He knew it bordered on the arrogant to assume that no one had taken his place after four and a half years, but he’d hoped for it all the same. His own copybook wasn’t too pristine, of course; he’d replaced her numerous times, but not one of his subsequent lovers had affected him the way Ashleigh had, and, God help him, still did.
‘What would you say if I told you I’ve had a rethink of a few of my old standpoints?’ he asked. ‘That I’d changed?’
Ashleigh got to her feet and, rummaging in her purse, placed some money on the counter for her drink, her eyes when they returned to his like twin points of angry blue flame.
‘I’d say you were four and a half years too late, Jake Marriott.’ She hoisted her bag back on her shoulder. ‘I have to go. I have someone waiting for me.’
She turned to leave but one of his hands came down on her wrist and turned her round to face him. She felt the velvetcovered steel bracelet of his fingers and suppressed an inward shiver of reaction at feeling his warm flesh on hers once more.
‘Let me go, Jake.’ Her voice came out husky instead of determined, making her hate him for affecting her so.
He rose to his full height, his body within a whisper of hers. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe, for if she so much as drew in one small breath her chest would expand and bring her breasts into contact with the hard wall of his chest. Dark eyes locked with blue in a battle she knew she was never going to win, but she had to fight regardless.
‘I can’t see you, Jake,’ she said in a tight voice. ‘I am engaged to be married.’ She took another shaky breath and added, ‘To my boss, Howard Caule.’
She saw the sudden flare of heat in his eyes at the same time the pressure of his fingers subtly increased about her wrist.
‘You’re not married yet,’ he said, before dropping her wrist and stepping back from her.
Ashleigh wasn’t sure if his statement was a threat or an observation. She didn’t stay around to find out. Instead, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the bar with long purposeful strides that she hoped gave no hint of her inner distress.
Jake watched her go, his chest feeling as if some giant hand had just plunged between his ribs and wrenched out his heart and slapped it down on the bar next to the ten dollar note she’d placed beside her untouched drink…
CHAPTER TWO
ASHLEIGH drove back to her parents’ house with her bottom lip between her teeth for the entire journey.
It had hurt to see Jake again.
It had hurt her to hear his voice, to see his hands grip his glass—the hands that had once caressed her and with his very male body brought her to the highest pinnacle of human pleasure.
It had hurt to see his mouth tilt in a smile—the mouth that had kissed her all over but had never once spoken of his love.
Damn it! It had hurt to turn him down, but what other choice did she have? She could hardly pick up where they’d left off. How could she, with the secret of Lachlan’s existence lying between them? Jake had made it clear he never wanted to have children. She could hardly tap him on the shoulder and announce, By the way, here is your son. Don’t you think he looks a bit like you?
‘Mummee!’ Lachlan rushed towards her as soon as she opened the door, throwing his little arms around her middle and squeezing tightly.
‘Hey, why aren’t you in bed?’ She pretended to frown down at him.
His chocolate-brown eyes twinkled as he looked up at her. ‘Grandad promised me I could show you what we caught first.’
She looked up at her father, who had followed his young grandson out into the hall. ‘Hi, Dad. Good day at the bay?’
Heath Forrester grinned. ‘You should have seen the ones we let get away.’
Ashleigh smiled and stood on tiptoe to plant a soft kiss on his raspy cheek. ‘Thanks,’ she said, her one word speaking a hundred for her.
Heath turned to Lachlan. ‘Go and get our bounty out of the fridge while I have a quick word with your mum.’
Lachlan raced off, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hall as Heath turned to his eldest daughter. ‘How was Jake?’
‘He was…’ she let out a little betraying sigh ‘…Jake.’
‘What did he want?’
‘I got the distinct impression he wanted to resume our past relationship—temporarily.’
Her father’s bushy brows rose slightly. ‘Same old Jake then?’
She gave him a world-weary sigh. ‘Same old Jake.’
‘You didn’t tell him about Lachlan?’
Ashleigh hunted her father’s expression for the reproach she privately dreaded, but found none and was immensely grateful for it.