She would have had to be blind not to notice that fact. His girlfriend must have loved the sense of strength he exuded. No doubt it had made her feel protected.
‘I’ve poured you a drink,’ he said as she sat down in the chintz-covered armchair. ‘Perhaps you’ll make an exception tonight and join me?’
‘Sure.’ Taking a tentative sip, she felt the slow burn of alcohol register in her gut as she swallowed it down. It was so powerful it immediately brought tears to her eyes.
‘You’re not used to drinking at all, are you?’ His tone was gently teasing.
Imogen felt like an idiot. A sophisticated woman she was not. Setting down her glass, she curled some of her hair round her ear. ‘No...I’m not.’
Thankfully, her guest didn’t pursue the topic. ‘So, tell me, how long have you lived here?’ he asked instead.
Trying to relax, she somehow found a smile. ‘About a year.’
‘And you work in the area?’
‘Yes, I do.’
Still cradling his drink, Seth leaned forward. The movement stirred the air with the scent of his arresting cologne. She didn’t know what made it smell so alluring but she didn’t have to... It had got her attention.
‘And what is it that you work at?’
‘I’m a secretary. I work for a legal practice.’
‘And you enjoy it?’
‘As a matter of fact, I do. I’m lucky enough to work for a very nice woman, and the work is genuinely interesting.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. I think if everyone enjoyed their work the world would go a long way to being a better place. I recently read that eighty per cent of the population hate their jobs. Thank God I’m not one of those. It’s bad enough having to deal with all the other challenges that can come at you.’
‘What do you mean, exactly?’
‘I mean like pain and disappointment and the death of loved ones. Yes, all that can grind even the most stoic person down.’
He took a generous swig of brandy, and to Imogen’s surprise she saw a sudden flare of pain in his diamond-bright eyes. His doleful words reminded her of the reason they had met—why he happened to be sitting there in her flat. Her heart squeezed in sympathy.
‘I agree. Life can seem unbearable sometimes. But we should never lose hope that things can get better.’
‘I admire your optimism, Imogen. Long may it last.’
Her guest looked to be candidly assessing her, and she suddenly found herself transfixed by him. What would it be like to have such a charismatic man’s regard? she wondered.
Fearing she was becoming too entranced, she said quickly, ‘Anyway, you said that you appreciated a companionable silence and I’ve already been talking too much...’
‘Not necessarily. Your voice is actually very soothing.’
Taken aback by the compliment, she said quickly, ‘I’ve just remembered I’ve got a couple of things to do in the kitchen. Do you mind if I leave you on your own for a while?’
‘Not at all... That is, unless you’d prefer to stay and talk to me?’
Such a simply put invitation shouldn’t make her insides flutter with the most intoxicating pleasure but it did, and her reaction warned her to tread very carefully where Seth Broden was concerned.
‘I don’t have a preference, but I perfectly understand if you want some time on your own for a while. Just call me if you need anything.’
Seth blinked and glanced away. ‘As tempting as that offer sounds, sweetheart, there’s nothing I really need right now other than the brandy.’
‘I’ll leave you in peace, then.’
His gaze immediately found hers again and he looked far from reassured. ‘Not possible—but I appreciate the sentiment.’
Even as she left the room Imogen remembered the note he’d left for his girlfriend.
You’re the only one who can calm the lightning in my soul and help me find peace.
That last remark he’d made confirmed he’d lost all faith in ever experiencing such an elusive concept again, and once more her foolish heart ached. Not just for Seth but for herself, too. No one could know the emotional wreckage that was left behind when faced with the loss of the person you loved...the hopelessness that ensued. A person had to experience it for themselves before they could even begin to understand.
* * *
It was blissfully quiet and oddly comforting as Seth sat in front of the wood burner, sipping brandy in Imogen’s simple front room.