Читать книгу Australia: Bundles of Joy: Impossibly Pregnant / Top-Notch Surgeon, Pregnant Nurse / Caring For His Babies - Lilian Darcy - Страница 13

‘A good man is like quality coffee. He’s rich, warm and can keep you up all night long.’

Chrystal Jones, a woman who should know.

‘NO OFFENCE, but this idea for Flirt sucks!’

Keely looked at the sheet Tahlia handed her and raised an eyebrow. ‘But that’s the image they’re after. Bold, contemporary, out to make a statement. They’re a new magazine and they want something totally different so I went all out.’

Tahlia merely shook her head in response and handed the draft to Emma.

To her surprise, Emma’s brow crinkled in a frown. ‘You’ve done that all right,’ she muttered, following the flow chart with her index fìnger before coming to an abrupt stop. ‘Sorry, sweetie, I have to agree with Tahlia. This idea will be impossible to animate, let alone sell. And that’s the bottom line here, making Flirt look as attractive as possible to the Heads.’

Emma placed her draft on the conference table between them and reached for a doughnut. ‘And, unless you want ours to roll, I suggest we come up with a new design before the Rottie starts snapping at our heels.’

Keely sighed, ignoring the doughnuts for once, and took a long sip of her Macchiato. ‘Maybe I’m losing my touch?’

‘More like losing your mind over you-know-who,’ Tahlia muttered, cradling a steaming cappuccino in her hands.

Keely ignored the jibe. They were meeting to brainstorm ideas for Flirt magazine, their newest and biggest client, not dish the dirt on her status with Lachlan.

‘When you said meet for a D&M, I assumed you meant the usual doughnuts and Macchiato, not the deep and meaningful conversation that often accompanies any one of us getting involved with a man.’

Though she needed to focus on her work—she could almost reach out and touch the promotion to Director of Graphic Design—the temptation to talk about Lachlan hovered in front of her. However, she knew that if the girls got her started she’d probably never stop.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Emma asked, the worried frown on her brow deepening. ‘This stuff can wait.’ She waved at the Flirt file as if it meant nothing, which they all knew wasn’t true. If they ever lost an account like this one, it would probably mean their jobs would disappear quicker than a click of a mouse button on a delete key.

Keely glanced at Tahlia, knowing that out of the three of them she was the most driven. Her career meant everything to her, and if they veered from work during these regular meetings she would pull them back into line.

Today, Tahlia threw both hands in the air. ‘What the hell? I’m up for all the gruesome details if you are.’

Keely placed her cup on the table, leaned back and folded her arms. ‘Well, there isn’t a lot to tell. He’s a man, I’m a woman, and we’re dating.’

‘You’re what?’ Emma screeched, and grabbed her arm. ‘When did all this happen? How did it happen? How far have you gone? What—?’

‘Whoa! One question at a time, Em.’ Tahlia leaned forward like a co-conspirator. ‘Did you do the deed yet?’

Keely laughed and made a zipping action over her lips.

‘Your lips are sealed, huh?’

She nodded at Tahlia, a smirk spreading across her face at the expression on Emma’s.

‘Now see what you’ve done,’ Emma said to Tahlia. ‘Ask one crass question like that and she clams up. Now what are we going to do?’

Tahlia winked at Emma. ‘We could always go directly to the source and ask him. I’m sure Lachlan would love a phone call to his talkback show, asking about his latest love.’

‘You wouldn’t!’ Keely burst out, knowing her friends were joking and enjoying it.

After her lonely teenage years, she’d thanked her lucky stars when she’d met Emma and Tahlia and for the instant bond that had sprung up between them. She valued their friendship more with each passing day and looked forward to their teasing as much as their kooky sense of humour and their loyalty.

Emma nodded. ‘Yes, we would. Unless you give us some small titbit of gossip so we can live our lives vicariously through you.’

‘Fine.’ Keely took a moment to refill her cup from the coffee machine before responding. ‘We’re going away this weekend to Hepburn Springs for a little R and R. He’s away on business in Sydney till then so in a way, it’s our first official date.’

Tahlia rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, right. As if you haven’t been dating for the last week anyway.’

Keely glanced at Emma, expecting her friend to say something. To her surprise, Emma chewed on her pen, a slight frown creasing her brow.

‘What’s up, Em?’ Keely had enough doubts swirling through her head without her friends joining in. If something was bothering Em, the romantic dreamer of the three of them, it had to be serious.

‘You really like this guy, don’t you?’

Keely nodded, still a little stunned herself at the swiftness of the whole thing. Lachlan had entered her life just over a week ago and swept her off her feet. She never dropped her guard that quickly, though with Mr Perfect bombarding her with his presence on a daily basis, what choice did she have?

Thankfully, this time she had no intention of letting her heart rule her head. She knew the score: date a gorgeous guy, have some fun, don’t get serious. No need for messy confessions about her past, no qualms about calling it quits. Simple.

Emma leaned forward and the frown deepened. ‘I thought so. I’ve never seen you like this over a guy. Just don’t get hurt, okay?’

Emma’s concern puzzled her. She’d thought her friend would be doing cartwheels instead of doling out dire warnings.

‘I really like him, Em, but I’m not about to do anything stupid.’ Like fall in love.

No, this relationship would be light-hearted, casual, fun. They were dating, not on trial for potential marriage, and in that case her secret wouldn’t even come into play.

‘If you want my opinion, I think it’s about time you lost it over a guy. All this realism garbage you spout gets a bit boring after a while.’

Keely smiled at Tahlia, knowing she could count on her for an honest update of the situation.

‘On that note, I think we should get back to business. Flirt magazine should be our number one priority right now.’

At least during business hours.

She would have to make a conscious effort to concentrate on work for the rest of the week and banish the thought of her weekend away with Lachlan. Having him interstate and not popping up on her doorstep would certainly help, though her insomnia had taken a turn for the worse lately, and all she could think about while lying in bed at night was how far she was willing to take this dating business—and the possible repercussions—if the unthinkable happened.

By the way her emotions had been careening out of control around him she knew she had to tread carefully.

Dating Lachlan would be fine, loving him disastrous.

Though for the life of her she couldn’t back away now. She deserved some happiness, however fleeting, and dating Lachlan promised to deliver in that department. In spades.

If anything, this weekend would be fun, and it had been too long since she’d had any with a man. Sure, her life as a city girl was rewarding, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to a certain emptiness, a yearning for something more. And, right now, she knew Lachlan could fill that void—and how!

Keely jumped as Tahlia clicked her fingers in front of her face. ‘Snap out of it, dating girl. Focus.’

Keely sent a sheepish smile her friends’ way, banished thoughts of Lachlan from her mind and tried to do exactly that.

‘You don’t do things by halves, do you?’ Keely glanced around the mud-brick cottage, admiring the antique furniture, the plump throw-cushions and a fireplace that just beckoned to be laid in front of. ‘This place is beautiful.’

Lachlan deposited their overnight bags inside the door and looked up, his stare doing strange things to her insides even at a distance. ‘You’re beautiful.’

Though she knew his compliments were part of his charisma, as natural to him as breathing, a small part of her couldn’t help but wish he truly meant them. Before a larger part told her to wake up! She looked in the mirror every morning, certain that her peculiar hazel eyes, brown hair and curvaceous body were nothing special. And far from beautiful.

She stood there, transfixed, as he crossed the room. Her brain—not to mention her body—had gone haywire the minute he’d picked her up from her apartment, his sizzling kiss a greeting she wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

He’d said he’d missed her, but not half as much as she’d missed him. Was she insane? She’d known him less than two weeks. She’d recited ‘don’t fall in love … don’t fall in love …’ enough times over the last few days in the hope it would make a lasting impression. It hadn’t, and she was at serious risk of losing her heart to this man.

If she hadn’t lost it already.

‘Nothing to say?’ He tilted her chin up with his index finger while his thumb created havoc by brushing gently over her bottom lip. ‘That would be a first.’

She stared into his eyes, knowing that whatever happened between them she’d never forget that unique shade of blue. ‘Are you suggesting I have a big mouth?’

His gaze dropped to her lips. ‘There’s nothing wrong with the size of it from where I’m standing. Nor the rest of you, for that matter.’

Oh-oh. There he went again. Another throwaway comment about her body. Sheesh, what was she thinking, losing her heart to a guy who was probably only interested in a svelte figure?

The minute his arms slipped around her she had her answer. She wasn’t thinking. And it could prove her biggest downfall yet.

Just shut up and kiss me, she wanted to yell. Anything to distract from her doubts.

‘Why don’t you show me how much you missed me?’ she said, sending him a coy smile designed to tempt.

‘Again? There’s no pleasing some women.’

She snuggled into him, inhaling his scent and allowing it to wash over her in welcome waves. She had to discover the soap he used and buy a cake of the stuff to keep next to her pillow. Maybe if she didn’t have his body near her at night, his smell would be the next best thing to help her drift off to sleep?

‘On the contrary, I’m very easy to please.’

He stroked her back, his hand burning a scorching trail through the thin fabric of her top. ‘Tell me how.’

‘Well, seeing as we’re in Hepburn Springs, aka spa country, why don’t you start with drawing me a mineral bath, followed by a massage, topped off with a facial?’ She accompanied her words by burying her face in his neck and nipping a light trail to his jaw.

‘I hear the nearby spa facility offers all that and more.’

His hand stilled in its exploration of her back as she planted a row of tiny kisses along his jaw and upwards, till she reached the outer corner of his mouth.

‘Who needs to go to a facility for all that pampering? I can offer you all that and more right here.’

He turned his head ever so slightly, fusing his lips to hers with the lightest touch.

The slow, burning kiss affected her more than any they’d shared before. As he deepened it, and she plastered her body against his, she wondered if this amazing toe-curling experience and its accompanying feelings indicated she’d already fallen for him, despite her vows to do anything but. Or could it just be plain old-fashioned lust?

‘Stop thinking and just feel,’ he murmured, caressing her body with skilled patience till she almost purred.

‘Feeling is scary,’ she said, arching against him despite herself, unable to stop the powerful surge of emotion that she didn’t dare label love that drew her to him.

‘I won’t let you down.’ He pulled away slightly, cupped her cheek and stared into her eyes, and for one endless moment, she almost believed him.

‘Can we slow things down a bit?’ As the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back.

She’d taken things slow her entire life, pulling away from people, sabotaging relationships with men, not willing to get too close. And where had it got her?

Alone. Unable to sleep at night. And still hoping for the perfect man to walk into her life and rescue her from all the insecurities that plagued her as a result of knowing the one thing she couldn’t be in this lifetime—a mother.

Now the man of her dreams had come along and she was still balking, still holding back. Why? Wasn’t he worth taking a risk for?

And in that moment she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she wouldn’t think, analyse or hold back this weekend. She would ‘go for it’ as Tahlia had advised, and damn the consequences.

‘Whatever you want.’ He hugged her tightly and she relaxed, knowing that at least for the next two days everything would be all right.

Despite her fears, she did trust him. He seemed to be more intuitive than most men she’d known, so why shouldn’t she take a chance and see where it led her?

‘The girls were right. You are Mr Perfect.’

He smiled and planted a quick peck on the tip of her nose. ‘In that case, I’d better start living up to my reputation. How about I draw you a mineral bath first and organise that massage you crave?’

‘Mmm … sounds like heaven,’ she said, knowing the only thing she really craved right now was him, but too scared to let go of all her reservations at once.

He released her and she immediately felt cold, bereft. ‘Why don’t you get changed and I’ll call you when the bath’s ready?’

She touched his cheek briefly, hoping he could read the clear signal in her eyes, the one that said I like you. A lot.

‘Thanks for inviting me this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it.’

‘So am I.’ He looked ready to drag her back into his arms and she didn’t move, already recognising it as a haven she could easily get used to. Instead, he gave her a gentle tap on the bottom. ‘Now go.’

She grabbed her bag and headed into the bedroom before the anticipation of sharing more than a kiss with Lachlan sent her sprawling. Or, better yet, breaking one of the priceless antiques in his friend’s holiday home.

Now wasn’t the time for clumsiness. She’d come to the decision that this weekend was about romance and she had every intention to enjoy it.

Lachlan glanced around the bathroom for the final time, hoping Keely would like it. He’d always thought candles and flowers were reserved for a dinner table, but Will, his friend who owned this place—and a regular Romeo with the ladies from all accounts—had insisted the way to make a woman feel special was to use stuff like that in the bathroom.

So he had and, though it wasn’t his thing, he had to admit the room looked pretty amazing. He’d never done anything like this before, but then he’d never liked a woman this much before.

It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to drag Keely into his arms and never let go earlier. The expression in her eyes had almost begged him to, in stark contrast to her whispered words to take it slow.

Despite her sassy attitude she appeared nervous, and the last thing he wanted was to scare her away. She meant too much to him and, though he might not ever take the relationship past the dating stage, who said they couldn’t date for months? Maybe years, if he was lucky?

Marriage wasn’t for everyone, and he knew plenty of people who remained in partnerships without an official piece of paper their entire lives. Hell, he’d counselled more married couples than those who weren’t, and even if he hadn’t seen the devastation the institution could wreak first hand with his parents, he would’ve probably stayed away from it anyway.

However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy a woman’s company in exclusivity and he had every intention of making the most of his time with Keely. If she let him.

He’d glimpsed the vulnerability in her eyes repeatedly, as if she wanted to trust him but couldn’t, and, though they hadn’t discussed it yet, he had a feeling there was more to it than a past boyfriend. She retreated inwards at times, to a place she wouldn’t let anyone else into and, though he respected her privacy, he needed to discover the reason behind her occasional aloofness before it drove a wedge between them.

Thanks to his deceitful mother, he stuck to the old adage ‘honesty is the best policy’ with an almost obsessive intensity and, though it might be too early to pry into Keely’s secrets, he needed to know the cause of that fearful expression in her eyes at times—and who, or what, had put it there—before they got in too deep. As for her strange withdrawal from him when he made the occasional joke, it hadn’t happened for a few days now and he’d lowered his guard, liking her warm, spontaneous side more and more.

A soft knock at the door had him casting one last critical look around the bathroom before he opened it.

‘I thought you might’ve fallen in,’ she said, pulling the robe she wore tighter across her front.

He tried to concentrate on what she’d just said, he really did, but it proved impossible with her standing there in a pale blue cotton robe looking like a cross between a knowing temptress and Orphan Annie.

He’d never known a woman so full of contrasts—one minute the savvy city girl, the next a defenceless waif who looked ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

Luckily, the only trouble she would encounter here would be if he couldn’t control his raging libido. He felt like a teenager around her, a totally foreign feeling. He was usually a man in control, a man who prided himself on being so. Though right now, with Keely standing in front of him looking good enough to eat, he was having a damn hard time remembering it.

However, if she wanted to take things slow, he would, even if he died of lust in the process.

‘No, just making sure everything was ready for you.’ He opened the door wider and gestured her in. ‘Come in.’

She stepped past him and he caught a faint waft of apples. She used a fruity shampoo, and when he’d been away in Sydney he’d found himself consuming apples by the basketful just so he could enjoy the smell of them and remind himself of her. Pathetic, really, but who could blame him? She’d got under his guard so quickly and so thoroughly his head spun.

He watched her mouth open slightly as she looked around, enjoying her reaction. Despite his feeling silly about the candles and flower petals, the appreciative gleam in her eyes vindicated his actions and made him feel ten feet tall.

‘This is incredible,’ she murmured, reaching out to take hold of his hand. ‘No one’s ever done anything like this for me before. Thank you.’

He squeezed her hand before raising it to his lips and kissing it. ‘Take your time in here. Enjoy.’

Keely stared at Lachlan, the muted light cast by countless candles illuminating his face in a sensual glow.

The trouble he’d gone to in here had blown her away: the candles, the scented bubble bath, the rose petals floating on the water’s surface, the fluffy white bath sheet hanging on a towel warmer and the soft jazz playing in the background. The room almost drugged her with its ambience, yet she had to remain focused if she were to thank the man responsible properly.

‘Lachlan, I … I—’

‘Shh … I know.’ He held a finger up to her lips, effectively removing the need for her stuttered thanks. ‘See you when you get out.’

Tears sprang into her eyes as he shut the door and as she stepped out of her robe and sank into the blissful warmth of the bath, she didn’t know if they were tears of gratitude or—dared she admit it?—tears of a much deeper emotion she’d vowed to avoid.