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When she laid her back down against my chest, it was the most natural thing in the world. She fit like she was supposed to be there. Her arse scooted against my groin, and I started doing math equations and operational tactical plans in my head. Anything to keep from thinking about how soft she was, or the way she fit against me, or, if I was a full wanker, all the ways that I could take advantage.
I grabbed the detangling brush and used my fingers to separate her hair out into at least four chunks.
"Okay, this is the part where I need some help. Because using my fingers is one thing, but this brush looks complex."
She smiled ruefully at my comment. "It's fine. Just start at the ends in small sections then work your way up."
I took one section, and she shook her head. "You'll need a smaller section than that. My hair is pretty thick."
I took a smaller section and started working my way up. Once I got the hang of it, everything was easier. "Hey, I'm doing pretty good."
"You know, I don't get you," she said out of the blue.
"What do you mean?"
"You're some kind of international super spy, James Bond. Don't you have like, people for this or something? A female agent you can toss at me to help me with this stuff?"
"Well, that's not really how it works. If we were active in the field, you would be my asset. Mine to work with. I was burned so I don't have any support right now." All alone. Just like always. The only person on the planet who would care if I wasn’t on it anymore was Reginald. That shit was sobering.
In slow motion, I worked with her hair, lulling us both into a relaxed conversation. "I keep thinking back to what you said. Why me?” she asked. “All senior staff at Baines have access to the clients."
I needed a moment to mentally adjust my plan. Figure out another angle. “Leave it. We’ll attack again in the morning.” I did want to keep her talking though. The rasp in her voice was soothing. “You’ve mentioned your sister. Are you close to your family?” I knew the answer, but I wanted her to be the one to tell me.
"Not really. Never met my dad. Mum insists that he ran out on me when I was just a baby. I tried finding him, but didn’t have any luck. All I knew was he was some kind of scientist. Anyway, once she said that, I used to think I would maybe study science one day.”
She was quiet for a long moment, but I wanted her to keep talking. If anything, it would distract from the detangling process which probably wasn’t fun. "I heard you talking to your friend at the bar about your sister and the wedding. I take it you don't want your mum there?"
She went stiff in my arms.
But I silently waited for her to continue. Silently demanding an answer for a while.
When she realized I was just going to wait for her to continue, she took a deep breath and relaxed by degrees. "To say we don't get on is an understatement. So yes, her being at the wedding is a problem for me."
"Well, it's your sister's wedding, right?"
"Yes, which is why I am not saying anything to her. Willow didn't grow up with her really, so she doesn't know what she's like and wants a relationship with her. Which I could warn her about, but I don't want it to be like I'm keeping Willow from her mother. I would hate that."
"Your sister sounds deliberately clueless."
She turned slightly to peer back at me. "It probably does to you. Do you have any family?"
I nodded. "I've got Reginald."
"Did he adopt you or something?"
I didn’t usually talk about my family. I’d never told anyone about my past. No one ever got close enough. But it felt good to talk to her.
"No, my dad was killed in action. And mum, she couldn't take it, you know? She was really depressed for two years, and then she passed away from cancer. My uncle took me in when I was eight, but then he also died in action when I was eleven. Reginald was his best mate. He and his wife, Jasmine, gave me a home. So basically, Reginald is the closest thing to a parent I have."
In the silence of the bath, I waited for her to speak.
25
Daphne
I could tell he was unaccustomed to sharing. I didn’t want him to stop. “I think you were very lucky to have a Reginald.”
He cleared his throat as he continued to massage. "Anyway, Reggie looked out for me. And his wife, she was the best."
