Page 57 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

Lovers?Owen struggled to think how he could correct their relationship status without seeming churlish. He already thought he’d upset Lexie by refusing her spare room. Now, if he put Roger straight, it would seem like he was rejecting her a second time.

‘No chance of prying eyes and ears at home,’ Roger continued and turned, smiling at Owen.

More alarm bells went off in Owen. He glanced at Lexie. But she seemed to have relaxed. Maybe she was accustomed to their local toff’s eccentricities.

Roger added, ‘Plus, the food is much better here than at the pub, but don’t tell them I said so. We’ve got salmon for our main course tonight. Fine Scottish salmon from my cousin’s estate.’

They arrived in a large dining room, with Roger continuing to fill them in on the menu and the wine for the evening. Owen zoned out for a few minutes, preferring to take in their surroundings; a long room with several velvet-draped floor to ceiling windows, a large mahogany table set for three, the place settings all sparkling silver and crystal clustered around one end and an enormous log fire burning in a hearth so large a man as tall as himself or Roger could stand inside it.

‘Let me settle you here.’ Roger stopped at the table. ‘I’ll be back in one moment.’ And suddenly Owen and Lexie were alone again.

‘Why didn’t you tell him we’re not lovers?’ Owen whispered.

‘You don’t argue with someone like Roger.’

Owen grunted his disapproval and prowled around the table.

‘Where do you think he’s gone?’ Lexie asked.

‘No idea. He’s your friend. Alarmingly friendly.’ Owen paced to the fire and stared into the flames, wondering if he’d mistaken the flirtatious glint in Roger’s eyes, trying to work out exactly where the flirtation was directed.

Where had this day gone so disastrously wrong? Was it his refusal to accept Lexie’s invitation to stay at her place? If they’d gone back there together this afternoon, and if he had faced up to what he was feeling, then perhaps they would already be real lovers, and Roger’s mistake wouldn’t be a potential bomb waiting to explode.

Lexie joined him at the fire. Slipping her arm around his, she said, ‘That’s just the way he is. Very touchy feely. He’s just a big, friendly bear. Tactile to a fault, but he means no harm.’

‘Hmm.’ Owen glowered at her, and she planted a friendly kiss on his cheek. In high heels for a change, her height was almost level with his. A slight stoop and their lips would touch. ‘I hope you’re right,’ he said, fighting the temptation to try for a real kiss

‘I am. You have nothing to worry about.’ She stroked his jaw and her eyes focused on his mouth. Owen stooped.

Roger burst back into the dining room, looking pleased with himself. ‘Now then, good people,’ he said, clapping his large hands together. ‘Time to eat. I have everything organised for after. You two are staying here tonight. I’ve put you in the blue room. That was my parent’s bedroom, perfect for a romantic night.’

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