They walked out of the restaurant together. Eduardo put Graciela and Gabi into the nearest taxi. As it took his irritating aunt away, he sighed in pure relief and turned to look at Nina.
Her eyes were very blue as she stood on the pavement, watching, waiting. Electricity arced between them—yet he was so tightly wound, he couldn’t seem to move.
He felt it before he heard it. The vibration, then the buzz of his phone. He knew who it was before he saw the screen. Between two rings of the phone, reality crashed back. His couple of hours of fun and escape were over and he hadn’t gotten anywhere near what he’d wanted. He answered.
“Don’t worry, I’m on my way,” he reassured Max. “It’s no bother at all.”
He put his phone in his pocket and got a grip on himself. He couldn’t touch her to say good-bye—if he did, he wouldn’t let her go and that wouldn’t be fair—to her or his patients. Or himself. There was only so much he could take tonight and his limits had been tested once already.
He hailed one taxi, then a second. She said nothing, simply listened and watched and he knew from the determined tilt of her chin that she understood what was happening.
“I’m sorry,” he said briefly. “It’s work. I have to go.”
“Of course.”
She was all dignified understanding, but he caught the flash of something in her eyes. He didn’t want to wonder what it was.
He instructed the first cabbie and handed him a wad of cash that would more than cover the cost of the journey. When he stepped back, he found she’d already climbed into the car. His body rebelled—wanting to climb in after her.
But he couldn’t, and really, it was a good thing. Tonight hadn’t been like the occasional fling he had with a random woman he met in a bar, where it was carefree and easy. This had been far more fun than that. But the want was too intense. Those kisses earlier? Stopping had almost killed him.
Eduardo figured the extreme need had its roots in tiredness. The bone-deep exhaustion he now felt magnified his emotions. So that meant, even if he could take her home now, he wouldn’t be at his best and no way was he giving her substandard satisfaction. She was bruised. She needed way better than that.
It just wasn’t meant to be and there was no point in trying to explain. It just wasn't. He lifted a hand in an apologetic wave. Their two taxis went in opposite directions, just as they were in life.
But on that long ride back out to the Docklands, Eduardo burned with regret.
Seven
Wasn’t it Cinderella who left the ball early? Not Prince Charming. Where was the fun in that? After his admission in the taxi, and how he’d looked at her throughout dinner, she’d begun to think they’d go way past midnight. She’d felt the tension in his muscles. And his heat. She’d even had an extra strong coffee to see her through—though she wouldn’t have needed it. She’d been high enough on anticipation. She’d thought she was on the brink of an amazing conclusion to the night. But her first fun, flirty experience ever had been cut short with no proper explanation at all. Work had called? Really?
Tired, grumpy and frustrated, Nina unnecessarily polished the glass cabinets at the shop. Any victory over Corey’s friends now felt false and meaningless. The exquisite taste of the food last night had become a bland memory. Worst of all, those dreaded doubts had crept back. Had he kissed her that passionately? Or had all that heat been hers alone? Had he even received a work summons? What if he’d just programmed his phone because he wasn’t really that into her and was trying to let her down gently?
Thankfully, he hadn’t been on the footpath this morning when she’d strode down to catch the Tube. Of course, she’d left home ultra early to be sure to avoid him anyway, but she hadn’t drawn breath until she’d passed the spot and was on the train with a million other veiled-eyed commuters who ignored each other. No flashmob on the line first thing on a Monday. It was suits all the way.
She swiped the glass cabinets even harder and then glared as something else gleamed, this time on her finger. She was still wearing his ring. Its sparkle mocked her. She only had it on for safety’s sake and was mortified that she’d jumped in that cab still wearing it, but she’d wanted to escape as quickly as possible to avoid more awkwardness. She didn’t want to wear it, but she couldn’t leave it in her overcrowded flat. There were so many random strangers staying there it wouldn’t be safe. Until she could get it back to him, the best place for it—unfortunately—was on her finger.
The day dragged. She sold a few things, but not as many as usual. Not even Stella bustled in to make her laugh. Finally, it was ten minutes from closing and she couldn’t wait to get out of there. The beads and bracelets and symbols of romance really weren’t that pretty today.
She glanced up as someone came in—her brain sharpened as soon as she registered that sculpted physique. She lifted her chin, calm. Ready.
“Oh, I’m so glad you dropped by.” She breezed as she ruthlessly tugged the diamond from her finger. Hooray for mentally rehearsing all day. “Here’s your ring. My cab pulled away so quickly last night I didn’t have the chance to give it to you.”
Eduardo ignored the jewelry in her outstretched hand. Instead, his eyes remained riveted to hers. Damn if he didn’t look sharp—all iconic masculinity.
“What would you suggest a guy get for a girl when he’s sorry he had to end their date early?”
Momentarily frozen, Nina
