by Heidi Rice
Ruby Delisantro was not ‘his Ruby’. Not even close. He hardly knew her.
All right, maybe he’d had some of the best sex of his life in her company.
Heat swelled in his groin as he thought back to what she’d done to him that afternoon.
Make that the best sex of his life. And he planned to have more before the weekend was over. But come tomorrow evening, when they got back to London, their fling would be over.
She was not his. And she never would be.
He tapped his thumb on the steering wheel. Spotting the sign for the M5, he merged into the inside lane to take the exit signposting The South West.
He didn’t do long-term relationships. He didn’t like getting that involved in other people’s lives, because he hated the lack of privacy, and the breaking down of personal boundaries that always came with it.
As the car accelerated back into the outside lane, the screaming tension in his shoulders finally started to subside.
That moment of possessiveness, of connection between him and Ruby, had been nothing more than fatigue. They’d been up most of the night, spent several hours walking the Heath and then jumped straight back into bed for an encore as soon as they’d returned to his flat. When you factored in the long drive and the unsettling prospect of spending a weekend with his sister’s family it was probably no wonder he’d let down his guard.
From now on he’d be more careful. And if he got curious about Ruby and her past again, he’d bite his damn tongue off before he gave in to the desire to know more.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘GOOD God.’ Ruby tilted her head back to gawk at Trewan Manor as Cal turned the car into the hedge-lined driveway.
With its towering gables and ramparts and the huge mullioned windows, the stone mansion looked like a cross between Cinderella’s castle and the feverish imaginings of some mad Victorian architect. Ruby had first spotted the place as they wound their way up the coast road. Perched on the cliff, the gothic edifice looked dramatic and forbidding. But up close, Ruby noticed the welcoming touches—the flower-drenched boxes on the sills, the red glow of the dying sun sparkling on the sandstone, the fresh scent of sea salt and newly mown grass, and the Barbie scooter discarded on the front step—that turned the fairytale castle into a family home.
‘How long has your sister lived here?’ she asked as she stepped onto the gravel.
‘Since she met Rye,’ Cal remarked as he yanked their bags out of the back seat.
‘And that would be when?’ Ruby prompted.
‘A few years ago.’ He slammed the car’s back door.
Ruby waited for him to say more. But he skirted the car in silence.
This was getting ridiculous. She’d dozed on and off throughout the journey, noticing each time she woke up that Cal seemed more and more tense and less and less talkative. She’d decided not to hold it against him, guessing he had to be as exhausted as she was after their all-nighter—and he’d had to do all the driving, because he was a tad precious about his new car. But honestly, what was the big secret?
‘Are Maddy and her family part of a witness protection programme?’ she asked, smiling sweetly as she held out her hand for her luggage. ‘Because getting you to talk about them is harder than cracking the Enigma code.’
‘Ha, ha,’ he said, but still didn’t elaborate.
Instead of handing Ruby her bag, he tucked it under his arm, held his own and placed his free palm on the small of her back.
‘I’ve got them,’ he said, directing her towards the front door. ‘Believe me, you’re going to need both hands when you meet Maddy,’ he added cryptically.
Ruby had only a moment to debate that before a slim young woman wearing a pair of denim cut-offs and a worn T-shirt burst through the front door. ‘Cal, you made it.’ Flinging her arms round Cal’s neck, she bounced up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘At last.’
‘Hello, Maddy,’ he said as she bounced back down and turned to Ruby. ‘This is Ruby.’
‘Ruby! This is fantastic,’ she declared, grasping Ruby’s hand in both of hers. ‘It’s great to meet you.’
The woman’s eyes, the same striking emerald shade as Cal’s, warmed with excitement and avid curiosity. ‘I hope you didn’t mind me strong-arming Cal into visiting. It’s just Mia’s really attached to him. And it’s her birthday tomorrow.’
‘That’s absolutely fine,’ Ruby said, feeling uncomfortable at Maddy’s enthusiasm. It hadn’t really occurred to her that they’d be deceiving Cal’s sister by pretending to be a couple. The woman had greeted her as if she were someone significant, when she knew she wasn’t.
‘Where is Mia?’ Cal asked.
‘She crashed out about an hour ago. Thank goodness,’ Maddy said as she led them into the house. ‘When she heard you were definitely coming for her birthday she went into hyper-drive.’ Maddy beamed at them both as she pushed open a door into a huge kitchen-dining room, which had a picture window that looked out onto the cliffs and bathed the room in natural light. ‘Having her favourite uncle visit and a birthday party all in the same weekend is basically the definition of too much of a good thing for a three-year-old.’
‘I’m her only uncle,’ Cal remarked.
‘Rye’s checking on Mia,’ Maddy said, ignoring the blunt comment. ‘But I hope you haven’t had supper yet. We held dinner for you.’
‘No, we haven’t,’ Ruby answered when Cal remained silent. ‘I know you weren’t expecting me. I hope I’m not imposing.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s wonderful to have you here.’ She waved the comment away. ‘And I adore cooking. I’m sure Cal’s told you I always make enough to feed a team of starving rugby players.’ Crossing to the stove, she whipped a tray of flaky pastries out of the traditional Aga cooker.
The delicious scent of butter and spices and freshly cooked salmon had Ruby’s stomach growling.
‘That smells terrific,’ she said, deciding not to divulge that Cal had mentioned virtually nothing about Maddy—except that she was deeply in love with her husband and her parents’ disastrous marriage had been tough on her. Knowing something so personal about the woman and very little else made Ruby feel like even more of a fraud.
As Maddy arranged the pastries onto a plate and placed them on the large oak table Ruby noticed it was already laden with an impressive array of salads and appetisers. Her heart went out to her host. She’d gone to so much trouble—had probably spent most of the evening preparing the meal.
‘What room are we in?’ Cal asked. ‘I’ll go dump our stuff.’
‘Oh, yes, of course,’ Maddy said, sounding flustered now as she paused in the process of putting another place setting onto the table. ‘I stuck you two doors down from Mia in the turret room. On the first floor. It’s got a fantastic view of the bay.’
He nodded. ‘Great.’
Ruby frowned as he walked out with the bags. Why was he being so stiff?
Maddy watched him go, her shoulders slumping slightly. ‘I’m sorry, I should offer you a drink,’ she said, shaking her head as if she’d momentarily forgotten Ruby was there. ‘How does a glass of Pinot Grigio sound?’ Maddy asked, her enthusiasm a little forced.
‘Like a fantastic idea.’ Ruby sent the other woman an encouraging smile, her empathy increasing. Men could be such morons. Especially men of the big-brother variety.
A little of the dancing light returned to Maddy’s eyes. ‘Come on, I’ve got a bottle in the fridge and some antipasti we can nibble on till the guys get back.’
They chatted about the trip down and the traffic out of London as Maddy uncorked the wine and poured Ruby a glass, then brought the promised plate of antipasti out of the fridge.
‘Aren’t you having a glass?’ Ruby asked as she selected a stuffed mushroom from the lavish tray of home-made canapés.
Maddy’s face flushed as she pressed a hand to her midriff. ‘I’m not drinking at the moment. Doctor’s orders.’
Ruby swallowed. ‘Oh, my goodness.
Are you expecting a …?’ She stopped abruptly, knowing she didn’t have any right to ask such a personal question. She was only a stunt girlfriend, after all.
But Maddy just grinned and nodded. ‘I haven’t told Cal yet, so please don’t say anything.’
‘I won’t,’ Ruby said, feeling awkward again.
‘Rye and I found out two weeks ago. It’s one of the reasons I was so desperate to get Cal to come down this weekend. For once I didn’t want to have to tell him something important over the phone.’ Her voice literally bubbled with hope and enthusiasm. ‘I hope you two didn’t have too much planned—I assume you’re the work he mentioned.’
‘That would be me,’ Ruby replied. Clearly Maddy wasn’t quite as clueless about Cal’s private life as he assumed.
Ruby toasted Maddy’s invisible glass. ‘Here’s to the new uncle,’ she said. ‘I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled,’ she added.
Cal might be cynical about marriage, but what man wouldn’t be thrilled at becoming an uncle again?
Pouring herself a glass of soda water, Maddy clinked her glass to Ruby’s. ‘Let’s hope so.’ She took a long swallow and smacked her lips together. ‘Not quite as good as Pinot Grigio, but it’ll have to do for the next seven months.’
The cheerful comment sent a strange little dart of envy through Ruby. How odd. She wasn’t broody. Not in the least. So where had that pang of longing come from?
Ruby pushed the confusing thought away as Cal walked back into the room accompanied by another man who approached her and offered his hand.
‘Rye King, Maddy’s husband. Welcome to Trewan Manor.’
With sunstreaked blond hair, a lean, athletic build effectively displayed beneath board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and the sort of striking male beauty that could grace the cover of a glossy magazine, the man’s uneven gait only added to his rugged, masculine appeal.
‘Hi,’ Ruby said, shaking his hand. Then recognition hit.
She actually had seen him on the cover of a glossy magazine. A glossy business magazine to be precise. She’d read an article on the phenomenal growth of his sporting goods empire a few months ago. After re-reading it twice, she’d gained some useful tips about how to grow a fledgling idea from the ground up.
‘King Xtreme,’ she whispered in awe, naming the company he had founded after giving up a successful career as a champion surfer.
He ran his hand through his shaggy hair in a charmingly bashful gesture. ‘Guilty as charged.’
‘I was in one of your shops last week debating whether to buy a mountain bike.’
‘So did we convince you?’
‘I’m afraid there aren’t enough mountains in Camden to justify letting me loose on an unsuspecting public.’ She grinned at him. ‘But I was very tempted.’
‘I’ll have to arrange a discount so we can tempt you more,’ he said, slinging his arm around his wife’s waist and nudging her hip against his.
The casually possessive gesture brought with it a poignant memory. How often had she seen her father hold her mother that way?
‘Is Mia still asleep?’ Maddy asked her husband.
‘Are you joking? She’s practically in a coma,’ he said, leaning down to kiss his wife’s hair. ‘I’m betting we’re going to get our first lie-in in three years tomorrow.’
‘On her birthday?’ Maddy laughed. ‘How much do you want to bet?’
Ruby observed the conversation. Rye and Maddy’s shared intimacy was a tangible demonstration of how much they loved and respected and desired each other.
The pang under her breastbone sharpened. And she studiously ignored it.
‘Ruby happens to be lethal enough on four wheels,’ Cal mentioned wryly as the four of them seated themselves round the table. ‘So I wouldn’t recommend trying to sell her a bike, Rye.’
‘Hey, that accident was your fault, pal,’ she said, glad to see that Cal seemed to have loosened up a little. ‘My vehicle was stationary.’
‘You two had an accident?’ Maddy asked, passing the salads round.
‘Not an accident. More like a fender-bender,’ Ruby said. ‘It’s how we met yesterday,’ she added slicing into the fragrant pastry. Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth when she saw Maddy’s eyes widen to saucer size.
‘You only met yesterday?’
Ruby felt the blush stain her neck. Oops. Looked as if she’d blown her stunt girlfriend cover. She lowered her fork. ‘Actually, yes.’
She heard a low groan from Cal but refused to look at him. She’d never agreed to lie. And having met Maddy, she was glad the other woman knew the truth. Cal’s sister was warm, generous and remarkably friendly and she wouldn’t feel right pretending to mean more to Cal than she did.
‘But that’s terrific!’ Maddy laughed. ‘You only met my brother yesterday and yet he brought you down with him.’ She handed Ruby the salad bowl. ‘You two must have really hit it off.’
Cal coughed strategically. ‘Maddy, do me a favour and don’t start picking out the wedding china just yet.’
‘But, Cal, you’ve got to admit this is significant.’ She patted Cal’s cheek, obviously enjoying teasing him. ‘Ruby’s the first woman you’ve agreed to spend six hours in a car with. Which means you must have actually talked to her.’
Ruby relaxed, intrigued by the mention of Cal’s love life and amused by his sister’s assessment.
Maddy sent Ruby a conspiratorial wink. ‘I think it’s great. Do you know you’re the first girlfriend he’s ever brought to meet us?’
Cal scowled over his dinner and Ruby felt the swell of pleasure. He’d been her first one-night stand, it was good to know she’d have some significance for him too when they parted. She smiled at Maddy. ‘So how many girlfriends has Cal had?’
‘Billions, I’m afraid,’ Maddy responded playfully. ‘But I’m sure he’s never had a proper conversation with any of them. Until you.’
‘Do you two mind? I’m sitting right here,’ Cal announced grumpily.
‘I know you are …’ Maddy swivelled round to face her brother, the teasing smile disappearing. ‘And for the first time in six months. Despite my endless invites. Why is that?’
Ruby had to give Cal’s sister credit, it was a neatly delivered non sequitur.
Cal gave a tense shrug. ‘I’ve been busy.’
‘So you say.’ Maddy sighed.
Rye covered his wife’s hand. ‘Why don’t you tell Cal the news, now you’ve managed to get him here?’ he said, lightly.
If he was trying to distract his wife, it worked. Maddy gripped his fingers, her smile returning full force.
‘What news?’ Cal asked, sounding wary.
Maddy rested a hand on her midriff, her face beaming with that fierce combination of pride and hope that had captivated Ruby in the kitchen. ‘You’re going to be an uncle again.’
Instead of looking pleased, Cal’s expression barely changed. ‘I see.’
There was a short silence, then Maddy gave a hollow laugh. ‘Is that all you have to say?’
He put down his knife and fork. ‘I suppose congratulations are in order.’
If Ruby had ever heard of a more grudging congratulations she couldn’t think of one.
‘You suppose?’ Although masked by annoyance, the hurt and confusion in Maddy’s voice were clear. Ruby stared, astonished at Cal’s lukewarm reaction. It was almost as if he wasn’t happy about the news.
‘When’s the baby due?’ Ruby interrupted, hoping to cut through the tension as Cal simply stared at his sister. That his usual articulacy had completed deserted him also seemed significant.
Maddy gathered herself, forcing the smile back in place. ‘By our calculation, it’s due in about seven months. Which will make it a spring baby.’
‘Have you told Mia yet?’
Maddy shook her head, blinking away the suspicious sheen in her eyes. ‘No, not yet,’ she said dully.
‘We’re not kidding ourselves,’ Rye added, helping Ruby out. ‘Mia’s going to love
the idea of a baby brother or sister, but once they start playing with her toys we’re going to have World War Three on our hands. At the moment Mia’s king of the hill around here and boy does she know it.’
‘I can’t wait to meet her,’ Ruby said and meant it. She’d always adored children; they were endlessly fascinating and at Mia’s age impossibly cute. And Mia sounded like quite a character.
She and Rye continued to talk about the new arrival, with Maddy bolstering herself and joining in, but Cal remained stonily silent. As the meal ended Maddy excused herself, pleading exhaustion due to her pregnancy. She didn’t fool Ruby, who had been painfully aware of the young woman’s attempts to get Cal back into the conversation.
Ruby helped Rye clear away the dishes while Cal loaded the dishwasher. Then she bid Rye goodnight. Cal fell into step beside her.
‘Wait up, Cal. I need a word,’ Rye called after them.
‘Sure,’ he said, apparently unaware of the sharp note Ruby had detected in Rye’s request.
She watched the two men walk into the front parlour in silence. As she mounted the stairs to the landing she wondered about the rift between Cal and his sister. Surely Maddy’s tendency to matchmake couldn’t be the cause of Cal’s prickly demeanor tonight. It had to be more than that. Why his behaviour should make her feel weary and dispirited, she had no idea.
‘What the hell is your problem, pal?’
Irritation stirred in Cal’s stomach as his brother-in-law glared at him.
He was tired, confused and for some inexplicable reason his emotions were much closer to the surface than usual. This was the last thing he needed.
‘I didn’t have a problem,’ he said. ‘Until now.’
As he turned to leave Rye grabbed hold of his arm and yanked him back. ‘My wife spent three hours cooking dinner tonight. She wanted to make this special. For you.’ Rye gave him a derogatory look. ‘Because you’re important to her. Although I can’t imagine why, because it’s pretty obvious she’s not important to you.’
