Was that concern she read in his velvety brown eyes?
Or pity?
She pushed away from the vehicle. Her spine snapped straight, and she lifted her chin. She didn’t need his pity. Or his concern. Or his … anything. She’d do this, find a way to make it work. On her own. Like she always did.
She’d succeed – and with success, she would eradicate her shameful past - forever.
CHAPTER4
For a moment there Sara looked…forlorn. Alone. Lost.
Darim’s fingers trembled and one of the pages he held fluttered to the ground. Bending, he scooped it up and replaced it inside the folder. He had to keep his mind on the end goal - a house – no,hishouse. A permanent place for him and Skye to put down roots, to call home. Still, he couldn’t banish the itch deep inside to wrap his arms around the delicate-looking woman in front of him and offer what comfort he could. Tell her, everything was going to be all right. That he would take care of it. And her.
Damnit.
He didn’t need that kind of complication. He didn’t want it. Celeste had soured him on relationships – at least in the short term. What was important in his life now, was cementing the bond between him and Skye.
Sara would have to fend for herself.
Besides, that militant gleam that had just appeared in her eyes told him louder than words, she would repulse any move on his part to step past the barriers that lay between them. He inwardly rolled his eyes at the anticipation that sparked and crackled like live electricity. He’d always enjoyed a challenge. Besting Sara, he was beginning to realise would be quite an achievement. And even though he wanted to deny it existed, there was a powerful sexual attraction between them.
He captured her intense gaze, absorbing the thrill that danced and teased along his nerve ends. Hell yeah. What harm could a little flirtation do while he plotted against her? He’d keep it casual. Maybe even a few kisses here and there. With him controlling the pace and being well and truly burned from Celeste, there was no chance his heart would be at risk.
Confidence swelled and he smiled, enjoying the wary expression that flittered across her face. Yep. This was going to be fun. And he couldn’t wait to get started.
Thank heavens though, that she had changed out of her far-too-sexy and flimsy sleepwear.
“I read through the information Ty provided.” He ran a hand along his raspy jaw, grinning as her gaze tracked his movement and she swallowed. “As you’ve probably already figured out, we can’t extend the living area of the house, or we forfeit our windfall. However, I still think we should take separate legal advice. I intend to scan the document and email it to my solicitor in Sydney. I suggest you do the same.”
He paused but Sara didn’t respond. It was possible she didn’t have the means to fund alternate advice. He made a mental note to ensure that if his legal team found anything helpful he’d pass it on. He wanted her gone but he always played fair. “In the meantime, I reckon there’s nothing stopping us putting a caravan on the property and one of us living in that while the other occupies the house. We then share the cooking and bathroom facilities.”
As if woken at the word‘cooking’, his stomach grumbled reminding him he’d missed dinner the night before; and he certainly didn’t miss his companion’s sidelong glance directed towards his middle.
“I guess that sounds like a good plan.” A little frown wrinkled her forehead.
He rushed to reassure. “I’ll provide the caravan and will live in it. The only thing is…” Now it was his turn to frown. “Look. I’ll be honest here. I need somewhere decent for my daughter to stay. I’m not certain that Celeste – that’s my ex – will agree that a caravan will cut it. Unless it’s some massive contraption and even then, she may be picky. She’s a bit of a snob that way. Wouldn’t have a bar on holidaying in caravans when we were together. If she puts her foot down, that means another Christmas I miss out on.”
“You could still get a caravan but say your daughter is sleeping inside the house. If we get single bunk beds, that shouldn’t take up any more floor space than what my camp bed occupies. Plus, there’s the chest of drawers I brought with me. Your daughter could lay a few of her things on the top. A friend of mine, Dodge, may even have some second-hand bunks in his shop.” Sara placed her fingertips on his forearm. The brief touch seemed to burn through to his very bone. When she moved away, his skin continued to tingle.
“That could work. I can send the ex a snap of the front of the house plus the bunk beds and I could imply that area is Skye’s bedroom. No way will she have any idea of the actual size of the place. Unless she bothers to check it out herself, she won’t be none the wiser. I can’t see her leaving her city life for a jaunt in the country, no matter how short.” Even he could hear the relief – and hope - in his voice.
He shot Sara an uncertain glance. Hell, had he just given her ammunition to shoot him down? One whisper from her to Celeste and all his dreams would go up in flames.
But Sara gave no indication she had any such thoughts. Rather, her face had brightened and there was no trace of the worried frown she’d displayed a few moments ago. Maybe she liked the idea of a pre-teen running around. He pretended to flick over a few pages while his mind raced. Unless his memory was faulty – and that hardly ever happened – she had mentioned yesterday that she had no living relatives. How sad and lonely that must be, to know there was no one of your own blood in the world.
As if she’d read his thoughts, she asked, “How old is your daughter?”
“Skye turned twelve a couple of weeks ago. Her mother took her out to dinner at some fancy restaurant to celebrate.” He had to force himself not to roll his eyes. If he’d had his way, his daughter would have gone to the zoo with her friends, or something similar. Something fun. But no, the choice would have been Celeste’s idea of‘fun’. “I wasn’t able to get leave to see her.”
At her questioning glance, he added, “I’m a Major, currently attached to the new Army Training Facility down the road.”
“Is it a permanent posting?”
For a second he squinted at the sun glowing gold and bright through the trees blanketing the horizon as his mind churned over the million-dollar question that had nagged him these past months. “That’s my intention although I’ve been tossing up the idea of retiring from the military. But after twenty-five years of service, it’s all I know. What the devil would I do with myself?” He shrugged.
“It’s never too late to start again.” Her voice was low but firm.
“You really think so?” He turned and examined her expression, but although her eyelashes flickered at his scrutiny, not a nuance crossed her face.