London Falling (Falling #2)(24)

“It’s so easy being like this with you,” he said around a bite of bacon.

“Don’t get used to it. I have to go back to my client today for another three weeks.”

His eyes narrowed. “Will you sleep with him?”

And there it was. Strings. Our very no strings attached relationship now felt like a cross stitch with tons of yarn ready to be woven into something crafty. Only I wasn’t crafty and strings of any kind were cut the moment they were visible.

“Collier, I’m not prepared to answer that right now. Maybe not ever.”

His lips tightened. “I see.” He stood and cleared our plates. Tension clouded his brow and our easy morning. The tight line of his shoulders made me want to rush over and massage the knots away and go back to our happy, easy-going vibe.

Only, it wasn’t so simple. It never was.

While he cleaned, I grabbed my dress and shoes and ran into the room to change. I had myself almost completely back in order when I felt his presence. He was leaning against the doorjamb. “So, that’s it? An incredible night, a handful of orgasms and you’re off to your next guy?”

Embarrassment burned low in my gut and probably reddened my face. I felt as though he emotionally punched me in the gut. “I didn’t say that.”

“Then what do you say? Will I see you again?” His voice was low and filled with emotion.

“I don’t know. Do you want to?”

“Of course I do. Last night…shite, London. Last night was different. I know you felt it, too.”

I stared at his brown eyes for what seemed like forever. “It was different.”

“Okay then.” His voice was calm, more soothing. “Then we start there. Do you want to see me again?” That was the question.

He wasn’t a client so I didn’t have to spend any more time with him if I didn’t want to. But damn it all to hell, I wanted to. So much. “Yes,” I whispered.

“What was that?”

With more confidence, I said the words I knew he wanted to hear. “Yes. I want to see you again.”

His chest broadened, seemed to puff out and expand. “When?”

“I don’t know when. Call me.” I answered quickly, needing to put space between us. I slipped around him and headed for the door.

“No.”

I swung around with my hand on the doorknob. “No?” I said confused, hurt creeping into my bones chilling my spine.

“No.” He put a thumb to his chest. “You call or reach out to me. If you truly want to be with me, you need to take that leap.”

No man had ever given me an ultimatum. I didn’t handle it well. I looked into his beautiful brown eyes thinking that maybe this was the last time I’d gaze into them. Instead of speaking, I nodded and left, closing the door firmly behind me as I went.





Chapter - 6





It’s official. A woman has made me crazy. Certifiable, shoulder biting, crawling out of my skin nutso. I can’t get the bloody bird out of my mind. Over and over I replayed our evening of pure bliss and then spent the last hour trying to figure out how the morning went to hell.

We spent hours glorying in one another’s bodies. I feasted on her beautiful curves to the point where time ceased to exist within our bubble of pleasure. Everything seemed to go smashingly. We made love long into the night, until we couldn’t move and completely passed out, our bodies still wrapped tightly around each other.

This morning, everything changed. She turned cold, distant. It was as if something wiggled its way into her mind and turned our night of passion into something unsavory. I couldn’t fathom how it occurred. The only thing I was certain of was that this was not the end. No. London Kelley was not waltzing out of my life so easily. There was something between us. It wasn’t easily definable but I knew she felt it, too.

I picked up the phone and called Nathaniel. It rang a few times before he answered.

“You better be dying to call this early, mate.” Nathaniel’s voice was groggy and rough.

I glanced at the clock. The dial read six a.m. “It’s not that early. Whatever happened to the early bird caught the worm?”

“That was me, last night. Only the worm was in the bottom of the tequila bottle.” He groaned. “Was out celebrating with a couple blokes. Remember I mentioned Hank Jensen?”

“Yeah, that’s the guy you said is dating our client.”

“That client is the sister of your London.”

“Is that so?” I briefly recall him mentioning the relationship. I think I was more focused on getting the delectable Ms. Kelley’s information. “What were you celebrating?” I pulled out a suit and threw it on the bed. Another day, another quid.

“Turns out the sod is going to have a baby and is shacking up for the long haul with Aspen.”

“You don’t say? Did the bouncing bundle of joy bring on the engagement?” I asked with a chuckle. I know if Claire and I’d had children together, I’d have never let her go. No children of mine would be raised in two homes.

“Nah, he’s been smitten with her since the start. Either way, I’ve been invited and you’re coming as my date to the wedding. It’s in Texas in five weeks.”

“Texas?” I groaned. “You go. I’ll hold down the fort.”