Page 46 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘Come here,’ he told her, taking her head and pulling it down to his.

There would be no sleeping tonight...

None.

At dawn he ran them a bath, and Violet rather gingerly climbed in so that she faced him.

‘Ouch, ouch, ouch...’ she said, lowering herself down, and then sinking into the relief of the warm water. ‘You have chased this horrible week away,’ she told him as she soaped his chest. ‘Honestly, when I look back I am going to smile now, and remind myself there’s always a silver lining...’

‘Good.’

It was his turn with the soap now. He washed first her arms, her hands, her fingers, and then he washed her breasts.

He moved her onto his lap...

But even as they kissed the world was waking up—his phone was bleeping from the bedroom.

‘Ignore it...’ she told him.

Sahir was tempted to bolt all entrances.

‘Violet...’

She looked up, wrapped in a towel and gathering up her clothes.

‘Stay for breakfast.’

‘There are people arriving...’

‘I know. Look, I can’t miss today.’

‘I get that.’

And Violet absolutely did. He was the person who was leaving, the man who could never be, and right now that thought didn’t scare her. She had never dared so much as to hope for even one such wonderful, magical night and Sahir had given her that.

‘I know you’re busy.’

‘Yes. However, would you like to spend the day here?’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t want you to feel I’m rushing off. I can delay the flight...we can have a late dinner tonight—only this time without so much company.’

She knew what he meant. As wonderful as the whole night had been, for Violet, the best moments had been those spent alone with him.

‘Just us,’ he added.

‘I’d love that.’

Violet needed little persuading. She had thought goodbye was imminent, and she accepted the reprieve with delight.

‘I have to get dressed,’ he told her.

‘It’s a bit late to be shy,’ Violet said, and smiled, but then he explained he had someone coming in to assist him.

‘Formal attire,’ he said.

‘Oh!’

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