Worth the Risk(53)

Had the emotion been all hers and not his? Had she imagined the soft way he’d spoken and touched her? Maybe that was all part of his seduction technique. Oh, heck, what was the matter with her? She lifted her chin and walked a little more briskly. She’d known all along that Sean didn’t want emotional involvement—he’d made it clear enough, hadn’t he? So what had she expected? That he’d drop on one knee and declare undying love?

Yes, she admitted miserably, suddenly stopping dead and staring at the path in front of her. That was exactly what she’d expected, or at least hoped for. But it had just been a fantasy. It wasn’t going to be like that. Sean’s rule was no commitment and she’d thought she could play by that rule, but she’d been wrong. She couldn’t have a short-lived affair with this man. One night had been bad enough. The memories left her breathless, desperate for more, and she knew that time would just make it worse for her.

She just wasn’t the sort of person who could have a fling, have fun while it lasted and then move on to someone else. She was a constant person, someone who believed that when you loved someone it was for ever. And she loved Sean.

‘Are you all right?’

She blinked, suddenly aware that Sean had stopped and was frowning down at her.

‘I’m fine.’

‘Are you hurt or something?’

Part of her wanted to scream at him. Of course she was hurt! How could he possibly not understand that? She was in agony. It depressed her to admit just how self-contained and controlled he was this morning. Didn’t he care at all, for goodness’ sake? Obviously not. Well, push on, Ally, she told herself grimly. Just get home and then you can work out what you’re going to do.

She summoned up a casual smile that cost her more in effort than the entire walk had. ‘I’m fine. Just admiring the view.’

For a brief second she thought she saw a shadow flit across his face and then it was gone.

‘Good. Let’s crack on, then.’

She followed him on autopilot, her legs feeling like lead as she picked her way over the rocks towards the bottom of the valley.

They met Jack, coming up. His eyes gleamed when he saw them.

‘Just checking up on you.’

Sean gave him a wry look. ‘Go on, say it. What the hell were we playing at?’

Jack laughed and rested a foot on a rock, surveying the view with obvious pleasure. ‘Enjoying yourselves, I imagine.’

Ally blushed furiously. ‘Sorry, Jack.’

‘What for?’ Jack shrugged and fell into step beside her. ‘You didn’t drag me out of my bed.’

‘We must have worried you.’

Jack glanced across at Sean. ‘Can’t say you did, really. If I had to get lost on a mountain with someone and it couldn’t be Jennifer Aniston, I suppose I’d be glad it was Sean.’

Ally stared at Sean, her eyes skimming over his powerful physique, remembering the way he’d made love to her—despite everything, she was glad it had been Sean, too…

‘Can I give you a lift home?’ Jack gestured towards his van in the car park, but Sean shook his head and caught Ally’s arm in a vice-like grip.

‘No, thanks. We need to sort out this gear and have a debrief.’

‘A debrief?’ Ally glanced over her shoulder and waved as Jack pulled away, before turning back to Sean who was unlocking his car.

He gave a wry smile and heaved their gear into the boot. ‘I think we’ve got things to talk about, don’t you?’

Somehow that didn’t sound very lover-like and Ally’s mouth dried. If he was regretting last night then she certainly didn’t want him to spell it out. She was much too tired for a confrontation.

They both climbed into the car and Sean started the engine, his breath clouding the freezing air until the interior of the car slowly warmed up.

Finally he turned towards her, a muscle working in his cheek. ‘Right, then. Confession time.’

‘Confession?’ Ally blinked, confused. This wasn’t what she’d expected. ‘What do you mean, confession?’

He frowned impatiently. ‘Oh, come on, Ally! Don’t play more games. How come I found myself making love to a virgin instead of a woman with a child of five?’

Her heart was thundering in her chest. He seemed angry. Why would that make him angry? ‘Why does it matter?’

‘Because you lied to me, dammit!’ He slammed the palm of his hand against the steering-wheel and drew a deep breath, obviously controlling his temper with difficulty. ‘OK. Let’s start at the beginning. Who the hell is Charlie’s real mother, then?’

‘My sister.’

There was a long silence and then he turned to look at her, his expression baffled.