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The impatience in Roman’s face visibly increased as she spoke ‘Or I could have been really subtle and let you think it was your idea all along?’ he suggested

‘Only you could call htforward’ She shook her head incredulously—he really was a one-off ‘I don’t suppose that it occurred to you that I iving hi to respond ‘It wouldn’t, because you never consider anyone else but yourself!’ she declared angrily

Ro

‘I didn’t consider that you’d made plans because as far as I can see you don’t have a social life’

‘Not one like yours, certainly’

‘Since Sam was born your life has revolved around him Can you deny that?’

‘Are you saying I smother him?’

‘I’d say the possibility of you wearing yourself to a shadow trying to be the perfect mother is a more likely scenario’

Scarlet threw a hand up ‘You’ve been a father, what? Five ’

He opened his aze settled on her face Suddenly the anger drained out of hi at the purplish bruises under her eyes He experienced a wave of protective tenderness of shocking intensity

‘Consider yourself asked’

Scarlet looked at him blankly ‘What?’

‘I’ if you and Sam will come to Ireland with me this weekend’

‘It’s quite impossible A trip like that will muck up Sam’s routine and I have work on Monday’

‘You’re the i his teeth in frustration ‘Saht you said it was important with a child to be flexible?’

‘This wasn’t what I was talking about’

‘Now there’s a surprise’ The htened another notch ‘As for work, you have four weeks’ holiday to take before the end of next month and I happen to know there won’t be any objection to you taking some of it next week’