by Coleen Kwan
She rested a hand on her hip, her eyes flashing. “I suppose that’s the kind of stunt you pull on your dud dates?”
He smiled. “I make it a policy of mine never to have dud dates.”
“Oh, so where’s tonight’s bimbo?” She made a show of peering around her, pretending to search the crowd. “Ditched her already?”
He felt his smile fading. He didn’t know why her sarcasm nicked him. Maybe it was because of her assumption that he was only interested in bimbos.
“No bimbo tonight,” he said. “I came on my own.”
“Oh.”
The music started again, and Ally stepped backward. “Okay, then. See you,” she mouthed at him. He nodded, and a moment later she disappeared.
Nate swallowed the last dregs of his beer. The alcohol was sour on his tongue, the blaring music starting to hammer at the insides of his temples. He pushed his way out of the bar and headed for the pool room in the back. He’d been meaning to go home, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Ally and Mr. Average, and he needed a distraction. He played pool for an hour, drank Coke instead of beer, and focused on winning his games. Eventually he called it a night and left the Duck Inn.
Turning up his collar against the crisp night air, he almost bumped into a woman standing in the shadows of the building.
“Ally?” She had on a thin black coat over her skimpy dress, and her arms were wrapped around herself. He looked about for Mr. Average but couldn’t see him. “Where’s your date?”
She flicked back her hair, her brows drawn into a deep V. “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“He’s gone? And left you here?”
“I couldn’t take his company anymore, so I told him I’d get a taxi home. He left in a huff.”
“What did he do? Get too hands-on for you?”
She scowled down at her stilettos. “Something like that.” Rubbing her upper arms, she peered up and down the road.
Nate found he was scowling, too. At the thought of Mr. Average sleazing over Ally, touching her against her will. “You want me to beat him up for you?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You’re joking, right?”
“Yeah.” But his blood pressure was up, he realized. He shrugged. “Then again, depends what he did to you. If he forced himself—”
She held up a hand to silence him. “He didn’t do anything except squeeze my knee one time too many. I wasn’t in the mood, so I let him know. Nothing to get all Neanderthal about.”
She was no pushover, he knew. “Did he get the message?”
“Oh, yeah. The nail marks I left on the back of his hand spelled it out for him.”
Nate had a sudden crazy urge to laugh. Breathing out, he jingled the car keys in his hand. “Come on, it’s freezing out here. I’ll give you a lift home.”
“No, I’m okay. I’ve already called for a taxi.”
“Friday nights are the worst for that—you could be waiting here a long time.” He paused, watching the puffs of vapor rising from her mouth. Her long legs, so prettily displayed by her short hem, looked to be covered in goose bumps. The desire to see those legs sliding against the buttery leather of his Maserati snapped Nate hard in the lower abdomen. He curled his hand around his keys, willing himself to remain still.
“I suppose…” She eyed him reluctantly, obviously unhappy at the thought of accepting his help. An unseasonably chilly breeze swept over them, flapping the corners of her light coat. She shivered and stamped her feet. “Okay, then,” she said. “I’ll just ring and cancel my booking.”
A few minutes later they were in Nate’s car and pulling out of the parking lot. Nate shifted up a gear, the Maserati slipping smoothly through the darkness. The illumination from the instrument panel bathed the interior in a subtle green glow. He could see Ally’s legs stretched out against the fine leather grain, her knees just inches from his hand on the gearstick. Her fragrance drifted into his awareness, a gentle, herbaceous scent like warm freshly cut grass.
The evening had started out badly, but now things were looking up. Definitely up.
…
Ally had never thought of herself as materialistic, but she couldn’t resist the opulent luxury of Nate’s Maserati. Cocooned in thousands of dollars’ worth of indulgent hedonism, she felt the tension melting from her muscles, the irritations of her disastrous date growing fuzzy at the edges. Money couldn’t buy you happiness, but it sure made unhappiness a lot easier to bear.
“How did you meet this Paul guy?” Nate suddenly asked, breaking the silence that had fallen ever since they’d driven off.
She started, before making herself relax. The bucket seats surrounded her in comfort, and she wanted to remain that way. “Actually, it was a blind date,” she confessed.
“A blind date!” A deep chuckle rumbled out of him.
She sighed. “Yes, yes, very amusing.”
He choked down his laughter. “Sorry.” He shot her a glinting look. “So he got too friendly? Broke one of your rules for first dates?”
“I don’t have rules for first dates.”
“Don’t you?” His look became speculative.
“Of course not.” She paused. “Oh, but I’m forgetting—according to you I’m a prissy Goody Two-shoes, so therefore I must have rules for first dates.”
Nate pulled a face. “I thought I’d already apologized for that.”
“For your information, I merely expect some respect on a first date. That and a little sensitivity as to what I might or might not want.”
He nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“It’s not too much to ask for, is it?” She blew out a sigh, exasperated as she recalled the night’s events. After the awkward slow dance, Paul had ordered margaritas and suddenly grown bolder. He’d started to paw at her hand, leer at her cleavage, and drop awful double entendres. She’d tried to keep her cool, but his ham-fisted fumbling of her thigh under the table had been the last straw. She’d dug her nails into his hand, making him squeal, and told him in her iciest tone to get lost.
Nate said, “I don’t know a thing about the guy, but I saw the two of you dancing that slow number.”
She tensed, discomfited by the thought of Nate watching her with Paul. “And?”
“And you looked like you were holding him off. Plus, as soon as the song ended, you made a dash for the restroom. You really didn’t want to be with him.”
With a sigh, she rested her elbow against the armrest and tunneled her fingers through her hair. Yes, even before Paul had started slavering over her she’d been bored; she had been twenty minutes into the date. But why?
“He’s single, good-looking, has a steady job at the council, and he visits his grandma every week. Even though he morphed into a sleazebag, do you know how many women would kill to meet someone like that?”
“All irrelevant if there’s no spark between you.” Nate snapped his fingers. “Spark, chemistry, je ne sais quoi, whatever you want to call it. If it’s not there, then you may as well forget everything else.”
She frowned. “Aren’t you just talking about sexual attraction?”
“Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”
Her heart beat faster. When it came to sexual attraction, Nate was unfairly well endowed. She cleared her throat nervously. “I don’t know if it’s a good basis for a long-term relationship, though.”
He shook his head. “Who said anything about long-term?”
She contemplated him, aware of the steeliness that had entered his voice. His profile, reflected against his dark window, was handsome but lofty and inaccessible. In the past she’d always dismissed him as the good-looking but shallow, hell-raising lout who’d damaged her relationship with Seth, but now she wondered if perhaps there wasn’t something more behind his deliberately unattached lifestyle.
“You don’t believe in proper, committed relationships, do you?”
He threw her a look as arid as the desert. “If people want to delude themselves, then
that’s their problem.”
“And what about Seth and Paige’s wedding? Are you going to try and stop that one, too?”
He clamped his jaw. “No.”
“I see.” Her throat closed up. “I wasn’t good enough for Seth but Paige is.”
“What?” He slowed the car sharply, his face all cut angles in the dimness. “Is that what you think?”
“You can’t deny you tried to break up Seth and me.”
He squeezed the steering wheel. “Okay, I don’t deny that,” he said slowly through gritted teeth. “I thought Seth was crazy to tie himself down to one girl—”
“Oh, how—”
“But I never said you weren’t good enough for him. I told him he was way too young, that he should live a little before—”
“Shackling himself for life?”
He glowered at her, but he didn’t refute her words. “That was then. Seth is a grown man now. He’s old enough to know his own mind and to live by his decisions.”
Her windpipe ached as anger boiled up. “And six years ago you knew enough to make up Seth’s mind for him? Your arrogance is breathtaking. You think you know what’s best for everyone, but you don’t. It may come as a big surprise to you, Nate, but not everyone wants to be like you.”
She halted, breath heaving, appalled at her outburst. Where had all that come from? Nate pulled the car hard onto the shoulder of the road, gravel spitting as he braked. He turned to her, harsh and flinty eyed.
“Is that how you see me?” he snapped.
The confines of the cabin pressed down on them, a cage of glass and steel. Her heart skipped several beats. Why had she gotten so mad at him? Not because of Seth. No, more because of Nate’s opinion of her. She hauled in a breath, appalled by the realization. But it was true—she cared what he thought of her.
“Look, I don’t know why we’re arguing over Seth,” she said hurriedly. “It’s all in the past, so—so let’s forget what I just said about you.”
“But you’re right. I don’t know everything.” Pressing his head back against the seat, he exhaled a long breath. “Christ, the older I get, the less I seem to know. I’m moving back to Burronga, and I’ve no idea whether it’s a brilliant idea or the dumbest one I’ve ever had.”
She eyed him cautiously. “You’re really moving back? It wasn’t just an off-the-cuff remark to rile me up?”
“Ally, everything I do riles you up.” His look turned wry.
She gave a rueful laugh. “To be honest, I can’t see you lasting here.”
“Why not?”
“No career prospects, no nightlife, no women…” One by one she ticked them off on her fingers.
“No women?” His head jerked up. “Didn’t realize I’d joined a monastery.”
She couldn’t help smiling. Okay, she was wrong there. Wherever Nate went, there’d be women, even in a monastery. She slid him a curious glance. “So why are you moving back?”
“I was due for a change.” He gave a shrug. “I came down this weekend to get the house ready for the movers, but already I’ve hit a few snags.”
“Like what?”
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he brooded at the arc of light carved out by the headlights. Moths danced in and out of the glare. The road stretched empty both ways. They were surrounded by the bush, the night, and the stars.
“I was robbed this evening. I hadn’t been home fifteen minutes when someone stole my briefcase out of my car.”
“Oh, no. That’s terrible. You didn’t lock it?”
“Didn’t think I needed to.”
“Did you lose anything valuable?”
“A few things.” He paused. “Some personal stuff, too.”
The rough undertone in his voice stirred her curiosity. Whatever Nate had lost was important to him. “That’s too bad.”
He angled his eyes toward her, his look intensifying. “You’re being sarcastic?”
“No, I’m really sorry this happened to you.” Nate wasn’t exactly her favorite person, but he didn’t deserve to lose something that meant a lot to him.
“Yeah. So am I.”
He put the car into gear and guided them back onto the road. They were almost on the outskirts of Burronga, and in a few minutes she’d be back in her apartment. The prospect didn’t seem as enticing as it had when she’d been dancing with Paul.
I don’t want to go home because I want to spend more time with Nate. The brain flash curdled her stomach. She didn’t get along with Nate, but there was something about him that triggered…a spark. A spark, just like Nate had mentioned. The spark that had been completely missing with Paul, but with Nate it was there all the time, simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to flare up, and it was exciting, stimulating. Yeah, like a roller coaster, a voice at the back of her mind jeered. And we all know what happens to you after a roller-coaster ride. You wobble all over the place, and then you throw up.
Ally shook her head, trying to dislodge the disturbing thought.
“You look different tonight,” Nate said. “I’ve never seen you so glammed up, with the makeup and heels and that dress.” His quick glance rippled over her, lingering on her bare knees.
Suddenly self-conscious, she tried to stretch the hem of her dress over her knees. What madness had induced her to borrow one of Tyler’s dresses and let her friend doll her up for the evening? “Yeah, I look ridiculous. If you must know, tonight I wanted to look different, act different, but it’s not so easy to change who you are on the inside.”
“I didn’t say you looked ridiculous,” he swiftly replied. “Far from it. Even without the dress and the heels and the makeup, you look terrific.”
“Oh, yeah?” She arched a skeptical brow. “Bet you hardly noticed I had legs before I put on this dress.”
He grinned. “Maybe, but now I can’t get them out of my head.”
A hot flush spread across her skin. What was Nate saying? Did he think she was attractive? Desirable? She gulped and stared straight ahead at the windscreen. “We both know this”—she gestured to herself—“isn’t how I usually look. All I managed to do was send out mixed signals to Paul. It wasn’t only his fault the evening was a disaster. I have to wear some of the blame, too.”
“Don’t write off Paul too soon. I’ll bet you anything you’ll get a call or a bunch of flowers from him tomorrow.”
“You think?” The prospect dismayed her. “Even after I told him to get lost?”
“He’ll apologize, want to make up for it by asking you out on another date.”
“But I don’t want to go out with him again.” She rolled her lips together. “My nana thinks he’s just my kind of man. He might have been five years ago, but not anymore. I’m different now.”
“People change. It’s no big sin. Tonight you found out what kind of man you don’t go for.” They cruised into the center of Burronga, and Ally’s building came into sight. Nate brought the Maserati to a halt just outside her door. “Now,” he said, “you just have to figure out what kind of man you do go for.”
In the intimate confines of the sports car he seemed bigger, more overwhelming. Or maybe it was his scent that was flustering her witless. Nate wasn’t a man you could dismiss or ignore or forget. He was virile, energetic, and assertive. He could also be abrasive and headstrong, but he was never boring. Maybe Nate was just the kind of man she would go for.
No. That couldn’t happen. He wasn’t the type to stick with one woman, or to stick around Burronga for that matter. He would hurt her, just like he’d hurt her all those years ago. She’d fight this sick fascination with everything she had. Her fingers fumbled as she unsnapped the seat belt. “Thanks for the ride. No need for you to get out.” She scrambled from the car.
Slamming the door, she gave him a hasty wave and got herself into her apartment at record speed.
Chapter Six
The potato chip stopped midway to Jess’s mouth. “And Paul sent you flowers this morning and rang to apo
logize?”
Ally shifted on the couch. “Yes.”
“Did you tell him you took off with Nate last night? In his Maserati?”
Ally groaned. “I didn’t ‘take off.’ We didn’t go anywhere. He gave me a lift back to Burronga and that was it. And it’s got nothing to do with Paul.”
Her sister munched her chip thoughtfully. They were ensconced on Jess’s couch in front of the TV. The twins were asleep, and Brian had gone to a rugby match in Canberra with his mates. After a long day at the gift shop, Ally was glad to be relaxing with her sister, but she wasn’t so happy recounting the details of her blind date.
“I have to admit Paul doesn’t sound very nice,” Jess finally concluded. “Even if he did grovel to you. Nate isn’t my favorite person, either, but I’m glad he was there to rescue you.”
Ally exhaled loudly. “He gave me a lift home, that’s all.” But Nate had done more than that. He’d looked at her in a way he never had before, with admiration and even a hint of lust, and every time she remembered it, a quicksilver thrill went through her.
“It’s a pity Paul didn’t see you driving off with Nate. That would have put him in his place.”
Ally frowned. “But there’s no competition between them. I’m not interested in Paul, and you know how I feel about Nate. I’ve never, ever been interested in him.”
Not strictly true, the irritating Girl Scout in her piped up. She was interested in Nate, but she’d pull out her fingernails before acting on that interest.
“Yes, but Paul wouldn’t have known that. All he would have seen is Nate with his bad boy sexiness and you going home with him.” Jess dug her hand into the foil packet and scooped out another pile of chips. “That would have shown him a thing or two.”
Ally stared at her sister. “You think Nate is sexy? You?”
“Sure. Don’t you?” Seeing Ally’s expression, she shrugged. “Of course I don’t like him one bit, but I’m still a woman.”
“Huh.” Folding her arms, Ally sank back into the cushions. She wasn’t willing to admit to her sister the tug of attraction she experienced every time she bumped into Nate. Cripes, she wasn’t even willing to admit it to herself. “Well, none of that matters because I won’t be seeing Paul again.”
