Page 84 of An Unholy Affair
She puffed out her cheeks. ‘Really well, kind of. There’s a big events company that wants to invest, but they’re in the middle of a hostile takeover bid. If they’re bought out, then I don’t know if the new owners will still honour the contract. Hopefully, we’ll know by Christmas.’
Darkness had fallenwhen Jack left the manor. As he walked down the long drive, the lights from Saint Saviour’s church shone from behind the tall trees. He kept his gaze on the stained-glass windows. What might Eveline be doing? As he passed between the stone gateposts into the courtyard which lay in front of the church, the lights from inside went out.
He stopped under a streetlamp. A few seconds later, Eveline exited through the heavy wooden door, locking it behind her. He froze. Should he wait for her, or turn quickly for home?
‘Jack?’
He raised his hand as she approached.
‘Were you waiting for me?’ she asked.
He shook his head. ‘I was coming from a meeting with Estelle and Henry.’
She smiled. ‘Did it go well?’
He nodded, gazing at her. The streetlamp above had turned her pale skin golden and her hair was a halo of fire.
‘Jack?’
He didn’t respond. He was teetering on a knife’s edge, caught between reason and desire.
She bit her lower lip. The sight sent a pulse to his cock.Leave. Now!
‘Would you be able to come to the rectory for five minutes?’
No! Just say no!
‘Just to talk.’
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
‘Please?’
He nodded and followed her, his feet like lead.
She let them in the front door and locked it behind her.
‘Would you like something to drink?’ she asked, hanging up her coat.
He shook his head, the power of speech deserting him.
‘Okay, let’s sit in the living room.’
Eveline entered the first room on the left, turned on two small side lights, pulled the heavy curtains across the windows, then went to the fireplace and bent over.
Jack stared at the mantelpiece. ‘Can I help?’
‘I’m fine with the fire. Could you please close the door so we can keep the warmth in?’
He did. With the low lights and the flickering of the flames as they caught, the room was cosy and intimate. He felt trapped.
‘Won’t you sit?’
He chose an armchair, perching on the end and preparing to bolt at the first opportunity.
As the kindling took, Eveline carefully placed larger logs on them at an angle, then sat on the end of the sofa nearest to him.
‘Jack?’
