Engaging the Enemy

by Susanne Bellamy

  Without looking at him, she gathered her bag and wrap and crossed to where a crew member was securing the gangplank. Silently she climbed down to the jetty and walked quickly ahead of him, her heels clacking on the boards. At the marina gate she stopped and waited for him to unlock it.

  ‘I’ll drive you home. We can talk more tomorrow if that’s okay with you?’

  ‘Perfectly, thank you.’

  She didn’t speak again until they were on the freeway heading back into the city. ‘What will you tell her?’

  ‘Tell who? Lexie?’

  ‘Your mother. How did we meet? You can’t tell her I doused you in champagne.’

  He chuckled. ‘She’d enjoy that. Or do you prefer a whirlwind courtship after I bought the building?’

  ‘She won’t believe you’d fall for me. Just one look at me, at us together—’ Trouble pressed her lips together and turned to the view of city lights. What was it in her voice, that husky note? Wasn’t she convinced by their demonstration on the yacht? If only he could see her expression. But she kept her head turned toward the lights.

  ‘Stop selling yourself short. I meant it when I said you’re a beautiful woman, Trouble. It’s obvious why any man would fall for you.’

  ‘Not to me. Look, just let me know what your story is, okay.’

  ‘Our story. It will work you know.’ He pulled up in front of The Shelter and came around to open her door.

  At the top of the steps she unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Light from the hallway fell through the bubble-glass partition, creating spider-web patterns around her. Was he getting into something he’d regret? Would Trouble live up to her name when it came time to end their deception?

  Shielding her body behind the door, she looked at him properly for the first time since that last unnerving, shattering kiss. Carefully controlled, her features were like a mask. Only her eyes were unchanged, deep green pools that watched him warily but gave him no clue what she was thinking. He didn’t like the change. Not one little bit.

  ‘One last thing, Andie. Don’t let on to anyone our engagement is anything other than what it appears.’

  ‘An impossibility, you mean?’

  ‘It’s a deal, like any other. You get to stay here long enough to gain your accreditation—’

  ‘And you get to tell your mum she’s not losing a son but gaining a daughter? I get it. Have you thought of how you’ll tell her you lied when it’s over?’

  ‘You can dump me. When it’s time just choose your reasons and let rip.’

  ‘Well, that’s big of you. I get to be the dumper and you’re the dumpee? Won’t that affect your image around town?’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll cope. Unless you prefer it the other way round?’

  She shook her head. ‘Your con, you carry the can for it. Did I mention you’re mad?’

  ‘Several times. Night, Andie.’

  Gently, she closed the door. From inside, he heard the tap-tapping of her heels as she crossed the wooden floor, then nothing more.

  Hands in pockets, he strolled back to the car and slid into his seat. The old building sat dingy and unlit but for one window upstairs. A shadow crossed and re-crossed in hasty passes behind the window.

  Trouble’s room?

  He sighed. It was a lot to ask of her, he knew that. She wasn’t happy about the deception, but she’d got what she wanted out of him. Opposing voices argued in his head.

  It’s a huge favour you’ve asked, Mahoney.

  And a huge concession you’ve given her.

  But you’ve demanded she lie for you.

  And there was the core of his problem. To save his mother, he had to invent a lie that demanded Trouble’s complicity. Really, he’d given her no alternative but to agree.

  No wonder he felt like a bastard.

  A motorcycle without lights revved through the tiny square, breaking his reverie. He’d got her agreement to his crazy scheme and to the renovations beginning — next week if he could pull a team from another project.

  He glanced up at the lighted window.

  A slim shadow crossed again. Trouble was still pacing and he doubted he’d get a good night’s sleep either. Maybe he could salve his conscience by giving her an engagement to remember.

  He’d work on that in the morning.

  Chapter Ten

  Flowers for a fake fiancée?

  Andie’s stomach turned somersaults as she read the card that accompanied the elegant box of roses. Domineering, arrogant, annoying man — how could he do this to her? Not even one day’s breathing space and he was pushing his ridiculous charade into her life.

  Damn him.

  ‘Who sent them?’ Lexie’s curiosity burst through her usual self-containment.

  How was she going to explain to her best friend the sudden appearance of a fiancé in her life? And not just anyone but the man she’d ranted about only yesterday. The man they’d plotted to bring down if he wouldn’t listen. The man who’d kissed her until her body tingled from hair tip to toe nails and set fire to everything in between.

  Why couldn’t he have given her time to lay the groundwork for their deception? Mahoney was going to get it when he dared show his face.

  Lexie reached across the desk and plucked the card from Andie’s fingers before she could tuck it away with a laughing half truth. Desperately she grabbed at it, coming up with empty air. Holding her breath, tension freezing her joints, she watched as Lexie’s eyebrows rose. That look settled on her friend’s face as their eyes met. Right now, her furious best friend was madder than a cut snake.

  ‘You’re engaged to Mahoney?’

  ‘I was going to tell you.’

  ‘When?’ Lexie tossed the card on top of the dozen long-stemmed roses now lying on her desk and pushed her chair back. It fell with a thud as she stood and planted her hands either side of the keyboard.

  Andie held up her hands palms out, warding off the anger radiating from Lexie in palpable waves. This was worse than she’d expected. Damn Mahoney, why hadn’t he waited? What could she tell Lexie that would satisfy her?

  Nothing.

  ‘I know it sounds really strange—’

  ‘Strange? No, Andie, I wouldn’t call it strange. I’d call it insane!

  ‘Lexie, I—’

  ‘What were you thinking?’ Lexie gave her no chance to defend herself. ‘You weren’t, that’s the trouble.’ Lexie slapped a hand to her forehead and shook her head. Disbelief vied with anger on her face but finally she perched on the edge of the desk and eyed Andie as though she were an exotic and unfamiliar species.

  ‘Who are you and what have you done with my best friend? Because the Andie I know would hardly talk to Mahoney let alone get close enough to touch him. Engaged implies all that and more.’

  Touch? She thought she’d died and gone to heaven when his lips had touched hers, when his firm grip had pulled her against his body and heat had roared along every pathway of her blood, searing away her resistance like straw. Andie’s cheeks warmed at the memory.

  Lexie’s eyes narrowed on her flaming face. ‘You let him kiss you? Oh, Andie. I thought you were too smart to fall for his brand of charming.’

  Embarrassed because her brain hadn’t been in gear, she squirmed under Lexie’s baleful glare. ‘It’s not exactly how it looks.’

  ‘What, exactly, am I missing then? I thought “For my fiancée, can’t wait to see you today. Matt” must mean that Mahoney’s your fiancé. He sure as hell isn’t mine.’

  In her wildest dreams, Andie had never thought the revelation would bring down the wrath of a Titan on her head. She hunched her shoulders against the tsunami of Lexie’s censure, shoved a finger in each ear and began singing, ‘Lalalalalalalalala.’

  ‘Okay, fine. Throw yourself away on some capitalist chauvinist—’ Lexie’s feminist rant wore thin as the old arguments ran on a play loop in her memory. She’d heard it all before and had agreed with Lexie. But now, inside her head, something clicked into place, l
ike a heavy door opening on a new pathway of her choosing.

  This was about her choices. Not Lexie’s, not her father’s, but her own decision. Made in the full knowledge of what she offered and what she gained.

  ‘Enough.’ She slapped her hands flat on the desk. ‘I don’t have to listen to your ranting and raving. It’s my life and it’s nobody’s business but mine. Mine and Mahon — Matt’s. We’re engaged so get over it, okay.’

  ‘Whoa, okay. As you said, it’s your life. But what about The Shelter? Are you going over to the enemy now?’

  ‘For your information, my fiancé is letting us stay.’

  Lexie’s mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

  In other circumstances, Andie would have laughed or snapped a quick photo of her dumbfounded friend on her phone. Today, the new sense of control held her in check. She folded her arms and humphed.

  ‘It seems I’ve stunned you. This is sure turning out to be a red-letter day in so many ways.’

  ‘Why?’ Lexie cleared her throat and sank into her chair.

  ‘Why what?’

  ‘Why Mahoney? Why so suddenly? And why the hell haven’t you told me anything about this love of your life? Answer me that, friend.’

  Here was yet another problem she’d not had time to prepare an answer for. Mahoney had requested she say nothing about his mother, along with not telling anyone about their deception. What would appease Lexie yet allow Andie not to lie?

  The truth of course. Stick as close to the truth as possible and Lexie would be more likely to believe her story.

  ‘He knows how much this place means to me. To us. I told him more about our families last night and he — came to appreciate what we’re doing here. We don’t have to leave, at least not until after our accreditation comes through, and our families won’t be separated. I’d say I’ve done a damned good job and got myself one heck of a fine catch at the same time. So if you’ve nothing more useful to say to me, Lexie Hamilton-Smythe, butt out.’

  Adrenaline raced through her and strength returned to her wobbly legs. Andie paused and took a deep breath. That had been the longest speech of her life.

  And it felt so good.

  Surprised at the determination with which she’d expressed herself — and to none other than her best friend — Andie met Lexie’s stunned look.

  Maybe Mahoney had known something with his crack about the woman inside her.

  Where has she been hiding all my life?

  Heady and unfamiliar pride surged through her. She hugged the knowledge of it close, determined not to lose this courage now she’d finally found it. Pity it had only appeared after she’d agreed to Mahoney’s bizarre request. But a tiny part of her wondered if it was because of him.

  Did he bring out the worst in her, or the best?

  ‘You’ve sold yourself to him? For whatever warped reason he’s got, he’s conned you into agreeing to this…this arrangement. God, Andie, you don’t even know the man!’

  ‘I haven’t known him very long, that’s true. I also know it’s none of your business who I choose to date…marry.’

  ‘Does your father know?’

  Anger, dread and determination battled for top spot in her brain. ‘Why would you think I care enough to tell him? He abandoned me, betrayed what little trust I had in him when he sold this building out from under us.’

  ‘Andie, love, listen to me. Is this engagement about getting back at your father in some way? Because marrying a guy you don’t even like to get even with your father is stupid.’

  ‘I’m not trying to get even. I’ve told you, I think Mahon— Matt is a — decent man and — and—’

  ‘And? Is decent what you’re willing to settle for? Where’s the romance, the love? I haven’t heard you say you love him. Why not, Andie?’

  ‘Love? Where did you come up with that notion? I thought I was the nonsensical, romantic idiot. Aren’t you always telling me to go for what I want in life and forget the hearts and roses?’ She glanced at the formal box of flowers on the desk and sighed. They were so not her. No wonder Lexie didn’t believe the relationship. How could this deception work? Mahoney had no idea what she liked. He didn’t know her.

  Thrown off balance, she teetered on the brink of disclosing Mahoney’s secret. ‘I’m trying to be the realist here. Try supporting me for once. Please?’

  ‘So you’re not pretending this is a love match? You really love him? Just like that?’

  ‘Can you imagine me pretending anything?’

  Struck by the obvious truth, Lexie snorted, shook her head and leaned her elbows on the desk. ‘Girl, you wear your heart on your sleeve so don’t try to fob me off. Tell me now. Tell me that you love him and he loves you and I’ll back off.’

  How hard could that be?

  Three little words. They were just three words but the lie stuck in her throat as Lexie waited. And if she couldn’t say them to Lexie, how was she going to keep up the charade with Mahoney’s mother?

  ‘Oh, this is preposterous. Why won’t you just accept that I’m engaged to — Matt and leave it at that?’

  ‘You can’t even call him by his name without stuttering like a schoolgirl.’

  ‘Because you called him Mahoney all the time. Besides, maybe we weren’t doing a whole lot of talking. Maybe we had other things to occupy us.’

  A comical look of sheer astonishment settled on Lexie’s face. If nothing else, Andie could mark today as the day she rattled her best friend’s composure.

  God, she hated this pretence.

  The brass knocker sounded, muffled by solid wood and the closed office door. Andie grabbed at the reprieve it offered and bolted, leaving Lexie open-mouthed and anxious or angry. She wasn’t sure which emotion had won out in her outspoken friend.

  She raced down the stairs and reached the front door at the same time as Sami came along the hall from the kitchen.

  ‘I’ll get it.’ Andie didn’t want anyone getting to Mahoney before she’d had the chance to prepare him for Lexie’s response. And give him a piece of her mind for dumping her in the deep end.

  Jordan ran up to join Andie, wrapping his arms around her legs. ‘Hug,’ he demanded. She could never refuse his cheeky grin.

  ‘It’s okay, Sami. He won’t be in the way.’ Andie took Jordan’s hand and Sami nodded and retreated to the kitchen.

  Anxiously, Andie smoothed back her hair and took a deep breath. Mahoney was going to cop her annoyance. In fact, given how annoyed she was, it might be his lucky day that Jordan had happened along. With his sticky hand grasping hers, there was little chance she’d be tempted to use violence against her fiancé.

  She tugged the heavy door open, allowing light and a faint smell of diesel to enter. Blinded by the spring day in all its glory, it took her several breaths before she saw him clearly.

  Mahoney stood on the top step, sinfully gorgeous in his navy suit. His jacket buttons were undone and he leaned nonchalantly against the stonework surround, arms folded loosely across his chest, like a sedately wrapped Christmas present that contained exactly what she’d asked for and then some.

  And what are you thinking, Andrea-aren’t-you-going-to give-him-a-piece-of-your-mind? Stop drooling and close your mouth.

  But her annoyance floated away like a child’s red balloon into the sky. Somehow she’d won first prize in the date stakes and Mahoney was hers, for a while at least. Why shouldn’t she enjoy herself? If it was at Lexie’s expense, even better. It rankled that her best friend didn’t seem to think she could attract someone like Mahoney.

  The lecture she’d been waiting to deliver could wait a while. She smiled at him.

  A slow grin transformed his features and rose all the way to his eyes.

  ‘Top o’ the morning to you, Trouble. And to you too, young Jordan.’

  ‘Hello.’ At least Jordan hadn’t lost the ability to speak, unlike her. She stood rooted to the spot, searching for a sophisticated and appropriate greeting.

  ‘Hi.�
��

  Duh, smooth, Andie, very cool.

  ‘And will you be inviting me in anytime soon?’

  Embarrassed by her lack of manners, she stepped back from the opening, tugging Jordan with her. ‘Please come in.’

  How formal she sounded. But what should they do? Should she offer her cheek, her lips? She almost hoped he’d kiss her, just to see if his touch sizzled in daylight as it had last night. If they were engaged for real she supposed they’d kiss, but what did Mahoney expect given their odd circumstances?

  Don’t be daft, Andie. There’s nobody to pretend for, only Jordan.

  Jordan patted her thigh and whispered. ‘That’s the man, ain’t it?’

  Flustered, she nodded, pushed the door closed and turned. Mahoney’s magnificent frame blocked her path to the reception room behind.

  Why didn’t he move?

  ‘Um, is something wrong?’

  ‘Now that’s a fine way to be greeting your fiancé. I hoped you’d be feeling somewhat more — friendly this morning.’

  She swallowed. This was so not going to work. ‘What are you expecting, Mahoney?’

  ‘Matt. That’s my name, mavourneen. I like to hear you saying it.’

  ‘What do you want, Matt?’

  ‘That’s better. And now we’ve got that sorted…’

  Without warning, he lowered his head, touching her mouth softly with his. Her eyes closed, her lips parted under his gentle pressure and she was back on the yacht, swaying against him.

  She slid a hand up his chest, along his shoulder, into his hair. Silken strands wrapped around her fingers and she pressed into his heat. The pressure of his mouth increased on hers, then eased as his tongue traced the line of her top lip. His hands encircled her waist, moving her back until she rested against the door, until there was a narrow gap between their bodies and a soft patting on her thigh.

  Jordan?

  Heat flamed in her cheeks and she wrenched her mouth from his and looked down at the child still holding on to her other hand. Thank goodness no one else was around to see her forget everything in Mahoney’s arms.

  ‘Excuse me. I didn’t know we had company.’

  She tensed and peeked around his shoulder. Lexie stood at the foot of the stairs, narrow-eyed and definitely interested in their little tableau.