‘I understand that, but I wanted to apologise.’
‘Apologise?’ She frowned at him. ‘Why?’
‘Because I shouldn’t have backed you into a corner.’
‘You didn’t—’
‘Let me finish. I wasn’t fair on you. I just wanted you to understand why.’
‘Why what?’
‘Why there could never be an us.’
She started to shake her head.
‘I didn’t do a good job of it,’ he continued. ‘Of any of it. I didn’t want to push you away, but I felt I had to, for your own good, not for mine. Do you understand?’
Understand? Her eyes flared and her body stilled. Of all the patronising, chauvinistic, belittling... She dragged in a breath.
‘I understand perfectly.’ Her eyes darted between the empty outer hallway and the bustling room ahead, wanting no one to hear what came next as she poked him in the chest. ‘You used my V plates as reason to reject me. You think I’m not woman enough to take what you’re willing to offer and walk away in one piece. Well, I’ll have you know, Mr Up-Your-Own-Behind McGregor, I am a woman who knows her own mind, and when I say I want you I mean it.’
His eyes widened with every word, his mouth parting. She’d shocked him. Good.
But now she couldn’t tear her eyes from those lips, those tantalisingly full and extremely kissable lips, because now she knew how they felt and could remember every last detail.
Her belly fluttered alive, her limbs filling with such lustful warmth she was scared her knees would buckle.
‘Just because you’ve lived that little bit more than me, Jack, it doesn’t mean you get to tell me what I should and shouldn’t want.’
‘Sophia, do you have any idea of the effect you have over me?’ He raked an unsteady hand through his hair, turned away from her and came back, then reached for her and stopped. ‘I want to kiss you so badly right now, and I don’t care who sees!’
It wasn’t what she’d expected. It wasn’t anything close, and before she could really think about it she was reaching out for his jumper and grabbing a fistful as she pulled him into the outer hallway. Noah’s present was crushed between them as she pressed her lips to his. Hungrily, she moved over him, her mouth driving it, her tongue. There was nothing soft or sweet about her now. She wanted him to know she was all woman and she knew her own mind and would take what she wanted.
As soon as his hands lifted to her hair, his lips softening beneath her own, she pulled back and stared him down. ‘Just because this is new to me, Jack, it doesn’t mean I’m not a quick learner and it doesn’t make me weak.’
And then she left him, his clothing still ruffled, his hair too as he sucked in air and she walked into the flat to join the lively party ahead. She took a moment to pat down her appearance, to wipe her lips and catch her breath. Samantha would likely think she’d applied an extra layer of blusher, not kissed the face off Lily’s egotistical and far too appealing father.
As for the apology she owed him, that would have to wait until later. If he dared to be alone with her again.
What had she done?
‘Sphea! At last!’ Lily ran up to her, her face aglow, her happiness adding to the endorphin rush already in her system and she grinned wide.
‘Hey, kiddo, you having a good time?’
‘The best.’ She nodded fiercely, her arms wrapped around her legs.
‘I’m glad.’
‘Yes, where’ve you been, Auntie Sophia?’ Sam’s tone was loaded. ‘It’s lucky Jack hung around else it would be utter carnage—I’m talking swinging from the chandelier stuff.’
Sophia laughed. ‘You don’t even have a chandelier.’
‘Yes, well, at least you’re here now. Drink?’
‘Please.’
Samantha disappeared off to get her one and she sought out the birthday boy amongst the kids huddled into the living area. ‘Hey, Noah, I’ve got something for you here.’