Читать книгу Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Rebecca Winters - Страница 31

Chapter Twenty-Two

‘Doing anything special tonight?’ Janey asked when I gave her a call to say hi on the way to my first client. Her tone was so overly innocent that it was clear she knew exactly what I was up to this evening.

‘I don’t suppose there’s any point in saying “not really”, is there?’

‘Absolutely none,’ she giggled. ‘You know, he usually hates these sort of things. He’s not into the whole schmoozing side of business. You know our Mikey, he’d rather just call a spade a spade and be done with it.’

‘The man on the phone seemed to think it was pretty important that he attended this one if he wanted the best shot at the job he’s pitching for.’

‘Mmmhmm.’

‘Mmmhmm what?’

‘I’m just wondering when one of you two is going to tell me something official.’

‘There is nothing official. That is to say there isn’t anything at all. I was there when the guy called and we got talking about it. Michael asked if I’d come. That’s all. Why? What did he say?’

‘About the same as you.’

‘There you go then. He even made a point of stressing that it wasn’t anything like you’re suggesting. So, there really is nothing to get excited about. Sorry!’ My voice was light so why my heart didn’t feel the same way?

‘I don’t know what’s wrong with that boy.’

From what I’d seen that day, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with him. He looked pretty damn perfect actually.

‘There’s nothing wrong with him, Janey. We’re just not like that. I’m not his type anyway.’

‘No, you’ve got depth to you. It might be an idea for him to try something different for a change!’

‘Janey,’ I laughed, ‘much as I appreciate the sentiment of that statement – I think – I’m not really in the mood to be anyone’s relationship guinea pig.’

‘Aww, but they’re so cute!’

‘Ha ha. Right. I’m at my client’s. Better go.’

‘OK. Well have a great time tonight. In your non-guinea pig capacity.’

‘I’m just looking forward to having a meal that doesn’t start with it going ping.’

***

Bearing in mind this definitely wasn’t a date, I was disproportionately nervous. It was ridiculous. Even though I’d only known him a little over a month, in that time I’d actually got to know him pretty well and, despite early indications, we were now relaxed in each other’s company. So why the nerves?

‘Come on Kate. Pull yourself together,’ I said to the reflection in the bathroom mirror.

It didn’t reply but instead gave me a look that suggested it may take one or two stiff drinks before that happened on this particular evening. But at least my hair had gone right. OK, so it had actually taken six attempts for it to go right, but we’d got there.

I walked back into the bedroom and glanced at the bedside clock: ten to seven. I sat on the bed and put my shoes on, then checked on my dress. It was a simple Grecian-style halter sheath with a choker collar that joined to the main body of the dress with a delicate three-link chain. I’d bought it on a whim, which was most unlike me. And, having had no occasion to wear it, it had hung in my wardrobe for the last three years looking beautiful and a little sad.

I wasn’t usually one for keeping things I didn’t use – that was the ethos of my company after all – so tonight was this dress’ now or never chance and I just hoped it was right for the occasion. This was obviously an important night for Michael and I didn’t want to let him down. I’d never been to a big function like this one and, frankly, the whole cool, calm, cope-with-anything persona was desperately making a dive for the window. I grabbed onto her proverbial ankles and yanked.

It’s just a party. I can do a party.

The doorbell rang. I’d been expecting the intercom. The flats had an internal security system that was supposed to prevent people just turning up at a front door uninvited. In reality, people often just held the door for someone if they were close behind, whether they recognised them or not.

Michael was early and at my door. I pulled it open: Except that it wasn’t Michael.

‘Calum. What are you doing here?’

‘She left me.’ His eyes skimmed me up and down. ‘You look amazing, babe.’

‘You didn’t answer my question. What are you doing here?’

He held out his hands. ‘I’m free now. There’s no need for us to hide any more. We can be together properly.’

I stared at him, unable to see what I had once seen, the charming persona that had attracted me before. Because now I knew that’s exactly what it was, just a persona.

‘Calum. If you recall, you were the only one hiding something and that was a pretty big something. You lied and made a fool out of me. What on earth possessed you to think that I would ever want to see you again?’

He stepped forward and took my hand before I could move it. ‘Kate. You know we were good together. And now there’s nothing to stop us being together for real.’

‘I’ll have to disagree with you there.’ Michael’s soft lilt caused us both to turn. He smiled at me across my ex, whose face darkened.

‘Well, that didn’t take long.’ Calum’s mouth was almost a sneer as he looked back at me.

‘I’m not one to waste the chance at something amazing.’ Michael stepped closer, causing Calum to automatically back out of my personal space, allowing Michael to fill it instead.

‘Sorry to just appear.’ He smiled down at me. ‘Someone left the front door on the catch. That’s not exactly high security, you know.’

I shrugged in a what-can-you-do manner.

‘You look stunning.’ His eyes met mine after a detour of skimming me and my outfit. ‘Are you ready?’

I nodded, still taking in what I was seeing after some eye roving of my own. The unpleasant surprise of Calum turning up on my doorstep was obliterated by the incredibly pleasant surprise that stood before me now. I hadn’t thought that Michael could possibly get any better looking, but he had proved me wrong. His hair was now short and cropped, his face clean-shaven and he was dressed in one of the beautifully cut suits I’d seen hanging unloved in the wardrobe. A pure white shirt stood out against the charcoal grey of the fabric, with a silk tie in subtle versions of the suit’s colour to tone.

I grabbed my clutch and wrap from the table by the door and closed the door behind me, throwing the double lock before dropping the key in my bag. When I turned, Calum was still there.

‘Calum you should leave.’

‘We have things to talk about.’

‘She asked you to leave.’ Michael spoke, his voice was calm but from the corner of my eye, I saw his jaw tense.

I reached down and took his hand, squeezing it gently to let him know I had this.

‘I don’t remember asking your – ’

‘Calum,’ I cut him off before he ended up saying something that might result in him taking an unexpected nap in the corridor, and possibly being fitted for a new set of teeth. ‘I’m not interested in getting back together with you, whatever the circumstances. Please don’t come here again.’

‘Shall we go?’ I looked up.

Michael smiled back at me. ‘Absolutely. Here.’ He took the wrap and draped it around my shoulders, his fingertips brushing against my bare skin, causing a flash of heat to whoosh through my body. We turned, leaving Calum where he stood.

‘Are you sure you’re warm enough?’ Michael asked as we got to the front door of the building? ‘The cab’s just out here but – ’

‘You have a cab waiting? Why didn’t you say? Oh God, the meter is going to be sky high after faffing about with bloody Calum. You should have just rung – ’

Michael placed his hands on my shoulders. ‘You might want to take a breath.’

That was a good plan. Nerves about the party, Calum showing up out of the blue and then Michael walking in looking like the sexiest, most gorgeous man I’d ever seen was a lot to cope with in ten minutes.

‘Good idea.’ And I did as he instructed. ‘But still. You could have just rung me and I’d have come down.’

‘Katie I’m happy to wait when it’s something worth waiting for.’

I didn’t really know what to say to that, so I opted for nothing. Or more to the point, my mind just stayed unhelpfully blank.

‘Besides,’ he said, opening the door of the waiting cab and holding out his hand to help me in whilst I held up my dress hem with my other one, ‘it would have deprived me of the opportunity of meeting the clearly charming Calum.’

‘Please don’t start.’

‘I wasn’t planning to. I’m just saying it’s nice to put a face to a name.’

Michael gave the driver directions and leant back. I slid a look to him. ‘You had the look of wanting to put something else to his face.’

‘And in my youth I might have done. Not, I hasten to add, something I’m necessarily proud of. But don’t worry, I’m older and wiser now.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’

‘Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t meet people I’d quite happily deck. Tonight was a prime example.’

‘You only met him for a few minutes.’

‘Which was plenty.’

I turned in my seat to face him, the lights of the city flashing across the windows and his now clean-shaven face. ‘Can we talk about something else?’

‘Sure. Pick a topic.’

‘OK,’ I smiled back, ‘let’s start with this.’ I waved my hand in his general direction.

‘What?’

‘You! The haircut, the shave, the wearing of a suit!’

He tilted his head at me momentarily. ‘Wow.’

‘What?’

Michael breathed in heavily. ‘Despite your assurances that you didn’t care what I wore, I apparently looked even worse than I thought I did.’

‘Oh, don’t be daft,’ I said, swatting him gently with my clutch. ‘If you looked that bad, you wouldn’t have scored every night you felt like it at the pub.’

He gave a head tilt.

‘That’s the bit where you’re supposed to show some humility,’ I prompted.

‘Ohhh! Right. Got you.’ And then he grinned, which made my point completely invalid because when that smile hit you, it didn’t matter what he was wearing.

‘You’re hopeless.’

‘But at least tonight I look smart whilst being hopeless, right?’

‘You look…very nice.’ That wasn’t exactly the description crashing around my head right now, but it was the only one that was acceptable for anyone other than me to hear.

We pulled up at the entrance to the hotel and a doorman stepped forward to open the taxi door. Michael handed over cash for the trip as I exited, then he followed.

I looked up at Michael. ‘You also look like just the right person for this job.’

He gave me a slow smile that set off tingles in my stomach. Reaching across, he took my hand, pulling me ever so gently towards him and then tucked my hand over his arm.

‘Now I do.’

‘Good luck,’ I whispered.

Michael’s other hand lifted and momentarily twirled a loose tendril of my hair. Leaning down, he placed the softest of kisses on my cheek, just to the left of my mouth.

‘Thank you. And thank you for coming. Even if I don’t get the contract, I still got to spend an evening with the most beautiful woman in the room.’

Smiling, I looked up at him as we walked in, another doorman heaving the heavy glass door open for us. Michael’s hand dropped to the small of my back as we stepped inside.

‘Please don’t think I don’t appreciate the compliment, but I do feel I have to point out you haven’t even set foot in the room yet to be able to make that judgement accurately.’

The green gaze settled on mine. ‘I don’t need to. I know what I know. I thought you were gorgeous when you were standing on my driveway freezing that cute little arse of yours off, and right now, Katie Stone, my statement still stands.’

My brain was processing as fast as it could. ‘You thought I was…’

‘Gorgeous. Yes.’

‘But you were…’

‘Unforgivably rude? Yes. Arrogant? Yes. Blind? No.’

‘Well, you hid it well.’

He tipped his head towards me as we approached the door to where the main function was being held. ‘There are lots of things I do well.’

‘Such a shame being modest isn’t one of them.’

‘There’s a time and a place for modesty.’ His eyes flashed at me with mischief.

‘Just get in there and win that contract.’

***

From the looks of things, Michael was doing exactly that. All evening, he’d been charming and funny: the Michael I now knew him to be. And they appeared to be loving him. Judging by the look on the face of the man I’d been informed was his main competition for the contract, David Heath, he obviously thought Michael was doing pretty well too. I’d actually be feeling bad for him if he’d been a little more polite during our own interaction. When he’d asked what I did for a living, he’d tossed a superior look around, making some comment about how he wish he’d known tidying his room as a child could have turned into something that people would actually pay good money for. Michael’s arm had been resting on my waist, just lightly, his body close to me. At the jibe, I’d felt him tense, but he’d remained silent, taking on board our conversation of earlier.

As it was, Ed Solway, the man whom both men were trying to impress gave me a smile. ‘People will always pay good money for a service that they find useful, David.’ Mr Solway then turned to me. ‘Mrs Solway is so looking forward to her first appointment with you in the New Year.’

As Heath paled and made an attempt to laugh off his faux pas, Mr Solway gave me a conspiratorial wink and Michael gave me an almost imperceptible squeeze, his face betraying nothing.

It was true. I had indeed picked up the Solways as clients this evening, although I’d had no idea who the lady I’d been talking to was initially. She’d just introduced herself as Erin. I was already looking forward to having her as a client – straight talking, funny, with that down to earth outlook Australians often seem to possess. We’d hit it off immediately. It wasn’t until she’d called over her husband to fill him in and let him know that I was the woman who was, and I quote, ‘going to organise the shit out of us’, that I’d realised who she actually was.

‘You know, I was dreading this.’ Michael leant close to me, his fingers walking across the tablecloth on a mission to pinch my after dinner mint.

‘And now?’ I asked, swiping the mint from his reach, before unwrapping it and popping it in my mouth.

He grinned as I did so. ‘It’s been good. Apart from Heath being a dick to you.’

I laughed. ‘Oh, don’t worry. I don’t think I’m the exclusive recipient of his rapier wit. And I think he rather skewered himself in that instant, anyway.’

‘His face was quite the picture, that’s for sure.’ Michael moved his hand from where it was lying on the tablecloth and covered mine. ‘I hated that he said that to you though. I can’t lie.’

‘I know. But believe me, growing up like I did was good training. I’ve heard a lot worse.’ His face was serious and without thinking, I laid my hand on his cheek. ‘Really. I’m tougher than I look.’

‘I don’t think you’re that tough.’

I frowned and let my hand drop. He caught it quickly.

‘Shit. Why is it I can chat up a random girl in the pub no problem, but every time I try to give you a compliment it comes out all wrong?’

‘Probably because you’ve had a lot of practice at the former.’

He heard the tease in my voice and that heart-stopping smile slowly spread onto his face.

‘Maybe I just need a bit more practice at the latter then?’

‘Oh, you definitely need more practice at that, if your efforts so far are anything to go by. Although, in the interest of fairness, you did say I looked nice earlier, so you’re not entirely failing.’

I looked up as he stood.

‘Actually, I seem to remember I said you looked stunning and that you were the most beautiful woman in the room. Which you then questioned. Of course.’ He pulled a face. ‘But having entered said room, I was immediately proved right. Of course. And now, if she would agree to it, I’d love to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room too.’

He held out his hand. I hesitated a moment, wondering what line, if any, we were crossing here. But the fact was, in front of me stood the most good-looking man I’d ever seen and he was asking me to dance. Maybe it wasn’t the most logical thing, maybe it wasn’t what sensible, risk averse Kate would do, but right now, I didn’t care. I didn’t want to be her. I wanted to be the woman in Michael O’Farrell’s arms.

‘I’d love to.’

‘I was really hoping you’d say that.’ He grinned, a flash of insecurity momentarily showing on his face. I loved that. Not that I’d caused it, but that, contrary to what he’d initially shown me, he wasn’t cocky enough to believe that no woman could say no to him.

Michael took my hand and held it firmly as we wound our way through the throngs of people and dinner tables onto the dance floor. Once there, he retained it, his other coming to rest at my waist, gentle enough to feel relaxed but firm enough for me to feel its warmth through the silk of my dress.

‘Are you having a good time?’ Michael asked, pulling me a little closer so that I could hear him over the music and general chatter.

‘I am,’ I replied. ‘Thank you for inviting me.’

He laughed. ‘Thank you for giving me a second chance.’

I shook my head. ‘You need to forget about that. We’re past it all now…aren’t we?’ I looked up at him, finding his eyes already on me.

‘Way past.’ He smiled that smile again and moved the hand at my waist, splaying his fingers, brushing my spine with the tips of them, sending sparks of heat up and down my entire body. ‘Katie, I – ’

‘Mike?’

He shifted his gaze from mine to where the voice had come from and a look of surprise replaced whatever it was he’d been looking at me with. That part I hadn’t quite figured out yet. I turned my head to see what had caused the change.

I recognised her immediately: Glamorous, elegant and stunningly, classically beautiful, Michael’s ex-wife was even more striking in the flesh than she was in the photographs.

‘Angeline.’ His voice didn’t hide the surprise, but none of us missed the cold edge of his tone. I glanced back at him. The softness had gone and in its place were the hard lines I’d been greeted with at our first meeting.

‘How are you?’ she asked him. Her eyes flicked to me and then focused fully back on him. ‘You look great.’

‘What are you doing here?’ he asked. We’d stepped apart a little but his hand was still at my waist.

‘I came with a friend. I…had no idea you’d be here.’

I studied her under my lashes in as surreptitious manner as I could employ, and I wasn’t buying that last bit at all. My eyes shifted to Michael and it was obvious immediately: He completely believed her.

‘I think I’m going to go and sit down,’ I said, pulling away.

His fingers skimmed my back and dropped away as I moved. ‘I’ll come with you.’

‘Mike.’ Angeline caught his hand, stopping him. ‘I know you have every reason to turn your back on me and I don’t blame you. I know I hurt you.’ Her fingers caressed his hand, whilst he looked back at her, not encouraging, but not moving away either. ‘Please, can we have one dance? For old times’ sake?’

Michael flicked his gaze to me. I could see he was caught. He wasn’t the only one who’d seen the interested glances being thrown at the little vignette being played out here, and he wasn’t about to make a scene.

‘Go ahead. I’ll see you in a bit.’ I gave him a smile and walked away, back towards the table. A waiter passed me with a tray of champagne. I swiftly lifted one and took a sip, keeping my expression light. After all, I had no reason to be put out. The evening hadn’t started out as a date. We were just two friends having a pleasant evening. Yes, he’d been charming and for a moment out there, there’d been the hint that maybe…

I lifted the glass to my lips as my gaze found the two of them on the dancefloor. They really did make the most beautiful pair. I watched as she whispered something, and he smiled, shaking his head slowly. She responded with her own widening smile, her hands moving up his shoulders until they rested at the back of his neck. She bent her forehead against his and…

Goodness, was that the time?

Of course there wasn’t a taxi in sight as I left the hotel. The doorman and I waited, looking in vain for an available cab as he valiantly struggled against the wind and sleet with an umbrella until it finally gave up and flipped itself completely inside out, bending the spokes into something worthy of display in the Tate Modern.

‘Sorry, Miss.’ The doorman looked at me apologetically. Rain dripped from the brim of his top hat and I, dressed completely inappropriately for the weather, was now soaked completely.

‘Not to worry. I’m sure I shan’t dissolve.’ I smiled at him, even though it was really the last thing I felt like doing right now.

A taxi came into sight, its light signalling its availability. The doorman let out a two fingered, piercing whistle that cut through the whipping wind and, thankfully, caught the driver’s attention. He began signalling and pulled in front of the building, whereupon the doorman quickly opened the door for me.

‘You go home and get warm now, Miss.’

I thanked him and promised that I would, then clambered into the cab as elegantly as I could with a dress that was now completely sodden and clinging to my skin. Using my wrap to casually disguise anything that might be a little X-rated in such a state, I gave the driver my address and sat back on the seat, watching as the water dripped off my skin and dress and collected on the floor around my feet.

As we made turns, rivulets scooted off, making little puddle tributaries. I watched as they did. Concentrating on them so that I didn’t have to concentrate on anything else. But I knew I couldn’t avoid those thoughts for ever. I pulled out my phone and noticed two missed calls from Michael, and a text that just said ‘Where are you?!’

Outside the cab, London still thronged with people. There were few things that stopped this city, and rain certainly wasn’t one of them. As we sat waiting at a red light, I studied the reflections of the Christmas lights in the shiny wet pavements, the colours merging as the downpour increased in strength and droplets bounced up off the pavement. Pedestrians increased their pace, some dashing into doorways to take cover until the weather abated enough to move on.

Inside the cab, I drew my finger down the window glass, creating a line in the condensation that had begun to build on it as I steamed like dim sum in my favourite Chinatown restaurant. I looked back at my phone and opened Michael’s text again. I pressed reply.

Hi. Really tired and have an early client so needed to leave. Sorry not to say bye but didn’t like to interrupt. Hope the evening was successful for you and have my fingers crossed for you re the contract. As house is now finished, I just want to take this opportunity to say I wish you all success in the hosting of your first Christmas, and for the New Year. Merry Christmas!

I read the text through again. It didn’t go anywhere near saying what I really wanted to, but that was probably a good thing. I’d spilled my heart out to Michael O’Farrell once before. It wasn’t going to happen twice. And especially not now. Pressing send, I waited for it to show it had been delivered then switched off the phone and tucked it back in my bag just as the driver pulled in to the kerb in front of my building. About to hand over the fare, I pulled a face.

‘Sorry. I left a bit of a puddle.’

His eyebrows shot up and he turned in his seat to look at the back of his cab.

‘Oh! No, I mean it’s just the rain! It dripped off me. That’s all, nothing…else.’

Relief showing in his face, he took the cash, to which I’d now added an even more generous tip for giving him a fright that there’d been an accident on the floor of his taxi. He nodded, but I still wasn’t entirely sure he believed me, which was about right for the way that this night had ended up.

For a moment, it had held so much promise. Promise I hadn’t even known I wanted. But now I knew. I was more sure of it than of anything I’d ever known: I’d completely and utterly fallen for a client, something that went against all of my self-imposed rules. But Michael O’Farrell had been a rule-breaker from the start, whether intentionally or not. He was unlike any other man I’d ever met. And I wanted him more than any other man I’d ever met. And just as it began to look like that might actually become a possibility, that he might actually feel the same way, his past had walked back in, and from what I saw, she wasn’t just in his past any more.