Page 55 of Hearts Colliding
“We’ve already talked about this. There's no ‘if’, Ryan."
“But what—?”
“But nothing. They’re not going to refuse the application. Do you really think I've not thought this through? That I haven’t gone over it all with my architects and planning and legal teams, to counter all the arguments against it? I’m not going to be refused the application. I know this business inside out. For god's sake, Ry, why can't we just enjoy what we have, for as long as we have it? Because, believe me, it's going to be over soon enough.”
Ryan’s heart plummeted. Why had he pushed? Why hadn’t he played by the rules they’d set for themselves? Why had he had to screw up their precious morning together, which was fast fading into the distance? Yet, he couldn’t stay silent.
“You're right, you know this business. You know what levers to pull, and buttons to press. But what if—what if this time you don't get it? What then?"
“l’ll do what I always planned.”
"And what's that?”
“You know what. Why are you doing this?”
“Because I need to know if things have changed.”
“Of course they have. How can I say otherwise? But I won’t and can’t change my mind. You know I'm not staying here. There’s never been any pretence about that — for god’s sake, I said so at the meeting. I made it clear from day one. I never lied to you, Ryan.”
Their perfect morning, their perfect night before, all of it gone in a few tense words, and fewer minutes.
“Like you say, you never pretended otherwise. I’d best go.” Ryan pushed himself up from the table but the effort felt huge. He tried to smile, but the muscles in his face didn’t seem to want to work. “Might as well get the interrogation about where I’ve been, and who with, over sooner rather than later.”
“Will I see you again? Or…?” Alex’s voice caught in his throat. Ryan’s heart clenched, the pain taking his breath away. Never had he seen Alex so fragile, so brittle.
“For fuck’s sake, come here.” Ryan pulled him in close, his frightened heart thundering as Alex melted into his arms. “What do you think?” he whispered into Alex’s hair.
They clung tight to each other, their bodies so different yet perfectly aligned, slotting together like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Lips met lips in a desperate kiss, as they fought to mend what had so nearly been broken, each in his own way craving reassurance that, for now, in this very moment, all that existed was the two of them.
Alex eased himself away, and Ryan’s needy, greedy heart screamed in protest.
“You’d best get going if you’re going to avoid interrogation."
Alex was right, Ryan knew he was, but his heart dragged as much as his feet as he followed Alex to the door.
“Ry?” Alex rested a hand on Ryan's bicep. "What you said before, about getting away for a little while? Would you still like to?”
Ryan nodded. "I would. You know that.” Just the two of them, before life changed forever. He glanced at his watch and grimaced. “I really do have to go.” He opened the door, and sunlight flooded into the hallway, its hard brightness blinding him. “But before I do, just one more of these.”
Ryan pulled Alex into a long, slow kiss. He fell back against the open door, pulling Alex with him.
“Oh, god,” Alex breathed. “Are you sure you can’t—”
"Sir Alex? Sir Alexander Love?”
They jumped, the strident, loud voice ripping them apart.
What the…Ryan blinked as a small blond woman bounded up the steps and thrust a microphone into Alex’s face.
“Samantha Duffy, from Coast and Country radio. Would you care to comment on your plans to build a housing estate in the village of Love's Harbour?"
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
“Sir Alex, can you comment on—”
"Who invited you onto my land? This is private property, and you're trespassing." His voice was cold, calm, but the heat of temper was rising fast. If the journo didn't make a move, he'd take the mic she was waving in front of him and stuff it up her—
“I apologise for the intrusion, however…” The reporter’s gaze settled on Ryan for a moment, her bland smile turning to a sharp toothed grin, before she switched her focus back to Alex. “This is a matter of both local and regional concern, so—”
