Free Never Say Love by Sarah Ashley Page A

was delaying coming out. He couldn’t hear the shower run; she must have been just standing there.
    Unable to wait in the bathroom any longer, delaying the inevitable meeting, she opened the door, allowing him to pounce. “What the hell do you think you were doing last night? Have you no self respect?” His deep voice was firm.
    Shocked to hear him, she stood still, just looking at him, her large blue eyes startled at his announcement, filling with tears again.
    Ignoring him she walked quickly to his bedroom, scrambling her clothes together and dressed quickly, raking her fingers through her hair and making herself look as presentable as possible.
    Sitting back down on the sofa he waited for her to appear again.
    Emerging from his bedroom she spoke softly, “Benito.”
    Looking directly at her, drawn to the blue eyes, red from crying, her hair wrecked from sleep, the blush dress clung to her perfect figure.
    “Morning Lucy,” he looked away, speaking calmly now, “we need to talk,” he muttered, “about last night.”
    Walking over to the window she gazed out at the London skyline, “I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
    Benito sighed, his head buried in his hands. “I would never ever do that to any girl, you know the first time has to be special, perfect. Not after one date. You were wrong to expect me to,” he paused, “to do that to you. For heaven’s sake Lucy, do you really not respect yourself?” His tone became harsh again as he stood behind her, frowning. “Lucy, I can’t believe what you expected me to do.”
    He watched as she laid her palms on the glass, her head forward and her shoulders heaving gently as she sobbed quietly. He felt lost. Sure he’d dealt with tears before, with the emotional stuff that plagued girls. With his sister, that had been some emotional shit, but this was totally alien. Standing, he walked over to her. “Lucy, please don’t cry,” he stood behind her, not wanting to touch her, determined to keep his distance.
    Turning around she faced him, he was truly handsome. What a catch and she’d frightened him away, all because she’d saved herself for someone that she felt really drawn to. Now that person was here, the man she fancied the pants off, the one who saved her from those creeps last night, and he was ready to run away because she was still bloody innocent. Was this going to happen every time she met someone she really liked?
    “Dry your face tesoro. Do you want something to eat?” He mumbled as he backed away, heading for the kitchen.
    “I’m not hungry. Can you take me home, please?”
    “Sure.” He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
     
    Leaving the apartment and taking the lift downstairs, they were soon in the Range Rover and heading towards Lucy’s flat.
    “I’m sorry,” she muttered again, “I do like you. I hope this hasn’t affected any relationship we can have, really.”
    He didn’t answer, choosing to feign concentration on the road ahead.
    “Benito, please talk to me, please.” Feeling tears prick her eyes again she turned away, breathing deeply, trying her hardest to fight back the tears, “talk to me, please !”
    Refusing to engage in any discussion, he continued his journey to her flat. Only when he pulled up outside did he speak.
    “You shouldn’t have done it!” He snapped at her, “You should have told me, not led me on like that.” Looking at her firmly, he gave her a dressing down. “It was wrong Lucy, totally wrong!”
    Fighting the tears back she looked at him through her tear filled eyes.
    “But,” she sobbed.
    Finishing off her sentence for her, “But I would like to see you again.” He smiled softly, “but honesty, going forward, I must have total honesty.”
    Nodding, she wiped her face with the back of her hand, “I promise.”
    “And do you promise not to go and work for that letch on Monday morning and to come and work with me as my P.A?”
    Searching for a tissue in her handbag, she