Minding Amy

I care about him, a lot, that’s why. Dear god, how had that happened?

She shut her eyes, counting to ten, but no, the insistent thought wouldn't go away. It was getting increasingly impossible for her to deny she was growing attached to Sebastian. It hadn't been part of her plan. This was supposed to be about proving she was a good journalist and having a bit of fun along the way, she couldn't jeopardize that by falling for a guy like Sebastian.

She glanced over at his hands on the steering wheel. Remembering the way they felt caressing her body made a tremor dart through her.

"Are you okay, warm enough?" He was watching her—he was aware of her just as she was of him.

Her breathing tripped when she realized. "Yes, thanks."

"Shall we stop for a break? There are services up ahead." He glanced at her, catching her eye. She noticed, and smiled. When he smiled back, she melted.

He pulled the Land Rover into the service station and parked up. Turning to her, he took her hand and stopped her as she went to get out of the car.

"Amy, we need to talk." He was looking at her with such care and concern in those gorgeous eyes of his.

Amy managed a small nod.

"I want you to know everything I did was well intended and not meant to undermine you in any way. It was a coincidence I got the case and I felt awkward about the situation from the outset, especially…especially when I realized something was happening between us. I wanted to help you along."

"I know." She turned away from him and stared out the window at the other cars driving around the car park.

"What happened between us has complicated matters."

She pulled her hand from his and knotted her fingers together, aware that he was unable to find the right word to use when referring to what was happening between them. What was happening between them? Was it more than a fling, after all? She glanced over at him, increasingly aware of her growing feelings for the man.

"Let's try to get our working relationship back on an even keel, shall we?"

She stared at him, his words clunking into place. He wanted to sort out their working relationship, not their personal one. The implications of his words came tumbling in. He'd only wanted an affair, his ex had wounded him and he'd made it clear he only wanted a fling. She'd got overwrought and emotional the day before and now he was backing off. Meanwhile, she was busy falling for the guy.

"Yes, I understand," she blurted. "Let's concentrate on the case."

As she watched his mouth tensed then she saw the shutters coming down in his eyes.

"Whatever you say… just remember, I'm here for you, to support you."

Amy lifted her chin. He was merely trying to make their working relationship better, that's all it was. She braced herself.

"Let's grab a coffee and get on our way," she replied, in the most professional tone she could muster. She grabbed her sunglasses out of her bag and flipped them on as she climbed out of the Land Rover, so he wouldn't notice how much she was smarting.

* * * *

After the motorway ended the last part of their journey was on country roads rolling through the Yorkshire moors. Sebastian pointed out the changing landscape and nearby towns, the slow conversation going some way toward breaking the tension between them. Amy watched the scenery with interest. The sleepy villages and rich expanses of green fields, marked off with ancient stone walls, fascinated her. It was a picture postcard rural idyll.

Tall Gables eventually rose up on the horizon, a Tudor mansion nestled against the outstanding landscape. The private lane that led up to the hotel wound through the most beautifully wooded acres of private estate Amy had ever seen. The hotel, a stately manor house of the first order, stood majestic at the end of the lane. Amy could just picture the horses and carriages of a bygone age pulling up to the impressive reception portal. Instead, a row of parked cars lined up on either side of the entrance. She readied herself to go inside and check in. It was a cool and determined gesture. She'd resolved to be level headed and professional, despite the drop-dead gorgeous man beside her, the wild passion they had shared, and the catalogue of misunderstandings and disasters that had milestoned their brief time together.

The sex had been brilliant and they'd had a whole lot of fun. But she had to draw a line under their intimacy, right now, and get on with her life. If he was retracting and protecting himself, then so must she. The only problem Amy could foresee was the sleeping arrangements. She'd booked them a double room because she'd assumed they would be carrying on their affair while they continued to pursue the case. It didn't matter, she could handle it. She'd been turning it over in her mind for the past thirty miles and she'd decided to go to reception and request two separate rooms, before Sebastian had a chance to notice.

He began to slow the Land Rover down as he drove through the parking area.

"If you stop the car, I'll go and check-in, while you get parked up."

He pulled in at the entrance steps and drew the vehicle to a halt. "Okay."

"Thank you." She grabbed her handbag and leapt down from the vehicle. He looked at her with curiosity. She ignored it. As soon as he began to pull away, she darted up the steps and through the swing doors.

She tossed back her hair, confidently reassuring herself that she would be able to negotiate with the reception personnel before he had time to get in. What a shame to have to ask for separate rooms, when they could be together. Indecision raked over her. Physical desires had intruded on her logic. She shoved the lusty thoughts out of her mind and reminded herself how much she'd overcome in the last week. She had stepped outside of the Women's Page office and was tackling something different. She was traveling the length of Britain in search of evidence. She'd even overcome her fear of spooky houses.

The reception area was bright and active, surprisingly so for the time of day. Almost all the available lounge seating in the area was occupied. Guests sat together in the comfort of the lounge seats, nursing cocktail glasses as if they had totally chilled out already. She glanced over her shoulder as she walked to the reception desk, but mercifully there was no sign of Sebastian as yet. She would have to hurry. A man in uniform stood close by, but she banged her hand on the brass bell, nevertheless. She didn't have any time to waste. Sebastian would arrive at any moment.