In the Boss's Arms. Barbara Hannay

tired.’

      The tension between them was palpable. He couldn’t stand it. Taking a step closer, he reached out and touched her cheek. It was soft and warm beneath his fingers. ‘I’ve missed you so much, Alice.’

      She turned her head away quickly, but not before he saw the movement of her throat as she swallowed and the sudden glitter of silver in her eyes. Were they tears? What was the matter? His heart rocked.

      Standing stiffly, with his hand returned to his side, he struggled to think of something else to say. This stilted conversation was agony, but it was an agony that had to be prolonged. He couldn’t walk away till he knew what the matter was. ‘I hope my parcel arrived safely.’

      ‘Oh, yes. I meant to thank you.’ She looked up at him again. ‘I’ve never had any Venetian glass. It’s just gorgeous. I love it.’

      ‘You found a place for it among all your other green things?’

      ‘Yes.’ She cast a quick glance over her shoulder and he thought for a moment that she was going to invite him inside to see it, but obviously she dismissed that idea almost as quickly as it had come to her and she gave the door a little push as if she was keen to shut him out.

      ‘I assume everything went smoothly in the office while I was away.’ He was grasping at straws now.

      One corner of her mouth tilted in a wry smile. ‘We managed very well without you.’

      Her deliberate taunt found its mark. He sighed. ‘I guess you’re angry because I didn’t make contact while I was away.’

      She didn’t reply—just stood there looking upset

      ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch,’ he said. ‘It was a little crazy in Sydney.’

      She dropped her gaze quickly. Her feet were bare and she rubbed one nervously against the other.

      ‘Is it something else? What is it, Alice? What’s the matter?’

      Her mouth tugged out of shape and then a little sound that was suspiciously like a sob escaped. ‘Just about everything.’

      Hearing that, Liam gave up waiting for an invitation. He pushed the door out of her grasp and stepped inside.

      There wasn’t much room in the narrow hallway and in the confined space he was acutely aware of her proximity. The scent of lemon shampoo lingered about her and he wanted to ignore whatever was bothering her and to draw her close, to have her in his arms, with her warm, sweet body rammed tight against him, to bury his face in her fragrant, silky hair.

      But he continued walking down the hallway and turned into her living room, and she closed the front door and followed.

      Her living room was almost in darkness save for the gentle glow cast by a table lamp in the far corner. It was a room of intense atmosphere with strong pieces of furniture, richly coloured wall hangings, cleverly selected cushions and objets d’art. There was music playing softly—a woman singing a moody love song about walking in fields of gold.

      The urge to drag Alice down onto the deep chocolate sofa was so strong Liam almost groaned aloud.

      ‘Now,’ he said gruffly as he stood to attention in the middle of her room. ‘You’re going to tell me what’s the matter.’

      A look of despair swept over her lovely face.

      ‘And you’ll also tell me how I can help,’ he added more gently.

      She shook her head. ‘I don’t want your help.’

      The hardness in her voice caused an involuntary flinch, but he chose to ignore it. ‘Take a seat, Alice.’ He said this as he might have done to an employee in his office and he half expected an angry response, but she sat meekly in a deep armchair and he took the sofa.

      They faced each other in the lamplight.

      ‘So, what kind of problem are we dealing with here?’ He was aware that he sounded more like a boss at a board meeting than a lover.

      The wry smile returned, tilting her soft pink mouth to an unhappy slant. ‘On a scale of one to ten?’

      ‘If that’s the way you want to present it.’

      Picking up a cocoa and black striped cushion, she hugged it to her chest and sighed. ‘From my point of view, right at this moment, it feels like a ten.’

      ‘Good God, Alice, is it that bad?’ A knife point twisted in his heart. ‘You’re not seriously ill, are you?’

      ‘No,’ she said quickly, but then she dropped the cushion as she covered her face with her hands.

      ‘What is it?’ Liam was across the floor and kneeling beside her. He couldn’t bear this. His heart filled his throat.

      She dragged her hands slowly down her face and her eyes glittered again with the hint of silver. ‘I’m really embarrassed about this,’ she said.

      ‘What?’ he demanded in a breathless gasp.

      ‘I—I’m—’ She swallowed and a tear spilled down her cheek. ‘I’m pregnant.’

      It was as if she’d thrown a grenade in his face. He felt strangely numb. He knew there was a reason why her words didn’t make sense, but for the moment he couldn’t think of it, couldn’t think at all.

      And then slowly the shock subsided.

      ‘When? How?’

      ‘The outback trip is the only time it could have happened. I’m sorry,’ Alice said. ‘I had no idea.’

      Sinking onto the carpeted floor with his hands behind him for support, he let his thoughts unscramble. ‘You said pregnancy was impossible.’

      ‘I know. I thought I was infertile. Honestly.’ Her hands were clenched tightly on her knees. ‘Apparently, I was mistaken.’ She looked directly at him. ‘You have a right to be angry.’ Her eyes were the colour of rainwater and awash with tears. ‘You are angry, aren’t you?’