What the Paparazzi Didn't See

by Nicola Marsh

  He laughed. ‘No need for glib lines. You’re here, aren’t you?’

  ‘True.’

  And with the dim lighting, the smooth jazz spilling softly from discreet speakers behind them and a gorgeous guy eyeing her speculatively, she was right where she wanted to be.

  For tonight. Tonight, she was in the mood for celebrating. Shedding her old life felt amazing.

  ‘Why did you agree to have a drink with me?’ The waitress deposited their drinks and he raised a martini glass in her direction. ‘You seemed to be in your element at that party.’

  ‘Haven’t you ever faked it?’ She clinked her glass to his. ‘What you see isn’t always what you get.’

  He stared at her over the rim of his glass, a slight groove between his brows. ‘Have to say, you’re an intriguing woman, and I can’t figure you out.’

  She shrugged. ‘What’s to figure out? We’re two people who wanted to escape that party; we’re having a drink, end of story.’

  ‘Is it?’

  His gaze locked on hers, potent and smouldering, and her breath hitched.

  She took a sip of her martini, needing the alcohol to loosen her tightened vocal cords. ‘You’re expecting an epilogue?’

  ‘A guy can always live in hope,’ he said, downing his martini and placing the glass on the table in front of them. ‘Honestly? I’ve had a crappy six months, my dad’s business is under threat and I haven’t met anyone as captivating as you in a long time. So excuse me if I don’t BS you.’

  Liza valued honesty. Most people didn’t know the meaning of the word. How many times had friends, who’d hung around under the misguidance she’d take them places because of her lifestyle, vanished when they’d learned she had a disabled sister?

  Stupid morons acted as if cerebral palsy were catchy. And they didn’t stay to be educated either.

  Even Jimmy had been awkward and stilted around Cindy, despite Liza explaining cerebral palsy was a physical disability caused by injury to the brain before birth.

  Cindy had a milder form, with only the left side of her body affected by the debilitating spasticity that left her hand, elbow, hip and knee clawed, and some speech problems. She had been lucky in escaping ataxic—uncontrolled—movements and athetosis, the writhing movements.

  Sure, the spasticity in Cindy’s elbow, wrist and fingers made daily tasks like eating, dressing, writing and manipulating objects difficult, but they’d learned to cope best they could. Countless occupational therapy sessions had seen to that. And the ongoing physiotherapy to prevent deforming contractures made Liza eternally grateful for the job she’d had for the last few years.

  After tonight, not anymore.

  Having Wade clearly articulate what he wanted impressed her. Scared the bejeebies out of her, but definitely impressed her.

  ‘Want to talk about the crappy six months or the business?’

  ‘Hell no,’ he said, loosening the knot on his tie and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt to reveal a hint of deliciously tempting tanned skin. ‘The only reason I’m in Melbourne is to sort all that stuff out, but considering I arrived this morning it can wait ’til tomorrow.’

  ‘Then why show up at the party at all?’

  ‘Because sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to.’

  His frown reappeared and she had a feeling he did a lot of that. He’d been frowning when she’d first seen him on the balcony, deep in thought, incredibly serious. It was what had made her approach him. Because she used to look like that all the time when she didn’t have her game face on, the one she donned along with her make-up before a public appearance.

  She’d frowned a lot over the years, worrying about Cindy. About her care long term should anything happen to her, about her sister’s health, about her financial security.

  The latter had driven her to go to great lengths. Heck, she’d tolerated posing as Henri Jaillet’s girlfriend for twelve months when most people couldn’t stand longer than a few minutes in the egotistical soccer star’s presence.

  But those days were over. She’d invested wisely over the years and tomorrow, when her investment matured, financial security would give her the peace of mind she needed to get more carer help, leaving her more time to sort out her own future.

  Why wait until tomorrow?

  The thought wasn’t exactly out of left field. She wouldn’t be sitting here if she hadn’t already contemplated celebrating her newfound freedom tonight.

  But how did this work? She couldn’t take Wade home; she’d never expose Cindy to that unless the guy meant something to her. Even Jimmy had hardly visited and she’d known him since high school.

  Though that had been more due to Jimmy’s unease around Cindy than not wanting to see her. She hadn’t pushed the issue with him, content to protect Cindy from any vibes she might pick up from Jimmy. But it had hurt, deep down, that her boyfriend wasn’t more open-minded and didn’t care enough about her to accept Cindy as part of the package while they dated.

  ‘Another drink?’

  She shook her head. ‘No thanks. After the champers I had upstairs, any more of this and who knows what I’ll do?’

  ‘In that case, maybe I should insist you try every martini mixer on the menu?’

  She smiled, glad his frown had disappeared, but a little intimidated by his stare, the probing stare that insisted there was intention behind his teasing quips.

  ‘You could try, but you’d have to carry me out of here.’

  ‘Not a problem. I have a suite upstairs.’ He winked. ‘You could recover up there.’

  Guess that answered Liza’s question about how she’d go about celebrating with Wade.

  The old Liza would’ve laughed off his flirtation and changed the subject.

  The new Liza who wanted to kick up her heels for the first time in for ever? Surely she couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this?

  ‘Is that an invitation or a proposition?’

  ‘Both,’ he said, capturing her hand between his, the unexpected contact sending a buzz shooting up her arm. ‘Am I in the habit of picking up women I barely know at parties? No. Do I invite them back to my place? Rarely.’

  He raised her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss across her knuckles, making her yearn for more. ‘Am I hoping you’ll say yes to spending the night with me? Absolutely.’

  Liza had a decision to make.

  Do the sensible thing, the responsible thing, as she’d done her whole life.

  Or celebrate her new life, starting now.

  ‘Do I accept offers to spend the night from guys? No.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘Have I had a one-night stand before? Never.’ She slid her hand out of his. ‘Do I want to spend tonight with you?’

  She took a steadying breath and laid her hand on his thigh. ‘Absolutely.’

  THREE

  LIZA LITHGOW’S STYLE TIPS

  FOR MAXIMUM WAG WOW IMPACT

  The Shape

  The key to WAG wow is making the most of what you have.

  Learn how to show off your best assets and how to visually change the body parts you’d rather hide.

  Always, always, dress to suit your shape.

  PEAR

  Wear dark colours on the lower half of your body.

  A-line skirts that skim the hips and bottom are flattering.

  Accessorise with scarves, necklaces and earrings to draw attention to the upper half of your body.

  Avoid light coloured trousers or anything too tight on your bottom half.

  BUSTY

  Go for flattering necklines with tops and dresses: turtlenecks, shirt collars, boat necks, V necks.

  Go for high-sitting necklaces as they draw the gaze up.

  Avoid baggy tops with no sh
ape as they can make you look heavier and avoid anything too tight across the chest.

  SHORT

  Dresses ending above the knee are best.

  Wear fitted tops and trousers (straight or bootleg).

  Avoid cropped length pants as they make legs look shorter.

  TALL

  Wear different colours top and bottom to break up the illusion of length.

  Wear horizontal stripes.

  Wear well-fitted layers that skim the body.

  Adding a wide belt can help create a nice shape.

  Avoid wearing pants that are the incorrect length.

  Remember, the key to appearing confident in the clothes you wear is to be comfortable.

  How many times have we seen women tugging up their strapless bodices or tugging down their micro-minis? It’s not a good look.

  When you strut into a room, being confident in your body and the look you’ve created is half the battle!

  As Liza stared out over the lights of Melbourne glittering below, she had second thoughts about her decision.

  Was she really in Wade’s suite, about to indulge in her first one-night stand at the ripe old age of twenty-eight?

  She still had time to bolt. She’d thought it rather cute when he’d mentioned making a quick trip to the convenience store across the road, and it reinforced his assertion that he wasn’t in the habit of picking up women or expecting to have sex his first night in Melbourne.

  But while he was buying condoms, she was mulling over reasons why this might not be such a good idea after all.

  She maintained strict independence for a reason. Depending on anyone for anything inevitably led to heartache.

  Not that she’d be depending on Wade for anything, but letting her guard down came with a price. It left her vulnerable to feeling, and having her defences weakened, even for a short time, made her skittish.

  She’d loved her dad. He’d abandoned her without a backward glance.

  She’d depended on her mum. She’d eventually left too.

  She’d thought sweet, easygoing Jimmy would always be there for her. He’d done a runner too.

  No, it was easier maintaining aloofness, not letting anyone get too close. And that was exactly what Wade would be doing shortly...getting exceptionally close.

  Ironic, it wasn’t the prospect of some stranger seeing her naked that had her half as anxious as the thought of being intimate with him and enjoying it too much.

  She’d never been a needy female and had tried to instil the same independence into Cindy despite her physical limitations, yet there was something about how much she wanted to be close to Wade tonight that terrified her.

  She could blame it on her impulsive need to celebrate and do something completely out of character.

  Or she could admit the truth, albeit to herself. That she craved a connection, even if only physical, for just one night.

  The soft swoosh of the key card in the lock had her fingers clenching on the windowsill.

  So much for escaping.

  He entered and her tummy fell away in that uncharacteristic swoop that signalled she really wanted this guy.

  She tingled all over from it, her nerve endings prickling and putting her body on notice, a heightened awareness that made her want to rub against him, skin to skin.

  Then it hit her.

  She’d never been so attracted to any guy before. Not even Jimmy, whose body she’d known in intimate detail from the time they’d lost their virginity together in the back seat of his car at seventeen.

  Because of the clothes she wore and the persona she presented to the world, guys assumed she was an easy mark. Even while she’d been dating Jimmy and Henri—albeit platonically in his case—guys had hit on her.

  Fellow soccer and basketball stars who assumed WAGs were up for anything. Commentators and managers and agents who thought WAGs would do anything for stardom and recognition, including accept outlandish proposals.

  The whole scene had sickened her and, while she’d seen enough hook-ups at parties in her time, she’d never been remotely interested.

  What made Wade Urquart so special that she wanted to rip her clothes off the moment his sizzling-hot gaze connected with hers?

  ‘Glad you’re still here.’

  He closed the door and slid off his jacket, where she caught sight of a tell-tale box bulging from the inside pocket. What looked like a surprisingly large box for what she’d envisioned as a brief interlude.

  Her skin tingled again.

  ‘I contemplated making a run for it.’

  ‘What stopped you?’

  He stalked towards her, stopped less than two feet away.

  ‘This.’

  She laid a hand on his chest, felt the heat from his skin brand her through the expensive cotton of his shirt.

  He didn’t move as her palm slid upward. Slowly. Leisurely, as she savoured the contours of hard muscle, desperate to feel his skin.

  He watched her, his gaze smouldering as her fingertips traced around his nipples, his breathing quickening as her fingers skated across his pecs, along his collarbone and higher.

  When her hand reached his neck, she stepped closer, bringing their bodies less than an inch apart.

  She could feel his heat. She could smell his expensive citrus aftershave. She could hear his ragged breathing.

  She’d never wanted anything as badly as she wanted Wade at that moment.

  With a boldness she’d had no idea she possessed, she tugged his head down towards her and kissed him.

  The moment their lips touched Liza forgot her doubts, forgot her past, forgot her own damn name.

  She couldn’t think beyond their frantic hands and loud moans. Couldn’t get enough of his long, deep, skilled kisses.

  Her body ignited in a fireball of passion and she clung to him, eagerly taking the initiative, pushing him down on the bed so he lay sprawled beneath her like a fallen angel.

  His lips curved into a wicked grin as she shimmied out of her dress.

  Another first. Letting a guy see her naked with the lights on.

  She didn’t like being seen during intimate moments. She spent enough of her life in the spotlight, being scrutinised and evaluated, she didn’t need it in the bedroom too.

  But this was a new Liza, a new life.

  Time to shed her old habits and take what she wanted.

  Starting with the sexy guy beckoning her with a crook of his finger.

  ‘Bronze is your colour,’ he said, propping on his elbows when she straddled him.

  ‘I like to colour coordinate my outfit and underwear.’

  ‘While I appreciate the effort—’ he snagged a bra strap and tugged it down, trailing a fingertip across her collarbones and doing the same on the other side ‘—I’d prefer to see you naked.’

  He surged upward so fast she almost toppled off, but he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, anchoring her, holding her deliciously close. ‘Now.’

  She cupped his face between her hands and stared into his beautiful brown eyes. Eyes that held shadows lurking behind desire. Eyes that intrigued.

  She briefly wondered if they were doing the right thing. Before ignoring that thought.

  She wanted to celebrate her new life tonight. Having an exciting, impulsive fling with a hot guy who made her pulse race with the barest touch?

  What a way to do it.

  She inched towards him and murmured against his mouth, ‘What are you waiting for?’

  * * *

  Wade knew Liza had vanished when he woke.

  It didn’t surprise him. He’d half expected her to disappear when he’d gone condom shopping.

  Even now, after six hours of sensational sex a
nd a much-needed two hours’ sleep, he couldn’t quite believe she’d stayed.

  He’d known the moment they’d started flirting she wasn’t the type to deliberately reel a guy in with the intention of a one-night stand.

  She hadn’t toyed with her hair or used fake coy smiles or accidentally on purpose touched him as so many women who came on to him did.

  She hadn’t pumped up his ego or been impressed by his trappings. How many times had women made a comment on his expensive watch, thinking he’d be flattered? Hell, even Babs couldn’t go past a thirty-thousand-dollar watch without making some remark.

  How wrong he’d been about Liza.

  He’d likened her to his stepmother when he’d first seen her surrounded by lackeys at that party. The two women couldn’t be more different.

  Thoughts of Babs had him glancing at his watch and leaping out of bed.

  He had a board meeting scheduled for ten this morning. A meeting he couldn’t miss. The future of Qu Publishing depended on it.

  While one-night stands weren’t his usual style, Wade knew better than to search for a note or a business card or a scrawled phone number on the hotel notepad.

  But that was exactly what he found himself doing as he glanced around the room, hoping for some snippet that indicated Liza wouldn’t mind seeing him again.

  He might not be in the market for a relationship but his time in Melbourne would be tension-filled enough without adding frustration to his woes.

  He’d been lucky enough to meet an intriguing woman who made his body harden despite the marathon session they’d had. Why not stay in touch, date, whatever, while he was in town?

  He might not know how long that would be, or how long it would take to ensure the publishing business that had been in his family for centuries was saved, but having someone like Liza to distract him from the corporate stress would be a bonus.

  A quick reconnaissance yielded nothing. No contact details.

  Disappointment pierced his hope. By her eagerness and wanton responses he’d assumed she’d had a good time too. And if she wasn’t the one-night-stand type, why didn’t she leave something? A note? A number?