1 #3
He had his palms pressed together, resting them against his lips taking in shallow breaths. His mesmerising blue eyes wide and fixed solely on her. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Dani. Last night… I’ve never wanted anything so much… I –”
“Stop it. Jerome you’re married.” Her voice was low, barely audible.
“Don’t you think I know that? Fuck, this is torture.
It’s driving me insane.” His honesty was totally disarming as he spoke in a hushed rush.
“Liz and I, we’re over. We’ve been over for a while.
” And as he said the words out loud for the first time, he realised that being here with Dani, touching her, kissing her again, that he was never going to go back to Liz.
He wouldn’t have been here if there had been a slither of hope that his marriage was fixable.
He took a tentative step forward. Dani gazed at him, his blue eyes still burning into hers. She softly rested her hand on his hard chest, stopping him from coming closer. “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re still married.”
He placed his hand over hers, then lifted the palm to his lips, kissing it gently, their eyes locked. “You’re right, it doesn’t. It also doesn’t change the fact that I’m crazy about you, Dani. I’ve been going out of my mind these past weeks.”
Dani’s head spun as he continued to speak, his voice low and raspy.
“I know you feel the same way. I can feel it.”
Her eyes blinked and for a split second she allowed herself to feel excited by his admission.
Of course she was crazy about him. She couldn’t stop thinking about him too, but what was the point?
“Jerome, what do you think is going to happen? You’re my boss and you’re married.
” They could hear the children running in the hallway and Dani pulled her hand away from his.
“I can’t… It’s just not right.” She felt her eyes fill with tears.
Keep it together, she willed herself. Lack of sleep and her highly charged emotions were getting to her.
That and the fact she was turning down a man she couldn’t stop thinking about, that she’d wanted from the first time she’d clapped eyes on him.
“Jeez, Dani, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.
” His gaze searching her face, horrified that he’d caused her pain.
He pulled her to his chest holding her in his arms hard against him, resting his chin on the top of her head.
She gripped onto him, resting her cheek against his gloriously warm chest, taking in his scent, while his steady breathing calmed her. “I’m sorry.”
“No. It’s fine really,” she sniffed. The lie squeezed out from her tight throat.
They stood for what seemed ages until Dani pulled away. She wiped her eyes roughly with her hands. “Look, Jerome. Let’s just forget about it. You obviously have some issues at home. That must be tough, but I don’t want to get in the middle of anything. I’ve had enough drama of my own.”
Jerome narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw as she spoke, his eyes fixed on her, seeing Dani struggle to sound calm.
“What I need to know is whether I need to find a new job. I don’t want an atmosph –”
“Jesus Christ, Dani! No, of course not.” His hands flew up to his head and he rested them on it. “We’ll work it out. I don’t want you to leave.“ He stared at her, pleased to see her visibly relax, and she exhaled the breath she was holding. “I couldn’t bear it,” he added in a low whisper.
The last thing she wanted was to leave. She loved working there and the thought of not being around him any more would destroy her, even if it was just as employer and employee. “Okay. Good.”
Jerome dropped his hands and clenched his jaw again. He needed to get himself and his life in order. He needed to make some decisions. He smiled tightly at Dani and she nervously licked her lips, still tasting him on them.
It had needed all her strength to resist him and she was sure a lot of it was to do with the fact that Chloe and Adam were in the house, just beyond the door. Dani knew if she’d been alone, there was no way Jerome would be standing two feet away from her and fully clothed.
“So, I’ll see you this afternoon?” he asked softly, his expression raw.
“Yes. My shift starts at five.”
Jerome nodded. “And you’re moving into the apartment tomorrow?”
“Yes, but I’ll be at work by twelve. I checked with Peter and he said it was fine.”
“You take as long as you need.” He sighed deeply.
“I’d better go.” Dani nodded, trying to smile.
Then he moved up to her and Dani took a deep breath in anticipation of whatever he was about to do.
She was strong, but if he kissed her again, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop herself a second time.
He clasped the back of her head and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Are you okay? I mean… we’re okay?” His magnificent eyes searched over her face, trying to grasp what she was thinking.
Dani swallowed and nodded. “I’m fine. We’re fine. Really.” The lie was far easier to say than the truth: her heart was breaking, knowing she was ending something that she wanted so badly, before it had even started.
Jerome sighed deeply. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have put you in this position, said anything… done –”
“Jerome really, it’s okay. I’m as much to blame. Let’s just forget about it,” Dani managed to force out.
Jerome nodded, unsure of what else to say.
She was blameless. It was all on him and she was just trying to make him feel better.
Her words made him feel the exact opposite.
How on earth was he going to forget any of this?
He didn’t ever want to forget anything he had with Dani, and her asking him to do that only made him more acutely aware of yet another quality she had.
He knew he needed to leave and the very thought of leaving her was tearing him apart.
“I’ll see you later then?” He pulled away and Dani exhaled in a rush, her ears buzzing.
Jerome moved to the door and opened it. He stepped into the hallway and Dani forced herself to follow him. They were met by Adam coming through from the kitchen. His eyes scanned over Dani firstly, then he turned to Jerome.
“I’m going. Sorry again for the intrusion.” Jerome outstretched his hand as he spoke.
“Not at all.” Adam shook his hand.
“I’d like to say goodbye to Chloe.” Dani stood awkwardly behind Jerome, watching the pleasant exchange between the two men.
“Oh, she’s just taken Rosie upstairs to change her.”