Page 44 of Prognosis Temporary

‘Why so pensive, then?’

She returned her attention to the houses and greenery of her neighbourhood. ‘I guess I’m just wondering what this means now.’

After all they’d shared last night, the thought of him leaving one day, of this having to stop and to never be with him like this again, was increasingly disturbing.

Callie could tell he was smiling from the way his lips curved against her skin. ‘I think it’s time to face it,’ he said, continuing his nuzzling. ‘We’re in a relationship. Just because we’ve been too wrapped up in each other to define it doesn’t change the facts.’

Relationship.

Before last night Callie would have shrunk from the word. It was a big word. With a lot of expectations. But it was suddenly very tantalising, too.

An adult relationship with a man she liked, whose company she enjoyed and who could make her laugh. Who could touch her body and make her see stars. But more than that, a man who shared himself with her and who understood, better than anyone, the things from her past that had shaped her.

She turned in his arms. His broad naked chest was warm and inviting and so damn sexy that even now in the middle of this momentous discussion she wanted to relieve him of his towel and give her neighbours a show they’d never forget.

‘The thing is, Sebastian, we’ve never really talked about us in any kind of future terms. I thought we were just living in the moment?’

‘I think we transcended that last night, don’t you?’ He kissed her nose, her forehead, before seeking and holding her gaze. ‘What if we were to keep this thing going? Even after I go back?’

Callie’s breath caught in her throat. A long-distance relationship? It was a startling thought to someone who didn’t have the best track record with maintaining romantic relationships at all let alone beyond the city limits. It was certainly one she’d never entertained.

But one, even now, despite the suddenness, was insidiously entwining itself in her grey matter.

‘Really?’

‘Sure, why not?’ He trailed a finger along her jaw and down her neck. ‘We’re having a good time. We’re both adults who are free to come and go with no commitments to other people. Who says we have to follow conventional rules? Melbourne’s only a two-hour plane trip from Brisbane. I can fly here or you can fly there. Or we can fly somewhere else and meet in the middle. There’s weekends and holidays. Why not?’

Callie chewed her lip as temptation knocked. Everything about this should be objectionable but it wasn’t.

Why not indeed?

Her, here in Brisbane, doing what she loved. Still around for Zack and still being there for her clients. Him in Melbourne, doing what he loved. Being famous and important. Then meeting somewhere to do what they both loved together.

The best of both worlds.

The more the thought sat with her the more it excited her. The more enticing the possibilities.

But...

Experience told her that men often wanted more and more. Things she just wasn’t prepared to give. She took a deep breath to tackle it head on. ‘I’m never going to want a baby.’

He frowned. ‘I know that.’

She shook her head and blasted him with a steady, serious look. ‘I mean it, Sebastian. I’m not going to change my mind. I’m perfectly happy with my life. I don’t need to experience motherhood to have a fulfilling existence. I’ve had Zack and that was wonderful enough for me. But I’ve been here before. Sooner or later, it always gets down to babies.’

He returned her gaze with a steady one of his own, his hand cradling her jaw, as his fingers speared into her hair. ‘It won’t. Not with me. I’m with you on this, one hundred and fifty per cent.’ He rubbed his thumb gently back and forth across her ear as he dropped a kiss on her mouth. ‘I promise.’

He’d told her before he didn’t want kids. She’d believed him them and she believed him now.

God...could they really make this happen?

Callie felt both excited and nervous. Like she wanted to throw up but at the same time, her heart felt as big as a basketball in her chest.

She wanted to try it, at least.

‘In that case,’ she whispered against his lips, her hand sliding to the knot of his towel, ‘I’d love to keep this thing going.’

Then she yanked and the towel slid free.

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