Читать книгу The Secret To Happiness - Jessica Redland - Страница 15

Karen was dozing on the sofa when she heard Ryan’s key turn in the lock. Her head felt fuzzy from the bottle of wine she’d downed. So much for one glass. What time was it? It had to be really late because she remembered still drinking after midnight. Squinting towards the clock, she tried to focus her tired eyes. 2.37 a.m. What the hell had Ryan and Steff been doing for that long?

She ran her hands through her hair and looked down at the rumpled midnight-blue satin and Chantilly lace slip that she’d bought for their anniversary.

Curled into a ball on the sofa, she listened to him trying to walk up the stairs, tripping up and clattering against the wall. So that was what they’d been doing: drinking. She looked down at the empty bottle and glass on the floor and sighed. Why couldn’t he have come home to a few drinks with her instead?

Shivering in the coolness of the early hours, she pulled a throw off the back of the sofa and snuggled under it. When Ryan discovered she wasn’t in bed and came looking for her, at least he wouldn’t be able to see the stupid satin slip. The humiliation of lying seductively on the sofa, bathed in candlelight, waiting for him to come home and participate in some steamy make-up sex, could remain hidden under a couple of square metres of chenille. Actually, best blow out the candles too, removing all evidence of her failed seduction attempt.

Back on the sofa, the throw pulled up to her chin, she listened to Ryan’s footsteps on the second flight of stairs and waited for him to come downstairs to find her. Her eyes were heavy and she fought to keep them open. Perhaps if she closed them and concentrated on listening out for the door opening…

‘Karen,’ said a voice. ‘Karen!’

She rolled over and squinted at the figure towering over her. ‘Ryan?’ She opened her eyes a bit further then blinked as he moved aside and she was blinded by the sunlight streaming through the lounge window. ‘It’s morning?’

‘It’s nearly ten.’

‘Ten?’ She rubbed her eyes and stretched her back out. A night on the sofa certainly wasn’t what she’d planned.

‘Why are you sleeping down here?’ Ryan asked, crouching on the floor beside her.

‘I was waiting for you. I wanted to say sorry for being funny about the amount of time you’ve spent with Steff.’

Ryan shook his head. ‘It’s my fault. I have spent too much time with her. We had a lot to do and it was important stuff, but you’re more important.’ He gently stroked her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘I’m sorry.’

Karen smiled weakly. ‘I should have been more supportive about Bay Runners. If it’s going to make Bay Fitness even more successful, I should be encouraging it instead of fighting it.’

‘Right back at you about the mid-morning bootcamp. It’s good that you’re trying to attract a new audience.’

Karen smiled properly. ‘What a pair we are, eh?’

As she sat up, the throw slid down to her waist, revealing the slip.

Ryan’s eyes widened. ‘What’s that you’re wearing?’

She looked down, her cheeks burning. ‘Pathetic and wasted attempt at an apology through seduction.’

He stood up. ‘It’s a nice colour.’

A nice colour? Nice? Was that all he had to say?

‘Cup of tea?’ he asked, heading for the door.

‘Er, yes please.’

Karen slumped back against the sofa. What just happened? If there was anything guaranteed to send Ryan wild with desire, it was satin and lace. Had he really walked away from her when she was wearing it?