My heart bangs in my chest again even though I’m not exercising and it’s not just because Blake Chadwick has actually remembered my name.

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

It was after eleven o’clock at night when the intercom buzzer at Lauren’s flat sounded. Most people, she thought, would be worried by that, someone calling so late. For Lauren, it sent a bolt of anticipation through her.

‘It’s me.’ Jude’s voice sounded urgent. ‘Can I come up?’

He had a key, of course, but mostly, out of courtesy, he didn’t use it.

She buzzed him in and seconds later was in his arms. His hands roved over her body as he kissed her deeply.

‘I can’t stay long,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘I’ve just popped out to get some petrol.’

Instantly, Lauren felt herself deflate. There’d been no chance for them to speak in the office at all today and the rash of emails she’d sent to Jude had gone unanswered. Now it was going to be just a few snatched moments when she always, always yearned for more.

She’d given up any thoughts of seeing Jude at about nine o’clock that evening and had settled for a long bath and a night watching television instead. Lauren pulled her dressing-gown around her, aware that it was past its best.

‘How’s Benjy?’ she asked.

‘Better,’ Jude said, with a look of relief on his face. ‘You understand, I had to come back the other day. I couldn’t stay away when my son was ill.’

‘Of course,’ Lauren said, but it came out more crisply than she would have liked.

‘I said I’d make it up to you,’ her lover continued, ‘so I’ve booked a hotel for this weekend. Gorgeous place. Just you, me, long romantic walks and lazy hours in bed.’

‘Oh, Jude.’ He held her to him again. But somewhere, in the back of her brain, there was a nagging thought. What if she’d been busy this weekend? What if she’d decided to do something else for once?

‘It’s down in Bath.’ Jude was animated now. ‘I know you love it there.’

She swallowed hard. ‘I’ve never been before.’

‘Oh.’

Sometimes he got her likes and dislikes mixed up with those of his wife.

‘Well, you will love it,’ he said, recovering his composure quickly. ‘Bath’s a wonderful city, and the hotel has a great spa.’

Despite her joy, Lauren wondered who he’d been there with in the past. It didn’t take much imagination to work it out.

‘I’ll have to meet you there,’ Jude said. ‘But I should arrive by lunchtime.’

‘Can’t we go together?’

He tsked. ‘No can do.’