In the Mists of Time Read Online Free Page B

his flashing smiles and her heart dived annoyingly downwards. “Yes.” Casually he reached across the desk, curling his long fingers around one of the mugs.
    Brought to herself, Louise asked hastily, “Milk? Sugar?”
    â€œNo, thanks.” His mouse hand had stilled, and for the first time she sensed she had something like his full attention. She wasn’t sure if this pleased or terrified her. “I have a lot of stuff in my workshop from when we upgraded the computers at the house. Some of it’s new, some secondhand but still better than you have here. If you like, I’ll check out what’s there and see if I can build you a new computer.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Really? But wouldn’t I lose all my files? I’ve got bookings and accounts and the website stuff—”
    â€œIt should transfer.” He took a mouthful of coffee and then another.
    She drew in her breath. “But even if you have the stuff, this would use up an awful lot of your time—rather more than twenty pounds’ worth!”
    He shrugged. “Tell your friends how helpful I was. Spread the word and pay me back in advertising.”
    I’d see him again. He’d be here a lot, surely… She forced herself to drop the hand she was pressing to her chest as if smothering the galloping beats of her heart. Excitement warred with acute discomfort.
    â€œOr dinner,” he said, and she stood abruptly, her face, her whole body flaming in anger she didn’t even understand.
    â€œLook!” she began, with no clear idea what she’d say next. Fortunately, perhaps, the doorbell interrupted her, and she whisked herself out of the room.
    It was Cerys, bright and happy as ever in her grungy clothes and bleached-blonde hair. “Hi, Louise! What’s first? Just the usual?”
    â€œYes, thanks. I’ll be going out, but I’ll come and speak to you first.”
    As Cerys breezed into the living room to greet Louise’s parents, Louise walked back down the hall to the office and stood in the doorway.
    Thierry was screwing the side back onto her computer, his fingers deft and quick. Then he pushed the screwdriver into his back pocket and straightened to face her.
    â€œYou want to pretend it didn’t happen.”
    Instinctively, Louise stepped into the room and closed the door. She didn’t want Cerys or anyone else hearing this. Although as soon as she leaned back against the door, she realized horribly how it must look to him and actually held up one hand to ward him off.
    â€œThat would be stupid,” she said. “But we don’t need to repeat it.”
    His dark eyes searched her face. “Don’t we? It was very—”
    â€œNo,” she interrupted. “We don’t! It was a…an aberration, a moment of madness I can’t afford in my life.”
    â€œI see.” His eyelids swept down like hoods, long, black lashes fanning out against pale cheeks. Prison palour…
    Ridiculously, it crossed her mind that she’d hurt him. Deep down, she knew she had no power to do that, and yet she couldn’t help trying to make it better. “I don’t do things like that. It isn’t who I am!”
    His heavy eyelids lifted once more. “It must be,” he said with devastating simplicity. He shrugged and turned away, grabbing up his coat and the battered canvas satchel he’d brought with him. “But I make you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”
    She stumbled out of his way, pulling open the door for him. But it was a small room. She barely had time to panic as he approached her and paused. She could feel the warmth emanating from his body. Worse, she could smell him, the scent of his skin, which had swamped her yesterday as he made amazing love to her. She swallowed convulsively.
    His lips parted as if he was going to speak. He’d kissed her when they’d parted on the hill, when she’d just begun to