Thanks again for all the kind reviews, it's so nice to know people are reading and enjoying. The next instalment …

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Chapter 4

Harry sat in the driver's seat with his head resting on the wheel. If only she knew what it'd cost him to walk out and leave her. She'd looked so beautiful and fragile and he wanted her so much he'd almost been prepared to let her get away with calling him Gene. Only almost. He still had some pride, after all.

So now he was battling with a hard-on that he couldn't beat down with a big stick and he'd have to go home and deal with it alone. Or maybe not. He started the car and headed off in the direction of his ex-wife's house.

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Three days later he was eating lunch in the office, feet up on the desk while he scanned the paper. His mobile rang, and his stomach lurched.

"Alex. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Somewhat embarrassed about the other night, though."

She sounded lost and unhappy, and his heart went out to her.

"Don't be. You've been through a lot, it's hardly surprising you're confused."

She brightened.

"I'm not any more. At least I don't think I am. Harry, can we meet up again? I'd really like to see you …"

He wanted to punch the air, but he settled for grinning broadly at no one in particular.

"Why don't you come round to mine later and I'll make you some dinner?"

He held his breath. Too intimate for a second date?

"You cook? I'm impressed."

There was a smile in her voice.

"Well, I'm no Gordon Ramsey …"

"Thank God for that. He does nothing for me."

She was actually flirting with him now. He began to hope.

"You're not a vegetarian, are you?"

"Nope, still a confirmed carnivore."

"Great. How's a nice beef stew grab you?"

"Sounds heavenly. I've been living on soup and sandwiches for the last few days with Mols being away."

Result, he thought. Time to do a little flirting himself.

"There will, of course, be a dress code for the evening."

"Oh?"

"It involves you wearing something ridiculously short and low-cut with stockings and stilettos."

She snorted.

"In your dreams ..."

He grinned. This was going well.

"Yes, actually. With alarming frequency. How about if I offer to carry you into the house?"

"Tempting as that sounds, the answer's still no. Anyway, what would the neighbours think?"

The conversation was starting to turn him on now, and his voice came out deeper and more gravelly.

"They'd think I must've robbed a bank to be able to afford you."

There was a short silence, and he wondered if he'd said the wrong thing, but then she spoke again, and her voice was husky.

"Good answer, Mr Venn. Hmmm. I have got a naughty nurse's outfit that I usually save for the third date …"

He groaned, closing his eyes.

"Alex, you're killing me here. I've got an appointment in a few minutes and I won't dare stand up to shake hands now …"

She giggled. It was music to his ears.

"Well you started it. Anyway, when do you want me?"

He knew she was deliberately winding him up, and he loved it.

"How quickly can you get round here? In fact, make my day and tell me you're my next appointment."

"Actually, I'm in reception with Matt now. He really likes the red dress."

He groaned again.

"If I'd known we were going to be talking dirty I'd have cleared this afternoon's diary in preparation. In fact I still could. Would you care to continue?"

Her voice was low and sultry.

"Sadly, I don't have time to pander to your every need right now. How about we save it for later?"

"Seven suit you? I'll text you the address. And I'll be thinking about you in that nurse's outfit all afternoon, so my needs may be considerable …"

"I suspect I'll have worked up quite an appetite by then."

"In that case, I hope dinner will live up to your expectations, ma'am."

There was a short pause.

"Who's talking about food?"

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She ended the call, and sat down on the sofa, her face burning. How on earth had that happened? One minute they were having a normal conversation, the next it was something akin to phone sex. Oh God, she'd practically offered herself up to him on a plate, he was bound to be expecting her to sleep with him now.

A wave of desire washed over her as she pictured him gloriously naked on top of her, his weight pinning her down on the bed. What the hell, it was obviously what they both wanted, so why not?

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Seems this will be M-rated from now on, if Alex has anything to do with it! All feedback welcome, as ever …