Page 16 of Prognosis Temporary

Still, as she rose and searched for her clothes, she was surprised at how hard it was this time. Normally she walked away without a backward glance. But with Sebastian watching her every move through half-open lids as she dressed in the moonlight, the temptation to stay was intense.

He didn’t protest. Or insist. He just watched her and by the time she was dressed she felt thoroughly examined and one hundred per cent ready to get back into bed and go again. She looked at him lying amidst the tangle of bedclothes all rumpled and sexy, the sheet just covering his modesty and exposing everything else.

His eyes, hooded in the gloom, followed her actions like a big old jungle cat, ready to pounce. ‘You sure I couldn’t tempt you to stay a little longer?’

Throwing the sheet back, he grinned when her eyes widened at his readiness. How was he even capable of going again? Callie shut her eyes briefly before opening them again and piercing him with her best no-nonsense look. ‘Some of us have to work.’

He sighed and covered himself again. ‘You’re regretting it, aren’t you?’

Callie looked at him and frowned. Was he joking? If she lived to be a hundred she’d never regret this night. Sure, she knew for sure she was going to regret baring her soul to him, but the sex? Never.

‘No.’ Her gaze swept the floor again.

He propped himself up on his elbow. ‘Callie, you can’t even look at me.’

Callie almost laughed out loud as she lifted her eyes. ‘I’ve lost my earring, that’s all.’

‘Oh.’ He chuckled. ‘Sorry.’ His gaze fanned over the bed and then he reached forward plucking something from the top sheet. ‘Here it is.’ He held the hoop up.

Callie grinned. ‘Thank you,’ she said, sitting on the edge of the bed and relieving him of it, blindly attempting to hook it in.

‘So...how do you want to handle this from here?’ he asked.

Concentrating hard on finding the hole in her lobe she frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well...we are going to be colleagues as of next week...’

The earring finally found its home and Callie turned to face him. ‘We’re not forty-year-old virgins, Sebastian, swept away by a night of fantastic sex. Was sleeping together the wisest course of action? Probably not. But we’re both professionals. I can keep my work life and my private life separate. Can you?’

He nodded. ‘Sure.’

‘We can’t do it again, of course, not while we’re working together. I don’t think colleagues being sexually involved ever really works.’

‘Yup. Usually totally disastrous.’

‘Especially when you’re only here for a year.’

He nodded again. ‘Doesn’t make any sense.’

“Good,” she said, satisfied they were both on the same page. But then she made the mistake of following Sebastian’s movements as he rubbed at the stubble on his chin and her gaze dropped to his mouth, then lower.

Rising from the bed, she dragged that damn sheet back in place, ignoring his low, knowing chuckle.

‘I’ll see you next week,’ she said briskly, picking up her bag and striding out the door.

It was done. He was out of her system. Now, they could work together.

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