through his statement, trying to pinpoint what might have upset her.
It hit him like a hammer to his gut, almost overridden by the elation that flooded him. The present tense, still committed. Planning to return.
His heart flipped and his pulse raced. Had she already thought about making love with him and now believed she’d end up hurt if they became involved? It didn’t have to be that way if they were completely open and honest. If they didn’t let emotion rule their heads, they’d have no regrets when it was over.
He fought the urge to reach for her, draw her into his arms, and tell her that was how it would be. She wasn’t ready for such a declaration yet.
‘I haven’t changed my status as a partner because of the uncertainty. The best scenario would be to get everything legal at Dalton Corporation, and any due taxes paid. I’ll get the new project running then I can decide on my future.’
Her sceptical gaze met his. Somehow he had to convince her he was telling the truth, that his main objective was to make the company strong and viable. He hadn’t allowed himself to think beyond that.
‘Legal proceedings allowing, I’ll try to use the same procedure we have in London with Dad’s clients, making them independent. The project with Duncan is different, a change of direction for me, but it will stabilise Dalton Corporation.’
Her body had inched forward as if drawn by a magnet. Now the only movement was the slow rise and fall of her chest. Her eyes didn’t waver from his.
‘It sounds long term.’ Husky with a hint of hope. Dared he wish too?
‘Anyone’s guess. There are too many factors involved.’
Lauren’s anticipation deflated. She stared at the glass in her hand, wondering when she’d drunk the remaining wine. From the moment they’d met tonight her emotions had taken her on a loop-the-loop ride, twisting her in knots, ending with a crash landing.
The agenda he’d described would take time and effort. He’d shrugged it off as no big deal, easily done. Then Europe and his partnership would beckon and he’d go with no looking back. And while he might caress and cajole, he’d never pressure her against her will.
She just wished she could decide what she wanted most.
‘Your glass is empty.’
His fingers brushed hers as he took it and she trembled. Something fiery flared in his eyes.
‘Would you like a hot drink?’
‘No, thank you.’ She snuck a glance at her watch as he turned away, torn between wanting to stay and having space to fortify her defences against his charm.
‘Hinting it’s time to go home?’ The laughter in his husky voice teased, and she dipped her head to hide the inevitable blush.
He shuffled closer, avoiding contact, the glasses clinking in his hand, and waited silently for her to raise her head. And the funfair ride took off again at his tender expression. Her stomach flipped, her heartbeat pounded and, she wasn’t exactly sure but...had her toes curled? Without even a touch.
‘Your choice, Lauren. I’ll call a taxi if you want to.’
‘Taxi?’ Sending her home alone. Shortest funfair ride ever.
‘I haven’t long finished the second wine. We’ll take a taxi now or have coffee and wait a little longer. I don’t take chances when I drive.’
A cosy trip in the back seat or more disclosures here?
‘Make mine weak white. Do you need help?’
He only had big mugs so hers wasn’t full. It was rich and sweet, complementing the meal. She sipped and enjoyed, noticed he took fewer, bigger swallows.
‘Sydney’s an expensive city to live in too. Do you live alone or share?’
His polite words were belied by the set of his shoulders, the slight tilt of his head and the heat in his midnight-blue eyes. There’d been no necessity to say he wanted her. Every look, every touch proved he did.
Did she give out the same signals? Her curiosity about him was all consuming yet he’d managed to avoid revealing much personal information.
‘Three friends and I put in a bid for one floor of an unbuilt apartment block. One of them is in banking and arranged the mortgages. We got a special price and an input into the layouts and décor.’
‘And?’
And what? The other half of his question. He was fishing about her private life.
‘I live alone. The other three have partners so it’s rare there’s not someone around. What about you?’
He ran his hand up her arm creating electrical zings on her skin. All over her skin. He faced her full on, his shoulder pressing into the leather back of the lounge, his arm flat along the top. His fingertips played with her hair.
‘Occasionally I have guests.’ His face darkened for a second as if remembering an unpleasant experience. ‘Not for a while.’
Matt brushed away the past, trying to concentrate on the now. She lived alone, she was single. There was no one who’d have cause to feel offended if he kissed her again.
A companionable silence settled. He gazed into his empty mug, multiple questions racing through his mind, each one too personal to ask unless he intended to make a move tonight. Common sense said it was too soon, they knew little about each other, needed time to build trust. However, would he ever fully trust a woman again?
His libido said he knew all he needed. He wanted her and he’d bet whatever part of the London flat he owned that she wanted him too.
A movement in the corner of his vision broke his reverie in time to see Lauren try to smother a yawn behind her hand. Guess it wasn’t going to be tonight.
‘You’re tired. What do you have planned for tomorrow?
‘I’m picking up a hire car and heading to the Barossa Valley for a couple of days. No schedule, just drive and stop whenever something takes my fancy. I’ll book into a local hotel each night.’
Two nights.
Plus almost three days without seeing her.
He straightened, tried to swallow past the lump in his throat, tried to ignore the tight band constricting his lungs.
‘You’ll be back in Adelaide on Friday?’ He had to know. Didn’t understand why.
‘Will you need me then?’
He choked back his instinctive reply.
‘I’ll keep in touch. Now I’d better get you home.’
He took her hand, led her to the laundry and reached for the door knob to the garage. His brain urged caution. Every muscle tensed with craving. Every cell in his body clamoured, ‘Ask her to stay.’
Lauren wasn’t his ex, she was as wary as he
