Absent in the Spring (The Shakespeare Sisters 3)

While Lachlan carried on his conversation with Grant, Lucy watched the world pass by, enjoying the view. She’d come here by subway – in spite of Lachlan’s disapproval – wanting to see if it was just like in the movies. But there was no way she wanted to carry this pretty dress into the depths of the tunnels.

‘Did I tell you how happy I am that you’re coming to the gala?’ he asked her, his conversation with Grant clearly over.

‘You did.’ She smiled at his excitement, remembering how he’d looked at her when she’d said yes. Like a child opening his Christmas presents.

‘It means a lot to me,’ he said softly. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. And what are your plans for the afternoon?’

‘I’ll be in meetings all afternoon,’ Lachlan said. ‘And then we have dinner with my German customers.’

‘We do?’

‘Yes, we do. I won’t make it home before then, but I’ll arrange for a car to pick you up at six thirty.’

‘I don’t need a car. I’ll get there myself, just text me the address.’

‘I’m not having you walk the streets in a sexy dress and heels.’

‘Who said I’m wearing a sexy dress and heels?’ She smiled, toying with him.

‘I did.’

‘I can’t wait to see your face when I turn up in jeans and a sweater.’ An ambulance weaved past, sirens blazing. ‘Sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.’

‘I said my face will look perfectly normal if you turn up in jeans and a sweater. You look beautiful in anything.’

She opened her mouth to reply, but the words remained stubbornly silent. Sometimes he could take her breath away with just a sentence.

‘That sounds like a good place to end the conversation,’ she said, grinning widely. ‘I don’t think you can top that.’

He laughed. ‘I can try. What are your plans for this afternoon? You want me to organise anything?’

She still wasn’t sure whether to feel annoyed or flattered at the way he always offered to do things for her. It was taking some getting used to.

‘I’m going to do some work,’ she said firmly. ‘If I want a job to go back to that is.’

‘Maybe you shouldn’t,’ he said, his voice light. ‘That way I can keep you here for ever.’

‘As tempting as that may sound, I’m not the type to be a kept woman.’ Though the thought of staying with him made her feel warm. She didn’t even want to think about how she’d feel getting on that plane on Sunday. Instead, she tucked it away deep inside her. Something to think about another day.

‘Well, don’t work too hard,’ he told her. ‘And if you get bored, call Grant, and he can arrange for a car to take you anywhere.’

‘I can take care of myself.’

‘I know you can, but I like to take care of you.’ His voice was as soft as velvet. She closed her eyes, remembering the previous night, how safe she’d felt in his arms. She could almost feel his hard biceps wrapped around her and his lips feathering the sensitive spot between her neck and her shoulder as she gently drifted to sleep.

God, I love you.

It took her a moment to realise she’d said the words out loud. They hung in the air like a stale odour. Lachlan cleared his throat, but said nothing.

Lucy waited a moment, unsure of what to do. Should she laugh, take it back? The cab pulled up at a stop light, the engine idling as the red light diffused over them, matching the blush on her cheeks.

She was such an idiot.

‘I’ve got to go to a meeting,’ Lachlan said, sounding awkward as hell. ‘Don’t forget the car at six thirty. I’ll see you at dinner.’

‘Okay,’ she replied, still kicking herself for saying those damn words out loud. ‘I’ll see you then.’