Brides, Babies And Billionaires. Rebecca Winters
Moot point so far apart.
‘Okay. I’ll decide when I talk to Clair.’
‘Let me know. Now tell me where you went and what you did.’
* * *
Matt almost rolled off the lounge as he lunged for his mobile an hour or so later, failing to stifle a harsh groan as his elbow hit the side of the coffee table, and his mug fell off.
‘Lauren.’
‘What was that?’
Simultaneous voices, then silence.
‘Matt, are you there?’ He liked, more than liked, the concern in her tone.
‘I knocked my elbow on the table. You can kiss it better on Friday.’ He sat on the sofa’s edge, ramrod straight, stomach taut.
‘Try pawpaw ointment, it works quicker.’
‘Not as much fun. Clair phoned?’ He held his breath.
‘The two of you are very persuasive. She reminded me I offered to have a look at her computer some time, so I could hardly refuse. And she promised it’ll be a weekend to remember.’
His commitment as well. He rose to his feet, adrenaline surging, his free hand fisting and pumping the air. Couldn’t, didn’t want to stop the grin from forming but managed to keep his voice steady.
‘It will be. Are you tired?’
‘A little. I’m in the motel room ready for bed.’
A vivid image from his bedroom filled his head, he barely managed to stifle the zealous groan.
‘Too sleepy to talk? You’re a long way away, and I don’t want to say goodnight.’
‘What about?’
‘You and your family. Why you took the job in Sydney.’
He waited as she pondered his question, a habit he’d learnt to expect, professionally and personally.
‘What I went through might have been because I was so different, too shy and inhibited to join in boisterous games. My parents and brothers were all extroverts, loved any kind of physical sport and had no problems interacting with strangers.’
A decidedly male growl resonated in Lauren’s ear.
‘They didn’t allow for you being quiet and gentle, didn’t make time to understand who you were?’
She sensed Matt’s anger, found his defending their lack of sensitivity towards her exhilarating.
‘I’m beginning to see how I contributed to the problems. I wasn’t interested so I didn’t make any effort. I never complained or told them how I felt except to refuse to attend any more sporting events once I turned thirteen. To them I seemed happy to bury myself in books and homework. At least I always got good grades at school.’
Another growl so she quickly added, ‘If I hadn’t I might not be working with computers. Might not be here.’
‘Eighty odd kilometres away. Much too far.’
She snuggled into the pillow, striving to keep grounded. He made her feel warm and light-headed even along a phone line. With each word, her pulse had quickened, electric tingles danced over her skin, and the overwhelming desire to touch him, feel his strength surrounding her was almost frightening. He could make her feel strong, empowered. He could also hurt her more than anyone else in the world.
* * *
Lauren returned the hire car early Friday afternoon, and was given a sealed package Matt had left for her containing a key to his unit. Finding a round dining setting in the appropriate place and three large bright blue cushions on the settee left her speechless.
She texted him to say she’d arrived, found a tea towel in a kitchen drawer, and set it on the new table. It was the perfect place for the orchid arrangement he’d sent her. They were as fresh as when she’d received them, having suffered no ill effects from their journey to the Barossa.
A cup of tea, an open packet of chocolate biscuits, and she was ready to sort out her belongings in the lounge room. The items she chose for the Hills visit were packed into the new suitcase she’d purchased, everything else was wrapped and stored in her original one ready for the trip home.
Home. Her own apartment. Her sanctuary. It was never going to feel quite the same. The memories she’d be taking with her would change the way she viewed her life, her work. Her future. She chomped into another biscuit and vowed, no matter what, there’d be no regrets. Her friends would be there for her though she’d never be able to tell them the full truth. Matt would be her special good secret, hers alone.
She heard his car pull into the garage, his footsteps in the passage, his delighted raspy tone. ‘You’re here.’ She saw his captivating smile, was swept into his embrace, and held as if she was fragile and precious. She slid her arms around his waist, revelling in his strength and the satisfying sense of security.
His lips feather-brushed her forehead. She cuddled up, wanting this serenity to last, and he seemed in no hurry to end it either. Quiet harmony. An idyllic memory to cherish.
‘You kept the orchids?’
She arched her neck to meet questioning eyebrows and curved lips. ‘Of course. They’re beautiful, Matt.’
His eyes shone as he gathered her in. ‘So are you, Lauren. Beautiful and intoxicating.’
His kiss was light, gentle, spreading a warm glow from head to toes. Her lips instinctively moved with his. Her heart soared, and she wanted to freeze-frame this precious moment for ever.
With evident reluctance he eased away.
‘If I don’t let you go now, we’ll arrive in the dark. I know which I’d prefer...’
‘But the Fords are expecting us for dinner. I’m packed and ready.’
‘Give me ten minutes to shower and change.’ He dipped his head for a brief hard kiss and walked out of the room.
* * *
When they left Lauren kept silent at first allowing Matt to concentrate on the driving through peak traffic. She stared out of the window, trying to identify the suburbs and buildings, surprised by the number of new houses and renovations on main roads.
Once they hit the freeway to the hills, he turned on the radio, keeping it muted in the background.
‘Any listening preference, Lauren?’
‘Whatever you usually have on is fine.’
‘Which would mainly be news and sport. Not for you. How are you on county and western?’
He had to be teasing. One look at his profile said he wasn’t.
‘As long as it’s ballads and not yippee-ki-yay stuff.’
‘Whatever pleases you.’ He glanced over and her mouth dried up at the fire in his eyes. She quivered inside at the thought of the two nights and two days ahead.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask you for days, kept forgetting because you have a habit of distracting my mind and scrambling my brain. What’s the name of your perfume?’
She couldn’t answer, her own brain turning to mush at his compliment. He was claiming to be as affected as she was when they were together. Did he have the same heat rushes, the tingles? The heart flips?
She’d been wearing the same brand for years, had one of the fragrances in her suitcase. So why couldn’t she remember either name?
‘It’s from a small rural company who produce different aromas from Australian native flowers. I keep three and wear whichever suits my mood at the time.’
‘It’s been the same one every day since you arrived. Are the others as enticing?’
‘I’ve