His Irresistible Darling - Sarah Randall Page 0,118
sad memories. “Of course, there was that time I locked her in a wardrobe and then forgot about her and went out with a girl.” He winced and took a swig of his drink. “Better not mention that to her though, she’s still a bit sensitive about it.”
“Our secret. So that’s two secrets so far… anything else you want to confess?” She quickly added, “From one insomniac to another.”
He shook his head. “I don’t have a problem sleeping.”
“Ha.” The short sound burst from her throat. “Now, I already told you about my Mensa membership so don’t treat me like an idiot. If you don’t want to talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you and keeping you awake at night that’s fine,” she paused to take a sip of her drink before she shook her head, “but don’t lie.”
“I don’t know you,” he stated as a matter of fact.
She thinned her lips before saying, “Precisely. I’ll be gone and out of your life in a couple of days so you have no need to worry that I’ll make some judgment about you.” She quickly tilted her head to one side. “Well,” she continued, “none that you’ll be bothered by. I’m like the best free therapy you could get.”
He dropped his eyes away from her again. Her suspicions that there was something else going on with this man were confirmed, but clearly now wasn’t the time. He wasn’t going to talk. “I’m sorry about your mum,” she said, and he looked back into her eyes, smiled half-heartedly and nodded. “Mrs Henderson told me.”
“Yeah, well, it was for the best I suppose. She was in pain towards the end and ever since my dad died, she’d never really been the same. She never recovered. They were soulmates, married for over fifty years. They certainly set Pip and I an unattainable standard.” He cleared his throat. “So do you have siblings?”
She gave a humourless sharp laugh. “No, I barely have a mother. There was no way she was going to make the same mistake twice and have another kid.”
“You’re not close then?” he asked, narrowing his eyes, confused by her comment.
She gave him a mirthless smile. “Nope, we’re not even living on the same continent, haven’t for years. She’s always been focused on her career. From what little I know, she had a fling with someone, most likely a director or such like, and got knocked up. I still don’t know why she kept me.”
She caught Matt wince from the corner of her eye like she’d hit a nerve.
“She probably hoped she could snare the fella into some sort of advantageous marriage fiasco. I’m guessing he was probably married. Anyway.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “She had me but I have no happy memories of my childhood and no idea who my father is. Just ever changing ‘nannies and being packed off to boarding school as soon as I was old enough. I’ve tried so many times over the years to get close to her but there’s only so many times you can get kicked, right? Even dogs learn eventually.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He said, honestly. “I can’t imagine not being close to my mother. Still, she must be proud of you. What you’ve achieved and everything?” at her wry look he quickly added, “Pip tells me your very famous.”
“You’d think.” Ana took a sip of her brandy. She was so not ready to have that conversation with a man she’d only just met… especially as he wasn’t up for quid pro quo.
CARINA™
978 1 474 02832 5
His Irresistible Darling
2015 Sarah Randall
Published in Great Britain (2015)
by Carina, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18–24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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