The Man Ban - Nicola Marsh Page 0,57

updating her website and adding the Storr jobs to her portfolio, she hadn’t had a single call. Not that she’d expected instant success, but styling Jock McKell’s food should lend kudos to her site. If there hadn’t been a significant uptake in booked jobs by the end of the week, she’d have to go back to cold-calling, and she hated that. Nothing screamed “loser” like being told “thanks but no thanks” repeatedly.

She texted Manny her address when she got home, and he responded with a “c u in 45.” It gave her time to have a speedy shower—she hated the smell of her skin after treatment, comparing it to slightly burned chicken—put her “mask” on, and do a quick tidy. Scooping clothes off the chair in her bedroom, flinging them into the closet, checking for stray bras, and finally lighting a ylang-ylang scented candle, serving a dual purpose of minimal lighting and making the room smell divine.

For she was in little doubt they’d end up in the bedroom.

Manny had sounded beat on the phone, so the fact he was willing to come over meant one thing.

He wasn’t interested in talking.

Neither was she. She always spent an hour or two after treatment trying to distract herself, either with a favorite rom-com or a new book, anything to take her mind off the relentless mundane visits to the clinic.

Tonight, not talking and sex with Manny seemed like the perfect distraction solution.

When her doorbell rang, excitement sizzled through her and she bounded to the door like an eager puppy. Opening the door, she had to use every ounce of willpower not to fling herself at him.

He looked amazing.

Despite the shadows under his eyes from little sleep and the stubble peppering his jaw, he looked like he’d stepped off set from one of those medical dramas she never liked but her mom watched obsessively. Dark denim molded legs she remembered in exquisite detail, an olive-green T-shirt highlighted his chest, and those slate-gray eyes glinted with intent.

“I missed you,” he said, soft, seductive, and she was a goner. His sincerity slayed her. No game playing. No bullshit. Just a genuine declaration of how he was feeling. Could this guy be any more perfect?

“Same here.”

She opened the door wider and waited until he was inside before closing it and stepping into his arms. It was as simple as that. No words. Just a silent conveying of . . . something she daren’t label for fear of getting it wrong and ruining everything.

The embrace reminded her of their parting at the airport. So much to say but neither wanted to take that final step to admit this thing between them may be more than a fling.

“You have no idea how much I needed that,” he said, easing away to smile down at her. “It’s been a rough few days.”

“Come in, have a seat. Have you eaten?”

“You don’t need to feed me,” he said, a second before his stomach rumbled.

Sheepish, he shrugged, and she led him by the hand to the couch. “Sit. Relax. I haven’t eaten either, and it’ll only take me two seconds to put a cheese platter together.”

“Sounds good. Need a hand?”

“I’ve got it.”

“Good, because I’m so exhausted I couldn’t lift my ass off this couch if I tried.”

She smiled and traced his cheek with a fingertip, incredibly pleased to be proven wrong. This wasn’t just a booty call for him. He’d genuinely wanted to see her, and it made her want to hug him again.

“Be back in a sec.”

She threw together some Brie, Camembert, cheddar, grapes, and quince paste on a platter and added a bowl of crackers, something to nibble on while they cozied up on the couch. A totally couple thing to do she hadn’t anticipated, but now that he was here she wanted to make the most of it.

Besides, that candle in her bedroom was a big one and would burn for hours.

When she padded into the lounge room with the platter in her hands, Manny had his head resting on the back of the couch and his eyes closed, fatigue etched into the faint lines around his mouth. Tenderness expanded in her chest until she could barely breathe, and she contemplated taking the platter back into the kitchen and letting him sleep.

Sensing her scrutiny, he opened his eyes and sat up straighter. “Don’t mind me. I’m an old man and need my regular naps.”

“You’re exhausted. You should be in bed.”

He perked up, a spark in his gaze. “Is that an