‘You do realise I’m not here for your entertainment,’ she remarked after a while.
‘More’s the pity.’
Ignore him. ‘I’m here to keep you safe.’
He slid her a sidelong look. ‘Explain how you driving like a lunatic, keeps me safe.’
Better, she thought. ‘I drive like a competent professional who’s undergone extensive advanced driving tests.’
‘Is that so?’
‘It is. So, about that offer you made to lend me the Aston to go rally cross racing.’
As his laughter filled the air between them, Kat relaxed. Perhaps by tomorrow their almost-kiss would be a distant memory.
Chapter 9
Kat rechecked her image in the mirror. There was no escaping the fact. Dresses just weren’t for her. The same body that looked okay in jeans and leggings was too muscular, too athletic for a dress. She was a soldier, pretending to be a lady and failing miserably.
‘I thought you said you had to leave at six?’
Kat caught sight of her niece in the mirror reflection. ‘I did.’
‘Then stop looking at yourself and get in the car. You look fine.’
‘Is that the best you can do? Fine?’
‘What do you want me to say?’
‘That I look elegant?’ She turned away from the mirror, and the clear evidence to the contrary.
Debs shoved her hands on her hips. ‘You want me to lie?’
What was the point? It hardly mattered what she looked like tonight, did it? This was just a job.
Except he’d called it a date. And she was meeting Zac’s parents.
She gave herself a mental slap. Since that awkward conversation on the riverbank, things were back to normal between them. Fine, normal was pushing it. Normal meant she wasn’t aware of his eyes on her, her body didn’t react to his nearness. She didn’t think, far too often, about what it would have felt like to be kissed by him. So, no, things weren’t as they had been, weren’t normal, but he hadn’t flirted, hadn’t acted in a manner outside the boundary of client and bodyguard. He was doing as she’d asked, and she needed to find a way to do the same. His life might depend on it.
Worms of worry wriggled around in her belly and Kat pressed a hand to it, pushing them away. Inhaling a deep breath, she walked purposefully into her bedroom and grabbed at her handbag and the black wrap she’d pinched from her sister’s wardrobe.
‘What time are your friends getting here?’ she asked Debs as she came back out.
‘They’ll be here in a bit. And yes, we’ll be careful. We won’t invite anyone else, we won’t open the door to anyone.’
‘And?’
‘We won’t drink, won’t smoke, won’t do drugs.’ She rolled her big brown eyes. ‘Won’t have any fun.’
‘Good. Mark’s coming round to say hello later, so when he phones, you can open the door to him.’
‘OMG, you did not get your boss to come and check on us.’
‘No.’ She searched around on the hall table for the hire car key. ‘I got my friend to drop by on his way back from a function.’ Damn, where the hell had she put it?
Debs picked a key off the coffee table, waving it in the air. ‘Looking for this?’
‘Thanks.’ Dashing to take it from her, Kat almost turned her ankle. ‘Ruddy hell. How does anyone walk in high shoes?’
‘You think they’re high?’ Debs looked down at Kat’s three-inch black strappy sandals in disgust. ‘People wear higher shoes than that to school.’
There was nothing like a sarky teenager to crush your fragile confidence. ‘Thanks, your comments on my attire have been noted and ignored. Now, I’m off. Be good.’
‘You too.’ Debs began to giggle. ‘You know, considering you told me you don’t fancy Zac Edwards, you’re weirdly worried about how you look.’
‘I don’t want to embarrass him. We’re pretending I’m his date.’ And God, how had she let him persuade her into that? She was hardly the type he usually had draped over his arm. ‘I realise how ridiculous that seems.’
It was too late to change now, so she’d just have to go as his overdressed bodyguard. With heels that were too high to do anything useful in, like walk or run. But apparently not high enough when it came to looking elegant.
As she hurried towards the door, Debs’s voice carried over to her. ‘You don’t look elegant, but you do look okay. You know, for you.’
Kat burst out laughing. ‘Thanks, Munchkin.’
***
As Kat waited outside Zac’s hotel room she knew she was fidgeting but she couldn’t help it. The dress felt too tight, the sandals too uncomfortable. She wanted her boots. Then the door swung open, and all thoughts of how she looked, how she felt, flew out of her mind.
‘Oh my flaming God.’ She gaped at the vision in front of her, dressed in an immaculate fitting black tux, crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, black silk bow tie loosely hanging round his neck.
He gave her a quizzical, highly sexy smile before his eyes made their own bold appraisal.
‘You don’t have to say anything nice,’ she told him quickly. ‘You’ve seen this dress before and besides, Debs has already told me I look okay, for me, which I’m taking as a compliment.’
‘I think I can do better than that.’
His dryly amused charm woke the dormant butterflies in her stomach. ‘No, that’s the whole point. You don’t need to. I know I look okay.’ She hoped she didn’t sound as flustered as she felt. ‘Now, are you ready? I mean, you look ready, well apart from the sexy undone tie thing you’ve got going on.’
‘Sexy, huh?’
‘Please, you know perfectly well how sexy you look. So let’s just … go.’ Breathe, Kat, breathe. He’d turned her into a rambling, hormonal mess and she wasn’t happy about it.
‘By all means.’ Still looking amused, he ducked back inside to pick up his wallet, tucking the hotel key card inside. ‘I assume you’ll want to lead the way?’
Nodding curtly, she opened the door, taking her time to check the corridor. The routine action helped calm her, a timely reminder this was far from a date. It was work.
She’d taken a step towards the lift when she felt the warmth of his body press lightly against her back, and the classy smell of his expensive aftershave drift up her nostrils. ‘You look stunning, Kat Parker.’ Her knees buckled and as she stumbled, he smirked back at her. ‘Everything okay?’
Inhaling sharply, she gathered herself. ‘Fine, thank you. I’m not good in heels, as you already know to your cost. They should come with a health and safety warning.’ As should he, she thought crossly. It was one thing telling herself he was a client, a job. Now she needed to make sure her body understood it, too.
***
Zac took another long sidelong glance at the lady driving him. And she really looked like a lady tonight. Not a slick, highly polished lady with hair artfully styled and make-up professionally applied. No, Kat, with her stuff convention, this is me attitude, was her own woman. It gave her a vibe, an edge, that was so sexy, it was impossible not to keep staring at her. He itched to tear down the barriers she’d put up. Ached to explore both the body and the mind of this fascinating, unique woman who could floor a man in the blink of an eye, yet who couldn’t take a compliment on her looks.
Who acted so tough, yet who came over soft and sentimental when it came to her niece.
Kat didn’t feel the same pull towards him, though. The excuse she’d given by the river, of him being her client, simply didn’t ring true. A woman who had no compunction pinching a car park space, who’d blithely turned up late to a client meeting, wasn’t someone cowed by rules.
So though she was attracted to him – he could read those signs – she didn’t like him enough to want to cross the line she’d drawn. He needed to respect that and stop fantasising about her.
Fuck, it was hard though. Especially when she spoke to him the way she was now.
‘So, tonight. I don’t really have
to go as your date.’
The question, which should have been there, was buried deep beneath the combative tone. It made him want to kiss the attitude right out of her. ‘We’ve agreed this already. You, Kat Parker, are my date this evening.’
Her huff was one of pure annoyance. ‘Fine. But what about your parents? We’re not going to lie to them, surely.’
He was grateful she was driving, so wasn’t watching him too closely. ‘They know you’re my bodyguard, but nobody else does.’
‘They’re Helena and William Edwards, yes?’
‘Yes.’ It was so close to the truth it actually felt like it was, which was why he had no qualms repeating the story whenever he was asked about his background. So why did the lie now stick in his throat?
‘What about any other family? I think you said you had a brother and a sister?’
‘I’m not sure if they’re going.’
Dread seeped through him. Why the hell had he agreed to come? Because William and Helena asked you, and you can never say no to them.
Damn it, this was why he hadn’t wanted a bodyguard with him. Hadn’t wanted anyone from his new life, mixing with his old.
‘You’ve gone all quiet on me.’ Kat’s amused voice broke through his panicking thoughts. ‘And you’re looking all … twitchy.’
With a determined effort, he relaxed his shoulders. ‘I’m not.’ He flicked her a glance. ‘I’m remembering how unspeakably dull these occasions are, so if you want to drop me off and go somewhere more exciting for a few hours, feel free.’
This time she was the one who appeared to tense. ‘You know I can’t do that, so repeating the wheedle isn’t going to work. But I can go as your bodyguard if, you know, you’re having second thoughts about the date thing. Which I totally understand and actually think would be a far better idea—’
‘Why would I be having second thoughts?’
She indicated to turn down a narrow country lane, and his heart beat a little faster. They were nearly there. ‘Well, something’s worrying you. I thought maybe you were thinking it was a bad idea to pretend I’m your date.’
‘Whatever is going on in that head of yours,’ he rebuked mildly, ‘stop it. I’m proud to have you on my arm, as my date.’
He could have sworn there was a hint of a blush on her cheeks, but it was too dark to tell for sure. ‘I hope you’re still saying that when I’ve tripped over the shag pile rug because of these ruddy shoes.’
Laughter burst out of him. ‘I can promise you there will be no shag pile rugs. Only very expensive wool rugs from Persia.’
That elicited a groan. ‘Did I mention how clumsy I can be?’
‘I’m well aware,’ he answered dryly.
‘Ah, yes, I’d conveniently forgotten that little encounter. And I have to warn you, if the choice is spilling drink all over your parents’ Persian rug, or all over you, you’re in for another dousing. I will take it easy on you, though, and stick to water, so at least you won’t stink like a wine cellar while you’re schmoozing with your parents’ honoured guests.’
He started to laugh again, but then the Edwards Estate came into view and the laughter died. One glance at the shock on Kat’s face, though, was enough to shove him out of his worry pit. To think she’d actually believed the reason he was acting so twitchy, as she’d called it, was because he didn’t want to introduce her as his girlfriend. Did she really think he was that shallow? Or was this vital, sexy woman not as confident as she let on? One thing he was certain about: no way was he going to let his own unease about the situation lead her to think she was anything less than the rather amazing woman he was fast discovering.
Kat swung the hired BMW 5 series – she’d taken to insisting on using different cars – into the gravel drive and parked it by the entrance where a valet waited to park it. After she’d handed over the keys she stood awkwardly, staring at the house.
‘You know I checked this out on Google maps, but seeing it in real life is something else. It’s a flaming stately home.’
Zac put his arm around her, resting it against the small of her back. ‘It’s a house. One a little larger than most.’
‘I’d be fine if I was in my leggings and boots.’ She gave him an accusing stare. ‘You made me put on this stupid dress and pretend I’m something I’m not.’
‘I don’t want you pretending anything. Be yourself.’
She made a noise of irritation. ‘What if they ask me what I do?’
Gently he pressed his hand against her back, leading her – or more accurately pushing her – towards the entrance. ‘You can be a bodyguard. Just not my bodyguard.’
‘Then how did we meet, hot shot?’
He smirked back at her. ‘I believe you threw your drink over me.’
Her answering bad-tempered hiss made him smile.
‘This is a bad idea,’ she muttered as she stepped gingerly over the gravel towards the short path.
He bent his head towards her, feeling a dart of satisfaction when her body shivered as his lips touched her earlobe. ‘Relax, Kat.’ Because he enjoyed the feeling of being so close, of touching her, he added, ‘You should know it’s doing my ego good to be the one calming you for a change.’
Her brown eyes darted to his. ‘When have I ever had to calm you? You’re always so cool, so smooth, it’s like somebody irons you before you go out.’
He laughed, flattered. ‘All that is on the outside. You’re steady where it counts, on the inside.’ He’d witnessed it himself, at the launch of the fragrance, when she’d taken the guy down in the blink of an eye and then carried on as if it was no big deal.
While he’d spent the rest of the evening haunted by what might have been.
‘Zac, my dear, there you are.’ Helena Edwards appeared in the entrance, a wide smile on her beautiful, refined face. ‘It’s so good to see you. I know this didn’t come at a good time, but I’m thrilled you could be here.’
‘Helena.’ He reached out to kiss her cheek. ‘You know I wouldn’t miss it. I’d like to introduce you to Kat Parker.’
‘Kat, how do you do?’ Helena gave Kat a quick peck on the cheek. ‘Come on in. I’ll just go and find William. Why don’t you wait for us in the drawing room?’
He could feel Kat’s eyes on him, and the sense of foreboding from earlier returned. Keeping his hand on her back, just above the gentle curve of her buttocks, Zac led her into the room on the right of the hallway and carefully closed the door.
Immediately her gaze locked in on her surroundings, taking in all the details he now took for granted: huge stone fireplace, oil paintings, period detailing on the cornices over the door, the windows and on the ceiling.
‘Kat.’ He touched the tip of her nose, bringing her eyes back to his. ‘There might be things you see tonight, things you hear, that don’t add up.’ Her mouth opened, no doubt to ask him if that included the way he’d just greeted his mother as Helena, so he placed a finger on her soft, soft lips. ‘Please keep any questions to yourself.’
Hurt flashed in her eyes and guilt washed through him. Here he was, pulling the loathsome respect my privacy, I’m a celebrity card when she’d shared so much of her life, been so open with him.
But he had to protect himself, didn’t he?
‘Are there any other rules I need to know before I meet your parents?’ There was a bite to her voice he’d not heard before.
‘Of course not,’ he protested, but already she’d taken a virtual and a literal step away from him.
And before he could do anything to mend some of the damage, the door opened and William and Helena Edwards walked in.
Chapter 10
Whatever Kat had been expecting from Zac’s parents, this wasn’t it.
They were well spoken, yes, refined. Elegant.
They were also … well, her English teacher had hated the word, far too bland, but Kat had been crap at the subject so she stuck with what she knew. His parents were really nice.
Maybe she should have
expected it, because when Zac wasn’t being a total arse, like he’d been five minutes earlier, he was nice, too. All those careful manners, the way he’d guided her in with his hand on her back. The kind things he’d said.
Until he’d cut her to the quick by not just shutting her out but slamming the door on her. Of course he was perfectly within his rights to ask her to keep her nose out of his business. Doing that hot on the heels of telling her he wanted to seduce her, though? It felt like a slap in the face, and while she was angry at herself for allowing her feelings to get caught up, she was also angry at him for sending conflicting messages.
Involuntarily she glanced over Helena’s shoulder, to where Zac was talking with William. When he caught her gaze, his expression turned pained, his eyes full of apology.
Yeah, well tough luck. He could stew for a while.
‘Zac told us he didn’t want anyone else here tonight knowing you’re his bodyguard, so I’ll say this now.’ Helena’s voice brought Kat’s attention back to her hostess. ‘Thank you for keeping Zac safe.’
‘It’s what I’m employed to do.’ She smiled, hoping it came across as confident and professional and not the smile of a woman who’d had to convince her boss she was ready for the task.
‘This person leaving him notes, it’s all very worrying. We wish we knew who and why they were doing it.’
‘The police are working hard on it. I’m sure it won’t be long before there’s a breakthrough.’ It was funny, with Zac’s reluctance to talk about his parents, and then hearing him refer to them by their first names, she’d expect Helena and William to be more distant, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Maybe the first-name thing was just what posh people did, because the affection they had for him, and he for them, was very clear. ‘I was wondering, do you have a person in charge of security tonight? I’d like to have a quick word.’
Helena paled a little. ‘Are you expecting trouble?’
Up Close and Personal Page 8
