Page 107 of Ice To Meet You

“Will you hang up your backpack for a while, then?”

Chloe stretched back into the embroidered cushion. “I’m not sure. Luc keeps offering to line me up with a nannying job for one of his friends until I can work out what to do.”

“Who?” asked Esmé

“Someone down on the coast. A single dad. He needs help looking after his kid for the summer, apparently. Luc’s invested in his restaurant. He has a house with a separate apartment, so it won’t be like we’ll be living in each other’s pockets. I’m not sure I’m cut out for the responsibility, but the way Luc describes the beach—I’m tempted.”

“Maxime?” Esmé, murmured. “He’s the only one of Luc’s friends I know has a child.”

Chloe nodded. “That rings a bell.”

Esmé’s mouth formed a tight line. “Wow. Okay. Well, if anyone can soothe his prickles, you can.”

The tiniest line formed between Chloe’s brows.

“But you look incredible, if a little sweaty,” Esmé said, placing a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Do you want a shower?”

Chloe wrinkled her nose and smiled. “I’d love one. I apologise if you can smell me. Long-haul flights and bus journeys have a unique scent.”

“I have an apartment around the corner. I’m sure Matteo wouldn’t mind holding the fort while I show you.”

She looked at me, her eyes full of warmth. Even if herinvitation meant no return to our earlier clinch, how could I say no?

“No problem.”

Es took her friend’s hand, pulling her out of the chair. “And you must stay. Unless of course, you’ve booked a hotel.”

Chloe laughed. “I’m not that organised.”

I grimaced. Maybe Chloe wasn’t ideally suited to life as a nanny, after all.

“Then stay with us. It’ll be fun.”

My heart sank when Chloe grinned and nodded at Esmé. I wanted her to have fun, but I’d wanted us to celebrate the gallery opening together on our own—later, with a bottle of wine and preferably naked.

“Is that okay with you?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said, taking her hand.

She curled her fingers around mine, then sent me a glorious smile, that made my dick nudge.

Chloe smiled too, only hers was playful. “I’ll let you two say goodbye. You probably spend all day together, but sometimes, three’s a crowd. I’ll wait outside.”

I couldn’t be more grateful. I didn’t want a return of the monster erection I’d sported earlier.

Esmé took my hand and led me to the back of the gallery, pushing me against her desk. She brought her lips to my ear.

“I’m sorry, Chloe and I haven’t caught up in ages. I don’t want to leave her without a place to stay.”

I almost mentioned that Iris could organise her a room in whatever palatial hotel she and Luc had booked into, but it was good to see Esmé happy. Having Chloe to focus on would help take her mind off the opening.

I kissed her upturned nose. “I understand, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”

“You’re not?” she whispered, bringing her lips to mine. Herstrembled a little at the corners. She knew I was completely fine, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t take advantage of the situation.

“I’m not. I’m furious.”

“Oh dear,” she said, pressing her knee against the growing “interest” in my trousers.

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