“Well, seems he likes you. You should feel very honoured. When Chris is here, he hides behind the sofa and refuses to come out until he’s gone. No amount of treats will tempt him out. What did you do to him?”
“Nothing,” I croaked.
“Don’t talk. Here, let me get that drink for you.”
The kitchen contained none of the stuff I recalled from his old house. All the appliances looked new. I really wanted to look andsee what was through the arch, but with Jasper on my lap, it would be difficult. I craned my neck, but all I could see was his drawing table, and it made me happy that he hadn’t given up his art. Or at least, I didn’t think he had.
The kettle whistling brought my attention back to him, and he busied himself making tea before placing a mug next to me.
“Honey? Say when.”
He squeezed the bottle until there was enough. I put my hand out to stop and watched as it oozed onto the back of my hand. I brought it to my mouth and licked it off. I did it again and watched as his eyes tracked my tongue.
He gulped audibly.
Good to know I could still affect him that way.
Coming to his senses, he stirred the tea and left me to my drink. He loaded the dishwasher and walked out of the room.
The cat still purred, and as much as I loved petting him, I was desperate for my bed. As carefully as I could, I encouraged him to the floor and stood. My head spun, and I gripped the table, terrified I’d fall. Damn it, I hated feeling ill.
I picked up the mug and walked to the stairs, my head swimming as I went. If I didn’t know better, I’d have said I’d drunk a shitload of booze and probably drugs, too, but I’d been dry for at least twelve months, if not more.
I swayed as I took each step, stopping to regain my balance.
“Here, let me.” Harvey took my drink, leaving me to grip the banister as I went. “You’re in this one.”
For a minute, I expected it to be the same as the old house, but it was nothing like that. This one was far more spacious.
“This is your room, and there’s en-suite.”
Memories of a night very much like this one surfaced. That one had had a very different ending. A happy one.
Tonight, my chest was tight, and my sinuses were blocked.
“I’ve put everything in your room and the toiletries in the bathroom. You could shower if you wanted to, but I think you need to sleep.”
I pointed to my face. “Makeup. Shower.”
“If you want. I’ll go start it.”
Even if it was a quick one, I could at least wash my face.
I followed him into the bathroom and undressed, almost overbalancing again.
“I’ll get out of your way.” He backed up, his eyes never leaving mine.
I’d always loved how they were so expressive, and right then, they were conveying something I couldn’t quite read. It had been so long since we’d been together, and although some things hadn’t changed, Harvey had.
“Fuck, you can’t manage. Come ‘ere. Let me help you.”
“Thank you.” My voice was getting croakier by the hour. This time tomorrow, I’d have nothing left.
He lowered me onto the toilet seat and unzipped my boots.
“Duncan said you only got rid of your old ones last year.”
I smiled and nodded. They’d been my favourites.