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‘You’re a waitress.’
She glares at me but I’m unapologetic. ‘No doubt you’ll think it arrogant if I suggest that your being linked with me would only enhance your earning potential,’ I add.
‘You don’t know anything about me.’
Not entirely true. I know some things. Quite a lot. I know the sound she makes when she’s so hot she can’t stand it any more. I know her scent. I know how tightly her hand can squeeze mine. I know her taste. But I don’t trust her. I don’t trust anyone.
‘Right, and you know little about me—’
‘I know plenty. I looked up who you were.’
I see condemnation in her eyes and my skin prickles. Has she seen the past—some of those stories about my parents? Is this why she’s kept Lukas secret, because she’s afraid I’ll be as awful as my own parents were? ‘And whatever you discovered put you off trying harder to contact me?’
‘You don’t want to settle down. You’re used to getting what you want. Who you want. When you want.’
‘And these are such insufferable qualities you think I shouldn’t have any part in my son’s life?’
She whitens.
But I’m angry with her judgement. Only at the same time she’s right. I’m used to people doing what I ask them to. I’m used to being in charge of pretty much everything. Yet Talia Parrish only has to enter my mind and I lose control of my own damned body. I’m hard for her. I’m always hard for her. Only hard for her. And I hate it.
Stupid, stupid chemistry.
Once was not enough. That’s all.
Memories flood my mind. That night was a set of circumstances where adrenalin was pumping and the satisfaction—a life-threatening moment made earthly pleasure extreme. I had to hurriedly get rid of that condom. There was no time to check it properly but I’ve often remembered her tension when I first entered her. Crazy as it is, I suspect she was a virgin. But surely not.
She lifts her chin. ‘I don’t want him confused by all the women in your life.’
I narrow my gaze. ‘Neither of us will parade lovers in front of him. I don’t want him to have a revolving door of people he thought might care about him only to be disappointed.’
Her eyes widen. ‘I agree.’
‘Fancy that,’ I say coolly. ‘We might agree on more once we really get going.’ I drag in a breath. ‘I can adjust accordingly, Talia. I hope you’re able to do the same.’ Her assumptions about my character annoy the hell out of me. ‘Why did you stop trying to reach me?’
She stands stiffly. ‘It was clear you weren’t interested.’
‘I didn’t know.’ I bite the words.
She could have tried again. Tried harder. I’m furious with myself for ignoring that nagging feeling about her for so long.
‘I want you to come to Australia with me.’ I blurt, losing the ability for fine negotiations.
I need privacy and time to get my head around this and there’s only one place I know where I’m sure I can get it. My place is a fortress.
‘No.’ Shock whitens her face. ‘Not possible.’
I just stare at her.
‘I don’t have a passport. Nor does Lukas.’ She squares her shoulders. ‘That’s why I couldn’t travel to try to see you when I realised I was pregnant.’
She’s determined to throw roadblocks up. She didn’t have the money either. That’s evident. Defensive as hell and I’m not coping with it as well as I should.
‘We’ll get them expedited.’
‘That’ll make them more expensive.’
‘Hardly a problem for me.’
