‘Is it a Sydney comp?’ another asked.
Cress shook her head. ‘There are eight teams from across Australia. Five based in Melbourne, one each in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, all linked to the club with the men’s team.’
‘How fantastic. We’ll keep an eye out and we’ll be at your home games. Goodness, girls playing Aussie Rules in a competition across Australia. I never thought I’d see that. I hope that league and union follow.’
The chatter continued, interspersed with the formal requirements of climbing the bridge—form-filling, being breath tested, choosing clothing, dressing and practising to walk with the bridge attachment. It seemed Cress had her own fan club, and Quin couldn’t be happier. He knew the buzz fans brought and was glad to see that on Cress’s face.
As they made their way to the start of the Bridge Climb, Cress was almost skipping beside him, reminding him of the child he’d grown up with. The baggy grey jumpsuit, which should have given her a uniformity, only made her eyes shine bluer and her body seem longer and leaner.
‘Thank you,’ she said, interrupting his visual examination.
‘It’s a pleasure. I wanted to do this too.’
Her teeth glimmered in the early sunlight. ‘Not just the climb, for telling those ladies what I did.’
The lines digging in between his brows no doubt told her he didn’t know what she meant, because she laughed, skipped a step and then brushed his arm. ‘I was just going to tell them I moved here for work. I wasn’t sure how they’d go knowing I was playing footy. You surprised me.’ She chuckled. ‘But they surprised me even more.’
In single file, they were attached to the bridge and Quin ensured he was next to Cress. He didn’t want to miss a moment of her enjoyment. As kids, they’d dreamed of climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finally, they were doing it.
‘How many times have you done this, Quin?’ Cress turned around and asked the question he’d been expecting her to ask since he’d mentioned this trip.
‘None.’
‘What?’
‘Watercress, I was waiting for you.’
‘You were?’ Her voice was breathy and her eyes opened wide, as if this was something important or unbelievable.
He reached down to brush her nose. ‘There was this girl who told me if I dared to do this without her, she’d kill me.’
Cress laughed. ‘You remember that?’
‘You were very ferocious.’
‘I was a bratty little kid.’
They didn’t have time for more chatter as the guide’s voice came across the earpieces, to make sure they could all hear and were right to go. After receiving an affirmative from everyone, the party set off.
The pace was slow, which allowed for plenty of gawking time and Cress used it well. Quin wished he had a camera to capture her astonishment, genuine amazement, and enthralled expressions. Cameras weren’t allowed. If something couldn’t be attached to you, it wasn’t allowed. Glasses could be worn, only using a special attachment to clip them to the jumpsuit. If you thought you might need a handkerchief, you had to take a supplied one that slid onto your wrist with elastic.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, Quin didn’t think he’d need a camera. Cress’s wonder was repeated so many times, he was sure the expression was marked on his mind forever. Eyes wider than he thought possible. Mouth open. Neck extended and chin raised. Head twisting back and forth with her mouth open, not unlike a laughing clown at the show. She pointed and gurgled, sucked in sharp breaths and quietly squealed. She squeaked at interesting information the guide gave them, and sometimes turned back to gesticulate at Quin or make some comment. She was utterly entertaining and completely mesmerising.
At steps, she waited patiently, head swivelling in every direction. ‘Quin, it’s incredible. I’m in awe.’
‘When I think it was built in the twenties and thirties with the machinery limitations of the time, it blows my mind.’
When the steps were clear, Cress raced up them, as if by slowing down she’d miss something extraordinary.
Out on the arch, Quin couldn’t resist placing his hands on Cress’s shoulders and steadying her. Her head was twitching from side to side and up and down. It pained him to watch and he imagined she was tormented by the beauty of the bridge and the shimmering splendour of the harbour, unable to decide which she should be looking at.
She turned her head and grinned. ‘I could sit up here forever.’ He’d never have guessed.
The climb to the top of the arch was spectacular. The harbour seemed to grow beneath them as they climbed higher. On the motorway below the cars were a constant humming backdrop. A slight breeze rustled their suits and the touch of the breeze made him feel alive, as if he really was on top of the world.
‘We’re on top of the world.’ Cressida’s words, echoing his thoughts, made his gaze snap to hers. She threw her arms in the air and as they hugged, he felt her body jolting. He began to laugh when he realised she was jumping up and down like a kid. ‘I can’t believe we’re here. We’re living out our dreams.’ Her excitement was contagious and although his feet didn’t leave the metal beneath him, he jiggled with her.
The ladies in front of them were laughing and elbowing each other. ‘Young love. It’s just so beautiful.’
He met Cress’s gaze and they burst into laughter simultaneously, which only set the ladies off even more in their cooing. By the time the ladies were having their photos taken, they were all beaming from ear to ear, which Quin was sure was not only because of their achievement, but because of their imaginary dreams of love.
‘I think I can see why they put the sails on the guernseys.’
‘Huh?’ Cress’s words interrupted his musings and he had to blink twice to focus back on the harbour.
‘Isn’t that what you were looking at? Those white sails against that blue is incredible. I’ve never really seen the magnificence of the Opera House before but looking at it from up here, I see it differently. It is majestic.’
Quin blinked again before turning to Cress with a smile. ‘I’m so glad you can live with your guernsey now.’
She elbowed him in the ribs. ‘That wasn’t what I meant.’
He laughed and then it was their turn for photos. Cress couldn’t decide on what she thought was the best backdrop. It was like she had to make a life and death decision, when it was a throwaway question from the guide and he took shots at each backdrop anyway.
Quin knew Cress would buy every photo they took, even if it took the last dollar she had, so he made a mental note to buy them all for her—if she objected, he’d argue that photos were included as part of their dream. He intended to make sure she missed out on nothing.
The walk down the other side of the bridge was just as exciting for Cress. It seemed nothing could dampen her excitement, and it was contagious. Quin had the best day he could remember.
Chapter 5
‘Got a question for you, Mr Macho.’ Quin glanced across at her, his eyelids dropping as his dark brows lowered. Wary. ‘You interested in yoga?’
He spluttered. ‘Yoga?’ He said it as if it was a foreign concept.
‘Yeah, you know—’
He didn’t let her finish. ‘I know what it is, Watercress.’
She winked and dipped her head in acknowledgement. ‘Would you do it?’
He stared. Like she was foreign. As if searching her face would give him her reasons for asking. She battled against her smirk.
‘A bunch of us are going to do yoga each morning and I wondered if you wanted to join us?’
‘Who’s “us”?’
She grinned. ‘There’s me, Petra, Kirstin, Geral, Hayley, Mattie and Claudine. Want to join us?’
Quin peered at her. ‘Let me guess, you want to meet here?’
She shook her head. ‘We can meet at the oval.’
‘Rain?’
She shrugged. ‘We get wet, or there’s the awning out from the dressing sheds.’
�
�You’re inviting me from the goodness of your heart?’
Cress grinned. She could lie and say ‘yes’ but he’d know, within five seconds of meeting Hayley, that Cress had used him as a drawcard, so she told the truth. ‘We need some team bonding, and I thought you’d be the perfect drawcard to help with that.’
He froze. No. That wasn’t a strong enough word to describe the complete and utter stillness that afflicted him. ‘You want to use me to bond with your team?’ His words were icy.
Acid bubbled in her stomach. Smacking her head with the heel of her hand wasn’t helping the situation, maybe because it was only happening in her imagination. Maybe she needed to really smack herself. ‘Not like you think. We had a discussion about sexuality …’ Cress shifted her feet and stared at them, suddenly not sure what she was asking.
‘You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?’ His question seemed to have just the hint of laughter behind it and that made her blood heat.
‘No. I don’t want that.’ Or not the pretend part anyway. Quin was a walking, talking, fully functioning male. Heck. He was more than that. He was rugged and muscular, with a heart-shaped face made masculine by strong bones, often stubble or the shadow of stubble, and tousled light-brown hair that always fell across his forehead. Any woman would want him. Every woman would want him. He was the boy next door, with muscles.
‘You want me to … what? Hit on one of your teammates?’ He sounded as if that would be as repugnant to him as it was to her.
‘I don’t know why I asked. It was just a thought.’ She knew why she’d asked, it was admitting it to him that was her problem. He was a drawcard for Hayley to come, but he was hardly proof about her sexuality if Hayley still questioned that. There was a tension in Quin Cress thought yoga might help with, but none of those were the real reason she’d asked. She just wanted to spend more time with him and early mornings seemed like a good excuse. A time when she wasn’t busy and he was free too.
He held his hands up. ‘Watercress …’ He smiled. ‘I’ll think about it.’
She grinned. ‘Thank you.’ She hugged him quickly. ‘Thanks for the Bridge Climb. It was completely awesome. I’m exhausted and it’s another big week, so I’d better go.’ She was almost out of the room when she added, ‘You’re the best, Quinlan Fitzpatrick.’
She’d showered and was climbing into bed when he knocked on her door. She slipped under the sheet as she answered, ‘Yes?’
‘Is it tomorrow?’
‘You can come in. I’m in bed but I’m decent.’
‘You’re never decent.’ There was a smile in his voice but the door didn’t open.
‘Yes. At five-thirty.’ She was ridiculously disappointed that he hadn’t come in and perched on the side of her bed.
Gawd, am I six?
‘Sleep well.’
He said nothing more, so she wasn’t sure if that meant he was coming or not. Maybe he wasn’t sure either. She’d just have to see if he was up in the morning. If she wasn’t so exhausted she’d continue the conversation but as it was, all she wanted was sleep. She’d worked hard at home but Sydney was new, training was tougher, and fitting everything in was a struggle. Her sleep was suffering.
***
Quin was up when she walked into the kitchen. ‘Good morning, Watercress.’
She grinned as he handed her a big glass of water. ‘Morning. Does this mean we’re on for yoga?’
‘Only if you protect me from your teammates.’ There was the hint of real concern beneath his jest and she couldn’t decide if she should ask about that.
She nudged his stomach with her elbow, knowing his abs were washboard, knowing that her arm would tingle, but needing the contact. ‘If you need serious protection, calling me Watercress is probably going to give away our friend status.’
If she didn’t know him so well, she might have missed the momentary blankness in his expression. Having seen it, she couldn’t work out what it meant. Definitely not this early.
‘Cress it is.’ His words and expression were devoid of emotion. It brought out her protectiveness, although she wasn’t entirely sure what he might need saving from.
She and Quin grabbed their bags and headed for the oval. Quin’s place was only a short walk away, which was incredibly convenient, and they slow-jogged to the grounds. As they arrived, Petra, Kirstin and Geral were unloading from a car, together. They were loud, chatting as if they’d been doing so for hours, yet even the birds were only just warming up. Mattie and Claudine were in the car just pulling up.
Cress turned to the arrivals. ‘Good morning.’
When the girls got close, they stopped and blatantly appraised Quin. Cress snapped her fingers at them and took control before things became uncomfortable. Gosh, he was a human being. Why were they ogling him like that? ‘This is Quin. And these are some of my teammates. Petra, Geral who is definitely not Geraldine, Kirstin, and Mattie who prefers that to Matilda.’
Geral laughed and Mattie grinned. ‘And this is Claudine.’
Claudine looked like a tiny porcelain figurine. There was nothing of her. But her smile was welcoming and her eyes danced as she met each person.
Quin turned to the first girl he’d been introduced to. ‘Petra, how are you?’ He offered her his hand and she shook it, but not before her eyes widened and she made a kissing face at Cress, who tried to smother her giggle.
‘Geral. Good morning.’ Quin shook her hand too.
‘Nice to meet you, Quin.’ Geral relaxed and grinned at Quin before looking across at Cress and winking.
‘Kirstin, nice to meet you too.’ Quin shook her hand and aside from a light blush to her cheeks, she made no other reaction. She stepped quickly back beside Petra. Cress hadn’t thought about anyone being starstruck meeting Quin but she suspected Kirstin may have been, which was cute.
‘Mattie—’ Quin didn’t get to say anything else because Hayley arrived, moving straight for Quin and Cress hadn’t expected such an approach. Hayley was next to him, with her arm linked in his, glued to his side. ‘Good morning, Quin. That’s a lovely strong name. I’ve been absolutely dying to meet you. I’m Hayley.’
Full make-up, possibly even brighter than usual. Clothes definitely brighter, and skimpier. Cress had no clue how to untangle Quin from Hayley’s grasp.
Claudine moved towards Hayley. ‘I’m Claudine,’ she said, so softly Cress could hardly hear. ‘Maybe we can get started.’ As soon as Hayley leaned down for her bag, Claudine somehow extricated Quin from Hayley’s grasp and then slid between them. ‘You might be most comfortable next to Cress and Mattie.’ Again, she spoke softly but there was a little thread of steel there too, especially when she shot a glare at Hayley. Claudine was an unexpected saviour and Cress had failed in her job.
Cress bounced beside him as quickly as she could and shepherded him between herself and Mattie. ‘Sorry. I had no idea she’d be that bad.’
Quin glanced across and lifted his brows.
Claudine took charge. ‘Let’s spread our mats out side by side, but around me, in a circle.’ Claudine oversaw the mat placement and moved Hayley so she wasn’t directly opposite Quin’s position. Cress was going to have to hug her later … and maybe take tips.
Claudine was softly spoken and a gentle tutor, who corrected, moved slowly, and had a calm peace about her that everyone seemed to enjoy. Except for Hayley, who huffed, muttered, and kept trying to gain Quin’s attention if Cress was to guess. No one could do yoga and artfully arrange their breasts like she seemed to be managing.
Cress wasn’t jealous. She was sure she wasn’t. She’d never wanted breasts; happy with hers that barely existed. They certainly didn’t get in the way of sports and that was perfect. Cress’s hips certainly didn’t flare either, and she’d never wanted to have an apple-ripe behind that drew your gaze to its plump lushness.
‘You okay, Cress?’
She turned to Quin, shocked that he’d used her proper name. Then she blinked. Protector Cress. She nodded.
His chuckle sent skitters rolling down her spine and both arms. She wriggled in her pose.
‘Hold the pose, and breathe gently. Inhale slowly... exhale slowly.’ Claudine’s voice brought Cress back to the yoga. When Cress glanced up, Claudine was standing so she blocked Cress’s view of Hayley. Claudine seemed to move a few steps and turn, a few steps, before turning again. Cress thought she’d been just managing the circle, but now she realised she’s been blocking Quin’s view of Hayley’s antics, and had now extended this to include Cress.
Cress smiled, and was so engulfed with gratefulness that she could hardly breathe. Claudine’s voice, aimed at her again, brought her back to the exercise.
When the class was over, Cress was still in awe of Claudine and her quick summation of the group dynamics. She heard Quin’s deep gentle voice ripple through her consciousness. ‘Thank you, Claudine. I’ve never done anything like this and it was peaceful, tranquil.’
Cress pulled herself out of the cocoon she’d found herself in, just in time to see Hayley moving across the circle.
‘So, Quin, do you have plans for breakfast?’ Her stare seemed stuck to his face as if she was trying to trap him and hold him with only her eyes.
Cress slid closer to his side but didn’t answer because … well, she just wasn’t sure. Quin may well like Hayley, and she didn’t want to push in if that was the case.
‘Cress, honey, we have plans, don’t we?’
Honey?
Wow.
He slid his arm across her shoulders and she tucked against him. No. She melted. Her body curved right alongside his and she stared up at him. Heated hazel eyes looked back at her, then he bent the tiniest bit he needed to, and brushed his lips against hers.
Holy mother of all that’s holy.
Her body stopped functioning. Her brain went on pause. And then her lips reacted, waking up, capturing and offering back a little more than his light caress. Her gaze snapped to his, and the warmth in those hazel depths almost brought her undone.
Well, they would have if Hayley’s catty remark hadn’t snapped Cress back to reality. ‘Oh, well, when you finish playing with Cress, call me.’
Long Game Page 4
