Her pulse fluttered.
She knew enough about his private life to know that it wasn’t private at all, and that as soon she stepped out in public with him there would be a feeding frenzy—and that wasn’t what she wanted at all.
Or was it?
Suddenly she was fighting her own heartbeat. Definitely she didn’t want the feeding frenzy part, but she would be lying if she said that she didn’t want the chance to walk into a room on his arm. And not just because he was so heart-stoppingly handsome and sexy.
She liked him.
A lot.
And the more she got to know him the more she liked him.
Looking up, she met his gaze, and nodded slowly. ‘Yes, I’m really excited.’
Pandora clapped her hands together. ‘Wonderful,’ she purred. ‘In that case I must give you the number of my stylist...’
* * *
After lunch, they returned to Stanmore.
Ram worked while Nola sat watching the boats in the harbour. After a light supper he excused himself, claiming work again, and she went upstairs to shower and get ready for bed.
Standing beneath the warm water, she closed her eyes and let her mind drift.
The drive home had been quiet—supper too. But then both of them had a lot to think about. Introducing her to his parents had probably been about as a big deal for Ram as meeting them had been for her.
Turning off the shower, she wrapped a towel around herself. And then, of course, there was the party. Her heart began to thump loudly inside her chest. Was that why he’d been so quiet? Was he regretting letting himself be chivvied into taking her as his guest?
But as she walked back into the bedroom that question went unanswered, for there, sitting on her bed, was Ram.
She stopped, eyes widening with surprise. ‘I thought you were going to do some work?’
Glancing past her, he shrugged. ‘I was worried about you. You seemed...’ He hesitated, frowning. ‘Distracted.’
There was an edge to his voice that she couldn’t quite pinpoint.
‘I’m just tired.’
His eyes on hers were dark and filled with intent. ‘That’s all? Just tired?’
For a moment she considered leaving it there. It had been a long day, but for the first time they seemed to be edging towards a calm she was reluctant to disturb. Although if she didn’t tell him what she was really thinking, what would that achieve? Okay, it might just be one night in their lives, but if it was bothering her...bothering him...
She took a deep breath. ‘I just want you to know that you don’t have to take me to the party,’ she said quickly.
His eyes narrowed. ‘I know I don’t. But I want to.’ He studied her face. ‘Is that really what this is about? What I want. Or is it about what you want?’
Nola looked at him uncertainly. ‘What do you mean?’
He cleared his throat. ‘Are you saying you don’t want to go with me?’
She shook her head. ‘No, but you only—I mean, your mother—’
He interrupted her, his voice suddenly blazing with an emotion she didn’t recognise.
‘Let me get one thing clear, Nola. I want you to be there with me. And my mother has got nothing to do with that decision.’
She nodded—for what else could she do? She could hardly demand proof. And she wanted to believe him. Of course she did. Besides, if they were going to work even at the simplest level, wasn’t it time to move on? To put all the doubt and suspicion and drama behind them and start to trust one another?