She smiled. ‘Well, would Mr Tough like a cup of coffee?’
‘As I’m not driving, I’d rather finish the wine,’ he admitted ruefully, reaching for his glass. ‘Do you mind me staying?’
‘Of course not,’ she said blithely, wondering why her heart was thumping so hard. Jack had stayed in her cottage on numerous occasions. Why did this time feel different?
‘I’ll get you some stuff ready,’ she said formally, and he reached out and grabbed her arm.
‘Don’t bother. I don’t wear anything in bed anyway.’
Bryony swallowed hard, trying to dispel the mental image of Jack naked in her spare room.
For a woman who was not supposed to be thinking about Jack Rothwell, she was failing dismally.
‘Jack…’
‘What I really need is a hug.’ Without waiting for a response, he hauled her against him and she went into his arms, feeling the softness of his jumper covering the hard muscle of his chest and the strength of his arms as he held her. He gave a groan and tightened his hold, burying his face in her hair.
Bryony could hardly breathe. She felt the steady thud of his heart against her flushed cheek, felt her whole body tingle in response to the feel of his body against hers. He felt strong and safe and deliciously male.
They stood like that for a moment and she closed her eyes, wishing that it could last for ever. Wishing that it could lead to something more.
And then gradually his grip on her loosened and his hands slid slowly up her arms. His strong fingers curled into her shoulders and he looked down at her, his blue eyes suddenly intent on her face.
A warmth spread slowly through her pelvis and her whole body melted with longing.
She felt his fingers tighten, saw something flicker in his eyes and then his head lowered towards hers.
He was going to kiss her.
Finally, after so many years of dreaming about exactly that, Jack was going to kiss her.
Dizzy with excitement, Bryony stared up at him, breathless with anticipation.
And then suddenly his hands fell away from her shoulders and he stepped back, his handsome face blank of expression.
‘We should probably get some sleep, Blondie.’ His tone was light and he glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘It’s getting late.’
Bryony tried to smile but it was a poor effort. She felt swamped with a disappointment so powerful that it was almost a physical pain. She’d been so sure that he was going to kiss her.
But why would Jack kiss her?
She gritted her teeth, furious with herself. She was doing it again. Fantasising about Jack.
So much for her campaign to date other men. So far she’d been on one date that had been an utter disaster and she was still noticing Jack.
She had less than two months to find Lizzie a daddy, or at least someone who looked as though he had potential. It was time she made more effort.
She needed to kiss someone and see if that helped.
She needed to stop comparing everyone with Jack.
There must be another man who looked good in jeans. Ther
e must be another man who always knew exactly what to do when everyone around them was panicking. There must be another man who would make her knees wobble every time he walked into a room.
And she was going to find him.
CHAPTER FIVE