Читать книгу The Tycoon's Dating Deal - Nicola Marsh - Страница 7

‘YOU want me to do what?’

Kara Roberts stared at her best friend in disbelief. As much as she loved Sally, this time she had gone too far.

‘Please, Kara. Pretty please. You know my butt’s on the line, not to mention my business,’ Sally cajoled, a hint of fear in her eyes.

Kara knew she was beaten. She had never seen Sally so desperate. The agency must be in more trouble than the older woman had let on.

Flopping into a nearby chair, Kara folded her arms and leaned back. ‘OK, I’ll do it. Though just this once. You owe me big time, Sal. Real big.’

Sally flew across the room, her greying curls bouncing around her chubby face, and enveloped her in a bear hug.

‘Thanks, sweetie. You’re one in a million.’

Tears glittered in Sally’s brown eyes as she pulled away. Kara’s heart swelled with love for the amazing woman who had taken her in, without question, following her parents’ death. She’d been twelve years old when the two most important people in her life had died in a car accident. Sally, her mum’s best friend, had stepped in and offered her a home. Not just a home. She had supported, encouraged and loved her throughout the difficult teenage years and beyond.

This one favour for Sally, tricky as it may be, would be small repayment for years of love and friendship.

‘OK, now that my neck is on the line, what do I do?’

Sally shuffled through the mountain of paperwork on her desk. ‘Here. Fill these out for a start. This has to be legit, so complete every form and sign on the dotted line.’

Kara took the stack of forms and leafed through them, seeing but not quite believing what she was reading. ‘You’ve got to be kidding, Sal. Eye colour of desired partner? Most romantic dinner? Most erotic place to be kissed? Where do you get this stuff?’

Sally crossed her arms, puffed out her cheeks and slowly exhaled. ‘I need that info to process your data into the computer. You know that. You’ve laughed about it for years, not to mention seen how it works. Why the cold feet now?’

Kara chuckled. ‘I’ve laughed about it when these ridiculous questions are applied to other people. Now that I’m under the microscope, it’s not so funny. Besides, can’t I just skip this part and get the dating over and done with?’

Sally shook her head. ‘If I’m to win the award for Sydney’s Dating Agency of the Year, I need you to complete everything. Your application will be processed with the rest of the applicants. Kara, I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I weren’t desperate. When Maggie pulled out this morning, I was floundering. All you need to do is attend the speed-dating dinner tonight.’

‘Hah! Easy for you to say. What if someone I know sees me? They’ll think I’m some kind of desperado.’

Hurt flickered in Sally’s eyes. Matchmaker meant the world to her. Her own business was precious, so why should Sally’s be any different?

‘Like the rest of my clients, you mean?’ Sally asked.

‘Sorry, Sal. I’m just not used to all this. I prefer to get my dates the usual way.’

Sally’s eyebrows shot heavenward. ‘Which way is that? You haven’t had a date in over a year!’

How the truth hurt. She’d steered clear of men over the last twelve months, tired of their game-playing. Most of her dates were only after one thing and she was sick of the whole scene.

‘That’s a bit harsh. I’ve had plenty of dates in the last few years.’ She ignored the empty feeling that arose whenever the subject of men entered a conversation. Only one man had ever made her feel special and he was gone. Long gone.

‘Sure you have, sweetie, which is why you spend most of your free time with an old chook like me.’

‘You, old? Sure, there may be a few greys sprinkled in your hair and a couple of laughter-lines around your eyes, but old? Is that why you prefer to screen the male candidates personally? You forget, I’ve seen the way you glow after a session with some of your hunky applicants.’

Her teasing fell on deaf ears as Sally rustled the papers in front of her, suddenly businesslike.

‘Thanks for the confidence boost. You forgot to mention the extra forty pounds I’m carrying at the moment. Anyway, enough small talk. Complete these forms, missy, as I need to process them immediately. Then I think you’d better head home and get ready. I’ve got one last male to meet today and then tonight is all set. Once I’ve matched my thousandth couple, the DATY award has to be mine.’

Kara barely glanced at the forms, her stomach churning at the worried look on Sally’s face.

‘Is the agency in that much trouble, Sal?’

Though her own funds were limited since Inner Sanctum, her interior-design business, had drained most of her money, she would take a loan if needed to help Sally.

‘If I don’t win the DATY, Matchmaker will have to shut up shop. The prize money would go a long way to updating the computer system and the prestige will put this agency on the map.’ Sally sighed. ‘So yeah, you could say I’m in trouble.’

‘But how?’ Kara probed, knowing she wouldn’t like the answer. Guilt consumed her, increasing the tumultuous turning of her gut. In fact, she had a fair idea of what Sally was about to say.

‘I’ve never been a rich woman, darling, you know that. I put everything into making a home for us, with my investments providing the money to start up this.’ She threw her arms wide, indicating the office that served as Matchmaker’s headquarters. ‘I guess I didn’t do my sums right.’

Kara knew there was more to it than that. What Sally hadn’t mentioned was the amount of money she had loaned her to start Inner Sanctum.

Unable to ignore the overwhelming guilt any longer, she picked up the pen lying on Sally’s desk and started filling out forms.

‘If I can do anything else apart from this, Sal, you let me know.’

‘Just keep writing, love, and I’ll take care of the rest.’

Within minutes, Kara had completed the forms. In several hours she would be having drinks with a bunch of strangers with the aim of finding a ‘suitable’ partner. If it weren’t for the fact that Sally was desperate, she would tear up her application on the spot.

She’d been looking forward to going home, slipping into a hot bath and listening to the soothing sounds of her favourite soul singer. Today hadn’t been one of her better days. The Smithsons, who owned half of exclusive Double Bay, had been pestering her to redesign their conservatory. Unfortunately, she’d had to endure the wailing violin practice from their prodigy granddaughter for the entire two hours that it took to discuss the plans.

Sally’s call on her mobile phone had been welcome. Momentarily. In fact, in choosing between an evening of speed dating and spending another few hours with the screeching violin, Kara was wavering towards the violin.

‘So I’ll see you tonight?’

Kara sighed. ‘Yeah, I suppose.’

Sally laughed. ‘You’ve got that look. You know, the one you always had when I dragged you off to the dentist.’

‘You’re not far off the mark, Sal. The way I’m feeling at the moment, I think I’d rather have a tooth pulled.’

Sally patted her cheek, love radiating from her brown eyes. ‘Why don’t you head home and relax? The evening will be over before you know it.’

‘Mmm,’ she mumbled, already preoccupied with thoughts of making idle chit-chat with a bunch of strange men.

Shutting the door to Sally’s inner office, she glanced around the reception area with pride. Not bad for a novice, she thought, considering the office had been one of her early projects. She loved her job, particularly the artistic licence of combining colours, shapes and dimensions in an imaginative free-for-all. A pity her customers didn’t think the same; after a busy few months when she first opened, business had slowed to a crawl. Sal wasn’t the only one who desperately needed money. Kara needed a cash injection—and fast.

As she reached for the outer door, it was flung open, almost knocking her sideways.

‘Sorry. Are you OK?’

No, I’m not. She stared into the face of the last man she’d expected to see. Entering a dating agency, no less!

‘Kara? What a surprise.’

Matthew Byrne’s strong arms enveloped her in a vice-like hug. All the old feelings rushed back: longing and desire for the man, inadequacy at being the woman he didn’t want. She hadn’t mastered her emotions one iota. He still had the power to reduce her to a blathering idiot. Not that she would let him know.

‘Hi, Matt. Good to see you.’ She almost choked on the words as she eased from his embrace. Her head was spinning, her pulse racing. He’d probably restricted her oxygen supply, he’d hugged her so tight.

‘Look at you, all grown up.’

As his gaze raked over her body, goosebumps peppered her skin. His stare lingered on her breasts a second too long before returning to her face.

She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look casual yet knowing she failed miserably.

To her chagrin, he grinned, the same devilish smile that had haunted her dreams for years. He had seen her reaction and was probably loving every minute of it.

Lifting her chin, she glared at him.

‘Yeah, that tends to happen to little girls.’

She wondered if he remembered those painful words he’d uttered on the night of her eighteenth birthday. The night he’d broken her heart.

A flicker of awareness leaped in the azure depths of his eyes before he masked it.

‘Well, you’re far from little any more. You look gorgeous. It’s a shame we haven’t stayed in touch over the years.’

Kara could drown in the endless blue of his eyes. She’d never seen a colour like them, that potent mix of violet and sapphire, with the barest hint of emerald. A corny way to describe them, yet nothing but flowery language could come close to describing their brilliance. Purple, blue and green would be far too ordinary for the likes of Matt Byrne’s eyes.

Her skin warmed as a slow blush crept into her cheeks. She could guess what it would have been like to ‘keep in touch’, Matt-style. His hands lightly caressing every inch of her skin, his lips trailing over her body, exploring her most intimate secrets.

As if sensing her thoughts, he reached towards her and cupped her cheek.

‘You look adorable, blushing like that. Still the same old Kara, huh?’

His low, husky voice rasped across her nerve endings. She yearned to lean into his hand, to feel the comfort that only he could give.

Instead, she remembered the crushing kiss, frantic hands and then the powerful rejection that had lasted a lifetime. Matt Byrne had pushed her away in the cruellest way possible, belittling her to the point where she couldn’t speak to him again.

Now here he was, sauntering into her life like a superhero and acting the part: flexed muscles, broad chest, chiselled face, killer smile. All he needed was the cape and his underwear on the outside of his designer suit and the picture would be complete.

She laughed. The underwear image did it. Once lodged in her brain, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

‘What’s so funny?’ Matt’s hundred-watt smile faltered.

‘Sorry. Just old memories. You know how it is.’ She wiped the tears from her eyes, hoping that her mascara hadn’t smudged.

‘I didn’t think our memories were that funny.’ He rubbed her upper arms, running his hands under the sleeves of her T-shirt. It was an intimate caress, one that frightened her with its power to arouse.

She pulled back before she did something really stupid, like stand there helpless and let him kiss her. Which was what he looked like doing, though she couldn’t fathom why.

‘All ancient history. I hear you’ve moved on to bigger and better things. Your life as the corporate-lawyer-cum-playboy must be filled with more excitement than old memories.’

His eyes narrowed, some of the light vanishing. ‘Don’t believe everything you read. The media thrive on gossip to sell their print.’

‘Well, you must have shares, because your reported behaviour could sell a million copies alone.’

She sounded catty but couldn’t help the annoyance at some of his antics, if the newspapers were correct.

Matt featured in the gossip columns on a weekly basis, an endless supply of beautiful, silicone-enhanced women draped over his arm. And other parts, no doubt. His reputation as a playboy was plastered all over the Sydney papers. She’d had a lucky escape. So why did she always screw up the newspaper in a tight ball and fling it across the room every time Matt Byrne and his latest acquisition were mentioned?

‘Speaking of reputations, what are you doing here? You’re the last man I’d expect to see waltzing into a dating agency. Problem with your charm?’

Though her teasing was light-hearted, she noticed his smile waned. Matt wasn’t as cool as he pretended. She had struck a nerve.

His laugh sounded forced. ‘Nothing wrong with my charm, Kara. You should know that.’

She could hardly disagree when he was standing right in front of her, resurrecting provocative memories that she’d successfully suppressed. Until now. ‘So, why are you here?’

His reply was short, sharp and ominous. ‘Business.’ Damn, Sally must be in more trouble than she thought if lawyers were already on her tail.

‘Go easy on her, won’t you?’ she said, wishing once again there was something else she could do for Sally.

She didn’t understand the look that flashed across his face momentarily. His face was an intriguing combination of angles: smooth yet hard, straight yet curved. A faint stubble darkened his jaw, typical of his end-of-day growth. Lord, she’d give anything to feel that stubble rubbed along any part of her body. Or all of it for that matter!

‘Kara? Are you OK? You look kind of flushed.’

Wrenching her attention back to the present, Kara knew she had to escape. Now. He still held a strange, hypnotic power over her. She’d always been prone to fantasies around him and it looked as though nothing had changed. In nine long years she hadn’t mastered her feelings where he was concerned. The knowledge was scary.

The years and countless dates since had done little to erase the image of this man from her mind. He was imprinted on her mind and soul, seemingly forever.

Definitely scary.

Given the fight or flight option, she chose the latter.

‘Yes, I’m fine, Matt. Great seeing you again. Hope whatever you’re here for works out.’

She hesitated, memorising every detail of his face.

Old habits die hard.

‘Thanks; nice seeing you too. Perhaps we’ll catch up for a drink one day soon?’

She ignored her thudding heart. ‘I don’t think so. Thanks anyway. Bye.’

She rushed out the door before he could respond.

Don’t look back. He’ll think you’re still hung up on him.

She’d never been any good at listening to reason and risked a quick glance over her shoulder. He stared at her through the window. Funnily enough, he stood directly under the sign ‘Matchmaker’, which was emblazoned on the glass in red lettering. No chance of that ever happening. Matt Byrne, playboy extraordinaire, finding his perfect match and settling down? Not a hope in hell.

Matt stared at Kara’s back and tried to ignore the erotic images that filtered through his brain. She’d grown up. And then some. The statuesque strawberry blonde was all hot curves and big green eyes now. Not to mention everything else. Wow!

He was used to beautiful women. His world was inundated with them. Intelligent, gorgeous women who were more than eager to spend some time with him: lawyers, accountants, stockbrokers. The list was endless. However, none had captured his attention in a long time. Until Kara. She was a stunner, from her cat-like eyes to her shiny, reddish-blonde hair that hung in a sleek curtain down her back.

She’d been a nice-looking kid who had blossomed around the age of sixteen. He still remembered their endless talks, the sharing of confidences, the easy friendship…then Kara had grown up. Almost overnight his hormones had shifted into overdrive and all he could think of every waking moment, and most dreaming ones too, was Kara.

He’d wanted her with a fierceness that had scared him. He should have known better, being older, wiser, like a big brother to her. Even now, years later, he couldn’t forget the innocent passion of her kiss as she had flung herself at him on her eighteenth birthday. For one brief moment Matt had lost himself, all his fantasies come true, until he realised who he was kissing. He’d overreacted, pushing her away with an icy, verbal barrage that would have doused the hottest flames.

After all, he hadn’t wanted history repeating itself. One cradle-snatching Byrne in the family was enough and look how that had turned out. He could kill his dad sometimes, he really could.

He’d done the only decent thing possible and avoided Kara like the plague. Until today. Damn, he still had it bad. She was hotter than hot. He thought she’d shown some interest in return, then she’d bolted.

No harm in catching up over drinks, surely?

Yeah, right. She probably remembered the way he’d treated her all those years ago. No wonder she wouldn’t have a drink with him.

And why the hell had she been in a dating agency? A woman like her wouldn’t be single for long. What he wouldn’t give to spend some time alone with her now.

Thrusting away his wayward thoughts, he rang the bell on the front counter.

‘Be with you in a minute,’ a voice shouted from the back office.

Matt glanced around, the ever-observant lawyer in him coming to the fore. The office was perfectly coordinated in black and chrome with the occasional splash of red to brighten it. No tacky hearts plastering the walls of this dating agency, just trendy stencilled prints by some artist he hadn’t heard of. Not that he was an expert on dating agencies. This was the first he had been to and he hoped to God it would be the last.

‘Sorry to keep you waiting.’

He turned, thinking the woman’s voice sounded strangely familiar.

‘Sally? Damn, this day just gets stranger and stranger. First Kara and now you.’

The older woman hugged him. ‘Great to see you, Matt. You’re as handsome as ever.’

She picked at imaginary loose threads on his suit jacket, bringing back treasured memories of his first ball, when Sally had stood proudly on his parent’s doorstep and waved him off as if he were her child. In fact, she’d been more of a parent to him than his own father.

‘You’re looking great too, Sally.’ He smiled, watching her already ruddy cheeks blush.

‘Get away with you!’ She slapped his arm playfully. ‘So what brings you to Matchmaker? I wouldn’t think you’d need much help in that department.’

‘You run this agency?’

Relief washed over him. If Sally ran the agency, Kara had been visiting her surrogate mum rather than organising a date.

She nodded. ‘Sure do. Opened it a few years ago, once Kara moved out and started her own business. I’d always had a smidgeon of an idea that I’d like to bring joy to lonely people, so after watching too much Oprah and reading too many romance novels, I decided to take the plunge.’

‘That’s great.’ He thought about asking Sally about Kara’s business but knew it was too obvious. Besides, he had plenty of time to do that. ‘I need your help.’

‘Come in, take a seat and tell old Sal all about it.’

He followed her into a small but equally appealing office. The tones were similar to the outer office, but lighter, giving the room an appearance of more space.

‘So, handsome? Spill the beans.’

He leaned back in the comfortable chair and crossed his legs at the ankles.

‘I need a change of image. My father thinks that my reputation is detrimental to the company.’

‘Yeah, I see your antics plastered over the newspapers on a regular basis. You’re quite the ladies’ man.’

He shook his head. ‘Don’t believe everything you read. My life isn’t half as exciting as the journalists make out. Anyway, Dad says I won’t get a look-in at a partnership till my behaviour improves.’

He ran his hand through his hair, a habit he’d tried to conquer but failed, except in the courtroom.

‘You know Dad. Byrne and Associates is his baby. I haven’t a hope in Hades of making partner until I show “a more responsible attitude in my personal life”, end of quote.’

Sally sighed. ‘I was your dad’s neighbour for a long time. He’s very proud of you. Aren’t you putting undue pressure on yourself here? He loves you, regardless of whether you make partner or not.’

Love? His father didn’t know the meaning of the word. He straightened the knife-edge crease on his trousers. ‘I need to prove to everyone at the firm that I’m a damn good lawyer who isn’t just hanging onto Daddy’s coat-tails. I want that partnership, the sooner the better.’

His blood pressure soared whenever he thought about the endless innuendos at the firm about his rising status in the company. He was a first-rate lawyer without the help of his father. Not that his dad had offered any.

‘So, how can I help?’

This was the tricky part. Matt was embarrassed at having to admit that he’d already dated most of the women in his circle and beyond, and had found them lacking.

‘Like I said, I need a change of image. I need to meet a woman, quickly, who is attuned to my way of thinking. I had a business arrangement in mind, where she would appear as my steady girlfriend for corporate events and the like. In return, she could name her price.’

Sally winced. ‘Ouch! You make it sound so cold and calculating. I’m in the romance business, not in dating contracts. Besides, aren’t you deceiving your father into offering you a partnership? Isn’t there another way?’

He shook his head. ‘I’ve done my research. Speed dating is the quickest and easiest way to meet a woman who matches my needs. I know the service is confidential so Dad won’t find out. Besides, who is he to judge? Look at his personal life.’

‘I still think it isn’t right, you not telling your dad.’

Sally had always stuck up for his dad, though he couldn’t for the life of him work out why. Jeff Byrne had been a cold-hearted father at times but Sally defended him, saying it was hard being a parent. Problem was, his dad wouldn’t know the first thing about being a parent, full stop.

‘I want to do this, Sally. ASAP.’

There, he’d laid his cards on the table and she hadn’t laughed at him.

A mischievous gleam shone from Sally’s dark eyes. ‘OK, enough of my lectures. Just fill out these forms and I’ll lodge your data into the computer in a jiffy. After that, it’s all systems go. You just turn up at the Blue Lounge tonight at eight and I’ll be there to explain how everything works. Any questions?’

He wondered what the funny look on Sal’s face was about. However, he’d come this far and decided to push his luck.

‘Yeah, I have one. How can I contact Kara?’

Sally laughed and waggled a plump finger at him.

‘That’s all taken care of, my boy, and it’s going to be sooner than you think.’