She froze inside. “A friend, eh? I’ve heard that one before.”
He ignored that. “This friend is called… well, let’s say his name is Henry.”
She snorted. “Henry?”
“Yes. And Henry’s very attracted to Ethel.”
Another snort. “Ethel?”
“Yes. Ethel’s very attracted to Henry, but she fights it because she’s been hurt before.”
Her heart leapt in her chest. “What does Henry do?”
“He sweeps her off her feet and they end up in bed together.” “Nothing wrong with that.”
“Not at all. They have a wild ol’ time. Things go along swimmingly for a while, until Henry starts to want more from Ethel. He knows she’s been hurt, so he tries to take things easy, but every time he tries to get too close emotionally, she freezes up on him and blocks him out.”
Did she do that? Okay, so she had run back to her apartment the morning after they’d first made love. And she had tried to push him away today when she’d first heard about Mikey.
She shifted in her seat. “How does Ethel do that?”
“If she’s upset over something, he wants to help her by talking about it, but she hides behind sex to put him off the scent.”
“Do you know how many men would love to be in Henry’s position?” she scoffed for the show. And maybe a little for herself. “He’s crazy. Sex without having to dissect it afterward. Isn’t that every man’s dream?”
“It’s sex without emotional commitment.” And suddenly he was very, very serious. “And no, that’s not every man’s dream.”
Her fingers gripped the pen in her hand tighter. “Well then, if you want my advice, Henry should back off and let Ethel be.”
A stubborn look entered his eyes. “But what if he knew the only thing keeping Ethel from being completely happy with him is her fear of getting hurt?”
She hated being backed into a corner. “You’re assuming Ethel has emotions for Henry beyond the sex.”
His mouth tightened slightly. “She has.”
“No matter,” she dismissed. “I think Henry had better stop trying to play God and just be happy with what he has with Ethel.”
Zac’s eyes narrowed. “Or he could lose her?”
“Exactly.”
He held her gaze a tad longer but she refused to look away. He slumped back against the chair. “Okay, I’ll tell my friend what you said.”
She let out a silent breath, then forced herself to quip, “By any chance, does he wear a cape?”
Zac blinked, then gave a short laugh. “No, Henry’s not the type for a cape. He just lets it all hang out.”
“Mmm. Sounds like he’s at least got a good body then.”
“I don’t go around looking at men’s bodies. Now women’s bodies, they’re different. They’re curvy and sexy and --”
“Wipe your chin, Zac. You’re starting to salivate, and that’s not good for the microphone, let alone me sitting across from you,” she joked, just as she saw Leon indicate a break. “And now, I think we’ll hear a word from our sponsor.”
The off-air light came on and Cassie quickly glanced down at the papers in front of her, pretending to read her notes, calm on the outside, anything but on the inside. Zac had a look in his eyes that made her wary. Very wary. What did he want from her, for God’s sake!
“Have you guessed who Henry is yet?”
“Don’t,” she said on a groan as she looked up.
He waved a finger at her. “See. This is exactly what I mean.”
There was no getting around it. She had to say it. “Zac, look, I’m trying to take this one day at a time, but you’re making it difficult now. I… I need some breathing space.”
His head went back as if she’d slapped him. “Oh hell, I’m smothering you, aren’t I?”
She was confused by his immediate response. “Zac, I’m not sure what --”
Just then, Leon stuck his head inside the booth. “Hey, you two rock! That was a brilliant touch about the cape, Zac. Just what we needed to lighten the conversation. And Cassie, that piece about the kid was brilliant too, hon.”
There was nothing for it but to forget about her and Zac’s problems for the moment. “I didn’t say it to improve the ratings, Leon.”
“I know you didn’t.” He winked at her. “But it hasn’t hurt them either.”
“You’re a sonofabitch,” she said with affection, knowing he hadn’t meant it. Leon was one of the most compassionate people she knew.
“Yeah, but at least I’m still an employed sonofabitch,” he reminded her. “And I intend to stay that way. So keep up the good work, amigos.” He left the booth to go back behind the glass in his own area.
As soon as they were alone, Zac started to speak. “Cassie, look. I think --”
Just then, someone tapped on the glass door to the right of them and they both swiveled their heads toward the sound.
Zac straightened in his chair. “Holy shit!”
Adam was standing outside the booth beside a pretty brunette who was waving excitedly at Zac. A premonition of impending doom tumbled down Cassie’s spine. “Who’s that with Adam?”
He glanced at her, as if surprised to see her there. Cassie swallowed. Great. He’d forgotten her already.
“That’s Erin.”
Her heart sank. “Your ex-fiancée?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God!” Cassie whispered, as something inside her ripped apart.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he muttered, giving the other woman a short wave. Erin beamed at him, looking gorgeous in a figure-hugging dress.
Cassie wasn’t sure she could finish the rest of the program, but somehow she managed to focus when the commercial ended and they were back on air. It was hard keeping up the banter when she felt like she had a swinging axe above her head and that any minute it would fall. The pensive glimmer in Zac’s eyes told her he was concerned by this latest development too. To both their credit, they managed to finish the segment, though on a more humorless note than not this time.
As soon as they’d finished, Leon opened the door to the booth for the other pair. Without warning, Erin slipped in after him.
“Zac!” She moved straight for him, then cupped his face and gave him a thorough kiss, making Cassie’s throat constrict when his hands slipped onto her hips. It was over in a few seconds but for a while it seemed like the clock had stopped.
Zac stood looking down at her. “What are you doing here, Erin?” he said in a low voice that said nothing, yet Cassie couldn’t help but think it said “everything”.
Erin glowed. “I came to see you, darling,” she said in her Australian accent. “Oh Zac, I have so much to tell you. I’m sorry. I --”
“Hey, Zac,” Adam cut across her, an edge to his voice. “Aren’t you going to introduce the ladies?” Clearly he was reminding Zac that she – Cassie – was still in the vicinity. The need for it to be said at all made her feel great.
Not!
Zac drew his gaze away from Erin, seeming to pull himself together as he nodded at Adam. “Yeah sure, mate.” He glanced at Cassie and something shifted in his expression, then shut down. “Erin, this is Cassie. She’s a… friend.”
Cassie’s heart sank at the words. Talk about a Judas!
Erin held out her manicured hand and smiled. “It’s so nice to meet another friend of Zac’s.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Cassie somehow managed a polite smile. “I’ve heard all about you.”
“You have?” Erin smiled up at Zac. “Then you’ll know how close we are.” She slid her arm around his waist.
“Yes, any closer and you’d be married,” Cassie quipped.
A frown formed on the other woman’s forehead, then she looked at him. “Zac?” she said, as if realizing something wasn’t quite right. “Is everything okay?”
No! Everything was suddenly very wrong, Cassie wanted to scream, but she had her pride.
H
e turned to face the woman in his arms. “Couldn’t be better,” he said with a bland smile.
Erin’s face relaxed. “Oh good.” She brought his hand up to her lips, kissing his knuckles. “Darling, is there anywhere we can be alone? I need to talk to you.”
Cassie felt the air suck right out of her lungs.
“You can talk at my place, Erin,” Adam said. “I have to go home and change for a late date, but it’s all yours and Zac’s after that.”
Erin gave him a warm smile. “Thanks, Adam.”
Cassie decided enough was enough. No use hanging around and torturing herself with these people. “If you’ll excuse me.” She smiled at Erin. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You too,” Erin said, but she quickly turned back to Zac before Cassie had even taken a few steps. “Can we go home now, darling? I…”
Cassie walked away and shut the office door, and on wobbly legs went over to the desk. Somehow her butt found the seat of the chair, but she could have been sitting on the top of Niagara Falls for all she cared right now. Zac’s girlfriend obviously wanted him back. And Zac would go. Erin was too beautiful for him to refuse. Heck, if she were a guy she wouldn’t be able to refuse those big brown eyes and beautiful smile, not to mention a slim figure that made every other woman look like Bigfoot. And that accent was enchanting.
Dear God, Steve was right about one thing. She hadn’t been ready for a new relationship. Not when the thought of Zac’s departure hurt like someone had sliced her open and left her heart bare and unprotected.
She winced, then stiffened her backbone and told herself that her heart wasn’t totally involved. No way. Thank heavens she’d kept some of it intact in case something like this happened. Yes, she’d been wise to protect herself from too much pain.
Yet even knowing that - even knowing “Judas” had already left the building - she sat in the chair and waited for him to come back and tell her he would soon be leaving for Australia.
Half an hour later, she was still waiting.
CHAPTER TEN
“I’ll just get my jacket, then I’ll be out of your hair,” Adam snapped as he strode toward his bedroom.
Zac watched his friend leave the room and wondered what the hell he’d done wrong. This wasn’t like Adam, but the smoldering fuse in those eyes couldn’t be denied.
As soon as Adam disappeared down the hallway, Erin took Zac by surprise by flying into his arms and kissing him. He was beginning to feel violated. He didn’t want to kiss her, nor did he want her kissing him. His lips were meant for only one woman at the moment. And that woman wasn’t the woman in his arms.
But before he could break free, Adam cleared his throat behind them. “I’m going now,” he said in a low voice.
Erin finally stopped kissing him, and Zac pulled his head back and looked at Adam with a touch of desperation. “Are you sure you can’t stay?”
His friend’s narrowed gaze slid from him to Erin then back again. “I have a date.”
“But you will be back tonight, won’t you?” Zac said, hoping Adam would take the hint.
“I don’t know yet.” He strode to the door. “In any case, I’ve told Erin she’s welcome to stay here for as long as she wants.”
“You did?”
“Where else would she stay?” he said, then left the apartment.
Zac wanted to suggest a hotel but felt mean for even thinking it. Adam had done the right thing. It was only natural Erin would stay here.
But not in his bed.
“Zac?” Erin said once they were alone, her eyes full of concern, and a certain wariness that said she suspected something wasn’t right. “What’s up? I thought you’d be glad to see me. I thought we could --”
He stepped back out of reach. “Hell, Erin, I don’t want to hurt you but --”
Tears welled in her eyes and covered the brown irises. “It’s over, isn’t it?” she said in a small voice. “Whatever you felt for me has gone for good, hasn’t it?”
He hunched a shoulder. “I’m sorry. It’s just not the same anymore.”
“Oh God.” She blinked back tears and shuddered. “There’s someone else, isn’t there?”
He hesitated for only a moment. “Yes.”
She smothered a sob. “The woman I met tonight?”
“Yes.”
“She’s beautiful, Zac.”
“I think so.”
All at once a probing light came into her eyes. “Do you love her?”
He felt a jolt in his chest. “No.” Love hadn’t been on his agenda. Hell, he didn’t know what love was anyway.
“I still love you, Zac,” Erin said quickly, hope rising in her voice.
He couldn’t let her continue. “Erin, I love you too, but only as a friend now. I’m sorry, but sometimes there’s just no going back.”
Her expression began to crumble. “Oh Zac, I’m so sorry.”
He suddenly felt a little defensive. Damn. She couldn’t walk out and expect him to turn off his emotions, then waltz back in and ask him to pick up where they left off. It wasn’t fair.
“What happened anyway?” he said in a rough voice. “The last you said you were going off to do volunteer work with that nun at the community center.”
She took a shaky breath, followed by an apologetic wince. “I know, and that’s what I did. I still help out when I can but I don’t plan on it being my whole life like I did straight after the accident. I really think it was shock more than anything. It made me go a little crazy. But once the shock wore off and I realized what I’d done to you… and what I’d given up with you…” Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Now I’ve lost you forever,” she said on a jerky sob.
He tried to stay positive. “Hey, you haven’t lost me as a friend.”
She reached out toward him. “Hold me, Zac,” she said, a catch in her voice that caught at his heartstrings. “Please.”
How could he refuse? This was the woman he’d been going to marry. The woman he’d wanted to share children with. Share his life. It wouldn’t be right of him to let her face this moment without his support. He pulled her into his arms and let her cry it out. This was Erin, after all.
But even as he held her in his arms, his thoughts were turning to another woman. Everything inside was urging him to go to Cassie. She’d had a shock this morning about Mikey’s death. She needed him. She must be thinking he’d deserted her.
Like her ex had.
* * *
As soon as Zac heard the penthouse door open, he sat up on the couch and switched on the lamp. “Christ, Adam, what took you so long!” He’d been tossing and turning for hours, thinking about Cassie, wanting to go to her, to put her mind at rest. A phone call to her just wouldn’t do.
And dammit, Erin’s question had thrown him for a six. Was it actually love he felt for Cassie? Or merely admiration and respect mixed in with desire? How was a bloke supposed to know anyway? Was their some sort of Litmus test for true love? Hell if he knew.
It made him eye the other man sourly. “It’s one in the morning.”
“Very good,” Adam said with a touch of sarcasm that took Zac by surprise again, reminding him how angry Adam had seemed when he’d left the apartment hours ago.
He shrugged off the comment as he reached for his shoes. “I need to go see Cassie, but I couldn’t leave Erin here by herself. She’s still a bit upset.”
Adam’s brow rose. “You tell her about you and Cassie yet?”
“Yes.”
Adam threw his keys on the coffee table. “What the hell are you playing at, man?”
Zac stopped what he was doing and looked at his friend in confusion. “What’s the matter with you? I’m not playing at anything.”
“We’re not teenagers anymore. It’s not right to keep one woman on a string while you’re sleeping with another.”
Zac sucked in a sharp breath. Okay, so years ago he hadn’t exactly been honest with a couple of girls. That had partly been due to teenage hormones, and partly
Adam’s fault for coming Down Under with that American accent and charming the pants off all the girls at school. And not just any girls, and any pants. They’d just happened to belong to the two girls he’d been casually interested in. Up until then he’d had no competition. All that had changed the year Adam came on the scene. God, the things they’d done in the name of friendly rivalry. They’d laughed about it years later. They weren’t laughing now.
And this was nothing like it.
“Firstly,” he growled, keeping his eye on the doorway, aware they weren’t alone. “I cut that string with Erin months ago, as you very well know. And second, I’m an adult now. I no longer screw around on a woman.” He jerked his head at the couch. “Or haven’t you noticed where I’m sleeping?”
Adam’s eyes went to the couch, then he plopped down on one of the lounge chairs opposite. “Yeah, you’re right.”
There was more to this than met the eye. “What’s this about anyway, mate? Why are you so worried about Erin all of a sudden?”
Adam shrugged. “No reason. I just feel sorry for her. She’s come all this way for nothing.”
Zac pushed aside an odd stab of guilt. “Maybe she should have thought of that before hopping on a plane for Chicago.”
Adam’s brows lifted. “That’s a bit insensitive, isn’t it?”
“What she put me through was insensitive, don’t you think?”
Adam acknowledged the comment with a nod. “You’re right, but she’s still our friend and I don’t like seeing her hurt.”
Zac suddenly felt bad for his harsh criticism. “I was engaged to the woman. I don’t like seeing her hurt either.”
“Yeah, I know.” As if exhausted, Adam closed his eyes and rested his head back against the couch.
Zac realized how much of a disruption this was making in his friend’s life. It was hard enough having one person come and visit for a few weeks, let alone another one turning up on your doorstep. “I’m sorry about all this, mate.”
The other man opened one eye and gave a slow smile. “We’ve been through worse together.”
Zac grinned back with relief. “Too right we have.”
Talking Sex Page 14
