Chapter Eight #2
His eyes fix on our entwined hands as his grin emerges. “It’s nothing sinister, Hannah. It’s the Pap’s.”
“The what?”
“The Paparazzi. They follow me everywhere, but especially when I visit Sydney. I don’t notice them half the time, but I always find myself splashed over the gossip columns somehow. Now I try to avoid going there altogether.”
“But surely, they can’t be everywhere?”
“Hannah, you have no idea. My family is big news and wherever we go, you can be damn sure a photographer is not far away. Honestly, I’m better off out of it.”
I realise he won’t confide in me now, but my impatience takes over. “Is it also to do with what happened to your wife? Is that why they follow you?”
His voice is soft, deep and husky when he replies, “A relationship between two people is built on trust and every day we’ll learn to trust each other. Baby steps, Hannah, Okay?” The grip of his hand becomes tighter; willing me to be patient.
“Okay, I understand.” He leans in to kiss the side of my cheek, but I twist and catch his lips with mine.
I savour the moment, closing my eyes to heighten my senses.
His tongue licks my top lip so I open my mouth slightly to let him in.
Only after a few seconds, I realise we’re in a restaurant full of people.
My cheeks flush and I’m unable to hold my head up as I pull away from him.
There are so many pairs of eyes watching our intimacy, but only one set I’m interested in.
I gaze towards them as they lock with mine.
“I hope the rest of the diners enjoyed the sideshow,” he says, sitting up while he surveys the room with a guarded glance. When he clears his throat, I have to turn my head away because I can’t stop laughing.
“I don’t know about you, but it feels like we’re breaking the rules,” I say while I chance a quick scan around me.
“Perhaps it’s time to get the bill,” Daniel circles the room for a waiter while I drink the last of my coffee. From nowhere, an idea pops up in my mind. If he agrees, it will cement my trust in him and I’ll gain the respect I’ve lacked in the past. “Daniel?”
“Yep.” With one finger in the air, he signals to someone behind me we’re ready to leave .
“Would you say overall, we’ve agreed to take things one step at a time?”
His brow furrows when he answers, “Yes?”
“You don’t sound sure.”
“I’m sure, but I’m also certain something else is going on in that head. Spit it out, Hannah.”
I can’t meet his eyes for a minute. He’s got me. Could it be possible this man knows me too well already or am I just predictable? I huff out a smile, “In that case, would you agree to something for me?”
With a sceptical look, he answers, “That depends on what it is.”
“We take it slow.”
“We’ve already agreed that.”
“That’s not it. You haven’t let me finish.”
“I’m sorry.” His mouth turns up to smirk.
“No sex.”
With wide eyes and an open mouth, he glances towards me before his head shakes in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what?”
“No sex.”
“No sex?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t want us to have sex together?”
“Correct.”
“Ever?”
“No! Just for… a little while.”
“How long is a little while?”
“I’m not sure. It’s only just occurred to me, so I haven’t thought this bit through yet.” I can see in his face he’s wondering what it will achieve, so I answer before he asks. “I’m asking you to do this for a valid reason. I want you to know me first.”
“Sex is part of getting to know someone and building a relationship. ”
Shit. He isn’t happy, but I have to give this a try. “Do this for me, please? I really want you to date me.”
He smirks, “I’m sorry, what?”
“I mean it. I want to be wined, dined and danced with. Show me your interests, your passions. Let’s have endless nights like tonight and days that are just as special.”
“I see.” There’s that smirk again.
“Daniel, are you laughing at me?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
“Then what’s with the face?” He rolls his lips at my tone before I go off on one. “You have to understand, I’ve never had the date thing. I’d like a man to be interested in me and not the contents of my knickers so it’s time to change tack. I want us to be different.”
“Okaaay?”
Before he can say another word, I’m on it again.
I’ve got verbal diarrhoea. “This is all on me. I have a nasty habit of falling too deeply and in bed too fast. This is my way of taking a step back and considering how we go forward. If you hadn’t stopped us going too far by the pool last week, we might not be having this conversation. ”
“Shit. I wish I hadn’t stopped it now.”
“Daniel please. I want this to work.”
Daniel lets out a deep breath as he flops back into his seat. “So do I, but you seem to missing something.”
“Daniel…”
“Hannah, what is it you think we’re doing right now?”
“Um, talking?”
“Yes, but before that.”
“I don’t know.”
“We ate dinner, drank some wine and before things got deep and meaningful, we enjoyed some conversation.”
“Right.” My empty expression says it all.
“You don’t get it, do you? Don’t compare me to those men. I’ve already proved I’m not like them. What you’re saying, well, it surprises me. All the things you want I’ve already given you. In your own words, you want a night like this, every night. Well, guess what? This is the first of many.”
My face falls to my hot sticky palms. How could I be so stupid?
“And for the record, your bags were put in the guest room. I never mentioned sex.”
I give him a sideways glance. “Um, yes you did.”
“Well, yes, but only to explain myself. I didn’t expect you to jump into bed with me straight away… although I hoped.”
My hands now fully cover my mortification until his fingers slowly encircle my wrists and pull them away from my blushed face. My eyes scrunch together as tightly as possible. I dare not look at him. God only knows what’s going through his mind. “I feel like such an idiot.”
He runs a continuous circle on my palm using his fingertips.
“Listen, if those stupid bastards in your past didn’t appreciate you, it doesn’t mean you’re going to re-live their mistakes with me.
I’ll restore your faith in the ordinary man.
It will be different this time. I’m not in this for one thing.
” He is so sincere, but far from ordinary.
“Daniel, it already is different with you.” While we’re caught up in a romantic haze, the waiter whispers in Daniel’s ear that our driver has arrived. I’m confused, “Um, what happened to the bill?”
“It’s taken care of.”
“But I wanted to pay.”
His lips curl and I swear his voice is even deeper, “Hannah, you want a date, you’ve got one. Don’t argue with me.”
I smile, “Thank you. That means a lot, but I’m buying next time.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure I can think of a way you can pay me back,” he winks. I lift my bag from the table and absentmindedly mumble, “I knew you couldn’t handle a sex ban.” I laugh. Daniel doesn’t.
“What did you say?”
I’m still laughing, but his face is stoic. “Come on, Daniel, I was joking.”
“I don’t think you were.” His eyes squint, “I’ll take that bet.”
“Daniel, don’t be ridiculous.”
His whole posture slumps in disbelief. “Hold on a minute, Hannah. This was your idea and I now agree it’s a good one.”
I stare at him and realise we’re stood in a packed restaurant, arguing about whether or not we should sleep together. Irritated eyes are on me as I glance around. “Let’s discuss this in the car.”
A very defiant Daniel replies, “Fine by me.”
By the time we reach the car, Daniel has already decided the challenge is on and contract negotiations are well and truly in full swing. He eyes me with caution. “Are we talking penetrative sex or penetrative sex and oral?”
“Both. But we can kiss and touch.”
“Woo-hoo!”
“And explore. Let’s get creative. By the way, sarcasm doesn’t suit you, Mr Grant.”
He drops me a sideward glance and I can’t tell if he’s frustrated by the use of his surname or the impending nookie ban.
“About the sarcasm. Noted. As for actual sex, you still haven’t told me how long we abstain.”
“Do we need a time limit? We could see what happens naturally.”
Daniel laughs out loud. “If that were the case, I’d have stripped you naked in the back of this car ten minutes ago.”
I can’t help but smile. “Then clearly we need boundaries. What about… six weeks?” I plead with a smile and wait for his answer. I don’t expect the slow shake of his head.
“You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I can’t do it.”
“It was you who insisted on it.”
“Now I’ve decided I can’t go through with it.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t. I want to know what makes you tick in the bedroom.”
“Typical man.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard.”
“Okay, the bet is back on!” I laugh so hard but soon realise he isn’t. As my laughter dies away, I face a very dark, sexy smirk. “One week.
“Is that all?”
“Yes, that’s all it will take. You know as well as I do this whole idea is ludicrous and you’ll suffer as much as I will. I’m certain you regretted those words the moment they left your lips.”
He’s right. Half of me can’t believe I’ve suggested it, but I have and he took it as a challenge, which he’s failed already. For me, it’s a matter of pride. It will give me some self-respect.
He releases my hand from his and rubs his temple with his fingertips. Inhaling deeply, he says, “You know it will be absolutely fucking frustrating for both of us.”
“I do, but it can only strengthen us too.”
“Or drive us bloody insane by the end of the week.”
I sink into my seat, “So this is it. One week, no sex.”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You’re happy?”
“I’m happy.”
“You’re sure? ”
“All right, no, I’m not. I’m not a hundred percent happy, but I feel better about one week than I do about six.”
“Exactly. It’s one teeny tiny week and if we don’t work out—”
“We will.” Excitement runs through my veins. I love his determination.
“Well okay, that’s settled then,” I smile.
“Good. Well, I suggest we go home and move your suitcase to my cottage.”
After the conversation we’ve just had, I can’t believe what came out of his mouth. “Excuse me?”
“Part of this contract is to kiss and touch, but not have actual sex. We need time for kissing and touching and at no point did you say we couldn’t spend the night together.”
I clap my hands, “Bravo.” A loophole, I might have known he’d find one.
“Thank you.” He nods and is very pleased with himself. He pulls my body closer, nuzzles into my neck and kisses all the way up my neck. “Can we start this again?” He asks between kisses.
My response is breathless, “I thought we already had.”
“Just checking.” He wraps his arms around me, growls in my ear and the only thing I can concentrate on is the ripple effect between my legs. In that very moment, I curse my stupid idea. A week is suddenly a bloody long time.