Chapter Sixteen
I call him and do my best to sound upbeat. He’s not stupid and can hear it in my voice. I’ve put on a show all afternoon for my work colleagues, but my mask slips when I open my mouth to speak to him.
“Daniel?” Tears tumble a line over my red cheeks and I’m unsure if I miss everyone or the thought of Rob’s impending visit fills me with dread. There’s a deep hum that burns the back of my throat when I try to talk, but his voice soothes me.
“What’s wrong, baby? Where are you?”
It’s strange. Even though I feel like shit, I can’t help but smile when he calls me baby. “I’m just leaving work. Would you mind if I didn’t come over tonight?”
“Why, what’s going on?”
He’s aware there was someone at home before I left and he also knows he was an unfaithful arsehole.
I’ve never gone into any detail, but perhaps this is the time to tell him what happened and give him an explanation for my tears.
If I don’t, he will worry. “I heard from my best friend in London today.”
“Is everything all right? Are your folks okay?”
“Yeah, they’re fine, although she had some upsetting news. I’m not exactly in the best mood and I’ll only make you miserable if I come over.”
“Being alone is not a good idea either.” God, he is an angel, but he’s only seen my best side. If I go to his place, he’ll meet a different me altogether and I don’t want him to see that girl.
“I should stay home, anyway. I have a pile of washing to do, so it’s probably best if I—”
“Best if you stop with the excuses and get your arse over here. Collect your laundry and do it at mine.”
I’m still faffing. “There’s hand washing too and—”
“Stop talking about the bloody laundry. Whatever’s wrong, surely, it’s better to have company.
Please? I’ll make you some dinner, cheer you up.
” He won’t take no for an answer, which makes me laugh through my self-pitying tears.
“Thoughts of you in an apron cheer me right up. If you promise to wear one, I’ll be there. ”
“If you say yes, I will.”
“Yes.”
“Good girl, Jack should be outside anyway, so go collect your stuff and get back here as quick as you can.”
“Okay.”
“Good. Oh, and Hannah?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t forget the laundry.”
I laugh, “See you soon.”
“Don’t be long, beautiful. Bye.”
How does he do it? When I feel anxious or upset, he always says the right thing. I hope he has some words of wisdom when I tell him about my ex-boyfriend, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
It’s a little after seven when I arrive at Daniel’s.
He is indeed wearing an apron—and nothing else.
He greets me at the door with obvious excitement.
He strides across the room and secures his large, muscular arms around me.
I instantly feel better. He is exactly what I need. I stand back and check him out.
“I love this look on you. It’s very… natural.”
“Glad you like it and obviously for your eyes only. If you tell anyone I wear an apron, you’re in trouble.”
I giggle as he releases a beautiful smile. “I love to hear you laugh. You worried me when you called.” He cups my face with his palm and his mesmerising hazel eyes connect with mine.
“I’m sorry about that. Can we talk about it when I get my head around a few things?”
“No pressure. Come on, the food will burn if we’re not careful.” I follow him and his man-made tent down the hallway.
Okay, so we delayed dinner slightly once I had my man in the kitchen.
I couldn’t resist removing his apron so I could show him how much I appreciated his efforts.
He probably thought all his Christmas’s had come at once as I dropped to my knees and took him in my mouth.
I needed a distraction from my worries, but more than that, I wanted to taste him.
“Do you want anything else?” he asks. “It’s just that it's usual to have dessert before dinner, or have you had enough?” he winks.
“I might manage another mouthful.”
“Is that right? I’ll keep the apron on then.”
“You do that. I love your ‘welcome home’ outfit.”
I suddenly realise what I’ve said, but I’m not prepared for his response.
“I’m glad you feel that way because I want to talk to you about something. Why don’t you come and live here with me?”
Well, this is a bolt out of the blue. “Oh God,” falls from my mouth before his question has sunk in. It’s not his fault someone hurt me in the past. I just promised myself if I ever got into another serious relationship, I’d take it slow. We seemed to be moving at the speed of sound.
“Daniel, this is so unexpected—although, I’m over the moon you want me here with you permanently. Can you give me a little time? And don’t assume my answer is no. It’s just I have a lot on my plate at the moment and so much to think about.”
He silently turns towards the cooker and plates up our food while a dense atmosphere fills the surrounding air. I have to say something. “You’re not happy now, are you?”
“What do you expect?”
“Please, Daniel. You’re taking this the wrong way.”
He leans against the kitchen cabinet and crosses his arms. “Well, for Christ’s sake, I just asked you to move in with me, and you’ve brushed it off as if it means nothing. This is a big step for me, Hannah.”
“I know, I know.”
“No, you don’t. I’ve found it hard to let anyone into my life. Then you come along and turn my world into a better place. I thought we wanted the same thing. Obviously, I got it wrong.”
“Daniel, I wasn’t prepared. Please—”
“What happened today to upset you? We were fine until you got the phone call. Are you hiding something from me?” He looks so serious, annoyed even.
I couldn’t have picked a worse time to have a fit of the giggles.
I have my knuckle wedged in my mouth in the hope I can suppress my laughter.
“And what’s so bloody funny?” he asks while his sense of humour fails him miserably.
I can’t blame him. I’d be the same if the tables were turned.
“I’m sorry… it’s just… how do you expect me to take you seriously when—”
“When what?” He’s losing it.
“You’re stark bollock naked!”
“Shit.” He walks towards the bedroom and in a matter of moments, he returns with a pair of dark blue shorts and a navy T- shirt. The grin on his face confirms he isn’t so angry anymore. How can one man be so sexy without trying? He halts and opens his arms out to present his fresh look.
“This serious enough?”
“Not at all, I prefer the natural look if I’m honest, but it will do.”
The full smile that wants to escape his mouth gets the better of him. “Then there’s no pleasing you, Miss May. We need to eat. Go sit and I’ll bring it over.”
Daniel pours us both a large glass of wine and serves grilled salmon with a green salad. Very simple, but I don’t care because he’s taken the time to cook for me. I’ve never known a man who enjoys cooking so much. I’m getting used to it.
“This so good, Daniel.”
“I’d hardly call it special.”
“Well, it’s delicious.”
I can see his mind ticking over as he cleans his plate.
Placing his knife and fork down, he takes an enormous gulp of wine.
His brows knit together and with some uncertainty he says, “I get you don’t want to move in—yet,” his lips curve upwards, “and if you want time, you have it, but at least tell me what upset you earlier.”
I finish the mouthful I have and glance towards my empty plate. He only knows the nasty stuff about Rob, plus talking about an ex-boyfriend with your new one is never easy. Where to start...
“Okay, let’s talk, but you can’t go mad and I haven’t got my head around any of it so don’t ask me what I’ll do.” He nods and waits for me to explain.
“Do you remember I said there was a boyfriend in London?”
I see his eyebrows rise. He clasps his hands in prayer and rests his mouth against them while he inhales through his nose. “Uh huh.” I stare at my fingers fidgeting on my knee and then back to his him .
“His name is Rob, and we were together for about three years. To cut this part of the story short, the situation between us was bad for a while and I’ve told you about the cheating.”
He mumbles under his breath, “Bastard” which I ignore.
“When Grant’s gave me the opportunity to transfer out here, I accepted the job before I put an end to the relationship. In hindsight, it was the wrong of me. We parted on messy terms, but finding that bitch slapper whore in our flat with her manky minge confirmed I was doing the right thing.”
“So, you’re not bitter then?”
“Not funny,” I say, giving him the side eye. Now it’s me with a sense of humour failure.
“Sorry. I couldn’t help it. I promise I am taking this seriously.”
“So anyway—”
“Has he been in touch today? Is he the ‘friend’ that called?”
“No, it was Lucy.” I take a deep breath and let it all out. “My ex is on his way here. Apparently he wants to win me back and take me home to England. Lucy wanted to warn me about it.”
“Why is that a problem? You’re with me now. Oh, unless—” Scratching his forehead he asks, “Are you still in love with him?”
I sigh, “I’m not sure I was ever in love with him.
I mean… I care about him, but I lost any respect I had as soon as I found another woman in our bed.
” His head tilts to the side, trying to catch my eyes.
“If it’s not clear enough, he’s an arsehole who doesn’t give a shit about anyone other than himself! ”
Daniel reaches over the table and takes my hand. “I got it,” he breathes out “and selfishly, I’m thanking God.” His shoulders relax. Did he honestly believe I could still love that tit after everything he did to me? “So, back to my original question. Why is this a problem?”
He doesn’t understand, and that’s my fault. I’ve missed a few crucial details .