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Leandro’s jaw clenched. ‘Is that your way of telling me you feel neglected?’

‘No, that’s my way of telling you that Franco is a nice man and I can look after myself.’

‘Did it not occur to you to consult me before you agreed to this?’

‘Actually, I told Tomaz to consult you because I knew it would make his day really horrible.’

The dog, who had been fast asleep, suddenly woke, registered that one of her favourite people was there and, whining, jumped up and threw herself adoringly at Leandro’s feet.

‘What are you doing with this animal? Where is my mother?’ he asked as though he’d just noticed she wasn’t there.

‘It’s Sabina’s birthday, they are having a spa day… I’m dog-sitting.’

Leandro gave in and stroked the dog’s belly, much to the adoring animal’s delight. ‘Have you any idea what this meet-and-greet will be like?’

‘Much worse than I imagine?’ she hazarded.

‘You expect me to be there?’ He heard the resentment in his voice and winced. Of course she wanted him there. She was alone, isolated from everyone she knew—he felt he deserved the stab of guilt.

‘You could always send poor Franco. I just hope you remember occasionally that the man has his own family and his wife has worse morning sickness this time around.’

The fact that he had actually forgotten his friend’s wife was expecting another baby made him pause. ‘You think I am such a bad friend?’

‘I think you are a very good friend.’ Just not mine, she thought, nursing the pain the acknowledgement brought with it. It was hard to imagine she had ever thought that him being her lover would be the simpler pain-free solution… Had it always been a lie? Had she always wanted more?

‘Franco is my oldest friend.’

‘Well, it’s really good of you to share him with me.’ Anger pumped through her as her temper spiked.

‘Are we going to snipe? Want to punch me?’ He grasped her clenched fist. ‘Or do you want to have sex?’

She sucked in a breath and looked at his mouth. If this was the only way she could get close to him then she’d take it.

Did that make her weak?

Did she care?

‘Sex.’

Half an hour later, she was stretched out on the bed, naked, her hands pinned above her head, screaming his name.

‘That was…’ She had no words to describe the primal coupling.

‘Did I hurt you?’ He looked shaken.

‘No, Leandro. Just hold me for a bit?’

She felt warm in his arms, her curves fitted against him perfectly. Sex had been part of his plan, but this was something else. This post-coital intimacy was not something he had previously experienced. He’d been going off-piste plan-wise a lot of late, like losing sleep thinking about a woman—that had never happened before.

At some point he had forgotten he had a plan; he’d taken a massive detour. He’d convinced himself that keeping his distance was the right thing to do; he was protecting her from having feelings for him. Was that even true? Was he actually protecting himself? He pushed away the thought as his phone rang and he swore. ‘Sorry.’

She watched him stand, shading her eyes as he retrieved his phone from the pocket of his discarded trousers, glanced at the caller ID and punched in buttons.

‘I do have to go.’

Her face froze. Of course he did.

‘Fine,’ she began dully, then broke off as something snapped inside her. ‘No, you don’t have to go!’ she yelled, leaving a furious gap between each word.