The Burlington Manor Affair

She faltered, but ignored his comment. “I’m afraid of what it would do to me, what it has done to me...and yet I do want to know. Human nature, whatever. I do want to experience it again. You.” Her eyes darkened and she swallowed.

Never had she looked more sensual.

Their eyes locked.

“But it’s a big risk,” she added. “Too big.”

He felt her indecision and pounced on it. “I don’t agree.”

Her lips parted and she took a deep breath. Rex saw desire in her eyes and silently willed her to

say it, to give them a proper chance.

Before she had time to speak they were interrupted.

“Rex, how lovely to see you.”

It took a moment before he could even bring himself to drag his attention away from Carmen. When he did, he realized it was his ex, Kelly, who was speaking. She was blinged to the rafters and stood alongside their table with three friends in tow.

“I heard about your dad. I’m so sorry.”

Rex acknowledged that with a nod.

“Is this Carmen?” Kelly smiled at Carmen, who had reacted to the interruption by putting her napkin back on the table, as if making ready to leave.

“Yes, I’m Carmen.” She gave a forced smile, then threw an accusing look Rex’s way.

He hadn’t responded to the interruption, that’s why.

Before he had a chance, Kelly continued. “I thought so. As soon as I saw you I thought you must be Rex’s sister. I read about you in the obituary and I looked you up. It’s lovely to meet you. I’m a good friend of your brother’s.”

Carmen stared at Rex.

He knew what that look meant—it was never going to go away, the brother/sister thing. “I’m sorry, Kelly,” he said, “it’s not a good time. We’re right in the middle of something.”

“Of course. I’m sure you have a lot of family stuff to deal with at the moment. I’ll leave you to it.” Kelly touched him on the shoulder and smiled before she moved on. “We must catch up, though, sometime soon.”

Rex frowned. Nate had said something about Kelly wanting to get back together. It seemed ludicrous to Rex because he was sitting opposite the only woman he would ever love. How did everyone in the world not know that already? Frustration bit into him, hard. They’d been so close to a breakthrough.

Carmen bent to pick up her bag where she’d put it under the table, her actions jerky and hurried. “I knew this was a mistake.”

“Carmen? People will make that error, and she obviously read the obituary wrong, but once we announce we’re in a proper committed relationship they’ll all know the truth of what we are to each other.” He blurted it out in response to her imminent departure, but as soon as he did he realized he’d gone from teasing it out of her to a full-on demand, and for all the wrong reasons.

“You’re crazy,” she muttered, but the look in her eyes was confused and emotional. She was pulling away, guarding herself again.

Even before she rose to her feet, Rex knew he had some major backpedaling to do. “Wait, please, I apologize for the interruption—that was unfortunate.” He gestured at the waiter. “I’ll see you home.”

“No, you won’t.” The defensive look in her eyes was reflected in the way she held her shoulders, as if she was ready to bolt.

“I’ll see you to the taxi rank.” He rose to his feet and held her gaze.

“It’s not necessary.”

“It’ll be busy, you’ll have to queue. I’m not letting you wait alone.”

She shook her head, but then she paused.

They’d come so close. Rex went after her.