Page 50 of The Billionaire's One-Night Baby

‘Don’t give me a hard time, just tell me where you are,’ Jago said. God, he sounded...luscious.

She could argue but she didn’t have the energy. ‘I’m leaving Thadie’s. Why?’

‘I was going to ask you if I could come over to your place, but, since you are down the road, it would be quicker if you came here.’

Her heart jumped at the thought. She missed him, wanted to see him, wanted to inhale his amazing scent, lose herself in his eyes and his arms. ‘Um...why?’

Jago didn’t answer straight away, and when he did his voice sounded rough. ‘Because I need to talk to you, and I’d prefer to do it now rather than make a long drive across town to talk to you in forty-five minutes.’

Dodi approached the end of Thadie’s drive and hesitated. Left to go home or right to go to Hadleigh House?

‘Are you coming or not?’ Jago asked, his tone gentle but utterly determined. ‘If not, I’ll see you at your place.’

Dodi frowned. ‘It’s that important?’

‘Anything to do with you, or us, is important,’ Jago quietly told her. ‘Please come, Elodie Kate. I can’t do another week like this last one, another minute.’

It was the please that did it, the sadness she heard in his voice. ‘Okay. I’ll be there in a minute or two.’

She heard his relieved sigh. ‘The code for the gate is the same. Come in via the side door and I’ll be in my apartment waiting for you.’

‘Okay.’

A couple of minutes later, Dodi parked her car in its usual spot under the willow tree and, leaving her bag and phone in the car, walked up to the side entrance and tested the handle to the door. It was unlocked, so she stepped into his house and immediately turned to walk up the old servants’ passage. Could it only be ten weeks since she’d first walked up these stairs, her hand in his? So much had happened in those few short weeks: she’d fallen pregnant and fallen in love with Jago.

And, strangely, fallen back in...well, not love but like with her little store.

Since her chat with Dee, she’d stopped judging her brides and was actively trying to learn their stories. She was asking them about their lives and the men they were going to marry.

Oh, she still encountered the occasional shallow-as-a-puddle entitled bride-to-be, but most of her clients were normal women, excited, nervous, insecure. Some of them were downright petrified of the massive decision they were making. It was weird but their nervousness and insecurities made her feel calmer, better, more accepting of herself.

Everyone had their issues...they were all human with human fears. As was she.

Reaching the landing, Dodi wiped her sweaty hands on her white shorts and headed for his door. She lifted her hand to knock, but before her fist made contact the door swung open and Jago gripped her wrist and pulled her into the room.

She bumped up against his chest, releasing a tiny squeal of surprise, but before she could say anything he took her mouth in a dazzling, desperate, so-good-to-see-you kiss. Dodi melted against him, wound her arms around his neck and fell into his kiss, her tongue dancing with his.

His arms were where she needed,wantedthem to be.

It was Jago who broke their kiss, who pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily.

Dodi lifted her hand to her mouth. ‘What was that?’ she asked, panting.

‘That was my way of telling you I miss you, that the last week has been hell, that I can’t last a day without having you in my arms.’

Dodi blinked and blinked again, not recognising the need in Jago’s voice, the blatant emotion. ‘You missed me?’ she asked.

‘Every minute, every day,’ Jago assured her, holding both her hands in his. ‘I’ve been comprehensively useless at work, grumpy as hell and haven’t been able to concentrate on anything.’

Dodi tried to process his words as he led her to the sofa and gestured for her to sit. Right, it was obvious that he’d missed her but as what? Did he miss his lover, the sex? Or did he missher? There was a massive gulf between the two.

Dodi perched on the edge of the leather seat and draped one leg over her trembling knee. She forced herself to look at him and ask the question that was burning on her lips. ‘Are we talking about you missing the sex we shared, Jago?’

He frowned at her before scratching the underside of his chin. ‘Of course I miss the sex. We are brilliant together.’

Dodi’s heart sank and she stared down at the carpet, her eyes burning with tears. What an idiot. What had she expected him to say? That he missed her laugh, and smile, missed talking to her?

‘That came out wrong,’ Jago said on a heavy sigh. He sat on the seat next to her and shook his head. ‘You know, I’m pretty good at words. I can hold conversations, generally get my point across without misunderstandings, but when it comes to you and feelings I’m useless. My words get jumbled and I either say something I don’t mean or don’t say anything at all...’

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