Samantha sat on the bed beside him. She was devoid of make-up, and her dressing gown hid the killer body that he knew so well. ‘What a great night again! Honestly, Declan, I really did enjoy myself.’

He smiled, unsure what to say to her.

Samantha looked closely at the man she had spent the night with on more than one occasion and seeing the way he was acting – as if his being in her bed was something to be ashamed of – she felt the burning anger that only humiliation could bring. He was the only man she had ever allowed into her home, into her bed, since she had given birth to her daughter. She had felt such an affinity with him from their first meeting, she had truly believed they had made a genuine connection. He was much older than her, but that didn’t bother her at all. She had been attracted to his personality, his strength, and his kindness. She had felt all of that straightaway. She had also felt a deep physical attraction to him that she had never felt for anyone else before. He had sought her out after their first meeting; she had never once looked for him – she had too much pride in herself for that. He had pursued her, as she had known he would. Now he was suddenly acting like she was beneath him, and that hurt.

She opened her arms, and pulled her little daughter on to her lap, hugging the child to her. Declan watched her warily. He could feel the atmosphere changing, knew that he was naked, and had no option but to wait for his opportunity to get his kecks on, and run like the fucking wind as far away as humanly possible.

Samantha looked into his eyes for long moments. She was still hugging her little daughter tightly, and he could see how the child enjoyed her mother’s embrace, and how much affection there was between them.

‘Listen, Declan, I don’t like you treating me like this. You act like this has never happened before, but it has – many times. I’ve fallen in love with you, Declan, I think you already know that. But I will not let anyone treat me like a whore. If you don’t want to see me again, then you can fuck off, OK?’

Declan wanted to hold her, tell her it was going to be all right. But he couldn’t. ‘You could be my daughter, Sam. I’m far too old for you. I’m trying to be the good guy here.’

Samantha smiled sadly. ‘Well, it’s a pity you didn’t think about that before we got so involved. It’s OK to sleep with me in secret, then? Thanks a bunch, Declan. You know where the door is.’ She stood up and, with as much dignity as she could muster, she carried her daughter out of the room.