by Sofia Grey
She intrigued him. He’d seen her sharp, exhausted, scared, and now absolutely confident in her work.
He found a parking space on a sprawling open-air carpark near the popular Te Papa museum and killed the engine. Turning to face Juli, he gestured out of the windows. “Where are we going first?”
“I’ve been looking at a map of the CBD, and we’re only a few minutes from the waterfront. There’s an underground market today and several cafes on the way. There’s also the museum. I’d love to see the quake simulator. It’s famous.”
“Coffee first?”
“Yes, please.”
“Sorted.”
She laughed, her eyes sparkling, and Jack was spellbound. “That’s a Manchester expression,” she said, “and I’m betting you aren’t a native, so where did you pick that up?”
Fuck, she was pretty when she gazed at him like that. He rewound her words in his head. “Hanging out with Mancunians. Did I say that right?” She nodded, and he continued. “Alex, Sylvie, Daisy and Kate. They’re all from Manchester. I thought you were a Londoner.”
She batted his words away with one hand. “I’m a Manchester girl, who just happens to be working in London. That reminds me—I want to check out the gift shop at Te Papa and get some presents.” A shadow crossed her face, and she glanced down at her purse. “Let’s go,” she said, but the brightness had gone from her voice. Next thing, she was fitting a pair of oversized shades and climbing out of the car.
Odd. Did he hit a nerve? She was quiet as they walked together toward the busy waterfront area. He reviewed the little he knew about Juli. She’d mentioned her father when she talked about Byzantium, so that was probably a safe topic. “I’m guessing from your surname that you’re at least part French?”
This earned him a quick smile. “Papa is French, but Mum’s not. They met when he came to England to study, and he decided to stay. He’s a lecturer at the University in Manchester. Robotics and electronics.”
“And your mom?”
“Mum works in IT, but she makes jewellery in her spare time. She asked me to get some paua shell for her. It’s a local thing.”
They reached a bustling café, but he spotted a vacant table just inside the doorway and gestured toward it. “Coffee smells good. This do you?”
“Sorted,” she said and smirked at him.
Oh man, he could get into such trouble with her. Did he want to kiss her, or put her over his knee? Or maybe both.
Coffee. That was the plan. “I’ll get these,” he said, his voice rough. They hadn’t had the don’t-use-your-credit-card discussion yet, and something told him that wasn’t going to go down well. Then again, she was hot as fuck when she was angry.
He was so screwed.
Juli sat waiting for him, hands resting in her lap. Her expression was demure, but mischief sparked in her eyes. “How do I refer to you when we’re together? I don’t call you my bodyguard, do I? I mean, it’s a bit Whitney Houston. Don’t you think?”
He knew what he wanted to suggest, but would she bite his head off? Worth a try. “We could do what Tanner does with Daisy. They pretend to be a couple.” He expected a swift rejection, but she stayed silent. “Do you wanna do that?”
“You don’t have a girlfriend—or a wife—that would get upset?”
“Nope. How about you?”
Her brow furrowed, and her gaze skittered away, before meeting his again. “There was someone, but we finished.” She huffed a quick breath. “Well, technically, we haven’t finished yet, but it’s as good as.” Huh? “The guidebook I’ve been reading mentions an award-winning gelateria near here.”
“Gela-what?” If the conversation changed direction any more quickly, he’d get whiplash.
“Gelato. Ice cream.” She smiled over his head at someone. “And here comes our coffee. Thank you, fake boyfriend.”
“You’re welcome.” Yeah. Hanging out with Juli today was going to be interesting.
Chapter Seven
It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and everywhere Juli looked, people were having fun. Why shouldn’t she enjoy herself too? It’d take her mind off her problems for a few hours.
Jack was the perfect companion as they explored the waterfront and had lunch at the famous MACS brewery. There was an awkward moment, when he advised her not to use her credit cards, in case Yanni tracked her movements from that, but there was an easy solution. Jack would pay for everything, and she could reimburse him later.
When they queued up for the quake simulator in Te Papa, Jack placed one hand at the small of her back and guided her forward. It shocked her how right it felt.
Equally right was the feel of his hand when she grabbed hold of it. They stood on a wooden platform inside the mock-up of a 1980’s house and watched a video of the ground being torn apart by an earthquake. She knew logically that the platform would also shake, but she didn’t expect how sudden it would be, or how odd it would seem beneath her feet.
The way he tangled their fingers together was unexpected, but she liked it. He’s pretending. He didn’t let go when they stepped out of the simulator, and if that made her swoon inside just a tiny bit, that was too bad.
It’s just an act. This was Tanner’s normal practice with Daisy, and for all Juli knew, this was Jack’s usual routine too.
Jack was talking, and she hadn’t been paying attention. “That felt real,” he said and shook his head. “Damned realistic.”
“You’ve been in an earthquake?”
“One time we were in Afghanistan. It was a seven-magnitude. A pretty big shake. Feels weird when it happens, like trying to walk on Jell-O.”
She was about to ask more about it, but Jack glanced at his watch. “We need to think about getting back. Do you wanna check out that ice-cream place on the way to the car?”
This was another thing she already liked about him—he didn’t call her out for stuffing her face, unlike Philip, who’d be making muttering noises about going to gym by now, not planning to eat ice cream. She pushed her almost-ex from her mind, smiled at the movie-star-handsome guy at her side, and lengthened her stride to lead Jack into the gift shop on the way out.
Presents first, and then ice cream.
The array of gelato flavours was mind blowing, and the normally decisive Juli was stuck for choice. After sampling five options, she settled on Hokey Pokey with shards of honeycomb toffee, paired with Maple Pancake flavour. The combination was sweet enough to give her a sugar high for days but tasted incredible.
She clutched her giant cone with its stacked scoops of gelato and licked furiously at the edges, before it dripped everywhere. Jack paid, and then joined her outside, an equally huge cone in his hand.
“What did you get?” she asked.
“One scoop of vanilla and one of chocolate.”
“There were over thirty flavours. Did you not want something more exotic?”
“Don’t knock choc ’n’ vanilla. They’re classics for a reason.”
His look of mock outrage made her snort with laughter, and when he took her hand, she squeezed his fingers.
“Thank you,” she said. “Today could have been awkward, but you’ve been lovely.”
He grunted. “Lovely sounds one step away from nice. Like I should be handing in my man-card and adopting a dozen cats.”
“There’s something wrong with having a dozen cats?”
“And this is why I’m only a fake boyfriend. The prospect of sharing you with a dozen cats is more than I can cope with. Let’s sit down and give these the respect they deserve, rather than dodging tourists while we eat.” He nodded toward a bench in the shade.
Juli had no problem with staying here longer. This was the most fun she’d had in years.
She spun the gelato out as long as she could, and then wiped her mouth on the napkin supplied with it.
Jack peered at her face. “You missed a bit,” he said.
“I’m amazed I don’t have it all down my shirt.” She dabbed under her mouth. “I
s it gone now?”
“Nah.” He plucked the paper napkin from her fingers, but then sat back, and grinned at her. “Although, you look very pretty with ice cream smeared over your mouth.” He crumpled the soft paper into a ball and tossed it into a nearby waste basket.
“That was the last napkin.”
“I’ve got a better idea.” Jack slid one arm along the bench, and leaned closer to her. Close enough to kiss.
Her heart stuttered at the thought. Yes, please. Bring it on.
He lifted a hand and drew one finger along the underside of her lower lip, pausing in the middle. “You have the prettiest mouth.” He spoke softly, and it sent shivers down her spine.
His gaze was focused on her lips. He hadn’t replaced his shades yet, and Juli stared into the blue depths of his eyes. Was it her, or was it getting very hot? Her shirt felt too tight, and she wanted to gulp air into her lungs. She could smell vanilla on his breath. Would he taste Hokey Pokey on hers?
Her mouth was dry. She licked her lips. Her heart was beating like a bird trying to escape from a cage. He had to be able to hear it.
Jack made a noise deep in his throat but didn’t close the remaining distance between them, so Juli took a leap of faith and took matters into her own hands.
She brushed her lips across his.
He hesitated for what felt like an eternity but was probably only a heartbeat, and then cupped her face and took over the kiss.
Holy fuck, the man could kiss.
It felt like an electric shock, arcing from her mouth to her breasts, and then lighting up her body from the inside out. He pressed deeper, demanding she open to let him in, and then teasing with his tongue. Playful little nips alternated with deep kissing, and without conscious thought, Juli was holding his T-shirt in both fists, tugging him closer.
If this was what it was like to kiss him, what would he be like in bed? He wouldn’t be shy. This man was all Alpha. He’d tell her what to do, and she’d totally get off on it.
“I think it’s gone now.” Jack’s voice was ragged when he lifted his head. “The ice cream.”
“Best napkin ever,” she whispered, unwilling to break the spell. “And best fake kiss I’ve ever had. You deserve an Oscar for that performance.”
He jerked back, something flashing in his eyes. Confusion? Or annoyance. A muscle flicked in his cheek, and he turned away, before digging into a pocket and tugging out his shades. “We’re late. Let’s go.”
*
Daisy was glad when Sylvie asked her to watch Callum for a few hours while she and Alex went shopping. It gave Daisy something to do. Something besides obsessing over Charlie and his loss.
He didn’t mean his words; she was sure of that. Like a wounded animal, he’d lashed out at her, but she’d frozen. Instead of ignoring his outburst and taking it in her stride, she’d panicked and fled. Shortly after, Charlie left the house. That was hours ago.
Was he okay? Where would he go? She wanted to help him, to soothe his hurt, if only she knew how. The text she deliberated over was unread. Her call went to voicemail, but she half-expected that, and had her message ready. I hope you’re okay. Please call me back.
She tried to imagine how he must feel. She’d be devastated if one of her beloved parents died. The Banks family was close and always had been.
Every time she heard a car outside, she peeked out of the window and then worried some more.
It was mid-afternoon before he returned. He headed straight for the deck and sat on the wooden steps above the beach. At last.
Callum was napping, so Daisy grabbed the baby monitor, checked that Tanner was close by, and then hurried out to where Charlie lay sprawled against the handrail.
“Hey,” she said, breathless. “Can I join you?”
A joint was hanging from his fingers. He lifted it to his mouth and inhaled, before blowing out a thin stream of smoke. The sweet smell of cannabis curled around her.
“Sure.” He didn’t sound enthusiastic, but Daisy made herself overlook that and took a seat on the step next to him.
“Just curious,” she said, “but where did you get that?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Going to dob me in to AJ?”
“No. Of course not.”
“No matter. He knows I smoke a bit.” He took another drag and held it in his lungs for an age. “I asked Frankie. He always knows where to go.”
Wow. She didn’t expect that. Frankie, the band manager, seemed so strait-laced and was more akin to a banker than a drug dealer. Then again, Daisy’d never met a dealer before. Alex was famous for his stance on drugs these days, so that might be why Frankie stayed in a hotel in Wellington.
This wasn’t the time to ponder on the band dynamics. “Is there anything I can get you? Anything I can do? Do you need flights booking?”
“Already done. I’m heading out after the gig tonight. I’ll go straight from the stadium to the airport.”
She fought to keep the disappointment from her face. Of course she’d hoped for another night with him. She instantly felt guilty. Her needs were nothing, compared to his grief.
“I wish I could come with you.”
Charlie shrugged. “I gotta do this. I’ll be back in time for Christchurch.” His voice was more husky than usual. Even sexier, if that were possible.
Nope. She had her libido on lockdown. She was here to provide comfort of the emotional-support variety.
Charlie flicked the glowing stub of the joint onto the sand and let out a sigh. “Come here.” He opened his arms.
It was the invitation she hoped for. She snuggled close and rested her head against his shoulder.
“Hey, babe.” He nuzzled her hair. “I could use some company, if you’re not busy.”
She wasn’t busy at all. Cal would probably sleep for another hour, and she had the monitor anyway. Did Charlie want to use her as a distraction from his pain? She wouldn’t see him again until the end of the week.
It was a no-brainer.
*
Juli’s playful words acted like a bucket of icy water being poured on Jack’s head. He prided himself on his impulse control. Why did it fail him today? When faced with the hot-as-fuck Juli, who gazed at him in much the same way as she’d eyeballed her ice cream, he’d shoved common sense in a closet.
He was supposed to be guarding her, not trying to get in her pants.
It was just as well she’d reminded him, otherwise he’d still be mauling her. Not that she was complaining. And to be fair, she kissed him first.
No. Making a move on her, no matter who kicked it off, was wrong. Crossing a line. And she might have a boyfriend. He wasn’t clear on that.
With his emotions wrestled under control, Jack dug out his phone and pretended to be engrossed in a text message, while they returned to the car park. In his other hand, he carried Juli’s bag of brightly-wrapped gifts. It meant he couldn’t take her hand, and that was a good thing. If he touched her again, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to let her go.
Jeez. It was too long since he got laid, was all.
Juli ignored him on the drive to Plimmerton. She stared out the window, back ramrod straight and disapproval leaking from every pore.
He was being a giant ass, and he needed to clear the air.
He parked in the street outside the house, shut off the engine, and sighed. It was loud in the sudden silence. “We should drop the couple thing,” he began.
Before he could explain why and rationalise his error of judgement, Juli made a snorting noise.
She turned in her seat to look at him. “Sure. Just tell me how you want me to behave, Jack.” Ice lined her voice, in complete contrast to the fire in her eyes.
Strands of hair escaped from her braid, to fall over her face. With jerky movements she released the seatbelt, and then pushed the stray locks back. It didn’t take a genius to see she was mad at him.
“Look,” he said. “I’m sorry about the kiss, okay? It won’t happen again.”
&n
bsp; “Sorry?” Her eyes opened wide. Two spots of colour emerged on her cheeks. “What I fail to understand is why you’re so angry with me.”
Jack blinked. “Wait. What? You’re the one who’s all riled up.”
“Riiiiight.” Juli ripped the car door open and scrambled out onto the sidewalk. Her purse was smacked on the roof with a resounding thump, and then the door slammed shut again.
Good move, assmunch. And yeah. Maybe he should have thought before he opened his mouth. He left the car, zapped the lock, and hurried after her. He caught up within a few paces and reached out for her elbow, to pause her in her tracks.
“Yes?”
“Wait up, Juli. Don’t go running off.”
This time, when she turned to look at him, her face was calm. “Tell me, Jack. What role are you playing now? Bodyguard? Or sulking child?”
He loosened his grip on her arm but didn’t let go. He had to fix this, whatever the fuck this was. “Juli, let’s talk for a minute. I think we got our wires crossed.”
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, but she stayed silent.
He tried again. “Please? We can go talk on the beach if you want some privacy.”
She glanced toward the sand, then back at him. He saw resignation on her face, and what looked like hurt in her eyes. “Okay,” she said. “Let’s go for a walk.”
He had, at best, a couple of minutes to figure out how to retrieve this ugly situation. Put him in a firefight, armed insurgents pinning him down, and he knew what to do. Going head to head with this feisty woman, he had no idea. He was a clueless asshole.
Setting off in a gentle stroll, Juli spoke first. “Why are you angry with me? What did I do?”
“What makes you think I’m angry?”
She laughed but didn’t sound amused. “I’m sorry, but it’s rather obvious. Outside the gelato bar, you recoiled when I spoke to you, stormed back to the car, and drove here without saying anything. And then, to add insult to injury, you accuse me of being upset. Well, hello?”
