‘I’m sure of it.’ Leon stood up and moved forward to kiss her gently on the mouth. ‘And I’m sorry about the other women I’ve known, and God knows there’ve been enough of them.’ He pulled her close against him, smoothing her dark hair back from her face. ‘But I’m twelve years older than you, and you couldn’t expect me to have waited all this time for you.’ He gave a husky laugh. ‘I’d be as frustrated as hell by now!’
‘It wasn’t those women, it was—it was—’
‘The ones in America,’ he finished dully. ‘I can’t explain about them, except that I didn’t want you in my life, eating me up, tying me to you.’
‘And are you—tied to me, I mean?’
‘Do you doubt it?’
‘Oh, Leon,’ she tilted her head back, tears in her huge violet eyes, ‘I don’t like what you’re doing to me either.’
His gaze rested on her lips, almost like a caress. ‘What am I doing to you, darling?’ He kissed the tip of her nose.
‘You see!’ she quivered. ‘You’re—’
‘I’m getting to you,’ he said triumphantly. ‘I’m really getting to you, aren’t I?’
‘How can you doubt it?’ She forced her voice to sound light. ‘You are the celebrated actor that all women want to meet.’
Leon’s hands tightened painfully on her arms. ‘But that isn’t the way I’m getting to you, is it?’ he demanded harshly. ‘I would swear that none of that meant a thing to you.’
‘It doesn’t,’ Helen admitted with a sigh. ‘Except for the obvious reason, the reason I had to move in here instead of being able to meet you normally. Actually I would prefer it if you weren’t a famous actor. If the press ever find out about my being here—!’ she shuddered. ‘Oh, Leon!’ Her arms went about him and she rested her cheek on his chest. ‘Leon, you—you—’
‘Painful, isn’t it?’ he said softly.
‘What is?’
‘Living.’
Helen bit her lip. ‘Very.’
‘But it’s working, isn’t it?’
‘I—I think so.’
He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘I know it is. I’ve got to hold you more tonight than at any other time, and I know damn well you haven’t been reminded of West all the time.’
‘No. But will I—will I ever forget what he did to me? Do you think I will, Leon?’ She moved away from him. ‘I let you kiss me tonight—I liked you kissing me, and yet when it comes to anything more than that I—I can’t even think about it.’
His arms came around her from behind, his hands resting possessively on her hips to pull her back against him. ‘We have time, Helen. I’m just trying to rush you, and after saying I wouldn’t.’ He sighed into her hair. ‘It’s just that you’re so beautiful. Do you realise I can see your breasts from here?’ His voice was suddenly husky, his hands moving up from her hips to cup her breasts. His fingers moved to the button front of her waistcoat, slowly undoing the top button, and as she made no protest passing on to the next one. ‘I want to see your body, Helen. Will you just let me look at you?’ he groaned.
She gulped. ‘But—Max?’
’Already retired for the evening. He never intrudes.’ His hands still hesitated on the last two buttons.
‘Never?’ she echoed sharply.
‘Never.’ He nuzzled against her throat.
‘How many other women have you had here?’ she asked.
‘None living here.’
‘I didn’t necessarily mean living here.’
‘You don’t want to hear about them, Helen.’
‘But I do. I do!’