“What makes you think I want anything?”
“You’re not looking at me directly but keep casting those eyes over me wondering what I’m thinking. What do you want, Ursula?”
Busted.
She put down her fork and thought of the best way to ask him. The longer she put it off the harder it would be. “I told my parents I was seeing someone. They didn’t like Paul, and they want to meet you.”
“Okay.”
“They don’t know who you are. I haven’t given them a name other than Stephen. They want us to visit in the next few weeks. Maybe even spend Christmas with them.” She looked at him under her lashes.
“Okay.”
“Okay? What do you mean okay?”
“I’d like to meet your parents, Ursula.”
“Are you sure?”
He chuckled, which only made things tighten inside her. His chuckle shouldn’t be so sinfully addictive.
“You sound like you don’t want me to meet them.”
“I do, but they have these tests that they do.”
“Are they going to want me run a marathon?”
“No. Wordy tests. They’ll ask you all sorts of questions, and that can be embarrassing.”
He reached across the table taking her hand. “I’ll do anything for you. Are you worried about the age gap?”
“What? No. Age doesn’t mean a thing to me.”
“I see the age gap being a factor with your parents,” he said.
Ursula laughed. “The age gap won’t bother them. There are over ten years between my mom and dad. They’ll ask you about your attentions towards me and other little questions.”
“I look forward to the inquisition.” He kept hold of her hand as they finished breakfast. “I’ve got to work today.”
“All right. I’m going to study and bake a cake. I feel in a baking mood.”
“That reminds me. I want you to have this.” Stephen let her go to go into his pocket to pull out his wallet. He handed her a card.
She took the card seeing it was a credit card. “What is this?” she asked.
“This is yours. I want you to use it.”
“Stephen, you can’t give me a credit card.” She tried to hand it back. He refused to take it.
“I want you to have it. Spend it on what you like. I don’t care. Please, just keep it.”
“I don’t want you for your money.”
He laughed. “I know. I feel better knowing you’ll have this. Every shop will accept it.”
She hesitated but eventually put the card on the table.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll be back soon. Do you want me to bring some food?” he asked.
Ursula shook her head. “You’ve got plenty of food in the house. I don’t want any of it to spoil. I’ll see you soon.”
She stood and went to see him out. He caught her up against him, kissing her deeply. “I’ll see you soon,” she said.
“I don’t want to leave when you look at me like that.”
“I don’t want you to go. I’ll be here waiting for you to get home.” She liked teasing him. Their teasing was one of the aspects about her day she enjoyed. He made her feel wanted.
“I could get used to this,” he said.
“Me, too.”
Stephen wrapped his arms around her waist. His hand disappeared up the slit in her robe. She pulled away, giggling. “When you get home.”
“Promise?”
“Do you even need to ask me that?”
He chuckled and walked towards his car. “Phone me if you need me.”
She nodded and watched him pull out of the gate. Ursula watched the gate close before going back inside. There were some bits to clean away from the party last night. She finished clearing away the glasses and food, and then she vacuumed the carpets. When everything was done in the other rooms she went back to the kitchen where their breakfast plates were left. She moved the plates out of the way and then stared at the card he’d given her. The plastic glinted up at her making her feel uncomfortable. How could she take the card from him? There was no way she’d be able to pay him back.
Ursula cleaned away all the breakfast plates and frying pans, and then she grabbed the phone and dialled her sister’s number. Her mother had given her the number when they last talked.
“Hello,” Caroline said.
“Hi. Have I called you at a bad time?” Ursula asked.
“It’s a Saturday. Of course it’s a bad time. Why do you think I left mom and dad’s? They always wanted me up early.” She heard some movement then the sound of a tap. “I’m getting the coffee on. Why are you so perky?”
“I’ve been up awhile.” She thought of Stephen. He made getting up worth the early rising.
“Yeah, you sound like a woman who has been laid properly.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Ursula said with a giggle.
“Mom has already phoned and told me you’ve got a new man on the scene. I’ve heard all about Stephen, but I don’t believe a word of it. It was good to hear you’d gotten rid of Paul. He was a slime-ball.”
They talked for several minutes catching up. All the time Ursula kept staring at the card in her hand.
“Actually, there is something I haven’t told mom about Stephen.”
“Really. The good girl being naughty. You know I was proud when you stood your ground about Paul even if he was a total loser. This just makes me giddy. Does he have a job? Is he cute? Tell me if he’s in a band?”
Ursula laughed. Caroline had a reputation for screwing things up. She still loved her sister.
“Stephen is older than I, and you may have heard of him. Stephen Knox?”
There was silence on the other end.
“You’re dating the Stephen Knox? Ursula, he’s rich beyond your wildest dreams and, holy shit. You’re banging one of the wealthiest men.” Ursula scrunched her nose up. “I haven’t told mom or dad.”
“They’re not going to like it, Ursula. His reputation is not the best. He’s in the media with snotty models not to mention the fact you don’t have a fortune to your own name.” Caroline said everything she’d already been thinking herself.
“I know that, but I like him, Caroline. He’s nice, and he makes me feel special.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Ursula thought about it. She loved the way he smiled and the moods he had. “Yes, I think I’m in love with him.”