Page 34 of Greek Island Fling to Forever

‘Because, of course, it’s up to them what you do with your life.’ There was a judgement there. In the shadows, she could see that Ben’s lip had a definite curl to it.

‘It became very clear that Lawrence’s expectation of marriage was very different to mine. He wanted to live the life that I’d spent all my time trying to get away from. It was one of those tough break-ups where you argue every day for months and finally it’s a relief to get away from each other because you’re just so exhausted.’

‘I’m sorry. It sounds as if he didn’t give you what you needed.’

‘Lawrence’s opinion was that no one could give me what I needed. Too high-maintenance.’ Arianna was inclined to agree on that score. She’d never been able to let go of the repercussions that her brother’s death had had on her family, even though she’d tried to hide it. Lawrence’s observation had hurt, because she knew that it was true.

Ben shook his head. ‘That wasn’t for him to say. We all need what we need. That’s not high-maintenance; it’s just a fact of life. High-maintenance is asking for a load of things we don’t really need.’

‘Maybe...’

He snorted with disgust. ‘Come on, Arianna. We’re both doctors. Someone comes to see us saying that their leg hurts and we don’t tell them to get a grip. We address the problem.’

‘Is that what you’re doing? Addressing the problem?’ Fear lent a sharpness to her tone. She wanted to be more than just a problem that needed addressing to Ben.

He leaned forward slowly, catching her hand in his and raising it to his lips, his eyes dark and tender. A sudden stab of longing penetrated her heart.

‘I care about you as a friend. If you want a doctor, you should go and make an appointment with someone else.’

‘I don’t want anyone else, Ben. I want you, as my friend.’ She clung onto his hand desperately. ‘I shouldn’t have said what I did. I’m sorry...’

‘You have nothing to be sorry for, Arianna. We don’t need to define our relationship. I wouldn’t know how to.’

Maybe that was his way of avoiding the sexual tension that always seemed to hover around them. Maybe it was hers too. Arianna stifled a yawn. All she really cared about at the moment was that Ben was here, with her.

‘It’s going to be a hot night. Do you want to sleep outside?’

* * *

Arianna’s version of doing anything was always far more delightful than Ben could have expected. To him, sleeping outside was a bundle of hastily assembled bedding and a tent. But she shooed him off the long settle, pulling at a mechanism underneath it to unfold it into a full-sized bed.

She brought bedding out from the house, spreading pillows and light quilts. And then the finishing touch. A thin muslin drape was suspended from a hook in the canopy above them and arranged around the edge of the bed. It took five minutes to turn the outdoor dining area into a sleeping area with a touch of magic.

She pulled back the drape a little, sitting down on the bed and beckoning to him. ‘What do you think?’

‘It’s wonderful.’ They were surrounded by the sounds and smells of the outdoors, caressed by a fresh breeze from the sea to keep them cool. But here, in their own bubble, all that Ben could see was Arianna.

She was still suddenly, staring into his eyes. In the dark depths of hers, he saw an exploding warmth of desire.

So close. So very close to tipping over into sweet passion. If they did, they could never go back, but Ben couldn’t resist. He dropped a kiss onto his own fingers, brushing it against her mouth.

Arianna smiled, raising her hand to her lips and transferring her own kiss to his mouth in return. The feeling was breathtaking, so much from such a small gesture.

‘You are so beautif

ul.’ He took her hand, feeling her fingers curl around his. ‘But if we do this... I can’t stay with you, Arianna.’

She nodded. ‘I know. And I want you to stay.’

Could she trust him to stay? He’d made it very clear that he wanted her, and maybe she didn’t believe that he could sleep beside her without acting on that. Arianna stood, letting go of his hand.

‘I won’t be a minute.’ She shot him a smile. ‘I need to go and get into my pyjamas.’

‘Pyjamas? Really?’ The idea was oddly entrancing. But then Arianna would be just as entrancing if she chose to wear a suit of armour to bed.

‘Don’t worry. I’m not worried about having to fend you off in the night. I’m just giving you a minute to get undressed and get into bed, without having to fend me off.’

She trusted him. And even though Ben wasn’t quite sure that he had the same confidence in himself, he knew that Arianna’s trust would stop him from making a move. He watched her go, smiling at the thought.

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