by Kathryn Ross
‘The reality of whether you really are suited to spend the rest of your life with someone.’
‘You’re a bit young to be so cynical.’
‘I don’t think it’s cynical; I think it’s sensible.’ Chloe stared at the fire as she thought about Nile and their relationship. She had thought she had it all worked out with Nile Flynn…thought they were on exactly the same wavelength. Then came the argument four weeks ago, and she had discovered not only were they not on the same wavelength but they were tuned into entirely different frequencies.
He had accused her of being too interested in her work! It had been a ridiculous thing to say—she’d always been into her career. And, although she hadn’t said it to him, she recalled all too well that he hadn’t complained when he had needed her support for the long period during his own business difficulties. She had been the main breadwinner for well over a year. The strange thing was that now he was getting back on his feet financially again he seemed to hold that against her.
She would never understand men, she thought angrily. She hadn’t minded helping him, had been there for him both emotionally and financially. It hadn’t mattered to her who earned the most money. She had just thought that they were working in unison with the goal of their new house now well in sight.
And she had loved him; OK, there had been no wild sparks between them, there never had been. It had been more a quiet, steady kind of feeling. But Chloe had liked it like that, had liked the fact that they both had their feet on the ground; she had thought Nile felt exactly the same. He’d certainly led her to think he felt the same.
The angry rhetoric of four weeks ago had come as a total shock. It had started innocently enough because she’d been late home from work. He’d said she didn’t have enough time for him. That she had all her priorities all wrong; she put her work ahead of him. She had made one little remark about the fact that she needed her job and had to treat it seriously and he had flown into a complete rage. He had made some very disdainful and derogatory remarks about her work and it was then that she had realised suddenly that he deeply resented the fact that she had been the one to keep things together financially when work hadn’t been going well for him.
When she had suggested quietly that they sit down and discuss things he had arrogantly dismissed the idea and stormed out of the apartment.
It had been such a ridiculous argument that she had thought he might have reflected on the conversation, come back, sat down and discussed things in a more reasonable manner. But Nile hadn’t come back, or at least not while she had been there. She had returned from work the following day and all his belongings had gone, leaving no trace that he had ever shared her life.
‘I thought Nile liked the fact that I had an independent streak,’ she said, turning to look at Steven. ‘But it turned out that he didn’t like that at all.’
For a second Steven had a glimpse of such raw vulnerability in Chloe’s eyes, it was the first time he had ever seen that and it startled him slightly. Chloe was always in control, and together.
She looked away from him hastily and he was left wondering if he had imagined it.
‘Anyway, I reckon the bottom line is he’s seeing someone else. One of my friends saw him out with her not so long ago.’ She looked back sharply at Steven. ‘So much for love,’ she said pointedly. ‘I think the next man I meet I’m going to push that particular emotion even further down on my list of requirements.’
Steven surveyed her through narrowed, thoughtful eyes. ‘So what attributes would you put at the top of your list of requirements?’ he asked curiously.
‘Mutual respect.’ She closed her eyes for a moment as she thought about the question. ‘And he’d have to be someone who is kind and thoughtful.’
Watching her, Steven couldn’t help wondering if passion would figure anywhere on her list. He had a feeling that under the sensible, businesslike exterior she liked to portray she would have an extremely passionate side. His eyes drifted slowly down over her clothing. For one thing, he suspected that beneath those suits there was a very delectable body hidden away.
Aware that he was watching her with close attention, Chloe felt suddenly flustered and wondered why on earth she had told him all that! ‘Anyway, that’s enough about me,’ she said awkwardly. ‘Where’s Helen tonight?’ she asked, swiftly moving the conversation.
‘She’s been working on a very big case down at the crown court all week. Verdict came in today and her client has been acquitted. So I think the whole team are out celebrating.’
‘Must be a bit difficult juggling your social life sometimes,’ she considered. ‘What with Helen being such a high-flying barrister and you running Cavendish.’
‘It takes a bit of effort to co-ordinate our schedules,’ he agreed wryly.
Outside in the hallway the grandfather clock struck two, its chimes echoing through the silence of the house.
‘I didn’t realise it was that time,’ Chloe said in surprise.
‘No, neither did I.’ Steven grinned. ‘For two people who don’t usually talk about our personal lives, we’ve certainly made up on some lost ground.’
‘Yes.’ She smiled at him.
‘And it’s been very enjoyable.’
As she sipped her wine she thought how Steven was right—it was pleasurable sitting here with him like this. He was a nice guy. And there was almost something romantic about the half-light of the fire, the snow falling silently and thickly outside the patio doors. Trouble was, they were the wrong two people. He should be with Helen, she should be with Nile, she reminded herself sternly.
Her eyes moved over him contemplatively. He looked incredibly sexy in that casual attire. She wondered suddenly what it would be like to curl her fingers through the thick darkness of his hair and be kissed by him. She recoiled in shock from the thought. He was her boss! The man who barked orders and threw paperwork at her. The man who unnerved her with that dark, steady gaze. Had she taken leave of her senses?
He looked over and met her eyes and smiled. It was such a warm, attractive smile that it made her feel even more confused. Steven Cavendish was simply gorgeous, she thought hazily. But if he knew what she had just been thinking he’d be horrified, she told herself.
‘I’d better get to bed.’ Chloe finished her glass of wine.
‘We haven’t finished the bottle of wine,’ he said. ‘Stay and have another drink.’
‘I’d better not.’ She stood up and Steven also got politely to his feet.
‘Well, goodnight.’ She smiled at him a little self-consciously.
‘Goodnight.’ His gaze seemed to move from her eyes towards her lips as he spoke.
Chloe didn’t move away; something held her rooted to the spot.
He reached out and smoothed a stray strand of hair away from her eyes. It was a strangely intimate gesture and the touch of his fingers against her skin made her feel hot inside.
‘You look lovely with your hair loose like that,’ he murmured. ‘You should wear it like that more often.’
‘It…it gets in the way.’ As she stared into his eyes she felt her heart thundering against her chest.
‘You are so practical about everything,’ he said gently. ‘The way you dress…even the way you think about relationships.’ His lips slanted into a wryly teasing smile. ‘I bet you even alphabetically index your CD collection, don’t you?’
‘No…’ She smiled. ‘But it’s a very good idea…’ Her voice trailed off as he leaned closer and she realised suddenly that he was going to kiss her.
She could have moved away from him, but she didn’t want to. Some kind of madness seemed to take hold of her and she leaned forward, meeting him halfway and then responding to the soft pressure of his mouth with a rising feeling of hunger.
Being folded into his arms was the most amazing feeling. His lips were sensually provocative as they moved over hers, gently at first and then with a fiercer heat that set her on fire. She felt his body pressed hard again
st hers and it sent a thrill of excitement flooding through her. Chloe wanted to be closer; she wanted him to caress her body. When she felt his hands stroking up over her back she wanted to melt into him, feel his hands against her skin.
She wound her arms up and around his neck and the kiss deepened further, Steven exploring her mouth with a sensual mastery that sent her control spinning wildly. The sudden touch of his hands against the bare skin of her waist made her realise that her blouse had been pulled from the waistband of her skirt. The sensation of his hands against her naked skin made her tingle all over, her thoughts incoherent with a desire that was totally overwhelming.
She wanted him to unbutton her blouse, wanted to feel his hands moving and caressing over her breasts, which were now tight and aching with the weight of her desire.
He kissed the side of her face and found the soft, sensitive skin at her neck in a way that sent even more darts of pleasure through her.
If he continued like this she was going to want to make love totally and completely, and this was all wrong.
The knowledge hit her like a seed of sanity in a storm of desire.
CHAPTER THREE
AS SHE stepped back from him she felt dazed and disorientated. No one had ever kissed her like that before; no one had ever turned her on so easily in such a wildly exhilarating way. Her loss of control had been scary.
‘I don’t suppose I should have done that,’ Steven murmured huskily.
‘Not the most sensible of moves,’ she agreed, her voice uneven with the raggedness of her breathing. ‘We’ve got to work together…’
His eyes lingered on her mouth again and she found herself forgetting what she was saying…where she was, even.
With the utmost difficulty she forced herself to move away. ‘We’ll forget it and put it down to the wine…and…and…’ She couldn’t think straight and her heart rate was wild, drumming chaotically with a need that was so intense it was shocking.
‘And a moment of madness at a late hour,’ he finished for her. In contrast to her, Steven sounded very much in control.
Sharply she tried to pull herself together. ‘Yes, it was definitely madness. We’ll just forget it.’ It was a relief to hear her voice sounding so cool. She couldn’t let him know how deeply that kiss had affected her…especially as it had just been a light-hearted, meaningless gesture to him.
Chloe turned away from him and tried surreptitiously to tuck her blouse neatly back into her skirt. She cringed as she remembered how she had wound her arms around his neck, openly inviting his caresses. How could she have behaved so shamelessly, and with her boss, of all people?
She picked up her glasses from the coffee table. As she put them back on it was as if she was slipping back behind her mask. ‘Would you like me to take these dishes back into the kitchen before I turn in?’ She tried to pretend that her mind had now moved away from what had happened, that she was now concentrating on practicalities.
‘No, I’ll see to them. I’m going to stay down here a while, finish my wine.’
‘OK, well, I’ll say goodnight, then.’ She forced herself to turn and face him. Then remembered his response when she had said goodnight last time and wished she had just left without saying anything.
She was aware that he was watching her closely but she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. What was he thinking? she wondered… Was he just amused by what had happened? Or maybe amused by the effect it seemed to have had on her—one kiss and Chloe’s thrown totally out of kilter?
‘Goodnight, Chloe; sleep well.’
‘Yes, I’m sure I will…I’m exhausted, actually…probably fall asleep the moment my head touches the pillow.’ She wasn’t going to let him think she would lose any sleep over one silly kiss.
It was a blessed relief to escape to the sanctuary of her room. She sank down on the bed and sat there for a moment, trying to steady her breathing and gather her thoughts.
Why had he kissed her like that?
A moment’s madness, he had said…probably all there was to it. One thing was for certain: if they were to work as easily and comfortably together as they had in the past, she was going to have to just forget it.
She got up and went into the en suite bathroom to strip off and stand for a long time under the refreshing force of the power shower. Then, having no nightdress to put on, she had to slip naked between the sheets of the double bed. They were cool and refreshing against her heated skin. She reached out and switched off the bedside light, then lay staring up into the darkness.
She remembered the passion of Steven’s kiss. There was no doubt about it; he was a very sexy man. She couldn’t remember Nile ever being able to turn her on like that, just with a kiss. What would it be like to have Steven make love to her? she wondered. The memory of his hands moving over her skin made her body burn with a desire that alarmed her.
Turning, she buried her head into the pillow and told herself to stop thinking about it. She was only just getting over Nile; her emotions were in bits, and maybe she was even imagining the wild effect Steven had on her senses. Maybe she was on the rebound from Nile?
And anyway, whatever the truth of her feelings, Steven wouldn’t be interested in her, not when he had such a glamorous girlfriend as Helen. Tonight had just been a blip; he was tired, he hadn’t eaten properly…maybe he had even momentarily forgotten whom he was with.
Some time in the early hours of the morning Chloe finally fell to sleep. But her dreams were a jumbled, disturbed mix of Steven and then Nile, her body tossing fretfully as the night ticked by. When she opened her eyes she couldn’t remember where she was. There was a strange silence, most unnatural to her ears, as she was used to the distant hum of the London traffic outside her apartment.
Then there was the sound of footsteps running down the hallway and a little girl giggling. And her memory returned with a whoosh. She looked at her watch. It was almost nine-thirty; she had overslept.
Chloe was about to throw the duvet back and climb out of bed when the door burst open and Beth ran in.
‘Hi, Chloe.’ She smiled impishly and then paused just inside the doorway as if uncertain about her welcome.
‘Good morning, Beth; how are you today?’ Chloe struggled to sit up whilst holding the duvet protectively around her.
Beth came further into the room. Chloe noticed she was fully dressed in a pair of jeans and a thick woollen jumper, her hair neatly in a ponytail. ‘It’s stopped snowing outside and Daddy says I can make a snowman.’
‘Wow!’ Chloe smiled at her. ‘It’s like Christmas, isn’t it?’
Delighted with the analogy, Beth nodded and then climbed up on the bed beside her. ‘Will you come and help me build him?’
Before Chloe could answer Steven appeared in the doorway. He was also dressed in jeans and a jumper. ‘Beth, I told you not to go in there and wake Chloe up,’ he admonished sternly.
Beth frowned and her bottom lip quivered slightly.
‘It’s all right, Steven, I was awake anyway,’ Chloe interceded quickly.
She tried not to feel embarrassed as Steven transferred his attention away from the child to her. Suddenly she was extremely conscious of her hair, tousled and wild over the pillows, and the fact that she was wearing nothing beneath the covers.
He smiled at her, and it was a smile that did very strange things to her heartbeat. ‘Morning, Chloe; how did you sleep?’
‘Out like a light as soon as my head touched the pillow,’ she lied cheerfully.
‘Good. I’m going to fix breakfast; come down and join us when you are ready.’
‘Thanks. What’s the latest on your trip to Manchester?’
‘I’ve had to cancel it. There’s no way the jet would be able to leave this morning.’ He stretched out a hand to Beth. ‘Come on, Beth, come out and leave Chloe to get dressed in peace.’
His daughter pointedly ignored him. ‘After breakfast, will you build a snowman with me?’ she asked Chloe again, her big blue eyes very wide
.
‘Well, I haven’t really got the right clothes for going out in the snow,’ Chloe said gently. ‘I’ve only got my suit that I wear in the office.’
‘Beth, I’m not going to tell you again.’ Steven came further into the room.
‘Oh, please, Chloe,’ Beth entreated, then scrambled quickly from the bed as her father advanced. He swung her up into strong arms and she giggled. ‘Please, Chloe,’ she said again as he swung her over his shoulder to carry her out of the room.
‘Honestly, one word from me and she does as she likes,’ Steven complained wryly, but there was a glint of humour in his eyes as he looked down at Chloe. ‘What about it—are you going to stay and play?’
Something about the way he said those words made her heart miss a beat, especially as she noticed his eyes dipping to the bare skin of her chest where the bedclothes had slipped fractionally down.
‘I don’t think you’ll be able to leave for a while anyway,’ he continued before she had a chance to answer. ‘The snow ploughs haven’t been out to clear the roads yet.’ He swung away from her to carry his daughter out of the room. ‘If you want some warmer clothes you might like to have a rummage in the far wardrobes. My sister usually leaves a few spare clothes here and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind you borrowing them. You’d be about the same size.’
The door closed firmly behind him and she could hear Beth giggling as he carried her downstairs.
Steven’s sister had to be a size smaller than her, Chloe decided a little while later as she dried herself from the shower and then opened the wardrobes. It was flattering that Steven thought she was the same size, but he was sadly mistaken. She was about to give up her search when she found a pair of stretch jeans that looked as if they might fit. Even so, she had to lie on the bed to zip them up.
They did look good on her, though, she thought as she studied her reflection in the bedroom mirror, as did the blue cashmere jumper with the scooped neckline, which seemed to cling almost lovingly to the womanly outline of her figure. But the style wasn’t really her. Because she wasn’t stick-thin she tended not to wear clothes that were too revealing—not that she was ashamed of the fact that she had hips and a figure…she was just more comfortable in looser clothing that covered her up. She was contemplating taking the clothes off when there was a knock on the bedroom door.
