FORTY TWO

VERA

There were three, sweaty, naked bodies on the floor, and I quickly recognised Nathan's peculiar tan. I had spent so much time admiring it as a teenager with raging hormones I could probably pick it out of a crowd with my eyes closed.

The bodies froze in their motions as the evening sunlight spilled through the open door and on to them. I felt my heart thump when I saw red hair, but the lady looked up and I realised she was not Freya.

Unconsciously, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Is she joining us?" one of the girls asked.

The question seemed to send a jolt through Nathan, and the surprise on his face quickly morphed into a kind of cold anger.

"No," he said coldly. "And I think it's time you leave,"

"What?" the other lady asked.

Nathan was already standing, and for the first time, I got a full glimpse of his body without any clothing on.

I froze, as did all thoughts in my head. Vaguely, I was aware of my mouth hanging open, and Nathan saying something to the girls harshly, but it di