Brides, Babies And Billionaires. Rebecca Winters
for you to do.’
He trusted her. Her heart soared and dipped, raced for a moment then blipped. She couldn’t deny she had continuing issues with where he’d come from, the class he associated with.
‘You don’t have to. I decided last week to spend my promised fortnight vacation being a tourist in South Australia.’
His face cleared and he caught her hands in his, skittled her breathing with his beaming smile.
‘Two weeks, huh? That’s good. Can you fit any work I need done between trips?’
‘If I’m needed.’
‘You are—very much.’ His intense appraisal was unnerving, as if commanding she hide nothing from him. His undisguised admiration made her insides glow, yet roused a prickling unease on her nape.
‘Is there a special dress code for tonight?’
‘Neat casual. Whatever you feel comfortable in.’
Your arms.
Thankfully thought and for once not voiced. She cursed her seesawing responses.
‘I’ll call when I leave here and pick you up.’
‘I’ll be ready.’
* * *
She was sitting on a bench near the revolving doors two minutes after he phoned. It gave her a clear view of the curved driveway and the road beyond the garden bed. Her fingers tapped on her right thigh and she clasped them with her left hand.
It was just another dinner in a public place, nothing to make her nervous. Unless you counted the confident, charismatic male striding, head high, on the opposite side of the road. At twenty-six, she really ought to be able to control these sudden spikes in her pulse and these inexcusable urges to run to meet him.
She went to the kerb, keeping track of him between passing vehicles. He stopped when he noticed her, his smile easily visible at this distance, and beckoned her to come across. Took her arm as she reached his side.
‘Hi, has anyone ever told you that you are remarkably punctual?’
‘For a woman?’ She tilted her head, and raised her eyebrows. Relished the pleasurable quiver in her stomach as he laughed.
‘For a human. The car’s not far.’
He didn’t speak during the short walk, obviously preoccupied. Lauren was all too aware of his guiding touch on her arm. Warm and protective.
The lights flashed to unlock his car but he didn’t open the door. He leant on it instead, placing his hands on her waist. He looked at the grass under their feet and exhaled.
‘When I said dinner, I meant takeaway or home delivery to the unit I’m renting. You and me. No phones, no demands from anyone. No distractions. I should have been explicit. If you’d prefer, there’s a local hotel with good food and friendly atmosphere.’
His preference matched hers. No noisy chatter or waiters hovering to serve, clear dishes or top up glasses.
‘Do I get to choose what we pick up?’
She hadn’t realised how tense he was until his shoulders dropped.
‘Food, wine and anything else you want.’ He moved aside, allowing her to get into the car. ‘You amaze me almost every day, Lauren Taylor.’
* * *
Lauren was the one surprised as she entered the modern single-storey town house not far from the city. He’d driven into the garage, led her through the door into a laundry and then along a hallway into one of the most sparsely furnished rooms she’d ever seen.
There was a long soft leather lounge, a coffee table and a television on a wooden cupboard. No rugs, no cushions. No books, ornaments or pictures.
She appreciated he was renting, and had been working long hours under extreme pressure, but...
Matt’s eyes followed her astonished gaze, and for the first time he saw his home as it was. He’d bought the barest necessities, hadn’t been planning on long term or entertaining.
He shrugged and gave a rueful grin.
‘Not exactly home beautiful, but I don’t spend a lot of time here.’
‘Are the other rooms the same?’
Leaving the Thai food and bottle of white wine on the table, he held out his hand.
‘Guided tour included with the meal. Any constructive opinions welcome.’
She didn’t say a word as he pushed open doors to reveal a desk and office chair in one room, suitcases and boxes in another, the bathroom, and finally the main bedroom.
It contained bedside drawers and a rumpled king-sized bed, which dominated the space but he never slept well in anything smaller. Since moving in he’d crashed every night into deep, unbroken sleep, including a few times in the lounge. Except for the last two nights, and his restlessness was evident from the unmade bed.
His senses were on super alert, tuned for her slightest reaction. He heard the faint intake of breath, saw her shoulders twitch and the convulsive movement in her throat.
Berating himself for his insensitivity, he drew her away, and pulled the door shut behind them, praying she didn’t think he had an ulterior motive bringing her here. He couldn’t ignore the picture that had flashed into his head as he’d looked from his bed to Lauren, or its effect on his body.
‘I signed the lease in the morning, made the saleswoman’s day in the afternoon, and moved in two days later,’ he said, hoping to distract her as he took her to the kitchen area.
‘No dining setting?’
‘Not yet. The only person who visits is Alan, and we eat while we watch TV, usually the footy.’
She winced and he remembered her outburst yesterday morning. She hadn’t exaggerated her dislike of sport. Tonight he was determined to find out why.
‘We’d better eat before the food goes cold. Plates are in the corner cupboard. I’ll bring the glasses and cutlery.’
Clicking on the TV, he scrolled to the relaxing music channel, keeping the volume low. He sat, giving her space, and opened the Riesling, poured a glass and slid it in front of her.
‘Thank you. I’m guessing you like leftovers, from the amount of food you bought.’
‘It’ll taste as good tomorrow.’ He lifted his glass in salute. ‘To you, Lauren. You have my eternal gratitude for everything you achieved.’
She tapped her glass to his. ‘Even with all the angst it’s going to cause you?’
‘Hard facts can be dealt with. The uncertainty is what fuels suspicion and creates tension. I’ll be guided by the professionals and handle any repercussions.’
Lauren savoured the tang of the sweet and sour pork, and the mellow taste of the wine, but found the depth of the settee uncomfortable. It was built for taller people or for curling up on. A few thick cushions would solve the problem.
She put her plate on the table, slid onto the floor, and folded her legs.
‘Can we pull this closer so I can lean against the sofa? I don’t have your long limbs.’
He complied immediately. ‘I’m not rating too well, am I? I’m all set up for myself, didn’t expect to have visitors very often if at all.’
Then why that huge bed, looking as if there’d been plenty of action there last night? Did he have similar expectations tonight?
She choked on a piece of pineapple, took a soothing drink of wine, letting it glide down her throat. He’d said only Alan visited and she had no reason to dispute his word.
‘Are you all right?’
No,