
‘Not exactly. I always go to a nearby twenty-four-hour clinic. They bulk bill, but you have to be seen by whatever doctors are on call that day.’
Privately Kane resolved that little arrangement would change, once he was responsible for Jessie and Emily. And he aimed to be, one day. Still, that clinic would do for today.
‘Right. I’ll come and get her medicare card from you. Jot down the address of the clinic and I’ll be on my way.’
Kane jumped to his feet and reached for his suit jacket straight away. It could only have been thirty seconds before he’d made it to Jessie’s desk, where he was stunned to find her with tears running down her face.
‘Jessie. Darling. What’s up?’ he said as he hunched down beside her chair. ‘Why are you crying?’
She could not seem to speak, just buried her face in her hands.
‘Jessie, talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.’ He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips.
She stared at him through soggy lashes. ‘I’ve never known anyone like you,’ she choked out. ‘You can’t be real.’
Relief zoomed through Kane, as well as the most ego-boosting pleasure. She wasn’t unhappy. She was actually complimenting him with her tears.
But how sad that she would feel disbelief that a man would do something nice for her and her daughter.
‘I’m real, all right,’ he said with a soft smile. ‘Just ask my mum. Now, stop being a silly billy, give me what I came for, then get back to work. You don’t want everyone saying I hired a nincompoop just because I fancied her, do you?’
He liked it when a smile broke through her tears. God, but she was beautiful when she smiled. Her eyes glittered and her whole face came alive.
‘We couldn’t have that, could we?’ she said, dashing the tears away with her fingers.
‘Absolutely not.’
‘OK. Here’s the medicare card and the clinic’s address. Now, what are you going to do with Emily after you’ve been to the doctor? They didn’t say she was actually sick, but perhaps she should go home. I could give you the keys to the granny flat if you wouldn’t mind staying with her. There’s plenty of food in the fridge and the cupboards. She usually has a sleep after lunch. If she gets bored or stroppy, she likes to watch videos. She has a whole pile of them in the cabinet under the TV.’
‘Sounds good to me. I’ll give you a call when I get there, and I’ll wait with her till you come home.’
‘I don’t know what to say, Kane,’ she said as she drew her keys out of her handbag. ‘Are you sure you can manage? I mean…you haven’t much experience looking after kids on your own.’
‘I happen to be an extremely devoted uncle, so you’re wrong there. What do you think I did on Saturday night when you wouldn’t let me come over? I minded the two terrors so that their parents could go out and relax together. Actually, I don’t know what their mother complains about. They were as good as gold. Of course, I plied them with junk food and lollies till they fell asleep on the sofa in front of the TV. Then I carried them up to bed. Works every time,’ he said with a quick grin.
‘Now, don’t you worry,’ he added. ‘I’m more than capable of looking after Emily. And I won’t feed her junk food, or lollies. To be honest, it’ll be a pleasant change from sitting at that damned desk, pretending to work. Things wind down leading up to Christmas. My entire workload this week is choosing what grog to buy for the Christmas party. Very challenging.’
He stood up, pocketing her keys and picking up the medicare card and piece of paper with the address. ‘I’ll call, OK? And don’t worry.’
‘I won’t,’ she said, looking much more composed. ‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am.’
Kane threw her one last smile and whirled on his heels.
Nothing made a man feel better, he decided as he strode manfully away, than being able to help the woman he loved.
Jessie worked hard and fast for the next few hours, not leaving her desk till the magazine layout looked perfect. To her, anyway.
Michele returned shortly after she’d finished, and only minutes after Kane had rung saying he was at the flat with Emily and that her conjunctivitis wasn’t too bad. He’d already put one lot of drops in, they’d shared Vegemite toast and a glass of milk, followed by a banana each. Now they were settling down to watch The Lion King.
With her worries about her daughter waylaid, Jessie could focus on Michele’s reaction to her work. When Michele started frowning, Jessie’s alarm grew. Maybe the layout wasn’t as good as she thought it was.
‘I would never have imagined doing it this way at all,’ Michele said at last, tipping her head from side to side as she studied the computer screen. ‘But yes, I like it! You are very creative, Jessie. Kane’s found a real gem in you. Harry’s going to be delighted at your joining his staff.’
Jessie sighed her relief. ‘Thank you. But…would you mind if I left now?’ she asked hurriedly. ‘I know it’s only two o’clock, but my little girl has conjunctivitis. The day-care centre rang and wanted me to go get her straight away, but I didn’t feel I could without finishing the layout first.’
‘That was very professional of you, Jessie. But honestly, I would have understood. That kind of thing happens to me all the time. And yes, of course you can go. I hope your little girl is OK.’
Jessie didn’t want to tell her about Kane coming to the rescue. That was her own personal business.
‘I’m sure she will be,’ Jessie said, standing up hurriedly and getting her things together. ‘Thanks, Michele. I did work through my lunch-hour. And I’m happy to do some extra work at home to make up for the extra hour and a half.’
‘Are you kidding me? You’ve achieved more here in less than a day than your predecessor would have done in a week!’
Jessie laughed and left.
The day outside wasn’t overly hot, but it was humid, Jessie’s blouse sticking to her back as she hurried to the train station. Sydney in December could be very sticky.
The train she caught was quite crowded, Jessie lucky to get a seat. But she was still pressed up against other people, and the air-conditioning didn’t seem to be working too well. Everywhere seemed crowded at the moment, even outside of peak hours. Lots of people doing Christmas shopping, she supposed.
Jessie was glad she’d finished hers. She had Emily’s Felicity Fairy doll and accessories all wrapped up and hidden on a high shelf in one of Dora’s wardrobes, along with a few little cheaper gifts she’d bought during the year. She’d long sent her mother’s card and gift to Ireland. A lovely set of linen serviettes and holders that her mother would probably put away and never use. Truly, she was a difficult woman to buy anything for.
For Dora, she’d bought some place mats and matching coasters in a blue and white willow pattern. She hadn’t spent as much money on her as her mother, but she knew Dora would appreciate the gift more, and actually use it. Dora loved that willow pattern. She had a tea set in it, a vase and a large serving plate.
It came to Jessie during the train ride home that she hadn’t bought Kane anything. In truth, his rather sudden intrusion into her life had driven Christmas from her mind, which was ironic given what she’d said to Dora that night before she’d gone to the bar. Hadn’t she wanted a man for Christmas, some gorgeous guy who’d give her a good time?
Kane had certainly done just that, and more. Much more.
Jessie still found it incredible that he loved her.
But he said he did and she had no real reason to doubt him. Frankly, she didn’t want to doubt him any more. She was tired of her cynicism, tired of trying to stop herself from falling in love with him. Dora was right. Life could be cruel but it could be wonderful.
Kane was a wonderful man, despite his not wanting children of his own. Why he didn’t she had no idea, but she would certainly ask him. Soon.
And if he still insists he doesn’t, Jessie, where can this relationship go? You would want children with the man you loved. And you do love him, don’t you? That was one of the reasons you were crying earlier. Because you knew you couldn’t stop yourself loving him any longer.
You love him and you’d make any compromise just to be with him.
But maybe you’re jumping the gun here, Jessie Denton.
Maybe he just wants to continue being your boyfriend and your lover. Maybe he doesn’t want to live with you, or marry you. Maybe the way it is now is all he’ll ever want.
Dismay clutched at Jessie’s heart. It wasn’t enough. Just seeing him on a Friday night. And occasionally at the weekend. Not enough at all.
But it would have to be enough. She couldn’t force him to want marriage, let alone children. She couldn’t force him to do anything.
Unless…
No, no, that wasn’t right. She would not try to trap him with a baby. It wouldn’t work, anyway. The man who’d written Winning at Work would never succumb to that kind of emotional blackmail. He was strong on his beliefs, be they right or wrong.
The train pulling into Roseville brought a swift end to her mental toing and froing. During her hurried walk home Jessie told herself she should stop questioning everything and just live one day at a time for a while. Things were good in her life at the moment. Kane was good for her. And he was good for Emily. Why risk what they had by wanting more? She was a fool.
‘Sssh,’ Kane said when she burst in through the back door. ‘Emily’s asleep. She nodded off during the video and I carried her into bed. But that was only ten minutes ago. Gosh, you look hot.’
‘I am hot. It’s terribly sticky outside.’ The granny flat was nicely cool, with double insulation in the roof and fans in the high ceilings. Kane looked very cool, sitting on the sofa with his arms running along the back of the sofa and his long legs stretched out before him, crossed at the ankles. Very cool and very sexy.
Suddenly, Jessie felt even hotter.
‘I’ll have to have a shower and change,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Once Emily’s asleep, usually nothing wakes her up, so we don’t have to creep about. I won’t be long,’ she said, and fled into the bedroom.
Emily stayed blessedly asleep whilst her mother stripped off, showered then pulled on a simple cotton sundress in pink and white checks, which looked sexier on her than she realised.
Kane gritted his teeth when she emerged, thinking to himself that he’d better make himself scarce, or all his resolutions about not touching her till Friday were about to fly out the window. But when he rose and reached for his jacket, which was draped over a kitchen chair, her face betrayed that his leaving was the last thing she wanted.
They stared at each other for a long moment. And then she said something that floored him. His mouth literally dropped open.
‘Say that again,’ he blurted out, not daring to believe what he thought he’d heard.
‘I love you,’ she repeated, her face flushed, her eyes glistening.
Kane knew that in years to come, he would always remember that moment. A dozen different emotions warred for supremacy. Disbelief? Shock? Joy? Delight? Satisfaction? Desire?
Desire won in the end. Or was it just his own love for her? How could you not take a woman into your arms who’d just told you she loved you with such moving simplicity?
She went without any hesitation this time, not a trace of doubt in her face any more.
But he didn’t kiss her straight away. He looked down into those beautiful eyes and savoured the sincerity he saw in their depths.
‘When did you decide this?’ he said softly.
‘On the way home on the train.’
‘A very good place to make decisions.’
‘Much better than when I’m like this,’ she told him with a small smile. ‘I can’t think straight when I’m in your arms.’
