Page 24 of Virgin's Night with the Greek

‘But if it’s that important to you,’ she added, needing this cosy little chat to be over for the sake of her composure, ‘I accept your apology.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Excellent. So. Shall we get back to the party?’

She half got up, more than ready to march back into the throng, only to freeze when his arm shot out and his hand caught her wrist for a moment before instantly letting it go as if he’d been burned. ‘I’m not finished.’

Drat.

She resisted the urge to shake the tingles from her arm and reluctantly sat back down. ‘Oh?’

‘I read up on endometriosis.’

Willow hadn’t thought it possible to blush any more, but she’d been wrong. Accusations of frigidity and prick teasing would be infinitely preferable to a conversation about gynaecology with a man who epitomised masculinity. ‘Why would you do that?’

He arched one dark eyebrow. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

‘Because firstly, you didn’t need to, and secondly, it’s girls’ stuff.’

‘I have three sisters,’ he pointed out dryly. ‘I am not remotely fazed by “girls’ stuff”, as you put it. And I did need to. I dislike ignorance. Knowledge is power. Which brings me on to my next point.’

‘And that is?’

‘According to my research, which was extensive, sex with endometriosis doesn’t have to be painful.’

‘Not always, no,’ she hedged cautiously, wondering where he was going with this, barely able to believe they were discussing it in the first place when she’d only ever talked about it with medical professionals.

‘Position and angle can make a difference.’

Her cheeks burned. ‘Apparently.’

‘Timing, too.’

‘For some.’

He leaned forwards, his burnt umber gaze holding hers so compellingly she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to. ‘So I suggest we try again.’

At that, Willow’s heart gave a great thud against her ribs. Was he nuts? Had he forgotten how awkward it had been? ‘Why on earth would you suggest that?’

‘Because it doesn’t seem fair that you’re missing out,’ he said. ‘Because I’m good at solving problems. Because I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. Because I caused you pain, albeit unintentionally, which is causingmeguilt and I want to make that right. Take your pick.’

Willow ignored the wave of longing that surged through her in response to the realisation that he still wanted her as much as she still wanted him because it was utterly irrelevant now. ‘Well, I pick none of the above,’ she said firmly. ‘Because I’m never having sex again.’

‘Right.’

‘I’m serious.’

As the realisation that she meant it dawned, Leo’s faint smile faded and a deep frown creased his brow. ‘You deliberately choose celibacy?’

She nodded. ‘Absolutely,’ she said, blotting out the clamouring voice of denial in her head since there was no point wallowing in regret and disappointment. At least alone, she’d be safe, free of emotional intimacy and in absolutely no danger of falling in love and ruining lives. ‘It’s worked for me so far. It will do so again. Millions of people around the world make that choice. It’s a perfectly acceptable one.’

‘I agree,’ he said with a slow nod. ‘But not everything about that night was a disaster.’

The memory of what he’d done to her, of how hard and fast she’d shattered in his arms slammed into her head, and her skin tightened. ‘No.’

‘Don’t you want to know what more there could be?’

‘Not if “more” is going to hurt like it did.’

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