Free Risk of a Lifetime (Mills & Boon Medical) by Caroline Anderson Page B

the word, but there you go. But it had been nice in many ways. Very nice. Nice to have time to herself, nice to be the focus of someone’s undivided attention, nice to be so thoroughly and spectacularly loved.
    Except it wasn’t love, and she didn’t want it to be. And neither did he.
    But it had certainly been spectacular.
    Win-win.
    ‘I think I’ll just get a glass of water and go to bed, then, if you’re not staying up,’ she said, glad she didn’t have to stay and chat while her mother grilled her. ‘Thanks for looking after the girls. I take it they didn’t wake up?’
    ‘No, they’re fast asleep, I haven’t had a peep out of them.’
    ‘Bless you. I’ll go and tuck them up. ’Night, Mum.’ She dropped a kiss on her mother’s cheek, checked the girls and went into the bathroom. She caught a glimpse of her naked body in the mirror, and her eyes widened.
    Whisker-burn, over her nipples, around her collar bone, a touch of it across her lip.
    She touched it, remembering the feel of his mouth, the slight rasp of stubble on her body. So, so sexy. And he hadn’t recoiled in horror when he’d seen her. Far from it. He’d even come back for more...
    Smiling to herself, she cleaned her teeth, took off her make-up and went to bed.
    * * *
    He strolled slowly home, the smile that wouldn’t seem to fade teasing the corners of his mouth.
    For some crazy reason, probably because it had been a while, he’d been really wound up before she’d arrived, but her own nerves had calmed him and once he’d kissed her, any hesitation had gone. Well and truly.
    He blew his breath out slowly through his mouth. She’d been so responsive, so warm, so ready, so generous. She’d held nothing back, and neither had he, and it had been amazing.
    As far as he was concerned, the evening had been a definite success. He was pretty sure she agreed, but time would tell. He’d see her at work in the morning. Sheesh. That would be a challenge. It had been difficult enough before.
    He shut the gate behind him and locked it, then walked across the garden. There was a crunch, and he looked down and saw the breadstick on the paving. She’d dropped it when he’d pulled her to her feet, right before he’d kissed her. He closed his eyes briefly as the memory crashed over him, leaving fire in its wake.
    He wanted her again. Now. This minute.
    But he couldn’t have her. There was a time and a place, and this wasn’t it.
    He sent her a text.
Great evening. Thank you. See you tomorrow.
    His phone pinged, and he pulled up the reply.
The pleasure was all mine ;-) A x
    He smiled, keyed in his reply and hit Send.
    Two streets away, Annie opened his reply.
I think not. We should check it out again some time soon.
    She grinned. It couldn’t be soon enough.
Whenever you’re ready.
    She typed with her lip caught between her teeth, excitement and anticipation fizzing in her veins.
    She hit Send, put the phone down on her bedside table, snuggled down under the quilt and lay there hugging her feelings to her chest. He’d been—amazing, really. Warm, funny, sexy—oh, yes, so-o-o sexy—and after the initial few moments he’d seemed more relaxed than she’d ever seen him.
    She thought about his grandfather, and ached for him. He was gutted. It was obvious how much he loved the old man, obvious how much they were all hurting. No wonder he’d needed this so much, a time out from the inescapable reality of life and death.
    Old age could bring many joys and pleasures, but it could also bring great sadness. She knew this. She’d lost her father before she was old enough to understand, but she’d watched her grandmother and mother cope with the loss of her own grandfather only a few years ago, and she knew first-hand the impact such a loss had on a family.
    Well, that was fine. He could chill out with her, take time out from the hellish emotional roller coaster they were riding, and she could have some simple, uncomplicated fun, something that had been