Page 17 of Mine This Winter
They fell silent while listening to the wind and the crashing waves. The light snowfall brought a certain magic to the scene.
“It hurts to think of what could have been,” she said wistfully. “We’re not the same people anymore. We might have matured together, yet now we seem worlds apart.” Her throat tightened. “I don’t know who you are.”
“I’m a hard, cold version of my old self,” he said.
Yet he had been hot and passionate in the bedchamber.
Perhaps it was his way of letting her down gently, of telling her he had changed too much to salvage anything from the wreckage. Well, she’d cling to hope a little longer.
“You are,” she agreed, aware she had nothing to lose by being honest, “and much more volatile. Though when you kissed me, it felt like nothing had changed.”
He inhaled sharply.
Then his hand came to rest on her back, and he drew her slowly round to face him. What she saw in his eyes was anguish, not love or lust. “I have a responsibility to the Crown and cannot allow my personal feelings to affect my investigation. I should be rooting through Lord Bancroft’s personal effects, not standing in the darkness with you, consumed with thoughts of stripping off your clothes and worshipping every inch of your magnificent body.”
His words did strange things to her insides.
The muscles in her core pulsed.
Every nerve sparked to life.
He wanted her.
Nothing else mattered.
She straightened, preparing to leave. This might be her only chance to steal a moment of happiness. “I know things will never be the same between us. We’re different people now. But I’m sleeping in the cave tonight. You’re welcome to join me.”
She didn’t wait for an answer but turned away and walked towards the cliff face. If he didn’t follow, the loss would be heavy. A weight she would have to carry for years.
Gwen reached the pathway through the rocks leading to the craggy opening of the cave. Too scared to turn around, she entered.
One way or another, she would be a different woman tomorrow.
CHAPTER 6
Simon watched Gwendolyn cross the beach and head towards the cave. The separation had the dreaded emptiness seeping into his bones. Bitterness still ran like poison in his veins.
All the time lost.
All the years spent believing a lie.
Only one thing could numb his pain and it wasn’t brandy.
When you kissed me, it felt like nothing had changed.
She was right. The first touch of their lips had ignited their passion. Only she could sate the hunger growing inside him. Only she could fill the emptiness.
He took the first few steps, then quickened his pace, his body urging him to follow her to the ends of the earth, even if his mind was a little slow to catch up.
I’m sleeping in the cave tonight.
You’re welcome to join me.
A gentleman would caution her against such folly and escort her back to the house. But honour be damned. He imagined holding her soft satin body against his bronzed skin, taking the one thing he’d always wanted. Her.
Simon watched her enter the cave. She didn’t glance over her shoulder, offer a coy smile and beckon him into her boudoir. The decision to join her was his alone.
He stepped into the cave.
