She searches his face, trying to make sense of her feelings. The attraction between them has been building since they met but it could just be an electrical storm of a relationship where all the excitement is in the build-up, when the atmosphere is charged with desire. Then, when the lightning bolt finally discharges, it’s over: the air clears, the tension dissipates and all that’s left is two people wondering what the hell just happened. But they’ve had sex now and he still wants her. More than that, he’s imagining a future together and she loves the idea of casting off their old lives so they can start anew somewhere no one knows them. It’s something she’s dreamed of doing for years but never had the guts to go through with. With Tom by her side it would be easier, less scary.

Could she have a relationship with him though? A healthy one? He gets her, understands her like no one else, she knows that much, and there’s definitely a connection between them, as well as a physical attraction. But should she? That’s the real question. In his own way he’s as screwed up as she is and two broken people do not make a whole. She touches a hand to his face, allowing herself to be drawn back into his eyes, and her chest aches with longing. Tom Wade is a good man. She can trust him. And that’s all that matters right now.

Chapter 37

Now

KATE

Two cups of coffee and Kate still feels as though she’s been run over by a tractor. She could hear them, rumbling past as the weak morning sun peeked from between the gaps in the curtains. She hasn’t slept a wink and now she’s got to do an aerial walk, twenty feet above the ground, with the clients.

After her conversation with Caroline, she stalked around the garden, shivering with rage, as the lights in the house went out, one by one. Fuck Caroline Harding and her story. This isn’t about damage control anymore, this is her life Caroline’s threatening to destroy. It’s libel, accusing her of murder, but how can she fight it? Her bank account is empty and there isn’t a legal team in the country who’d take it on for a share of damages, not when her name’s already associated with the sweat lodge deaths.

Now, Tom sidles up to her as she steps into her harness. ‘Are you sure about this?’

‘I’ve decided to challenge myself and face my fears. We ask the guests to do that and we should lead by example.’

Tom raises an eyebrow. ‘That’s a sudden change of mind after years of refusing to do any activities involving heights.’

Kate glances round to check none of the guests are close enough to overhear their conversation then hisses, ‘Fuck off you sanctimonious twat.’