Page 27 of One Night in My Rival's Bed

A frown pulled at his brow. ‘But of course. He’d have been insulted if I had given him anything less than a real position. He uses some quite complicated computer software with our design team. It takes him a little longer than he’d like but we make allowances for that.’

‘He’s so lucky to have you in his corner.’

A fleeting shadow passed through his gaze. ‘We’re lucky to have him. It could’ve been so different.’

‘Yes...’ I chewed at my lower lip and lowered my gaze, thinking of how different my sister’s life would have been if I hadn’t been distracted at the playground. How could one tiny mistake have such irreparable consequences?

Grayson’s hand came back down on my shoulder. ‘Hey.’

I raised my gaze to mesh with his. I could so easily drown in those eyes. I could so easily lose myself in a fantasy of being with him longer than one night. I could so easily fancy myself falling in love with him. I slammed the brakes on the thought and gave him a stiff smile and turned for the door. ‘I must go. I have a client waiting.’

‘I’ll drive you.’

‘No, it’ll be quicker on the Tube, but thanks anyway.’

‘Ash.’ The sound of my name on his lips was almost my undoing. Almost. His voice reverberated in my body, sending my blood racing. But I had to be strong. I had to steel my resolve to keep my emotions out of our ‘working’ relationship.

I turned to look at him, schooling my features into an impassivity I was nowhere near feeling. ‘Yes?’

His eyes were unwavering as they held mine. ‘It’s probably best if we don’t mention what happened between us last night to Ethan and Niamh.’

‘Of course.’ I made a zipping motion with my hand across my mouth and added, ‘No kissing and telling from me.’

One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. ‘Where would you like to meet to discuss the project? My office or yours or somewhere neutral?’

‘Your office will be fine.’

There was an infinitesimal moment of silence.

‘Checking out the enemy territory?’ There was a teasing note in his voice and a glint in his eye.

‘You betcha,’ I said and, giving him a finger wave, turned on my heel and left.

I got home that night after work to find Niamh there. A couple of days ago that would have been entirely normal, but since she had announced her engagement to Ethan she hadn’t been home at all.

‘Where’s Ethan?’ I asked, putting my briefcase down. ‘I thought you two were inseparable.’

‘He has a late gym session today. I thought it would be a good chance for us to hang out and discuss the wedding. I have some ideas for my dress. Do you want to see?’ She scrolled through her phone and then turned the screen so I could see it. ‘What do you think?’

It was exactly the sort of dress my sister adored—snow-white with lots of tulle, and a classical bridal veil and a train that was metres long.

‘Mmm, lovely.’

Niamh tilted her head and studied me for a moment. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine.’ I ran a hand through my hair and let out a sigh. ‘It’s been a long day.’

Niamh sat beside me. ‘Where were you last night?’

‘I was...out.’ I didn’t want to blatantly lie to my sister, nor did I want to tell her where I had been. I could barely think of where I had been and who I was with and what we had done without a whole-body blush.

‘Outallnight?’

I blinked. ‘How did you know I was out?’

She lifted her phone and clicked on the app that tracked her whereabouts and mine. Funny, but I had forgotten she could check where I was at any time of the day. ‘You were at Grayson’s house last night.’

How could I deny it? She had seen the evidence on her phone. ‘Yes, well, we had things to discuss, so—’

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