Lucy couldn’t help but see the comedy in the situation.
She had just listened to Kirk’s explanation of what had happened. Somehow, she didn’t feel as awkward as she was sure she should. It was like listening to a friend tell a funny story about someone else.
While pouring Cristal into her flute, the two of them in a cosy booth beside the main bar, he had explained how much he liked her. And that’s why he had asked Carli to come round. He avoided the subject of whether Carli was paid help, though Lucy was sure she was.
‘The thing is,’ he told her, looking in her eyes, ‘it kind of shows how much I think of you. I wanted to respect your wishes and take things slowly. I guess I just thought this would be some kind of release.’
Lucy covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a laugh. She couldn’t help it. Little did he know she had made up her mind to sleep with him. As Carlos had said, sleeping with Kirk Kelner was unlikely to turn into something she’d regret.
‘Quite right. Kirk, I’m terribly flattered by the whole thing.’
Kirk seemed to grasp how ridiculous what he had said was – that getting a blow job from someone else was somehow a show of affection, like lighting candles round a bath or scattering petals on a bed.
He concentrated on Lucy again, determined to win her over.
‘But I’d love to be faithful, and I can be. I know I can.’
Kirk could smell her hair, all fresh and fruity. She had crossed her long legs, so sexy in black patent heels and sheer stockings. Maybe they were tights. He hoped they were stockings.
Lucy was keen to take the sting of humiliation out of the situation.
‘I’m sure you can be faithful,’ she said, putting her hand on top of his. ‘But listen, maybe we both need a little time. I’m just out of a relationship and you are going through a divorce.’
Kirk nodded, unsure.
‘Maybe it’s a good thing you’re having a bit of fun – getting it out of your system.’
Lucy hoped she was being convincing. What she actually thought was that there was no way on earth she could so much as kiss him on the lips with the image of that blonde bobbing up and down between his legs.
But she had to admit she almost saw the logic of his argument about why he’d done it. He was Kirk Kelner, after all. Everything was on tap. And she believed him when he said he wanted to act properly with her. It was almost flattering – in a severely twisted kind of way. She couldn’t wait to tell Max.
Kirk had taken her hand in both of his. ‘But Lucy, I could be faithful to you. I would be. You’re different.’
Lucy breathed in. Here she was turning Kirk Kelner down. If anyone had told her this was how the night would play out an hour ago, she would have laughed. Every woman she knew lusted after him. He was the screen saver on computers around the world; he was the man most voted as the one you’d cheat on your husband with. He was gorgeous, perfect. But now he was seedy. Lucy had caught him tonight by fluke, but how many other times had he done things which made that scene look tame in comparison?
That aside, she was still in love with Hartley, no matter how painful that was to admit.
She sighed. ‘I need some time.’
Kirk looked at her with his big blue eyes. She didn’t think he was acting, though that’s what he did so well for a living. ‘I’ve blown it, haven’t I?’
Lucy couldn’t help but be touched. This wasn’t acting. It was a man who knew he couldn’t help himself. Even if he wanted to have a loving, monogamous relationship, Lucy wasn’t sure he would be able to refuse temptation all the time.
‘No, these things happen.’ She laughed. ‘Well, not normally to me. I just think we’ve both got a lot going on right now.’
Kirk smiled thinly. He had blown it; he knew he had.
‘But Kirk?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I like you. You’re a great guy.’
Kirk looked happier. One day, she thought, when I’ve wiped the image from my mind, I could forget where he’d been long enough to kiss him. It could be a long time coming.
‘You still want to go to the party with me?’ Kirk asked hopefully.
‘You bet,’ Lucy said firmly. After all, she could hardly let Carlos down.