Читать книгу Brides, Babies And Billionaires - Мишель Смарт, Rebecca Winters - Страница 63

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HIS BODY JERKED, his brow furrowed, and his mouth fell open.

‘You bring flowers and expect what you did to be wiped away and forgotten? You judged me guilty without proof, willingly believed I lied to you.’ She retreated as she spoke, torn between aching for him and never wanting to suffer like this again.

‘You never trusted me from the day we met. You were willing and eager to take me to bed but never prepared to give anything of yourself. Except your body for your own pleasure.’

‘No. No, Lauren. I was...’

‘Protecting yourself.’

His features contorted. He raised his hands, blinked as the orchids came into his view, and strode across the room to place them on her bookshelf. He turned to face her, his hands reaching out to her, and his dark beseeching eyes pleaded for understanding.

Her heart clamoured for her to run into his arms, surrender and forgive. But he’d disowned her over the phone, without giving her a chance to explain.

She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. When his hands fell then one rose to rake through his hair, her fingers itched to join it.

Flowers and kisses came easily to him. If he thought he could win her over by...

‘How did you get into the building?’

He broke eye contact, and stared at her cream velour sofa with its colourful cushions. Typical Matt, plotting his reply instead of saying what he felt.

‘Can we sit and talk? Please, Lauren. I know I’ve been a drongo and selfish as hell. And the dumbest prize idiot for not admitting even to myself that I love you.’

Her world slammed to a shuddering halt. The air rushed from her lungs, her legs trembled, threatening to buckle, and she leant on the breakfast bar for support.

‘No, you don’t.’ Breathless. Distrustful.

The adoration in his eyes stirred the cold embers in her core, and she scrunched her fingers, wouldn’t fold. He’d coerced her so many times. She’d need more than words to risk her heart again.

She moved to the sofa, determined to conceal the effect of the hot tendrils of desire weaving their way to every extremity as he joined her. Leaving space between them, he spread his arm along the back and hooked one ankle over the other knee—a simple, familiar habit that chipped at her resistance.

‘Pete let me in.’

This wasn’t going the way Matt had planned. He’d been wrong in so many ways, including persuading her to face her demons while fooling himself about his own.

He’d banked on her being thrilled with the flowers, and melting into his arms. Seeing her on her knees with tears streaming down her face had shattered him.

Her response to his kiss had been all he could have wished for. She cared. They’d talk and she’d forgive him. They’d make love and work out how they could be together.

Lauren had stunned him with her hostile stance and accusation, her flashing hazel eyes demanding he fight for her, and prove he was worthy of her love. Living without her had been hell. Together they could build their own heaven.

‘You named Pete as your contact on the company’s personnel form I’d filed without reading. I had completely forgotten about it until yesterday. He was tough to convince, but finally agreed to meet me with no guarantees of help. He also threatened to take me apart if I ever hurt you again.’

Her lips curved and he found himself grinning at the image too. He had height and weight advantages but he had no doubt Pete’s threat was sincere.

‘I have...had trust issues. I never saw my parents kiss or be affectionate, and rarely heard them argue. Came home one evening and it was full on. He’d been having affairs for most of their married life. She put up with it because she wanted the lifestyle he provided. I was gutted at their hypocrisy.’

‘That’s why you left Australia.’ She leant towards him. The tightness in his gut eased, and he ground out the rest.

‘He used his business premises for rendezvous.’

‘The bedroom?’

‘I’ve never been in there. It’s a tangible reminder of his adultery, and I swore I’d never be like him. That’s what always stopped me from kissing you in the office.’

She shuffled a bit closer, and covered his outstretched hand with hers. As always with her touch, his heart beat faster, and his temperature rose. He needed to get the truth out, have no more secrets. Then he could hold her again.

‘Apart from the woman in London, I knew others, male and female, who believed fidelity was outmoded. Faithful couples seemed to be a minority, or maybe my pride saw it that way as proof my father wasn’t so contemptible. If I didn’t believe in love their relationship wasn’t abnormal.’

He took a chance and moved towards her. She stopped him with a hand on his chest, eyes wary and sceptical.

‘You didn’t want any of the photos.’

He caught her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed her palm. Rejoiced in her quivering reaction, and his own. Regaining her trust was paramount so he fought the craving to enfold her in arms and kiss her the way he had in the hall.

‘They were for you. I ordered another set, which should have told me how special the evening with you was, and how much you already meant to me. It came the day after you left.’

His thumb began an automatic caress of her knuckles. When she didn’t pull free, he closed his eyes and took a long breath.

‘I refused to believe in love even though I knew couples who proved me wrong. My experiences, including suspicion of my father’s computer deception, gave me little reason to trust in any sphere of life.

‘Then you walked into my office and all my resolutions collapsed. I fell in love, probably had ten years ago and hadn’t been mature enough to recognise it. I stubbornly ignored the reality when we met again.’

Her smile grew as he spoke, her beautiful hazel eyes glowed, and his resolve crashed. He gathered her into his arms where she belonged, setting his world right. A different aroma, as alluring as the other, filled his nostrils. He brushed his lips across her forehead, and if his heart beat any faster, he’d short circuit.

‘Matt?’ She raised her head, a tiny furrow creasing her brow. ‘That reporter...’

‘She overheard my mother talking at a luncheon and started digging. I should have come home and talked to you. Instead I let my past rule my head. I couldn’t admit, even to myself, that only you had the power to break my heart. My stupid pride almost destroyed us both.’

‘She said she knew Clair, implied things about your father. I swear I told her I didn’t know what she was talking about.’

‘I believe you. I’ll never doubt you again, my darling. I love you. With all my heart and all that I am.’

He kissed her deeply, lovingly with no reservations. Cradled her as close as humanly possible, only breaking away to breathe. Found the air clogged his throat at the love shining in her eyes.

‘I love you too, Matt.’

He slipped from the sofa onto his knees in front of her and held her hands in his.

‘Lauren Taylor, you are sweet and courageous, and I’ll love you ’til my last breath and beyond. I’m yours, only yours, for ever. Marry me?’

Lauren couldn’t speak. Her head spun as if she’d drunk too much champagne; the electrical zing from his fingers through hers was zapping along her veins at airship speed. Her already pounding heart threatened to burst from her ribcage.

The love in Matt’s eyes wrapped her in an aura of soft warmth, a haven where there were only gentle caresses and love. A special place of devotion and commitment. For two.

‘Yes. Oh, yes, please. I love you, Matt. I’m yours, now and for ever.’

He let out a roar of triumph, scooped her up and swung her round. She clung to him as her joyous laughter mingled with his. When he stopped, his kiss was gentle, reverent. He laid his forehead to hers.

‘I ache to make love to you, darling, but I promised Pete and Jenny we’d go and tell them the good news.’

‘Confident, huh?’ She tried to sound stern; it came out husky and adoring.

‘Optimistically hoping I hadn’t misread the signs when we were together, the passion when we made love. No way was I going to walk away unless you looked me in the eyes and swore you never wanted to see me again.’

He kissed her again then set her on her feet and nuzzled her neck.

‘We’ll still have all night.’

* * *

Matt missed the earliest flight home in the morning, caught the next and went straight to the office. He stood in the doorway, taking in the expensive décor, the stunning views and his father’s top-of-the-range desk. He didn’t need all this to define himself, never had.

Knowing Lauren loved him gave him a goal to be better than he was. It was time to lay the first ghost to rest. He strode purposefully across the deluxe tiles, through the first door and into the bedroom.

It was neat, tidy and impersonal. Overwhelming sorrow shook him as he thought of how much his father had risked for the brief encounters in this cold place. He thought of his mother knowing the truth and living a lie.

Closing his eyes, he conjured up Lauren’s lovely face as he’d kissed her goodbye, hair tousled, eyes shining. Together they’d face the uncertainties ahead. Together—a couple united by a vow to share life’s fears and sorrows, its triumphs and joys.

Leaving youth’s judgement and bitterness behind, he scrolled for his mother’s number. From today he’d make up for the years of estrangement.

* * *

That evening, Matt held his mother close without censure and, for the first time in nine years, embraced his father. The hug he received in return filled his heart with love and relief.

Marcus was almost his old self and pleased with the gift of his favourite wine. As Matt opened it he regretted missed opportunities like this, reflected on his culpability then let it go. The past couldn’t be changed but it could be left behind if they were all willing to face the future.

‘I’m in love with a very special lady and she’s agreed to marry me.’ He couldn’t keep it in any longer, and was elated at how good the words sounded out loud. Even more so when his mother hugged and kissed him and his father shook his hand.

‘She’s flying in from Sydney on Friday and I’d like Lena, Mark and the boys to join us here for lunch on Saturday to meet her.’

Before he left he had a private talk with his mother, pledging his and Lauren’s support in caring for his father. They’d sworn together to keep their knowledge of his father’s infidelity a secret from her, saving her any more pain.

Finally acknowledging that loving someone meant accepting their faults and weaknesses, he put his arm around her. Holding her close, he regretted the years they’d lost.

‘I was young, arrogant and so very wrong to keep distance between us for so long. If I hadn’t you’d have been able to confide in me and that reporter would never have had a story to write.’

‘You have your father’s pride, Matthew. Promise me you won’t let it come between you and Lauren.’

‘I promise. She’s more than I deserve, and is willing to help us keep Dad at home with you as long as possible.’

She wrapped her arms around him and he clung tight, grateful that he had the chance to make amends and heal the rift between them.

* * *

Mid-winter, the twenty-third of June. Lauren woke before the alarm, stretched and smiled at the blue skies behind the treetops outside. Sunshine as predicted for her winter wedding day, though not even a cyclone could mar the occasion. Tonight she’d be Mrs Matthew Dalton.

She threw back the covers, and ran to the shower, leaving the door open in case he rang early. He did, but by then she was perched on the side of the bed, wearing her dressing gown, and combing her towel-dry hair.

‘Happy wedding day, my love. I missed you.’ The sound of his voice, gravel rough from sleep, was her favourite way of starting each day.

‘Me too, Matt. I’m lost in this bed without you.’ She lay back into the pillows, wishing he were here beside her in the Fords’ guest suite.

‘Wasn’t my idea to spend the night apart. Clair and our mothers ganged up on me. Never going to happen again if I can prevent it.’ The low growl in his voice skittled up and down her spine. He’d only begrudgingly agreed after she’d said it would please the older women.

‘I’ll make it up to you.’ She dropped her tone, trying for seductive, laughed when he growled again.

‘You will, my love. I kept myself awake compiling a list.’

She quivered with delight, imagined ticking off each item. ‘I love you, Matt. Four o’clock is a long time away.’

‘Longer until we’re alone. Then we have two weeks, just you and me where no one can find us.’

Someone tapped on her door.

‘I have to go. I’ve got company.’

‘Look in the bottom drawer on my side of the bed, darling. I’ll see you at four. I love you, Lauren.’

Her mother peeped in as she ended the call. Along with thrilling Matt and Lauren with the offer of their home and grounds for the wedding, Duncan and Clair had invited her parents to stay with them for the event.

Accepting there would always be differences between herself and her family had allowed her to form a real bond with them. Matt had ensured no one on her guest list was absent, and hotels and guest houses in neighbouring towns were filled with relatives and friends from interstate.

‘You’re awake. Happy wedding day, darling.’ Her mother hugged and kissed her, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Do you want to come for a walk with me, Clair and the dogs after a quick breakfast? It’s going to be chaotic once the trucks start arriving with the marquee, and everything.’

‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll see you on the veranda.’

As soon as her mother left Lauren dived over the bed, pulled the drawer open, and took out a small black box. She gasped with joy at the delicate yellow pendant and earrings. A real full orchid and two orchid centres preserved in resin with their true colours.

Matt’s message, handwritten on the small white card, was memorised, never to be forgotten. Every word of the text she sent him came from her heart.

* * *

It didn’t turn out to be so long after all when the hours were filled with the walk, meals and watching the lawn areas being transformed into a perfect venue for her dream wedding. She agreed to a hair stylist but did her own make-up, her hand as steady as her heartbeat. And every two hours she slipped away to be alone when Matt called, their secret pact to keep in touch throughout their special day.

Marcus and Rosalind arrived and she shared a quiet time with the two sets of parents. Her future father-in-law had no idea he’d been spared prosecution because of his deteriorating condition and the fact that no withdrawals had been made from the secret accounts. Everything had been transferred into the company files and all due taxes paid with interest for late submission.

Dalton Corporation had a new direction, the contracts for the new project had been signed last month, and Matt was the official CEO. He and his colleague in London were negotiating the sale of his flat and his shares in the consultancy firm.

The way everything fell into place, and ran smoothly to favourable solutions, sometimes scared her. Then she’d look into Matt’s eyes, and know that, whatever troubles they encountered, he’d be there to love and support her, and smooth their way forward.

* * *

It was ten minutes to four. There was a chill in the air, and all areas were dotted with outdoor heaters. Somewhere in the garden Matt was waiting for her, as impatient as she was to make the vows that would join them for life.

She saw the rows of seated people waiting as her father escorted her across the veranda, looked beyond them to the decorated arch where the celebrant stood with...

Everything bar the man who’d turned towards her became lost in a haze that surrounded her. Matt, who’d taught her to let her true self shine, and showed her she was worthy of being loved. There was only Matt and his irresistible smile, his electric touch and those oh-so-persuasive lips drawing her closer. Only his midnight-blue eyes growing misty as she reached him. Only him, his gentle kiss and whispered words as he embraced her.

Matt would never find the words to express the emotions that rippled through his body when he turned to see Lauren at the top of the veranda steps. A vision in white was inadequate. She was gorgeous, stunning, and wearing his wedding gift.

This beautiful woman who’d captured his heart and soul as she helped him save his father’s company and reputation. His own special angel who filled his days and nights with love and laughter.

Their eyes locked and the world disappeared as he willed her to his side. He acknowledged her father’s traditional greeting automatically, his focus on Lauren’s dazzling smile. Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her soft lips and whispered how much she meant to him.

They stood face to face, hands joined. Ten years ago he’d asked for a prize and claimed a kiss. He might not deserve her, but today he was claiming the best, the sweetest, the most loving woman as his for ever.

* * * * *