Kisses at Sunset

She gave a short laugh and tipped the onion into a frying-pan, stirring it gently. ‘Yes, well, this isn’t an ideal world.’

‘I’m well aware of that.’

‘So you believe in happy ever after and Father Christmas, do you?’

He laughed. ‘And the Easter Bunny? I’m afraid not. I believe in happy while it lasts.’

She frowned, still stirring the onion. ‘But you just said children should have two parents.’

‘Absolutely.’ His voice was a lazy drawl. ‘I just don’t happen to believe you should have children unless you’re one hundred per cent committed to each other. It isn’t fair on the child.’

‘But no one ever knows how a relationship will work out.’

‘True. But once you have children you have a responsibility to make it work for their sakes. You just can’t afford to be selfish.’

Ally stopped stirring. ‘You’re saying I’m selfish.’

‘I’m not saying anything of the sort.’ His voice was quiet. ‘As you rightly pointed out, I know nothing about your circumstances and it’s none of my business.’

‘So you think it’s OK to flit from one woman to another as long as there are no children involved?’

He frowned. ‘I don’t think flit would be the word I’d use but, yes, I think it’s realistic to expect to change partners. It’s better to acknowledge that rather than keep up this pretence of believing that you’re going to be together for ever and making selfish decisions based on that fantasy.’

Ally dropped the spoon and glared at him. ‘And it doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process? That’s totally irresponsible!’

‘On the contrary, it’s extremely responsible.’ His gaze clashed with hers and his mouth was a grim line, all traces of humour gone. ‘Far more so than having children without any thought for their future. When my relationships end no one gets hurt.’

Was he kidding? Ally was willing to bet he’d left a trail of broken hearts around the country. Adult ones, maybe, but still. ‘But don’t you ever have dreams of a family of your own?’

‘No, I don’t.’ He gave a short laugh, his expression grim. ‘I gave up believing in fairy tales when I was still in nappies. I was determined never to be responsible for a child’s unhappiness.’

She stared at him defensively. ‘Charlie isn’t unhappy.’

‘I wasn’t talking about Charlie.’ He stared out of the window into the darkness, his expression unreadable. ‘Charlie’s obviously one of the lucky ones, but I know plenty of children who aren’t so lucky.’

‘But don’t you ever want children of your own?’

‘No.’ Sean’s eyes were shuttered. ‘I don’t.’

Ally stared at him and wondered what had happened in his life to bring him to that decision. Looking at his taut profile, she felt a surge of sadness which she quickly dismissed. Why feel sad that a man she hardly knew didn’t want children? So what? Why should that affect her? Her eyes rested on his hard jaw and lifted to his eyes, and for some unfathomable reason the bleak look she saw there made her want to hug him. Hug him? She must be going mad. She shook herself mentally and pulled a can of chopped tomatoes out of the cupboard. Anything to keep her hands busy so that she didn’t do something stupid.

‘Anyway, talking of relationships…’ The smile was back, along with a wicked glint in his eye that she didn’t trust an inch. ‘What are we going to do about the chemistry between us?’

‘Chemistry?’ Her heart gave a jump and she moved quickly, putting the table between them as protection as he walked purposefully towards her. ‘Don’t kid yourself! I don’t think exchanging arguments and insults can really be called chemistry.’

‘Then why are you hiding behind a table?’ Those dark eyes teased her as he moved closer. ‘Who is it you don’t trust? Yourself or me?’

Ally took a deep breath and gripped the back of a chair. ‘Look, Sean, you’ve just said you avoid relationships, so—’

He grinned. ‘Don’t twist my words. I may avoid marriage and children, but I’m totally in favour of relationships.’

With her? He had to be joking! She wasn’t that stupid…

‘Well, I’m not.’ How come her voice sounded so steady? ‘It’s not fair on Charlie.’

He raised an eyebrow in an expression of disbelief. ‘You’re expecting me to believe that you’ve lived like a nun since she was born?’

She almost laughed. He didn’t know the half of it!