Chapter Eleven
The events of the night before charge through my dreams on repeat and I barely sleep. The warmth of Daniel’s body encircles me and jogs my memory into remembering where I am. His uncertain smile greets me as I turn over and his deep husky tone whispers, “How did you sleep?”
“Not so great. You?”
“The same, but I wouldn’t have slept at all if I couldn’t feel you next to me.”
I move closer and rest my cheek on his chest, tightening my arm around his waist. I need some comfort, and when he pulls me closer, I feel calm.
We lie like this for some time, lost in thought.
After a while, I sit up straight and breathe out a sigh as his palm firmly connects to my spine.
I love the feel of his skin against mine; but for now, he will have to wait.
I rush out of bed, leaving his fingers to linger in mid-air.
“Where are you going?”
I turn around before I enter the ensuite and give him a smile, “I just need the loo.” I lock the door behind me out of habit.
The brief space between us gives me a moment to run over what happened last night.
There’s so much I don’t know and the parts I do seem wrong.
I don’t have all the facts, actually, I don’t have any facts at all which is the problem.
After I use the bathroom, I stand at the sink and stare into the mirror. Why did I come back when this place is not a good omen? Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment or maybe, just maybe, I know he’s worth it.
“Hannah, are you okay in there?”
Shaking myself together, I shout, “I’ll be out in a sec.”
The smell of fresh coffee awakens my senses as I enter the kitchen and sit at the breakfast bar.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“I don’t think I can, Daniel. Just some coffee would be great.”
“What about fruit? I have some beautiful papaya and—”
“Just coffee, please. I can’t face any food, but thank you.”
He sets my coffee down then takes a seat by my side with his own.
I notice he isn’t eating either. A few silent minutes pass as I think about my mum.
I could really do with a chat and then I remember before all the commotion, she called.
The touch of his palm gently squeezing my thigh brings me out of my daydream.
“I think I’d like to go home a little earlier today if you don’t mind. ”
“I thought you might, but you know it’s not what I want.”
“I know, but I should call my mum back. She’ll worry otherwise. Plus, I could do without bumping into Freya at any moment. I can’t stomach a repeat performance.”
“I’m certain she didn’t mean it.”
“Daniel, please. We both know she meant every word and I’m not hanging around for second helpings.”
“I wouldn’t let it happen.” His hand glides along my thigh, making my heart pound. “I wish you’d stay. You shouldn’t be on your own.”
I take a chance, although I already know what the answer will be to my next suggestion.
“You could come back to my flat?”
“I can’t, Hannah. It’s too much of a risk—”
I huff, “I know. You’ve said.” I feel awful when Daniel explains, “This is for you too. If the paparazzi get just a sniff, there’s a new woman in my life, they will make both our lives miserable.”
“I didn’t think of it like that.” Because I didn’t believe I was your new woman. Not yet. Not officially. I get up to leave the kitchen and pack my things, but he catches my arm. “This will work out, Han. I promise you.” I’m not so sure, but I smile anyway.
I recline back in my seat while Daniel stands by the car door. He holds my hand while Jack puts my bags in the boot.
“Please don’t give up on what we could be.” His pleading eyes are almost too much to bear and I’m about to reply when Diana appears, “I’m sorry to interrupt you two, but could I have a minute with Hannah before she leaves?” Her eyes signal to Daniel.
“Of course, Mum.” He steps to the side, but she throws him a look and he knows he needs to make himself scarce. He raises one eyebrow, and a smirk appears on his beautiful lips, “I’ll go help Jack with the bags.”
Diana waits until he is firmly out of sight before she continues.
“Hannah, I’m so glad I’ve caught you before you leave.
I want to apologise for Freya’s awful behaviour.
” She pulls herself into the car and sinks into the seat.
“Look, I’ll be honest with you. Freya has some problems to deal with.
She has a good psychiatrist and we hope he will help her through some…
lingering issues. I’m sure she’s devastated this morning.
” Her hand rests on mine. “You and Daniel are getting on so well, I’d love that to continue.
It would be such a shame if you didn’t return just because of her.
Please say you’ll come back again soon. Don’t let Daniel suffer because of this. ”
I need to slow down her expectations. “Diana, thank you for that, but Daniel and I have only just met and—”
Her hand firmly grips mine. “Exactly. Don’t let anyone spoil this for you.”
The sound of gravel underfoot sparks my attention as Daniel appears behind his mother.
Diana pats my hand and gets out of the car with Daniel’s help.
“Take care of my boy for me.” She smiles and turns towards her son, giving him a hug before going back inside.
As I watch her walk away, Daniel slams the boot shut and jumps inside the car on the opposite side.
The enormous grin on his face confirms he is up to something. “What are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you, sort of.”
I’m surprised after the conversation we’ve had. “But you said—”
“I know and I stand by that, but I have a house in Seaforth. I’d like you to come back and stay with me there, just for tonight. You shouldn’t be on your own and selfishly, I want more time with you.”
I’m apprehensive at first. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Daniel. I’ve got work tomorrow.”
“Please, Hannah. Jack will take you to work.”
“But what about clothes for the office? I have nothing with me.”
“If you tell Jack exactly what you need, he’ll go to the unit and pick it all up. Please, Han?”
His beautiful hazel eyes fill with worry as he takes my hand in his. “I don’t want the bitter taste of last night to stay with you. Instead, think of the good moments we had this weekend. The incident last night is taking over and I want us back on track.”
How on earth could I refuse him? He was bending over backwards to make sure everything was good between us; I had to give him that.
Plus, my sense of relief when he asked me to stay was unmeasurable.
I’d felt lonely without being alone. I want to be with him, just not here.
Daniel isn’t the problem, Freya is, and all we have to do is move location, somewhere away from her.
“Yes, all right. I’ll stay over tonight, but I’ll go to my flat and pick my stuff up if that’s okay. ”
I get the impression Jack is a man not easily embarrassed, but I really didn’t like the thought of him rummaging through my undies.
It was just after lunch by the time we reached Daniel’s modern home, set high on a hillside with views overlooking Middle Harbour.
We’ve already retrieved my things from the flat, although Daniel refused to get out of the car.
He chose instead to conceal his identity behind the blacked-out windows.
When you’re in his sort of car, with those types of windows, he has to expect unwanted attention.
The odd nosey passer-by shouldn’t have surprised him.
It took only fifteen minutes to get my things together and join him once again, but in that time, I’ve been missed.
Daniel doesn’t release me from the warm cage of his body until we’re standing in the marble hallway of his home.
Eager to look around, I walk ahead and directly into a pristine white kitchen leading to an open lounge.
A chocolate-coloured corner sofa with turquoise cushions is positioned in the centre of the room next to the glass coffee table.
Each piece of furniture is carefully placed opposite the wall-to-ceiling bi-folding doors which displays a breathtakingly beautiful view.
Deep blue water stretches out as far as the eye can see.
It’s kissed by the sun and a cloudless sky.
Daniel’s arm curls around my waist, pulling my back to his front.
I think this is fast becoming our favourite position.
We stand this way for a long time until his mouth catches my ear.
“Let me show you the rest of the place.” He’s said nothing particularly sexy or suggestive, but it still caused a lightning spark through my body.
His home is upside down. The guest bedrooms are downstairs, and the living area is upstairs.
All four bedrooms on the lower floor have ensuite bathrooms. The enormous garage is also on this level and houses one other car apart from the Range Rover, a black Jeep.
In most rooms, the windows are immense and take full advantage of the fabulous views and ample natural light.
Upstairs and off the lounge is a study and TV room. He seems apprehensive as we open the third door and the reason is unclear until he says, “This is my room. I understand if you’d prefer to sleep in one of the guest rooms, but I think it’s clear I want you with me.”
As I’d previously decided, honesty was the best approach, I didn’t mess around. “Why on earth wouldn’t I sleep in your bed now? We’ve stayed together all weekend.”
He laughed his reply, “Just thought I’d check.”
I roll my lips together and try not to smirk when I re-affirmed the boundaries. “Although, we still have our one-week rule in place, right?”
His hand slaps to his chest as if I’ve hit him in the heart and his mouth drops open in fake shock. “As if I could forget. And just for the record, you’ve got more of a problem with it than me.” I giggle and let him have his moment.