‘Really? How big is it, then?’
‘It’s about the size of my conservatory, only the roof’s not quite so high. Apparently, I’m surplus to requirements at this stage, but I might be needed later for some of the heavy work.’
Kate chuckled. ‘Too bad.’
‘Yeah. A year ago he thought I knew everything about everything. Now there are a whole range of things I don’t know about.’
‘Do you mind?’ Kate settled back against the pillows. This was nice, warm and friendly, a different strand of intimacy from the one they’d had last night.
Ethan shrugged. ‘Yeah, I mind. I’m trying not to, though, because I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
He fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on her. If he asked her to lose the sheet that was currently wrapped tight around her, she’d do it in a heartbeat. But that would be less, somehow. It would break this new bond that was forming between them.
‘So, what are you doing today?’ Ethan seemed to understand that too, and his question made Kate smile. It had been a long time since anyone had been much interested in what she did on her days off.
‘The usual. Shopping. Washing and ironing...’ Maybe she’d leave the washing until tomorrow. One more night spent surrounded by Ethan’s scent.
‘You said that this weekend might be okay for us to pick up Sam’s puppy.’ There was a sudden tension in his voice. Kate had conveniently forgotten all about that, too afraid to suggest seeing Ethan again this weekend.
‘Yes, I did. If you’re ready to do that, then perhaps we could go over there tomorrow afternoon.’
Ethan nodded. ‘I was thinking, if you’d like to come over tomorrow and have lunch with Sam and me, then we could go and fetch the puppy afterwards.’
Sunday lunch. It was a brave new inroad into territory that Kate had promised herself she wouldn’t think about. Particularly not with Ethan.
‘Yes. That sounds great, I’d love to. What time?’
He grinned. ‘Any time after six am?’
‘I’ll come at twelve. Don’t want to surprise you both in your racing car pyjamas’ If Ethan wore pyjamas, Kate would eat the sheet she was currently wrapped in.
‘Racing cars are so last year. He’s got Ambigulon pyjamas now.’
‘Ambigulon?’
‘Yeah. Superhero stuff. Ambigulon has a glowing amber crystal which shoots power rays. They either heal a person or hurt them, depending on whether they have a pure heart.’
‘Blimey! That’s complicated.’
Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘Trust me, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Superheroes are very complicated...’
* * *
Talking to Kate had been very complicated. However much Ethan wanted to tell himself that this was just two friends who happened to find each other attractive, it had been impossible to maintain the pretence. He’d found himself sharing his thoughts and feelings with her. The stories about Sam that he’d so often wished he could share with someone.
Ethan had told himself that asking her to lunch was a very obvious next step. Treating her as a friend. But everything he did seemed only to deepen the one role that he still wasn’t sure he was capable of. A lover. Someone who protected and nurtured.
When the doorbell rang at exactly midday, Sam ran to meet Kate, aiming his Ambigulon crystal at the door, which stayed resolutely in place. Ethan herded him out of the way, getting rid of the obstruction in a more conventional manner.
‘Hi. Am I too early?’ Kate was standing on the doorstep, looking delicious. Ethan wondered whether, in common with Ambigulon’s crystal, she had the power to divine whether a man’s heart was pure or not. And what the outcome would be if his was put to the test.
‘You’re right on time. I’m running a little late. Sam, show Kate into the conservatory and I’ll get on with lunch.’ He flashed her a grin and she rewarded him with a brilliant smile.
Through the open door of the kitchen, Ethan could hear Sam chivvying her through into the conservatory and instructing her to sit down in a chair that he’d selected for her.
‘Are we going to get the puppy now?’ Sam reiterated the question that he’d been asking Ethan all morning, obviously keen on getting a second opinion.
‘Not yet. After lunch.’ Kate’s voice was full of laughter and tenderness. ‘Have you thought of a name for him yet?’