‘Really?’
‘Really.’ He shakes his head. ‘You lost faith.’
‘And can you blame me?’
‘Don’t believe a thing you see. That’s what I said.’
‘And I tried. But it took so long.’
He leans in, ever so slightly, and drapes an arm behind my head. I want the talking to stop now, but we’re not finished yet.
‘Why did you go to that club?’ he asks.
Oh God. Of course he’d know about that, my desperate search for an escape. I know he understands. It was because I’d been rejected, because I felt useless. I needed to let the pain rush through me, and simply forget it all.
‘I cracked,’ I admit, feeling small and pathetic.
‘We’re only human.’ He skims a fingertip against the back of my neck. ‘What do you think this is? All this cloak and dagger crap? This is me cracking. I can’t take it any more, not being with you.’
The finger circles slowly, and I close my eyes, soaking up the glorious sensation of his touch.
‘But he’ll find out.’
‘Not if I can help it.’
‘He’ll know you’re here.’
‘No, he won’t. Officially, I’m in Bermuda. It’s all a risk, but we couldn’t go on the way we were. Look at me, Maya.’
I open my eyes and what I see sets a glow in my heart. Contentment. Tenderness. Pure love. Yet again, I’ve been the queen of difficult, but he’s battered against my defences, and broken them down.
‘Can we get to the bit where you fall into my arms now?’ He gives me that boyish grin. ‘Please?’
‘Oh, why not?’
I sink against his chest, allowing his arms to close around me, relieved that after all this time I’m finally back where I belong. In a split second, the floodgates open. I begin to cry, spilling out all the anger and frustration in one fell swoop. And through it all he holds me tight, smoothing my hair, rocking me gently, occasionally pulling back to kiss my forehead and tell me everything’s going to be fine. Finally, a handkerchief appears in front of my face. With a sob, I take it and put it to good use. When I’ve sorted myself out, he stands and urges me to my feet. Signalling for me to wait, he goes back over to the bar and picks up the necklace. Turning my back to him, I hold up my hair, allowing him to place the sweet pea back around my neck. He seals the clasp.
‘That’s where it belongs, Maya. Don’t ever send it back to me again.’
‘I won’t.’ I face him.
‘Tell me you love me. I need to hear it.’
‘I love you.’
‘And I love you too. Never forget that. You and me. We’re for keeps.’
He pulls me into his arms, holding me for an age before he delivers another perfect kiss.
‘How long have we got?’ I ask.
‘Not long enough.’ He touches the sweet pea. ‘Two days. It’s all I could manage. Have you got your mobile?’
I nod to my handbag.
‘You need to ring Lucy. Tell her you got lucky with Gordon.’
‘But he’s gay.’
‘And firmly in the closet, perfectly happy to provide an alibi.’
‘But me and Gordon?’
‘Yes, you and Gordon. You’re a terrible slapper. Did you know that?’
‘Takes one to know one.’
‘Touché.’ He saunters over to the handbag. ‘Tell Lucy you’ll be spending the next couple of days with your latest conquest. He’s insisting on it. Tell her not to worry. Gordon’s arranging for her to be picked up tomorrow morning by one of his people. She’ll be shown the sights of Manhattan, wined and dined and all that. Lap of luxury. Money no object.’
He picks up the bag, places it on a side table and opens it.
‘And Boyd?’
‘If he finds out about Gordon, he’s got his confirmation that we’re over.’
Rummaging through the bag, he pulls out a receipt and an empty crisp packet.
‘And then he’ll start on Gordon.’
‘Let him try. The big G’s got his own security team. We’re talking billionaire territory. No one can get to him.’
‘But our family, our friends.’
‘He told us to keep apart. He didn’t tell you to keep away from other men. Worst case scenario, he’ll just try to threaten Gordon. Good luck to him.’
‘Lucy’s going to go mad.’
‘She’ll soon forget.’ And now he pulls out a clump of tissues and gives me a disapproving glance. ‘Gordon’s man’s a bit of a looker by all accounts. He’ll keep her happy.’
‘Don’t tell me …’
‘Strictly no shenanigans.’ He rummages some more. ‘He’s under strict orders to be a perfect gentleman. Clive wouldn’t be too impressed with anything else. We’re not the only ones who’ve been waiting, remember?’
‘You really are sneaky.’
‘It’s one of my strengths.’
At last, he manages to locate my mobile.
‘Now, Miss Scotton …’ He holds it out to me. ‘It’s time to piss off your best friend.’
Chapter Ten
I’m still reeling from Lucy’s ear bashing when Dan takes the mobile from me and lays it on the coffee table. With a glint in his eyes, he leads me through the suite to the master bedroom.
Like the rest of the penthouse, it’s top-notch, everything luxurious, antique, solid. I’m surrounded by a range of dark wood furniture: a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a cream sofa and over by the window, two armchairs next to an occasional table. But without a doubt, the centrepiece of the room is the huge bed, complete with a slatted wooden headboard. Draped with rich cotton covers and a cream silk throw, it’s sprinkled with an array of cushions in a range of deep browns and reds. And behind it, along the entire length of the room, windows give out over Central Park. I’m
