Читать книгу The Little Book Café - Georgia Hill - Страница 13

‘But I want to do it. I like raising money for the RNLI. I happen to think it’s important.’ Tash tried to keep the petulance out of her voice. She really couldn’t see why Adrian was so dead set against a fun run. ‘It’s for Lifeboat Month.’ She opened the kitchen door and went into the hall.

‘I know exactly what it’s for, Natasha,’ Adrian said, following her so closely she could feel his breath hot on her neck. ‘I just don’t see why you need to go out three times a week dressed like that.’

‘If I’m going to take part, I want to train for it. I don’t intend on coming in last. And, for goodness sake Adrian, what the hell do you expect me to wear to go running? A winceyette dressing gown? Of course I’ll wear my shorts. Stop being so ridiculous.’ It was the second time they’d argued about it. The last time Adrian had got round her and taken her to bed so she’d missed the training run with Emma. She needed to train; there was no way she was going to be beaten by a girl who thought a crisp sandwich was health food. Tash thought she’d gone too far with the last comment but Adrian just made what she privately termed his cat’s arse face.

‘I was going to make my special cottage pie. With cheesy potatoes.’

His voice had a whining quality that had Tash taking several deep breaths before she trusted herself to answer. ‘That would have been lovely Ade, but I need to cut my carbs if I’m going to be serious about this.’ She went into the hall and sat on the vintage pew that they’d sourced from a very expensive antiques centre in Exeter. She slipped her feet into her running shoes and began tying the laces.

His mood changed, as unpredictably as ever. ‘Serious? It’s a fun run for charity, Natasha, not the London bloody Marathon.’

Tash tried to disarm him. ‘Don’t swear Adrian. I don’t like it.’ Getting up, she faced him. The attempt at humour hadn’t worked. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her car keys hanging on the hooks by the front door. If necessary, she was sure she could grab them and be out of the door before he – she bit off the thought. What did she think he was going to do? Hit her? No. He’d never do that. He loved her.

He took a step towards her. His eyes bulged a little and he’d broken out into a clammy sweat.

Tash sucked in a sharp breath as his hand fisted to white knuckles. Her fingers inched towards her keys. Then she saw his shoulders relax and the tension splintered.

‘I just don’t understand why you don’t want to spend any time with me nowadays.’ His voice had gone back to wheedling. ‘You’re either at work late, off at this book club or out running.’ He reached out a hand and stroked her bare arm. Tash willed herself not to flinch. ‘Why not spend the evening with me. Nice bottle of white in the garden. We could go through those conservatory catalogues. You’ve always wanted a conservatory. Natasha, it’s too hot to go running.’

‘But I want to. It’s important to me. For lots of reasons, Adrian. Not just the fun run but to get fitter too. I had to use an elastic band to fasten my work skirt this morning. I need to lose a few pounds.’ She warmed to her theme as he seemed to be taking it calmly. ‘And I enjoy my job, I want to do well. Like yours, it’s not nine to five and that’s one reason I love it. For the variety.’ She put her head on one side, her pulse calming as he’d shown no reaction. ‘And, the book club? Really? I’ve been once so far. We both work hard. We both play hard. I seem to remember that was what you liked about me when we met. Both ambitious, you said.’

‘We are.’ He took her hand. ‘And yes, I did love that about you. Still do, Natasha. I can’t help it,’ he sighed. ‘You’re just so gorgeous, you make me want to spend all my time with you. I love you so very much.’ His hand sneaked around her waist and he pulled her to him. He kissed her, backing her into the mirror on the wall. Tash’s head banged against it. She used to find his roughness sexy. Took it as a sign of his passion. He trailed a kiss across to her collarbone and fisted a hand into her hair, holding her prisoner. ‘We could have a baby, Natasha,’ he murmured throatily. ‘We could make a baby tonight. If you had a baby to look after, you wouldn’t have time for running.’

Finding all the strength she had, she pushed him off. ‘Not that again, Ade.’ She looked into his lust-blurred eyes. ‘It’s not the right time for me. Not now.’ She saw a tightening of his jaw. He was angry again. ‘Look, I’ll just go for a short run tonight. I’ll be back by ten. We can still have that drink in the garden.’ She’d lifted her keys and had escaped before she could gauge his reaction. Something told her she’d pay, in some way, on her return.