Suspicion glinted in her narrowed eyes. ‘Why would you do that?’
‘Because I don’t like the man I become when I dwell on the past.’
The words surprised him. He’d only just acknowledged that their shared past had changed him. And realised he wanted to move in a more positive direction. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out. But it seemed to have been the right thing to say because she nodded and her high shoulders sank a fraction.
‘I don’t like the woman I was in the past either.’
Angelo scoured her features, wondering how much he could trust her words. Were they designed to lure him into trusting her?
It would drive him insane if he second-guessed her every move. He had to stop that. What could she do to him anyway? Forewarned was forearmed so there was no possibility she’d dupe him again.
‘Then how about we focus on the present?’
Still she hesitated. ‘And if my memory doesn’t return?’
‘We’ll take the doctor’s advice. In a week or so, if there’s no change, no doubt he’ll organise more tests.’
Angelo watched Ally consider that. Strange that, when she finally nodded assent, he felt relief.
‘You’ve got a deal.’ She stepped forward, extending her hand, something Angelo didn’t remember from the past. She’d preferred kisses on the cheek.
‘Deal.’ His hand met hers and he was surprised by her firm, businesslike handshake.
Ally shook his hand, feeling for a change as if she weren’t totally powerless. ‘Excellent. I’ll do my best not to get under your feet.’
The words were calm but clipped and she felt proud of herself, given the way her emotions had wobbled all over the place.
She slipped her hand from his. Maybe her job made her a confident speaker, or at least able to appear confident. Was she a teacher? Lawyer? Journalist? Certainly she’d felt at home shaking hands, even if the tingle along her palm and fingers proved this man still had the power to rouse her.
But there’d be no more kisses. No more getting carried away. No matter how much she craved the mindless physical pleasure of it. Craved this man.
It was as if she had a long-standing addiction to him that even time, disgrace, shame and willpower couldn’t conquer.
Ice trickled down her backbone as she remembered what he’d told her. That she’d trapped him for his money. It must be true. His housekeeper would back him up on that, yet Ally couldn’t get her head around the idea.
Far better to do what he suggested and concentrate on the present.
‘One thing before we move on.’
Angelo’s deep voice burred through her, making her wonder what it would be like if he didn’t want to move on. If instead he wanted to devote his attention to a woman, not because he distrusted her but because he desired her.
Ally’s pulse raced, that flicker of heat stirring again, despite her attempts to stop it.
‘Yes?’
The single syllable was husky as her throat constricted. She hated that she was drawn to him sexually. It felt like a betrayal by her body yet she didn’t know how to stop it.
‘I’m sorry for distressing you when I told you about the past. I could have found a better way to tell you.’
Ally stared up into unfathomable dark eyes. No, not quite unfathomable. In the past she’d read anger and distaste there. Then passion. Now she saw regret.
It made him look human. Appealing. Too attractive.
That was all she needed...
‘Reliving our past brought a lot of long-buried feelings to the surface. It won’t happen again.’
‘Thank you, Angelo.’ The apology felt significant. An acknowledgement that she wasn’t the only one who’d behaved badly.