around him, head back, eyes closed, jaw set, like a dark angel sitting on the steps of hell.
She wouldn’t let him go through those gates. Somehow she was going to save him. And however ridiculous that sounded—a word he liked to use—she was a very determined woman.
He didn’t say anything as she came closer, but she’d put money on him knowing she was there.
‘Go away, Stace.’
‘You haven’t called me that for years.’
‘I haven’t felt this way for years.’
‘Have you felt anything for years?’
Too deep, too intrusive a question, she thought when he remained silent. She tried again. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Conflicted,’ he admitted. ‘Contrary to what you think, I want you more than you know, but if you expect hearts and flowers, you’ll be disappointed.’
Of course she was disappointed. Didn’t every woman want the dream? ‘Did I say that was what I expect?’
‘You didn’t have to.’
Firming her jaw, she crossed the room and sat down on the sofa facing his.
‘Believe me, Stace,’ Luc said with a touch of warmth in his tone as he opened his eyes. ‘You don’t need me in your life.’
‘Don’t tell me what I need.’
‘You have so little experience.’
‘Of sex?’ she queried. ‘I’d agree with you where that’s concerned, but I’m not inexperienced when it comes to life, and I know when someone’s hurting.’
‘That’s your strength,’ he agreed. ‘One of them.’
‘So…?’
‘So, don’t waste your time on me. I’m a lost cause, and there are plenty of people who could benefit from the kind of thoughtfulness and compassion you want to give.’
‘You make me sound like a saint and I’m far from it.’
‘Me too,’ he confirmed dryly.
‘Don’t you think it’s time to confront the demons from your past?’
‘While I’m having sex with you?’ he suggested in that same ironic tone.
Stacey shrugged. ‘It’s an outlet—yes.’
Luc’s mouth tugged in a wry sort of smile. ‘Who knows what you might release.’
‘You, I hope,’ she said. ‘I do know that you’ll continue to hurt until you allow yourself to feel something.’
‘And I can’t ask what you know about that, can I?’
‘I don’t pretend my situation was anything like yours,’ she assured him. ‘I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel, but isn’t that when we need our friends the most?’
‘Friends?’ he challenged. ‘I thought we were talking about sex. That’s certainly the impression you gave me upstairs.’
‘Don’t,’ she said softly. ‘I don’t want to argue with you. I just want to help.’
‘You always want to help.’ Getting up, he stoked the fire. ‘I don’t need help, not from anyone, and especially not from you.’
Luc’s words were like a slap across the face, and it took a little time before she could do much more than watch the flames rise and dance in the hearth.
‘Okay,’ she said at last, getting to her feet. ‘I guess even I can take a hint.’
‘Maybe we can talk some other time,’ he suggested.
‘Is there any point?’
‘You were lucky tonight that it was me and not some other man,’ Luc called after her as she headed for the stairs.
She stopped dead. ‘There’s no chance of there ever being another man.’
‘Then, you’re a fool, Stacey,’ Luc said coldly. ‘For your own sake, accept that we don’t belong together. You deserve someone far—’
‘Oh, please,’ she interrupted, ‘spare me the gentle let-down. If I’m hopeless in bed and turn you right off, you only have to say so.’
‘What the hell?’ Luc was on his feet and grabbing hold of her within a second. Cupping her chin, he made her look at him. ‘You’re not hopeless. In fact, that’s the problem.’
‘I’m too good,’ she suggested with a mocking huff as she braced to hear the truth.
‘Yes,’ Luc confirmed flatly. ‘This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things go so far.’
‘It takes two to tango. And as for consequences, I’ll handle whatever comes around.’
‘But can you do that?’ His expression was sceptical. ‘You’re hunting for a fairy tale and what I’m looking for is sex. I devote most of my time to work and the rest of my time to polo. I travel constantly, and wherever I am—’ he shrugged ‘—is home.’
‘You don’t have a home. You have a number of fabulous properties across the world, but when it comes to a home you don’t know the meaning of the word.’
‘I can remember,’ he said quietly.
She could have ripped out her tongue. ‘Of course you do. Luc, I’m so sorry. I don’t think sometimes.’
‘And you’re not thinking now,’ Luc warned.
‘Oh, I am,’ she assured him. ‘What makes you think I want more than you? I’m a normal woman with normal, healthy appetites. Men aren’t the only animals on the planet who want sex with no consequences or long-term complications. I’m not the clinging-vine type,’ she added while her heart screamed that she was a liar, and that she did want Luc long-term. For as long as she could remember he’d been part of her life, and life going forward without him, especially now they’d been so close, was unthinkable. But if one night was all she could have she’d take it.
‘Neither of us has the type of lifestyle that allows for a long-term relationship,’ she said matter-of-factly, as desperation to have Luc kiss her, embrace her, make love to her, drummed relentlessly in her brain.
His lips pressed down attractively as he considered this. ‘If you can accept reality, then I suppose…’
She jumped on the opening. ‘Do you mean accepting the pace of your life means you snatch up a woman like you snatch up a meal, and when you’ve both had enough you walk away?’
Luc’s head shot back. ‘Dios, Stacey! That’s a little harsh, even for me. I could never think of you that way. I’ve watched you grow up.’
