‘You’re going to destroy this?’
‘Why would I keep it? Every time I looked at it I’d know what kind of fool I was for sitting back and making a sketch instead of responding to that invitation and getting back into bed with you. For not saying the words. A statue won’t laugh with me, cry with me, knock itself out making the world right for me.’
‘No.’ It could never do that. ‘But it will always be perfect. Never grow old. Never demand anything of you—’
‘Never give anything back,’ he said. ‘Never...’
‘Never?’ she prompted.
‘Never love me back.’
He’d said the words as if he was tearing lumps off his flesh.
Not just hot, gorgeous sex but something bigger, something deeper. The one thing that in his privileged youth he’d never known. The one thing that in his successful career he’d never allowed himself.
‘Love?’
‘The biggest four-letter word in the dictionary,’ he said. ‘You’re right; you should say the words rather than live with regret. I love you, Natasha Gordon, with all my heart. That’s it. No claim, no expectation and absolutely no regret.’
Now she was the one with tears stinging her eyes. ‘I told myself I didn’t want you to feel guilt, Darius, that I wanted you to remember me with pleasure, but I was afraid to put myself on the line... Your courage shames me, you deserve more but I love you, Darius Hadley. With all my heart.’ His expression was so intense that for a moment she couldn’t speak. Then, never taking her eyes from his, she made a gesture in the direction of the sculpture. ‘It’s there, on display, for all the world to see.’
For a moment neither of them moved, breathed, and then he kissed her so tenderly, holding her as if she were made of glass. It was a shatteringly beautiful moment, nothing to do with sex, but a promise...
When he drew back, resting his forehead against hers, he said, ‘There are a couple of other things I have to say. I need a plus one at the unveiling of the horse next week. The Queen is doing the honours so you’ll need a hat.’
She blinked back the stupid tears and began to smile. ‘A hat? Right.’
‘I’ve looked up dancing classes but I need a partner. And how do you fancy seeing the new James Bond movie?’
‘That’s three things.’
‘Is that too demanding? Only the thing is, Natasha, I’m looking for more than high-octane no-commitment sex. I’m looking for a grown-up full-time relationship with a woman who knows what she wants—a woman who will have time for me and a family as well as a career. So I’m asking—is that something you can fit around your new job?’
‘New job?’
‘Didn’t hell just freeze over?’ he asked. ‘I overheard Morgan offer you a partnership.’
And suddenly everything fell into place. ‘Is that why you’ve gone all moody on me?’ she asked.
‘Moody?’
‘Moody, shuttered, closed-up, just like you were when we first met.’
‘It’s what you wanted.’