Gemma’s mind was reeling as she straightened her blouse and hurried back to the house. How could Tate think he was a substitute for any man? No one else had ever come close to him.
And while he had carried on about Rolly, it had been a storm in a teacup. The real issue was Drake. Even when she and Tate had good moments between them, it always came back to the other man. Drake had been the cause of their breakup. Drake was the reason for her walk today, which had resulted in that kiss just now. And coming full circle, Drake was the cause of Tate’s contempt for her.
Yet in spite of Drake, there was still something between her and Tate that wouldn’t be denied. She was horrified with herself for challenging him to kiss her like she had. She didn’t know where the words had come from, but she should have remembered that he always faced a challenge.
Lord, as much as she’d wanted Tate to kiss her, she wished he hadn’t. It only made her more aware of what she couldn’t have and of what she shouldn’t be wanting. Now every time she was with Tate, and even when she wasn’t, there would be this consciousness between them.
Already she ached to be back in his arms.
She didn’t expect him to come to her room a short time later and tell her they were going back to the city tomorrow.
“Won’t that cause suspicion?” she asked with a frown.
“It’s only a day early. I don’t think it’ll matter.” A pulse began beating in his cheekbone. “And we ignore what happened before, right?”#p#分页标题#e#
“For how long, Tate?” she heard herself ask.
“For as long as it takes.”
“To do what? To convince yourself I’m worthy of your touch?”
“A bit of honesty wouldn’t go amiss.”
“So if I tell you I kissed Drake on purpose then you’ll forgive me and we’ll be able to move on?”
His eyes flared with triumph. “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll try.”
Her heart gave a painful twist. “How noble of you. Sorry, but I’m not telling a lie just so you can feel better about something that’s simply not true.”
He expelled a raspy breath. “Nothing was ever simple between us, Gemma.”
She wasn’t getting through to him. So there was nothing left to do but to salvage her pride. “Actually, I thought that’s all we ever had between us—simple lust.”
His mouth tightened. “It was…until you wanted Drake.”
He left the room and Gemma sank down on the bed, a sob catching in her throat. It was like talking to a brick wall. What could she do now but keep right on doing what she was already doing, knowing she had done nothing wrong in the first place.
It was the only way to make this marriage work.
Six
Late the next morning, Peggy and Clive left the mansion an hour before them and drove back to Melbourne in their own car. By the time Tate and Gemma arrived, a light lunch had already been prepared.
Nathan had slept nearly the whole way, so now he was a ball of energy and very fidgety as Gemma helped him eat his lunch. He was going to keep her on her toes for the rest of the day, she knew, and perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing. Without a doubt, Tate would head to his study and throw himself into his work, or even go into his office in the city. It would be business as usual for him from now on.
The job.
Play with his son.
Ignore her.
“What are you doing for the rest of the afternoon?” he asked, as if reading her thoughts.
“I’m not sure.” She could easily have taken a nap, but hopefully she’d get her second wind soon. She hadn’t had time for naps when she’d been working, she reminded herself. “I might take Nathan for a walk to the local shops.”
Tate frowned. “What do you need? Clive can get it for you. Just ask.”
She lifted a shoulder and then let it drop. “I don’t need anything really. It’s merely something to do to help Nathan chew up some energy.”
His lips twisted. “I see. You’re sick of all this already, are you?”
“No.” Why did he turn her words around? “I merely thought Nathan might like some fresh air, that’s all. It’s no different from me taking him down to the lake.” She could have bit her tongue off when Tate’s jaw clenched tight.
“I’ll come with you.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Why?”
“Because.”
“I see. You think I’ll leave Nathan sitting in his stroller while some store owner has his way with me out back, do you?”
Tate cursed low. “I’m coming with you and that’s that. We’ll go through a side entrance in case any reporters are out front. Put sun hats on you both. And wear your sunglasses.”