Indian Summer by Elizabeth Darrell Read Free Book Online

holiday. It would be the longest period they had yet spent together, and would surely bring a resolution to the question of whether marriage would work for them. Livya had been doubtful on that score, maintaining that their professional lives would remain the stumbling block. However, she had finally agreed that a long holiday in Europe would be highly enjoyable provided they did not discuss the pros and cons of marriage the whole time.
    She had been impressed by the apartment, where they planned to spend the night before setting out in Max’s car across Germany, stopping whenever and wherever they fancied. They had been too tense for lovemaking last night so, taking an early morning flight from Heathrow, the intention had been to go to bed until late afternoon when they would drive to Max’s favourite riverside restaurant for dinner. Guessing that programme was now a non-starter, Max dressed in cotton slacks and a polo shirt for lunch at the riverside inn. Nighttime sex was the better option, anyway. They could have been at it when Clare walked in.
    Livya made no comment when she came from the bathroom to find him fully dressed. The fact that she had on fresh underwear confirmed what Max had suspected. Sex had been put on hold for now. Livya took pale green trousers and a cream shirt from her case and began to dress.
    â€˜You didn’t explain that you’d moved into shared accommodation.’
    â€˜There’s a large room for entertaining, which can be used by the tenants of both apartments, that’s all. Individually, not at the same time.’
    She raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. ‘No joint Christmas parties; drinks and hijinks to see in the new year?’
    â€˜Haven’t been here long enough to find out,’ he replied calmly. ‘Anyway, I was hoping to be with you at Christmas. You know I’m not one for drinks and hijinks with a rowdy group.’
    â€˜Mmm, bit of a spectre at the feast, you,’ she said in throwaway manner. ‘Working for Andrew means I have to attend a number of parties, which I actually enjoy as much as he does.’
    â€˜Yes, well, my father ticks all the boxes whatever he participates in.’ Max wondered if she was doing a bit of tit-for-tatting here, knowing his occasional suspicions of her true feelings for her charismatic boss.
    â€˜He certainly ticks them all for Helene.’ She buttoned her shirt over her lacy bra and changed direction abruptly. ‘Do you have a key to her apartment, too?’
    Ah, so they were definitely flexing foils, were they? ‘When she goes away, I’ll doubtless hold one in case of emergencies.’ He pointed to the small table by the door to the central room. ‘She returned mine, as you see, but I’ll give it back to her when we leave tomorrow.’
    â€˜You know her well enough to trust her, do you?’
    Thinking how lovely she looked in the casual but very smart clothes, with her dark hair tumbled after confinement in the shower cap, Max wanted an end to this senseless episode. ‘I work with Clare. She’s the base Medical Officer, and a damned good one. We’re colleagues. And friends, I guess. Of course I trust her. There’s no cause for jealousy, you know.’
    He had said the wrong thing; he knew from the brightness of her eyes. He could have kicked himself.
    She sat heavily on the nearest twin bed and gave a light laugh. ‘Darling, I know you resent my close relationship with Andrew; suspect my admiration for him swamps my feelings for you, is a barrier to your need for a gold ring and a marriage certificate as proof of my love. I don’t need reassurance, believe me. What is there about that woman to cause jealousy? She’s a typical doctor: cool, clinical, unemotional. My only concern is whether she should be allowed access to your living quarters in your absence. I’d never give a key to my apartment to a neighbour.’ She paused