* * *
Seduction. That was the way forward. If it didn’t work, she could leave and put it down to experience. But Laurie had thought about this carefully, and it was what she wanted. It was what Ross had said he’d wanted, too.
The only problem was that she’d left the only really nice dress she had at home, along with the high-heeled sandals that went with it. That was a difficulty, but problems were there to be solved. Maybe a less obvious approach would be better anyway. If she made a joke of it, maybe they could laugh their way out of any embarrassment.
She slipped into a pair of thick black leggings, and dark-coloured trainers. A black polo-necked sweater she’d brought, in case the weather turned cold, was ideal and the dark blue woollen hat that she wore for rowing covered her hair.
Laurie slipped out of her apartment, looking up at the balcony. The French doors stood slightly open, as they did most nights, to let fresh air into his bedroom. Further along, a light in the sitting-room window told her where he was. She took the dark blue scarf she’d brought with her and tied it around her face, like a bandana.
Now or never. If she didn’t do this now, she’d have to go tomorrow, because now she knew he wanted her, she couldn’t take another day of wanting him without touching him. Laurie crept silently up the wrought-iron stairs to the balcony, slipping in through the French windows like a shadow.
The bedroom was deserted, as she’d expected. It had a masculine feel about it, with oatmeal-coloured walls and heavy oak furniture. In one corner, a solid free-standing mirror, the kind you saw in gentlemen’s outfitters, and a mass of framed pictures and photographs on the wall. It was somehow cosy and...
It had a bed. That was the only thing that Laurie was really interested in. Maybe she’d find out whether the mattress was as soft as it looked, if things went her way this evening.
She heard footsteps in the hallway. She hadn’t thought she’d made any noise and was wondering how best to attract Ross’s attention, but it seemed he knew she was here. When he reached the open doorway, she saw his smile, and a stab of desire made her legs tremble.
‘What do you want?’
He knew exactly what she wanted. The look on his face told Laurie that. But Ross would always test her, always make her say it. His gaze was fixed on her face and she pulled the bandana down. That had probably been a bad idea because she needed him to see her face and know that she was serious about this. Resolute.
‘You told me that I was free to do as I wanted now. I know you believe that we don’t have any future together and I respect that. But this is what I want, Ross. To be with you tonight.’
‘To talk?’ He took one step forward. Ross knew darned well that they’d done quite enough talking.
‘No.’ She flipped her finger towards the bed. ‘I want you right there.’
Suddenly he grinned. That taste of mischief that made her heart thump in her chest and set her thinking about all the things that she and Ross could do together. Then he pulled his polo shirt over his head, letting it drop onto the carpet.
Beautiful. Ross had the kind of body that was made for pleasure, and a great deal of appreciation. She stepped forward, finding his arms, and then he kissed her.
It was like everything else between them. Two strong characters fighting for dominance, but both wanting the same thing. He left her in no doubt about what he wanted. When she caught her breath, pulling him closer, he smiled down at her and then kissed her again. He was going to make this night perfect.
* * *
Ross had been sitting in the pool of light around a lamp. Plenty of reading matter on the sofa beside him, along with the remote for the TV, but he couldn’t set his mind to any of it. He hadn’t seen Laurie for twenty-four hours, and it already felt as if she’d gone.
He heard a sound. The slight creak as the French windows next door opened and a corresponding one again as they closed. That wasn’t the breeze. Someone was there, and there was only one person it could be.
He tried to walk slowly to the bedroom. Tried not to jump to conclusions about her presence here, but when he saw her there was only one conclusion. Laurie’s sense of humour might be a little wry, but it corresponded with his own. He couldn’t help smiling, because he got the joke. A thief in the night, taking what neither of them could commit to during the day.
And she wanted him. As much maybe as he wanted her. If her words hadn’t made her purpose here indisputable, then her kiss would have convinced him. Taking everything he wanted to give her, and demanding more.
‘You’re sure about this...’ He couldn’t stop himself from asking. ‘One night?’
‘What makes you think I’m not? Although if you’re really good it could be two or three.’ She pushed him against the wall, pressing her hips against his and running her hand across his chest. Sheer desire almost made him fall to his knees.
‘You want it all your own way, do you?’
Mischief lit in her beautiful eyes. Her hand moved down, unbuttoning the waist of his chinos. ‘Try me. Maybe you’ll like doing as you’re told for once.’
Ross was sure that he would. Less sure that it was what Laurie wanted. They’d always confronted each other, and now that seemed like a complicated, drawn-out foreplay that would shape the night ahead.
‘Maybe you’ll like doing as you’re told. You should try that.’
She kissed him, her lips hard and searching on his. ‘If you want it, you’re going to have to take it.’
Of course he was. Neither of them would have it any other way. She was strong, but his bulk was a match for her. He lifted her off her feet and carried her over to the mirror. Turning her as he set her down again, so that her back was pressed against his chest.