He got up and came cautiously round the desk, almost as if he was feeling his way in the dark. ‘You said you were sad about Simon.’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I was sad for Carol.’ She shrugged.
‘So.’ He sat down on the corner of the desk. ‘Have I been living in hell for these long months because I was a blind fool?’ He pulled her upright and into his arms.
‘I wouldn’t say that. I guess we both had our demons.’ She put her hands on his upper arms and all restraint suddenly vanished as they were consumed by an overwhelming hunger.
Harriet felt the blood surging through her veins as if she were on fire at his lightest touch. She felt incredibly aware of her body and of his. But it was more than that for Harriet, more than a sensual arousal that rocked them both; it was a feeling of safety, as if she’d come home, as if a part of her that had been wrenched away had been restored to her.
And when they drew apart she was crying as well as laughing, she was in a state of shock that told Damien more than words could how deep her feelings were.
‘Harriet. Harriet,’ he said into her hair as he cradled her in his arms, ‘it’s OK. We’ve made it. Don’t cry.’
‘I can’t help it. I’m so happy.’
‘Come.’ He picked her up.
‘Where?’ she queried.
‘You’ll see.’
* * *
He took her to his bedroom, not the one his parents had used, not the one he’d shared with Veronica—a different room but with a familiar settee along one wall.
‘See?’ He put her down on it and sat down beside her.
Her tears changed to laughter. ‘I couldn’t believe how that upset me, the thought that you’d got rid of it!’
His lips twisted. ‘You’ve no idea how good that is to hear.’
‘Why?’ she queried innocently
‘Well, this old settee has brought back some memories.’ He allowed his dark gaze to roam over her figure.
‘I thought it might be something like that.’ Her eyes glinted with humour but only for a moment, then desire replaced the humour and she put her hands on his shoulders, and hesitated.
He frowned. ‘What is it?’
‘Some other memories. The first time you kissed me it crossed my mind that you knew how to make love to a woman in a way that thrilled her and drove her to excesses she didn’t know she could reach... I was right. That night and this settee proved it to me. It had never happened to me like that before. I didn’t—’ she smiled wryly ‘—quite recognise myself, even if I had believed I was an all or nothing person.’
Damien stared into her eyes for a long, long moment.
‘Harriet,’ he said finally, in a husky voice unlike his own, ‘if you continue to make incendiary statements like that—we may never get off this settee.’
She laughed then they sobered and their need for each other was so great it wasn’t only the settee that became involved but the floor then the bed.