When this is so sensational between us, why not let it runs its course?’
Oh. Oh. Oh.
She had to be dreaming. It was so tempting and she longed to say yes. It was only an affair. It wasn’t as though she’d be basing a relationship with a future on a web of lies. Judging by Connor’s average track record, it would still all be over in a couple of weeks.
That could be another ten or so more nights of ecstasy.
More out-of-this-world lovemaking with the man who’d been her fantasy crush since the first time she’d set eyes on him and who’d risen to hero status as she’d learned more about him in her years at Stewart Corporation.
All her life she’d lived in fear but in Venice with Connor she’d managed to forget the danger. She’d seized the day and she’d lived. And while she’d been angry at herself for forgetting the reality of her life, seeing Sully and having the uncertainty of her life thrust back firmly in her face only made her want to grasp tighter at the happiness Connor offered. She wanted to enjoy it while she could.
She took a long sip of her wine for fortification then set the glass back on the table.
‘Yes.’
‘Yes?’
‘Yes, I agree to letting this run its course. I know it’s only temporary and I know it’s about sex not emotion but, for as long as this lasts, let’s enjoy it.’
Connor’s lips compressed and he frowned. ‘I know you don’t have the experience to realise it, but this is not only about the sex, Mia.’
‘It’s not?’
‘Not for me, it isn’t.’ He shook his head. ‘I enjoy your company. The sex is… It’s beyond wonderful. But it’s as good as it is because there’s a connection between us that’s more tangible than any I’ve experienced.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘We don’t just make love. We talk. We laugh.’
‘Isn’t that normal?’
‘Not in my experience.’
She couldn’t imagine sharing her body and all the intimacy she’d known with Connor without the companionship as well. She was pleased to hear him say their connection was stronger than he was used to, but it also set alarm bells off in her head.
Surely Connor wasn’t telling her there was the possibility of a future between them beyond a couple of weeks?
She disengaged her hand from his and looked away from him as she tried to untangle her emotions. Any normal woman would be thrilled at the prospect of having a future with Connor. But Mia was not a normal woman. She couldn’t afford to be.
She was a fake.
A phoney.
A woman with a made-up past, a fake identity and a woman who could endanger anyone she became close to.
‘Connor, if we continued to be lovers when we returned to London, I’d want it to be kept under wraps. I don’t want to be in the papers as your latest lover and I certainly don’t want anyone at the office to know.’
The muscles in his cheeks clenched before he demanded, ‘What am I supposed to do when I have to attend a high-profile charity event—leave you at home?’
‘Signorina and Signore. Your entrées.’
The waiter had barely set down the plates, wished them Bon appétit and walked away when Mia asked, ‘Do you have one to attend in the next week or two?’
‘I don’t know, Mia. My assistant takes care of my calendar.’ He looked away from her and she sensed his discontent as he picked up his fork and jabbed at his linguini. ‘And I wish you’d get this week or two deadline out of your head.’
‘There hardly seems any point in talking hypothetically but, if you need to attend some high-profile event, would it kill you to go alone?’ She raised her hand and ran her fingers through her hair as she tried to gather her thoughts. ‘While we’re together, I don’t want you to be with anyone else.’
Was that too bold?
Too demanding?
‘Two-timing has never been my style.’ He sent her a narrow-eyed look while she let out a pent-up breath. ‘You’re right. Let’s take this day by day.’
Mia was unsettled.
Concerned.
She began on her meal as she tried to untangle her feelings.
It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him that she wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship, but this was the man who’d sworn off serious relationships—the last person she needed to caution against forming plans for the future.
Their conversation became stilted.
Mia chewed her food without tasting it and wished she could do something to make things easier again between