I didn’t expect him to say anything else. Declan wasn’t an over-sharer. Which meant he surprised me when he murmured, “I’ve missed you, Sonny. More than I miss my leg.”
Swallowing, I fought back tears. The last thing I wanted was to be driving with blurred vision, especially given that the person who’d crashed their four-by-four into Declan’s little car had been drunk and hadn’t been able to see straight. We both knew better than to be less than vigilant on the road.
To break the heavy atmosphere, I pointed at the glove compartment. “I’ve got sweets, if you want some.Christmassweets.”
He gave a faint chuckle and said, “You and your sweets,” and then rummaged around for them. I heard the wrapper crinkle as he unwrapped it and held out the peppermint sweet. I took it and popped it into my mouth, letting the Christmas flavour permeate my mouth and hoping that I could swallow that happiness completely.
Once I’d parked the car, I went round to the passenger side and waited until Declan was stable. Then I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight, wishing I had more arms so I could hold him tighter.
“What’s all this for?”
I had my face pressed into his collar bone, not quite brave enough to press my lips to his neck like I wanted. Also, you know, he hadn’t consented to that. If he wanted me to kiss his neck, he probably would have mentioned it by now.
It meant my words came out muffled by his coat.
“I’m just so glad to be here with you.”
One of Declan’s hands came up and brushed over my head. It wasalmosta caress. Then he gave me a manly pat on the back and I took the hint and pulled back, breaking us apart.
We walked into the building together and I pretended not to notice when Declan tried to shake me off before he got toErik’s treatment room. I gave a bland smile and said, “I’ll walk you to the door.”
I was desperate to see what Erik looked like.
Declan gave an efficient rap at the door and it opened, revealing an alarmingly attractive man. Instantly, I hated him.
He was probably only a couple of years older than us, but something in the way he held himself made me feel like he was in control. They probably took lessons in looking all official and in-charge at Physiotherapy School or whatever.
And he was slim, shorter than me, but I could see the way his body filled out his polo shirt with the company logo on it. He might be slender but he was strong. His arms and chest were well-defined and I didn’t want to see what was under than shirt, not at all.
Eriktook me in, his black eyes scanning me with what might have been professional interest or might have beenbitch I will fight you for this man.
I smiled, showing too many teeth.
“Hi, I’m Sonny. I’m staying with Declan for Christmas.”
He held out his hand and I didn’t debate for a second whether to refuse to shake it, honest. I wasn’t that petty, even when pretty professional Touchers were making moves to take my man away from me.
“Erik,” he said. “I’m pleased to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I don’t know whether it was his words or his touch that made the breath catch in my throat. His fingers gripped mine and my whole hand tingled. When he dropped it, I could still feel the ghostly impression of his hand on mine.
It threw me.
Somehow, I didn’t quite keep up with the conversation until I found myself being walked back to the waiting room byErik. As we walked past the receptionist, a pretty brunette woman who looked so pregnant she was about to pop, Erik smiled at her. “Let me get you some peppermint tea.” Then he looked at me. “Would you like one?”
I shook my head.
He quickly poured boiling water into a mug and swirled the tea bag around. I could just about smell the faint aroma, and I hated that it smelled good, like Christmas was in the air.
The receptionist beamed at Erik as he handed over the mug and I regretted refusing one.
Before he left, Erik gestured at the coffee machine on the back wall and said, “Help yourself to a drink while you wait.”
I thought I was being dismissed. But Erik’s hand settled on my shoulder, a surprisingly heavy weight through my coat.
“I’m glad you’re here. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
He left to go back to his treatment room where, presumably, he would get to run his hands all over Declan’s body for the next fifty minutes and, worse, I got to sit here and imagine it.
