United States of Love

‘I suppose I had better go. I’ve got to get back to Chichester,’ said Anna after a while.

‘I'll walk you to your car,’ said Tex.

‘Don't forget my offer,’ Jamie called after her.

There was a chill in the night air as they stepped outside. Anna shivered, wishing she had brought a cardigan with her. As if reading her mind, Tex slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She could smell the citrus-fresh fragrance of his aftershave on the collar.

‘You don't have to walk me. I'll be fine.’

Tex smiled. ‘I know I don't have to, but I want to.’

She could feel his hand resting between her shoulder blades as he ushered her across the road, and he kept it there as they walked.

‘Well, this is my car,’ said Anna as they reached her battered old blue Fiesta. As she stood in front of him, she suddenly felt self-conscious.

He cast an acknowledging eye over her vehicle before turning back to her. Anna didn't know what to say next. Meeting his steady gaze, she felt tongue-tied, like a teenager on her first date. She had forgiven him for tricking her earlier and had enjoyed his company this evening, very much aware that she had been unable to stop herself looking at him. A couple of times when he had caught her watching him, it had caused her to look hurriedly away, embarrassed. Despite this, she had looked back again and again. Like an addiction, she couldn't help letting her gaze linger on him. Those eyes were so welcoming, they seemed to be able to smile all on their own, and as she had listened to the timbre of his soft drawl, it were as if her eardrums were being caressed by his voice. It was enough to give her an eargasm.

Realising that she was doing much the same again now, she quickly turned her attention to her feet. This was awkward. Sneaking a look back up at him, she saw that Tex was now peering at her feet too.

‘What?’ she said worriedly.

‘Nothing. I was just wondering what was so interesting on the floor.’ For a second or two he looked deadly serious then, looking up, his whole face broke into a broad grin.

Anna laughed. He had such a lovely smile that seemed to reflect in his eyes. ‘Thanks for … well, you know … rescuing me … ’

‘Can I see you again?’ he asked gently, interrupting.

She caught her breath. He wanted to see her again – yay! The feeling of joy competed with the nervousness in her stomach.

Since Mark had left a year ago, she had only been on two dates, courtesy of Zoe, her sister-in-law. Neither date had been her choice, but Zoe had gone through a matchmaking phase last year and decided that the two candidates were just perfect for Anna. Apparently. Apparently not, as it turned out. Anna had soon got rid of them by pointing out that she was still married and had a teenage son. It was a good tactic to deter any undesirables.

Tex must have misread her silence. ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to say yes.’ He lifted her left hand and ran his thumb along her bare third finger. ‘Sorry, I assumed you were single.’

‘I am. Well, sort of. Oh God, I’m making a mess of this.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’m separated, have been for the past year and I have a teenage son.’

‘Okay, separated is good,’ smiled Tex, still holding her hand. ‘As for a son, that’s not unusual, so why do I feel you are still hesitant?’

‘I don’t get out much,’ she said, then catching the look of amusement in Tex’s eyes, found herself laughing again. ‘Oh, that sounds bad.’

‘Hey, that’s cool. We should remedy the situation though.’ Letting go of her hand, he took out his iPhone. ‘I'll ring you, if that's okay with you?’

‘It's very okay.’

Anna slipped his jacket off her shoulders as he tapped the number into his phone, double-checking he had it right.

‘I'll call you,’ he said smiling, taking the jacket. He paused as his hand brushed hers, his face still, his eyes even more still as he gazed at her. Anna felt her stomach knot as for a moment she held her breath, willing him to kiss her. He seemed to have the same idea, and in an instant, he was drawing her towards him. When his lips made contact with hers, it were as if she had been tasered, a shockwave shooting through the very core of her being.

‘Are you sure you have to go home?’ he murmured when he eventually pulled away.

She nodded. ‘Sorry.’ That didn’t even begin to cover it.

He let out a long sigh before stooping for another kiss.

‘Oh man, this is no good. I’m gonna have to go,’ he groaned as he disentangled himself.

As she drove home, Anna’s tummy was performing all sorts of gymnastics at the thought of a date with Tex. She hoped he would ring. He hadn’t seemed too bothered about her ex, Mark, or the fact that she had a son, so that was a good sign.

Not that Mark should be a problem; he was over five thousand miles away building a new life for himself. Her and Mark were very much separated, her marital status a mere technicality.

Chapter Three (#u71ac035c-2898-536a-9871-7aebd3129a67)

Anna was thankful that the last group of foreign exchange students hadn't wanted to ask any questions at the end of their guided tour of Chichester Cathedral. Spurred on by the thought of a chilled glass of wine at the Fish and Fly tonight with her sister-in-law, she picked up her bag and headed towards the main entrance.

It was then that she saw him. He was just standing there, grinning at her obvious shock. For a moment she thought her legs would give way.

‘Hey,’ Mark murmured, as if stroking her with the word.

Anna stared back, went to speak but her mouth and throat had completely dried up. What the hell was he doing here? He was still as good looking as the day he had left, all six foot of him. His blonde hair, the tips now white from the LA sun, tanned complexion and Wedgwood blue eyes. The teeth, however, weren't quite as Anna remembered. Now they seemed whiter, and possibly straighter.

‘Hi,’ she finally managed to say.

‘You're looking well. You cut your hair.’

Anna's hand automatically went to her now short hair. Her break-up haircut. Of course, Mark hadn't seen it. She knew he preferred long hair, that was part of the satisfaction of getting it cut.

‘It's nice,’ he continued as he took a step closer, his arms slightly open.

Anna stiffened. How do you greet your estranged husband? A full-on embrace? Definitely not. Handshaking? Too formal. Maybe a quick hug and an air kiss. Before she could decide, Mark was upon her. Hands holding hers, moving in closer for a kiss on the cheek, a quick hug, before looking directly into her eyes.

‘It's good to see you,’ he said.

For a moment neither spoke. It was Anna who broke the gaze first and took not only a physical step back, but a mental one too. She didn't like the way Mark could almost put a spell on her, even after everything that had happened. She needed to pull herself together. He may still be able to melt her with his looks but she needed to remember what was underneath.

‘What are you doing here?’ She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.

‘Came to see you, of course.’

‘No, here. How did you know I'd be here? Why didn't you phone? Does Luke know you're back?’ Her mind was on overload. As the questions came tumbling out like an upended jar of marbles, she was barely able to keep up with her thoughts.

‘Hey, hey, slow down,’ Mark gave her a small grin. ‘One question at a time.’

‘Well?’

‘I called at the house. Spoke to Luke.’

‘Oh God, Mark, why didn't you wait for me before you saw him? I could have warned him in advance.’

‘I don't think you have to warn my own son about me.’