Worth the Risk(37)
Ally gasped. ‘Mum!’
‘What?’ Elaine gave a sigh. ‘Ally, I would have to be both blind and stupid not to have picked up the vibes between the two of you. It’s never really bothered me before, you putting your life on hold for Charlie, because I knew you’d never met a man worthy of you anyway, but if you let this opportunity slip through your fingers then you’ll regret it.’
‘But he doesn’t want commitment and he says he never wants children.’
‘Well, we all say things we don’t mean,’ her mother replied calmly. ‘Would you want children and commitment after all he went through as a child?’
‘Probably not.’ Ally cast her mind back to his comments about people who became parents. If he’d suffered so much abandonment in his life, no wonder he shied away from forging relationships. ‘But what happens when he moves on?’
‘Then you have your memories,’ her mother said crisply. ‘Better a brief relationship with Mr Right than a lifetime with Mr Wrong, don’t you think? I know you’re thinking of Rob and Paul, but don’t—they weren’t worth ruining your life over.’
Ally stared at her. ‘But there’s Charlie…’
‘You’ve always done the right thing by Charlie but she’s not made of glass, sweetheart.’ Elaine checked that the cakes were cool and then wrapped them up in clingfilm. ‘Thanks to you, she’s more than capable of coping with a few knocks in life. Now, I’m late and your dad will be worrying so I’m going to make a move.’
She stooped and kissed her daughter and picked up her coat on her way out, leaving Ally sitting at the table lost in thought. She was still there when Sean returned ten minutes later, bottle in hand.
‘Has your mum gone?’
‘What?’ Ally blinked and managed a shaky smile. ‘Oh—yes. She had to drop two chocolate cakes off with Jack on the way home.’
Sean frowned and set the bottle down on the table, reaching for a corkscrew. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Fine.’ Ally stood up and checked the casserole, removing the lid and giving it a stir.
‘Don’t tell me—your mother told you that I was a bad influence and that you should run a mile.’
Ally gave a short laugh and tossed the spoon into the washing-up bowl, before opening a cupboard and handing him two glasses. She watched while he poured the amber liquid and handed her a glass.
‘On the contrary, she was recommending that I jump into bed with you at the earliest possible moment.’
There was a moment’s stunned silence and then Sean threw back his head and laughed, a rich, totally male sound that made her nerve endings tingle.
‘Was she now? Well, I never—what a fantastic woman.’
‘She remembered you…’
The smile faded and those dark eyes narrowed. ‘Ah, now I see. She doubtless regaled you with harrowing tales of my depraved youth.’
She blushed under the heavy sarcasm and took a sip of wine. ‘Well, let’s just say I can now understand why you avoid commitment.’
His jaw tightened. ‘I see.’
Something about his chilly tone made her hesitate. ‘Well, it can’t have been easy for you—’
‘Spare me the psychology, Ally. I don’t need it!’ All traces of warmth had vanished and his eyes glittered angrily. ‘So what have you decided? That you’ll let me have my wicked way with you because you feel sorry for me?’
Ally frowned. Boy, was he sensitive about his past! ‘Don’t be ridiculous…’
His mouth was a grim line. ‘Don’t patronise me, Ally! I can see it in your face. All of a sudden I’m a poor boy who needs mothering and who’ll change his ways for the love of a good woman.’
‘I didn’t say that—’
‘You didn’t have to.’ He gave a wry smile and drained his wineglass in one gulp. ‘Forget supper. All of a sudden I’m not hungry.’ He banged his glass down on the table and strode out of the kitchen, leaving her staring, open-mouthed.
* * *
Ally tapped on the door of Sean’s consulting room the next morning, taking a deep breath when she heard his clipped tone. He was working on the computer and his fingers stilled when she entered, his expression cool and unwelcoming.
‘Yes?’
The words came out in a rush. ‘I came to say I’m sorry. Mum wasn’t gossiping, but I can see that it must have looked that way to you. And I don’t feel sorry for you—at least, I suppose I do in a way but that hasn’t got anything to do with me going to bed with you—’ She broke off, horribly uncomfortable under his steady scrutiny.