It was on days like this she toyed with idea of cutting her hair. She could do with a change of image as well as a change of scene. The heavy stone of guilt still lay deep in her belly. Twice she’d gone to ring Alexander to apologise then chickened out at the last moment.
The trouble was she needed to bite the bullet and grow a backbone.
Christ, she was thinking in clichés, again.
‘You’ve plenty of time to have a family,’ Bronte said, jolting her back to the present.
‘Not according to my mother. Tick tock, tick tock. Do you think I’d make a good mother?’
‘Yes,’ her friend said without a moment’s hesitation.
‘I’ve been feeling broody,’ Rosie admitted.
‘Yeah?’
‘Hmm.’
Now Bronte nudged her shoulder.
‘Got something you want to tell me?’
Rosie grinned, nudged her back.
‘Nope. I just need to find the right man.’
‘You do if you want a baby. It’s Boo. She’s enough to make any woman broody. I don’t think I’ve come across a sweeter child.’
Bronte slanted her a look.
‘Don’t let one bad experience put you off. You’re not going to meet anyone if you don’t actively go out and find him.’
Rosie slanted the look right back.
‘Easy for you to say, Mrs Ferranti.’
‘True. But I went through plenty of heartache before I found Nico.’
‘I wish you would share him,’ Rosie said in a hard-done-by whiney voice. ‘Why can’t you give him to me one night a month. Be a pal, I’d do it for you.’
‘Not a chance, sister.’
‘I wish he had a cousin or a brother who wasn’t deliriously happily married.’
Steps synchronised, they marched down the woodland path.
‘Talking of gorgeous Ferranti men, how are they holding up?’ Rosie asked, referring to the upcoming funeral in Rome.
‘They’re talking, which is a good thing. But Nico’s taken it hard.’
‘Give him a big hug from me.’
‘I will.’
But Bronte was frowning now.
Recognising the face, Rosie wondered what was coming.
‘You need to put Simon behind you. No bells and whistles with Josh?’
So they were back on the subject of her love life.
The woman never knew when to give up.
And the lies just kept on coming.
‘He’s a lovely guy,’ Rosie said in a noncommittal tone. ‘We’re sort of taking it slow.’
She hated this.
Lying to her best friend was killing her, but Bronte would be sure to tell Nico that Rosie and Josh didn’t have the buzz and Nico would tell Alexander who was too much in her business and that had to stop.
She needed to put an end to his dropping in whenever he felt like it too. Perhaps it might be better to wean herself off the addiction that was Alexander Ludlow rather than going cold turkey.
She tuned back in to Bronte who was saying,
‘I don’t know what’s holding you back? He’s hot.’
‘You’re not supposed to notice hot men. You’re a happily married woman.’
‘Doesn’t mean I’m deaf, dumb and blind.’
How could she say, ‘Simon is actually your brother. That’s why I’m leaving. But it will kill me to leave you and Nico and the kids and the business and my home.’
How to tell the truth?
The question tortured her.
‘Do it,’ her conscience yelled.
‘No way,’ the devil whispered in her ear.
For a second she actually debated whether or not to tell Bronte, to unload the burden of guilt and lies, but movement at the back of Alexander’s sprawling barn conversion set well back from the hotel caught their attention and the moment passed.
A tall, slim man eased out of a dusty Land Rover.
‘Hey, speak of the devil and what a lovely devil he is,’ Bronte purred low in her throat, elbowed Rosie in the ribs. ‘You know, for the woman who virtually pushed me into Nico’s arms, you are holding back and I cannot understand why. The best way to get over heart ache is to have fun with a lovely guy. Josh looks like a man who’d give you a good time.’
Her friend has a point.
‘Hey, Josh!’ Rosie yelled.
Wearing soft jeans worn at the seams Josh was all tanned, and golden and gorgeous. He wore heavy work boots and a loose striped cotton chambray shirt rolled up to his elbows.
At her piercing whistle, Josh turned and watched them approach with a glint of appreciation in his true blue eyes.
Again Rosie wondered why chemistry was such a fickle bloody thing?
Why couldn’t she have that zing with Josh?
Any other woman would be champing at the bit.
‘Just the woman I’m looking for,’ Josh said.
His deep voice was throaty enough to make a woman’s toes curl.
Rosie heaved a sigh, just not her toes.
‘Which one?’ Bronte wanted know as she stepped up to kiss him on the cheek.
Josh turned those blue eyes on Rosie.
‘Rosie posy. The boss wants your input on the kitchen layout. And here you are.’
He gave Bronte’s silver ponytail an affectionate tug.
‘Sorry to hear about Nico’s father. When are you flying out?’
‘Tomorrow night.’
‘How’s he holding up?’
Bronte gave him a sad smile.
‘He’s doing okay. It wasn’t unexpected but I don’t think a person can really prepare for a parent to die.’
‘I’ll drop in and see him.’
‘He’ll be happy to see you. I’ll leave you two to it,’ Bronte said. Walking backwards she pointed at him. ‘Why don’t you bring Rosie over for dinner tonight?’
‘Thanks, I will.’
Bronte loped off to her car.
Josh turned to look down into her upturned face.
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
‘If that’s okay with you. You look all hot and bothered.’ His eyes dropped to her dusty boots. ‘Been hiking?’
After a quick kiss and a squeeze, Rosie grinned up at him.
‘It’s fine with me. You have no idea the torture I’ve endured. The woman is a monster.’
His blue gaze swept appreciatively over her tanned legs and arms as they walked towards the barn.
‘Looking good,’ he drawled.
Big flirt.
She grinned, enjoying the byplay and returned the favour to scan his long, lean body.
‘Looking good yourself, big boy.’
Josh bent to whisper in her ear and she got the hint of his cologne,
‘Pity you’ll never know if I’m a big boy or not.’
He opened the door and swept her through with a flourish.
She stared up into his handsome face.
‘It’s a complete waste isn’t it?’
Strong arms went around her waist as he backed her against the door.
‘Changed your mind?’
Had she?
Temptation whispered in her ear as those blue eyes met hers and held.
She shook her head.
‘At this precise moment I’d love to be one of those women who enjoyed casual sex or was able to indulge in a friend with benefits.’
‘I could be a fuck buddy.’
Rosie’s jaw dropped.
‘I’ll never understand men. How could you make love to me if you don’t fancy me?’
Josh gently placed his forehead on hers.
‘Trust me. I fancy you like crazy even if we’re not made for each other. We can still have a lot of fun together.’
Again Rosie shook her head.
‘I’m sorry.’
He gave her a big grin.
‘I’m not. At least it’s stopped the wondering.’
She sent back the grin.
‘So it does.’
<
br /> She knew herself well enough to know she’d only live to regret using Josh to scratch an itch. And although it was tempting, her life was complicated enough at the moment. And whose fault was that? asked her conscience. Shut up.
‘The right woman is out there for you and when you meet her you can tell her from me she’s very, very lucky.’
His hand cupped her jaw and tilted her head back.
‘You’re a sweetheart and Alexander is a bloody fool.’
With a wicked gleam in his eyes, Josh grabbed her ponytail, jerked her head back and kissed her.
He put everything he had into it, but it was no good. She patted his back before pulling away and was relieved to see that he didn’t look particularly upset.
Rosie took a deep breath and looked around the space.
The smell of new wood and lemon oil spun in the air.
Evening sun tumbled through skylights to pool on an ivory floor of stone slabs. Multiple sets of huge French windows opened out to a spacious patio. The fabulous hand-carved oak staircase, wide and polished took centre stage, stretching up to the next floor. The polished oak balcony was a thing of beauty.
Alexander had used big leather sofas from his father’s study to set up a conversation area to the right of the staircase. The three couches, the colour of ripe cranberries hugged a big stone coffee table. All stood before an amazing open fireplace filled with logs.
To the left of the staircase was an oak dining table big enough to sit a family of twelve. A bench ran down one side with six funky oak chairs lined up opposite and comfortable leather chairs in the colour of warm honey at each end. A chorus line of candles, thick as a man’s fist, danced down the centre of the table.
Tipping back her head, Rosie eyed the great wrought iron candelabra which hung from a heavy chain suspended from the ceiling.
‘Wow, I had no idea you were so far along with this.’
Josh slung his arm around her shoulder in a comfortable, friendly manner and she leaned into him.
‘The building was made weatherproof when we re-habbed The Hall. We’ve taken our time getting this just the way he wants it. The reclaimed floor’s fabulous isn’t it? State of the art under floor heating, it’ll be toastie in the winter.’
Hearing the enthusiasm in his voice for this project she smiled up at him.
‘You get a real kick of out this, don’t you?’
Blue eyes twinkled into hers.
‘I do. Projects like Ludlow Hall are a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve just finished a project for Coco Monroe. All glass and steel built into a hillside overlooking a lake. It’s fantastic.’
Now Rosie grinned.
‘She’s a friend of mine. We went to school together.’
‘I bet you and she were always sitting on the naughty step.’
Rosie laughed remembering the time Coco had run a teacher’s 38FF bra up the flagpole.
‘She’s a pistol.’
‘Tell me about it. Celebrity types can be tricky, but she was easy to work with. Knew what she wanted and how she wanted it.’
‘Her friends don’t believe even half of what’s written about her. I wouldn’t want to live in her world.’
Josh nodded. ‘Bloody nightmare with the paps shadowing her every move.
Coco didn’t have an easy life and Rosie was careful not to gossip. Josh was a nice guy and appeared sincere but she steered the conversation away from her famous friend.
‘Where’s the kitchen?’
He led the way through the dining room, past what looked like a snug or a study and into a cavernous room which was obviously an extension.
It had three sets of folding French Doors which opened out to a smart deck area high above the river.
What a fantastic space!
There was more than enough room for a couple of sofas and a casual eating area. And she spotted a great laundry and boot room too.
Josh guided her to a folding decorator’s table where plans were laid out.
Rosie ran an expert eye over the design and it tugged at her heartstrings, it was a cosy family space with ivory hand painted cupboards, acres of jewelled granite in creams and coffee with a large central island with an extra sink. And a fabulous handmade dresser with a monster of an Aga tucked in the middle of a chimney breast.
‘I love it. It could do with another drawer pack for tea towels, place mats etc.’
Josh made a note on his cell phone.
‘Good spot.’
‘It’s not my house. I can’t understand why he wants my input.’
‘I think he wants a female’s perspective.’
In a sudden move that caught her totally by surprise, Josh swiped her panties from her back pocket.
‘And what’s this?’ He sent her a big grin. ‘Rosemary Gordon, just what have you been doing up in them thar hills?’
‘Aw, Josh, give them back.’
Shaking his head, he stepped back and tucked her underwear into the breast pocket of his shirt.
‘Not a chance. I collect panties. It’s a little perversion of mine.’
‘You’re too nice to have perversions.’
Not willing to play, Rosie shrugged, too caught up in the house. It was so beautiful. A dream home for one lucky lady. The sharp ache in her chest had her take a breath.
She checked the time.
‘I need to get back.’
Companionably, they strolled back to the entrance door.
‘I’ll tell Alexander it needs another drawer pack.’
As Josh closed the door to the barn, Rosie turned and stopped dead when she spotted the tall, dark figure striding towards them.
Alexander’s jacket was slung over his shoulder as he tugged off his tie.
To her utter dismay her heart did its usual flip in her chest as nerves wound tight in her tummy so she wasn’t expecting what happened next.
‘I think this is as good a time as any to show him what he’s missing.’
The deep voice in her ear had Rosie whirl to find her mouth captured by Josh.
He pulled her body tight against the hard length of his as a small moan of protest escaped from her throat.
Large hands smoothed down her back to grip her buttocks, pressing her against him.
Oh God, his firm shaft dug into the soft skin of her belly.
He lifted his head, grinned into her shocked face and wiggled his brows, flicking a mischievous glance over her shoulder.
‘Smile,’ Josh whispered in her ear.
Rosie never played games.
‘Oh yeah? And what about Simon?’
‘Don’t, Josh.’
She pushed him away.
‘You two need to get a room,’ Alexander said, his deep voice no more than a throaty growl.
She turned to find him glaring at them through narrowed eyes.
And she shivered at way he looked at her, as if he’d never seen her before.
Josh gave her a long hug, closed his eyes and swayed in a way that brought a lump to her throat.
‘Sorry,’ he whispered in her ear.
Emotions reeling, Rosie clung to him.
He released her.
‘I’ll pick you up later.’
She blinked as he took her fingers, tugged her panties out of his pocket and dropped them into her hand.
‘I don’t know what it is about satin and bows, they get me every time.’
He moved towards his car and Rosie had to bite down hard on her bottom lip as Alexander’s eyes went like tennis balls.
And by the look in those eyes she was going to receive an ear burning.
Thank you very much, Josh.
Josh revved the engine, reversed the Land rover with a flourish and left with a cheeky beep beep of the horn.
Chapter Twelve
Stuffing her panties in the back pocket in her shorts Rosie made to move past Alexander.
Catching her arm he hauled her round to face him.
The fury in his face made the nerves
low in her belly do jerky little jumps.
‘Just what the hell was that?’
Maybe it was the fact he was so angry, but not a single logical thought entered her head.
Rosie gave him big eyes and blinked once.
‘What?’
‘Were you banging him in my house?’
Bemused by the tone, she gave him a soothing pat on his strong manly chest and lifted her chin.
‘No, I did not bang him in your house.’
Alexander’s jaw clenched and those cat’s eyes, the colour of deep jade, narrowed into hers.
‘What was he doing with your panties?’
Annoyance won the battle with nerves.
‘Apparently he likes to collect them.’
‘Does this face I’m wearing look as if I find that funny?’
Rosie pursed her lips and patted his cheek desperately ignoring the strange rush of exhilaration spinning in her blood.
‘Nope, the face looks angry and I’m wondering why.’ Irritation with him punched its way through excitement. ‘What business is it of yours who has my panties?’
She actually heard him grind his teeth.
‘I’m making it my business,’ he growled. ‘Just what the hell would your mother say?’
Tugging futilely at her arm, her eyes narrowed into his.
‘I imagine she’d wipe away a proud tear.’
Alexander gave her a non too gentle shake.
‘Are you naked under those shorts?’
Temper spiked in her chest as his eyes challenged hers.
Rosie waved her panties under his nose?
‘What do you think?’
He marched her to the house; opened the door and dragged her through before banging it behind them.
‘You need a bloody good spanking.’
Since she was well aware Alexander never got physical with a woman, her response to the empty threat was an unladylike snort of derision.
Rosie thrust him away and stood legs spread, fists on hips.
Enough was enough.
Her chin tipped towards his.
‘Yeah? You and whose army?’
Alexander stalked over to the dining area, tossed his jacket and tie over a chair and stalked back.
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