Page 71 of Scars of Silk

“I’m glad I was home!”

He catches my lips, his tongue sliding between them and dancing with mine. “Fuck, so am I, Sienna.”

The events of last night dance their grey shadows into my blissful moment. “Do you think Faith with be okay?”

A swift frown scrunches his forehead and I know he’s thinking of the right words to say. “She’s been through worse and come out fighting.”

“I guess you’re both fighters.” I watch him carefully.

“We had to be. Growing up in a tattoo parlour, no mothers in sight. We had to fight hard.”

“It’s why you love her. She’s your partner. I guess Abi was always outside of that.” I could tell; that forms my conversations with Abi. She’s their best friend, but her path has been different; secure, I guess.

“She’s my best friend. At least she was, and I guess I hope one day she will be again. I can say that now.”

I can sense a but. I just hope it doesn’t make my heart implode.

“But, I don’t love her, Sienna. Not the way a man should. I loved the idea my dad spun of us, and when he left, it was all I had to hang on to.”

“So, love me instead.”

His smile sets my soul alight. “That, Sienna Richards, I fully intend to do.”

The doorbell rings, waking us from a late morning snooze. “Bloody hell.” I groan. “Don’t people know it’s the weekend?”

“Maybe it’s your mum coming to show you she’s okay.” Dan doesn’t open his eyes to say this. “I’ll stay in here and hide.” He pulls the duvet up over his head and I chuckle, pushing my fingers under the edge and jabbing them in his ribs.

The doorbell goes again. Clearly, they aren’t going to be ignored. “I’ll be right back,” I say pulling down the duvet and planting a kiss on the side of his sleep squished face.

Tightening my robe, I pad across to the door. There are clothes everywhere and I’m thinking as a relationship starter Dan and I should maybe make a clear effort to take our clothes off in the bedroom.

I can’t believe this is real. Him and me, here. It’s real.

I’m smiling a goofy I’m-on-cloud-nine grin when I swing the door open. My smile falls.

It’s the weekend.

Scott Harrington looks at me, his stupid polo shirt collar standing up at the neck, his leather boat shoes far more shiny than they should be.

Shit. It’s the weekend.

“I’d ask if you’re ready for Venice, but it looks like you’ve overslept.” He chuckles in a condescending way and pushes past me into the flat.

“Scott.” I don’t know what to say. “Scott, I can’t go away with you this weekend. I had a big issue with work last night and didn’t get home until the early hours of the morning.”

“Don’t be silly, Sienna. You can catch up on your sleep on the plane.”

“Scott. No. I’ve got things I need to do today; it’s important.”

“This is why it will be so much better when we are married, and you don’t have to work anymore. You can stay at home and enjoy a luxurious life like your mother.”

I want to tell him I can’t possibly go away for the weekend because there is a naked man in my bed I might want to spend the rest of my life with.

I want to, but the words tangle on my tongue.

Scott’s words have a full impact on me.

A luxurious life like my mother. Every syllable hits me in the gut.