Страница 42

'We'll have a good time again.' Gently he lifts my chin until I'm looking straight at him, 'I

promise, Emma.'

He leans forward and this time there's no hesitation. His mouth lands on mine, sweet and firm.

He's kissing me. Jack Harper is kissing me on a park bench.

His mouth is opening mine, his stubble is rough against my face. His arm creeps around me

and pulls me towards him, and my breath catches in my throat. I find myself reaching under

his jacket, feeling the ridges of muscle beneath his shirt, wanting to rip it off. Oh God, I want

this. I want more.

Suddenly he pulls away, and I feel as if I've been wrenched out of a dream.

'Emma, I have to go.'

My mouth is prickly wet. I can still feel his skin on mine. My entire body is throbbing. This

can't be the end. It can't.

'Don't go,' I hear myself saying thickly. 'Half an hour.'

What am I suggesting? That we do it under a bush?

Frankly, yes. Anywhere would do. I have never in my life been so desperate for a man.

'I don't want to go.' His dark eyes are almost opaque. 'But I have to.' He takes my hand, and I

cling onto his, trying to prolong contact for as long as possible.

'So… I'll… I'll see you.' I can barely talk properly.

'I can't wait.'

'Neither can I.'

'Jack.' We both look up to see Sven at the gate.

'OK,' calls Jack. We stand up and I discreetly look away from Jack's slightly strange posture.

I could ride along in the car and-

No. No. Rewind. I did not think that.

When we reach the road, I see two silver cars waiting by the pavement. Sven is standing by

one, and the other is obviously for me. Bloody hell. I feel like I've suddenly become part of

the royal family or something.

As the driver opens the door for me, Jack touches my hand briefly. I want to grab him for a

final snog, but somehow I manage to control myself.

'Bye,' he murmurs.

'Bye,' I murmur back.

Then I get into the car, the door closes with an expensive clunk, and we purr away.

SIXTEEN

We'll take it from there. That could mean…

Or it could mean…

Oh God. Every time I think about it, my stomach gives an excited little fizz. I can't

concentrate at work. I can't think about anything else.

The Corporate Family Day is a company event, I keep reminding myself. Not a date. It'll be a

strictly work occasion, and there probably won't be any opportunity at all for Jack and me to

do more than say hello in a formal, boss-employee ma

more.

But… you never know what might happen next.

We'll take it from there.

Oh God. Oh God.

On Saturday morning I get up extra early, exfoliate all over, Immac under my arms, rub in my

most expensive body cream and paint my toenails.

Just because it's always a good thing to be well groomed. No other reason.

I choose my Gossard lacy bra and matching knickers, and my most flattering bias cut summer

dress.

Then, with a slight blush, I pop some condoms into my bag. Simply because it's always good

to be prepared. This is a lesson I learned when I was eleven years old at Brownies, and it's

always stayed with me. OK, maybe Brown Owl was talking about spare hankies and sewing

kits rather than condoms, but the principle is the same, surely?

I look in the mirror, give my lips a final coat of gloss and spray Allure all over me. OK.

Ready for sex.

I mean, for Jack.