‘Definitely.’ He stood up. ‘I’ll walk you to the station.’
‘That’s not necessary.’
‘Nevertheless, I’m doing it.’ Taking her arm, he led her to the front door, and down to the street. At the station he kissed her gently. ‘Until tomorrow.’
Anastasia smiled up at him, all trace of her previous rush to get away gone. ‘I’m glad I’ve found you.’ Then she whirled around and headed down the stairs to her train.
Noah followed her every step until she’d disappeared from sight, his heart pounding as longing for a full and happy life gripped him. ‘I can’t wait to see you again.’ What was astonishing, he really meant it.
* * *
Friday morning in the staff cafeteria, Stacey fiddled with her mug of coffee, twisting it back and forth between shaky fingers. Those few snatched hours with Noah on Tuesday night had been wonderful and had proved she hadn’t been exaggerating her memories. He made her feel special and happy being with him. If only she could’ve stayed all night. Leaving had been hard, but essential. Not so much Toby grizzling by text she was late, but the fact she and Noah hadn’t talked about Holly, and hadn’t been likely to if she’d stayed, had brought on a bout of guilt and had had her heading home where she’d lain awake most of the night, reliving their love making.
‘Morning, Anastasia.’ The man of her dreams slid onto the chair opposite her. ‘How’re you today?’
Tired, worried and... ‘Happy to see you.’
His eyebrows rose, followed by a soft smile that did nothing to stop her wanting him. ‘You’re easily pleased.’
‘I am.’ That depended on the problem.
His brow knotted. ‘Why? Don’t you want a lot more in your life?’
Was he talking wealth? Of course he was used to it and probably had no idea how other people got by without bemoaning the world for their lot. So much for that smile turning her into jelly. He’d got serious very quickly. ‘Like what, Noah? My family adores me, I have the job I’ve always wanted. I’m not incarcerated in the house when I’m not working. My parents aren’t dragons and I can come and go as I please.’ With her finger, she drew a circle on the table. ‘What goes around comes around. Sure, one day I’d like a home of my own, and a man to share it with, but right now I have nothing to complain about.’
‘What about a new car or a holiday?’
She dug up a smile and went with honesty. There was no other way to deal with his doubts and if he couldn’t see the truth hitting him over the head then they weren’t as suited as she was starting to think. Maybe she’d been blindsided by wishful thinking. They were poles apart in just about every facet of life, except for dancing, kissing, making love—and a child. ‘I’d like those things, but I can live without them.’
‘Without regrets.’ He nodded.
‘Totally.’ Was he checking out her reaction to his house last night? She’d been so focused on Noah, she’d hardly taken any notice except it had felt large and spacious.
The girl from behind the counter appeared at their table with Noah’s breakfast. ‘Here you go.’ She smiled coyly.
‘Thank you,’ he acknowledged the girl with a pleasant smile, nothing like the stomach-twisting ones he gave Stacey. Turning his attention back to her, he said, ‘Your own house and man, huh?’ Then he smiled and she relaxed a little.
‘Naturally. And a family.’ The words slipped out before she knew she was going to say them. Testing the waters? Might as well go for broke. ‘Do you ever think about having children? I know you said your wife wanted to have two, but you sounded as though you weren’t interested.’
The smile slid off his face. ‘Isn’t this a bit soon to be talking about having children?’
‘Says the man who just questioned how comfortable I am in my less than well off life.’
Putting down his knife and fork, Noah reached for her hand. ‘I’m sorry. You’re right, I did speak out of turn. So, yes, one day I would love to have a family, but not when I’m told to, and how many and what to name them before they’re even conceived. Children should be a delight, not a duty.’
Stacey sat back, watching Noah as he returned to eating his bacon and eggs, her own scrambled eggs not looking so enticing any more. Which category did Holly fall into? Delight or duty? Only one way to find out and she wasn’t about to tell him when they had to get to work shortly. He’d need time for reality to sink in, and then she’d have to answer a load of questions. Clock-watching wouldn’t help. And since she couldn’t change that, she ignored the gremlins holding her tight and said, ‘What time shall I come into town tomorrow?’
‘How about I pick you up at home and we go somewhere out of the city?’
The egg slid off her fork.
You can’t come to the house with Holly there. Not until we’ve talked. Quick, think.
A phone rang quietly. Not hers. Saved.
Noah tugged his from his shirt pocket. ‘Guess that’s breakfast done.’ He held it to his ear. ‘Noah Kennedy.’
Despite her nerves, a thrill ran down her spine as she thought back to the day they’d first spoken on the phone. That deep voice had got her wondering if she knew the man on the other end and had made her skin tingle. Then she’d met the man behind the voice and everything had changed. Here was Noah, after all this time, and she had to pinch herself every day to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. He was as exciting and hot as she’d remembered. Tuesday night had only enhanced everything she adored about him, and while they had a lot to talk about there was no quietening the need for him that kept her filled with desire and hope.
‘An elderly man fell down the stairs at an underground station and needs surgery for a perforated lung. See you tomorrow. I’ll wait for you at the station near my house.’ He was stuffing the phone back in his pocket as he stood up, his mind obviously on the patient ahead, and not her and their date.
Without uttering a word, she’d got over that hurdle. ‘Can’t wait,’ she said honestly.
Noah came towards her. ‘Anastasia, you are special. Not everyone appreciates what they have as much as you do.’ With that he was striding away, leaving his half-eaten breakfast and her bewilderment behind.
So he hadn’t been totally diverted by that phone call. Did that mean he hadn’t realised she was avoiding him going to Harlow to pick her up? If so, she wouldn’t get away with it for long, but then she was going to reveal all in the morning anyway. Noah. The man who lifted her spirits just by being himself.
He probably didn’t realise she was keen on him, other than to make love to. Or he did and was taking h
is time revealing his own feelings. What did he feel about her? Lust? Or more? She was being impatient. She still wasn’t totally certain how deeply she felt for him. All she knew was that she wanted more of him, more with him, more, more, more. His kisses spoke of need and desire, but was there something behind those that spoke of emotions that encompassed her?
CHAPTER FIVE
ON SATURDAY NOAH waited impatiently for Anastasia to arrive, scanning every face coming up the stairs. In his hand was a large black umbrella as outside the entrance rain bucketed down, filling the drains to overflowing. So much for a drive and lunch out in the countryside.
Anastasia had said she’d text him when she got to the station, but hanging around waiting at home had been impossible. Now he paced up and down, dodging other people almost as impatient for the train as he was. Bet they didn’t have a gorgeous woman coming to see them, or dance music ready to play and mojito ingredients on the bench, or clean sheets on the bed. Did he have it bad, or what?
He wasn’t going to rush her to the bedroom; he was being prepared, that was all. No denying he’d wanted her since the moment she’d turned to look at him in the ward on Monday, and making love the other night hadn’t been nearly enough. Even better, Anastasia seemed to reciprocate his feelings. There were many doubts about their future, but he needed to see them through, to make sensible decisions, and to do that he had to get to know her better, and yet the moment he was with her he gave in to the clawing need only Anastasia brought on.
‘Hi.’ A soft hand slid into his, jerking him back to the present. Then those soft lips he dreamed about brushed his mouth.
Noah groaned and pulled Anastasia into him, returned her kiss with vigour. This was what he’d been waiting for. ‘Morning to you, too.’
Under his mouth, she laughed. ‘We’re crazy.’ Then she moved back and looked at him intently, the smile dimming, concern in her eyes. ‘I take it we’re going to your place now that the weather’s changed?’