Page 97 of Masquerade

“I’m proud of him, the choices he made in his life, and I’m proud of what we achieved at Greentree Passage.” He was still too far away. “You’re smiling. You smiled like that the first night we made love; a delicious smile, half-Cheshire-cat smug and half Lady-Chatterley-sweet desire. It took all my will power not to ravish you on the lounge like some sex-starved adolescent.”

“You said you wanted to kiss every freckle on my nose.” Her heart started pounding.

“I drove myself half crazy.” But he made no move to come back to the sofa.

“Do you have any more questions?” She folded her hands in her lap.

His dark-grey eyes were watchful. “I’m about done. What about you?”

“Why are you on the rug?”

Why don’t you kiss me?

Tension radiated from him. “I don’t want us to apologise our way into a truce maintained at a distance.”

“What’s a truce at a distance look like?” Kate held her breath.

“George said you might be available for some project work.”

“I changed my mind after I left his office.”

Because working for you would drive me insane when I want your love.

“Why?” He was suddenly alert.

“I can’t play the game anymore.” Without him, she was dying inside.

“You’re going to need to be more specific, Kate. Because there are some games we both like playing.” He crawled towards her on all fours, a big cat about to pounce.

“I can’t keep to the agreement we made in Montveau.”I can’t let you go either.

“If I remember correctly, the rules were broadly that we enjoy the moment, share pleasure and like each other. We threw in no regrets, and the proviso that if we change our minds, we tell the truth.” He recited the damn list like some fondly remembered poem.

“‘No commitments,’ you said,” she whispered.

His spicy scent became the top note to the wood-smokiness of the fire.

“Why don’t we focus on if we change our minds, we tell the truth.” He patted the floor beside him.

“You’re inviting me to join you?” She stared at his capable hand resting on the rug. Capable of preparing a meal, of hugging a friend; capable of bringing her to panting ecstasy.

“I’m inviting you to ask me or tell me anything you want to.” He looked like he was holding his breath, but he couldn’t possibly be nervous.

“I love you.” Saying the words flooded her with joy. Bright light chasing away darkness. “I love you. I’ve changed my mind. I love you. I don’t want a short affair. I damn well love you.”

“I’ve changed my mind too.” He grinned and knelt in front of her. “I came here today to tell you I’ve missed you.” He took her hands. “My apartment is empty without you. My life is empty without you.”

“I needed Kate Higgins between us because you kept brandishing no commitments.”

His grip tightened. His thumb traced circles in the palm of her hand, and her heartbeat slowed to match his movements. “Where do we go from here?”

“Hello, Liam Quinn. My name’s Kate Turner. I’m a librarian and researcher, but I also write romance novels under the name Kate Higgins. I keep my writing a secret. I had a bad experience with a former lover, so I’ve been slow to trust.”

“Hello, Kate. I’m a workaholic lawyer, who likes to garden and sing in the car. I had a bad experience with a former lover, so I’ve been slow to trust.”

“Remind me to show you my garden in the morning.” She brushed happy tears from her cheek. “It’s a replica of your rooftop garden.”

“I saw a picture of you on a billboard and fell in love. I just didn’t know it. I love your clever brain and your brave heart.” He punctuated his sentences with kisses. “I love you, and I’m proud of you.”

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