by Miranda Lee
‘Yes, I’d already gathered that,’ Kate said, thankful now that she was becoming, if not merry, decidedly numb. Without thinking she lifted the glass to her lips and took another deep swallow.
‘So...you’re not in love with Lachlan either, then?’ Kate said, trying not to look and sound as shocked as she was.
‘Love?’ Maddie scoffed, smoothing down her skirt before walking over and picking up her champagne once more. ‘What’s love?’ she said dismissively after a sip. ‘A very temporary state—especially where the male sex is concerned. Their idea of love is usually all about sex. A woman has about eighteen months at best to get what she wants from a man before he goes off the boil. If you want marriage then you have to get him to propose during the first twelve months. I’m under no illusions. I know that Lachlan will stray. He’s too handsome and sexy to stay faithful—especially in the movie world. But I’ll always be his wife—or at least his very rich ex-wife.’
Kate was appalled. And suddenly she must have looked it.
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ Maddie went on as she stepped over to the dressing table to attend to her make-up and hair. ‘I do care for Lachlan. Very much. And we have great chemistry in bed. I couldn’t stand to marry a man who wasn’t a good lover. Makes up for a lot of things...great sex. It also makes a man amenable to doing what you want. Which brings me back to my advice to you about Blake Randall,’ she said, turning round to look straight at Kate as she sprayed herself liberally with perfume.
‘And what advice would that be?’ Kate asked. Her emotions were still outwardly under control, but inside she was dissolving. Maddie didn’t even love Lachlan. All she wanted was the good life. Dear God...
‘Get him into the sack ASAP. Don’t wait. He’ll be off back to Hollywood in a few days. Strike while the iron is hot. And his iron is hot. For you, darls. Lachlan says he’s a sucker when it comes to pretty young actresses. And you do look pretty tonight, Kate. More than pretty. I actually feel a little jealous.’
Kate had to laugh. ‘Now, that’s not true,’ she said, turning to fill her glass again. How had it become empty so quickly? ‘You’ve never been jealous of me.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I envy your acting ability. It’s brilliant.’
And so is yours, Kate thought with a touch of malice.
‘Blake Randall is going to get a real shock once he realises how good you are,’ Maddie went on. ‘But he won’t ever realise that unless you keep him around long enough to see it.’
‘Maddie, he’s already offered me a part in one of his movies,’ she stated, bypassing her distress and surrendering to irritation. ‘I don’t have to sleep with him.’
‘Oh, God—don’t be so naive.’
‘I’m not naive.’
‘Yes, you are. Hopelessly. It’s a man’s world, Kate. They have all the power. Our only power comes from sex. I found that out years ago. Now, how do I look?’
Kate sighed. ‘Like you always do. Gorgeous.’
‘Thanks, darls. I love you—you know that, don’t you?’
Kate did know that—which was perverse. Somehow she smiled and came forward to give her sister a hug. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy,’ she said, and tried to mean it.
‘Oh, I will be. I know it. Now, where did I put my bouquet...?’
CHAPTER NINE
BLAKE WATCHED FROM the sidelines as the beaming couple said their goodbyes, the bride making a big fuss over her parents before throwing her bouquet straight at her sister.
Kate laughed, but the laughter didn’t touch her eyes. Blake still wasn’t sure what was going on in that girl’s head. She’d come back downstairs shortly after the bride, sipping a full glass of champagne as she made her way a bit shakily down the steps, her spare hand gripping the banister for support. She’d looked lost and decidedly tipsy.
Blake would have gone to her then if Cleo hadn’t suddenly appeared by his side, striking up a conversation and leaving Blake no opportunity to do anything except surreptitiously watch Kate’s rather unsteady progress.
Once at the bottom of the stairs Kate had scanned the crowd of guests for a few seconds, then walked over to stand with her back against a nearby wall, her lips no longer sipping but drinking fast.
Fortunately by the time the bride threw her bouquet her glass was almost empty, otherwise champagne might have gone everywhere. Despite acting as if she was thrilled, Blake suspected she was on the verge of tears—which sent him striding over to her side, where he slid a firm arm around her waist and pulled her against him.
‘I think you’ve had way too much to drink,’ he murmured.
‘I don’t,’ she said, lifting big brown eyes up to his.
They were very glassy, but still very lovely.
‘I don’t think I’ve had nearly enough. Let’s go and find another bottle of this delicious champagne.’
‘Not right now, darling heart. Let’s go for that walk down to the gazebo instead. Get you some much-needed fresh air first.’
‘Whatever you say,’ she said, with a nonchalant shrug of her slender shoulders. ‘Just wait while I give this bouquet to my mother. She might want to take it home with her...have it cast in gold.’
Blake smiled at the unexpected sarcasm. Or was it jealousy? Was that what her changeable moods tonight had been all about? Jealousy over her sister?
He was tempted to ask her, but then decided best not. He didn’t want to start talking about Maddie. He wanted to talk about her. Kate. The deliciously sexy and intriguing Kate.
If only she’d realise that not every man liked the obvious. He certainly didn’t. He couldn’t wait to take her to dinner tomorrow night, and to get her by herself afterwards in a romantic setting befitting their first time together. He’d already asked Byron if he could use his city penthouse for the next few days. It was a fantastically glamorous pad and Kate would be suitably impressed.
And Blake wanted to impress her. Impress her and protect her and make her happy—which he could do by giving her career a leg-up and getting his leg over at the same time. It wasn’t as though she wouldn’t enjoy sex with him. It certainly wouldn’t be a case of her just lying back and thinking of her career. Blake knew he was a good lover. Always had been.
God, you’re an arrogant devil, Blake conceded inwardly. Has it even crossed your mind that she might say no to you? The bed part, that is, not the movie part?
It was a novel thought, but not one he took seriously. Kate wouldn’t say no to him. He’d seen the desire in her eyes on the dance floor earlier—felt it in her deliciously uptight body. It was just a matter of finding the right place and the right time. And making the right moves, of course.
Blake had every confidence that nothing would come between him and success.
* * *
A wave of relief flooded Kate after they’d all left—Maddie and Lachlan first, and then her parents, her mother taking with her Maddie’s wedding dress and veil. Kate certainly didn’t want to be responsible for them, or even to see them ever again. Thank God she’d handed over the bouquet as well, or she just might have thrown it into the harbour.
In truth, her broken heart had lightened considerably with their departure. Out of sight was out of mind. To a degree. Of course it helped that she was just a little bit drunk. No, a long way drunk, she accepted with an uncharacteristically naughty giggle. It helped her be able to return to the seriously attractive man who clearly wanted her—Kate Holiday. Not her blonde bombshell sister. Her.
God, she adored the way Blake looked at her. So hot and so hungry. It made her feel weak at the knees, and yet perversely powerful at the same time. She smiled flirtatiously as she walked slowly back to him, unconsciously acting the vamp, swinging her hips and licking her suddenly dry lips.
* * *
Bloody hell, thought Blake, his body leaping into action. If she didn’t watch it they’d b
e taking things a lot further down in the gazebo. Only her obviously drunken state would stop him. But, damn it all, resisting her was going to be difficult.
Keep the touching to a minimum, then, he warned himself. And definitely no kissing. In fact it would be much better if you went back into the marquee and just danced, he told himself.
Yes, and perhaps get her some more champagne. Give her something to do with that mouth of hers instead of doing what she was doing.
Actually she didn’t wait for him to do anything—just came up very close, slid her arms up around his neck, right then and there, and planted those tempting lips right on his.
What was a red-blooded male supposed to do? One with a hard-on the size of Nelson’s column?
Without thinking it through he kissed her back for a few seconds before common sense returned. Then, taking her firmly by the hips, he eased her away and speared her with a reproachful look.
‘Naughty, Kate,’ he murmured, aware of other people staring at them. ‘Come on—we’re off to the gazebo. And we’ll pick up a bottle of champagne on the way.’
* * *
Kate giggled. She liked being called naughty. Liked being naughty. God, but he was a good kisser. She couldn’t wait for him to kiss her some more. For longer next time. She’d only briefly felt the tip of his tongue. She wanted more of it, diving in deeper, making her head swirl again. She wanted...
Oh, she didn’t know what she wanted. Oblivion, she supposed. Oblivion from the horrid thoughts which kept jumping into her head.
Maddie doesn’t love Lachlan...
Lachlan doesn’t want you...he wants Maddie...
You’re not his type...
She needed to block those thoughts out—needed to replace them with wild, wonderful thoughts; needed to have this man’s arms around her again. Not just on the dance floor, or during a brief kiss, but all night. In bed.
Kate grabbed Blake’s hand and squeezed it tight. ‘I do so like you,’ she said.
He smiled down at her. ‘Good.’
It was cold down in the gazebo, a sea breeze having sprung up. When Kate shivered Blake took off his jacket and draped it round her shoulders.
‘Such a gentleman,’ she said, appreciating the warmth.
‘Not always.’
‘Oh. You forgot to get some more champagne.’
‘You’ve had enough.’
‘Don’t be such a spoilsport.’
‘I’m just protecting your virtue.’
She laughed. ‘I’m not a virgin.’
‘I should hope not. But what’s that got to do with protecting your virtue?’
‘Maybe I don’t want you to protect me. Maybe I want you to ravage me senseless,’ she said, a wild glint flashing in her eyes. ‘Not here, of course. I understand we can’t do it here. It’s cold and uncomfortable. But I’m staying the night at Byron’s house. Are you?’
‘Yes...’ he said.
Kate ignored his frown. ‘In that case we could spend the night together. In your room, preferably,’ she added, knowing the other bedroom would still smell of Maddie’s perfume.
* * *
Blake knew they were getting into dangerous waters here. The alcohol was making her reckless. The really dangerous part was that he rather liked reckless. Yet he knew being reckless wasn’t in Kate’s true nature. She was going to regret this in the morning.
But, hell on earth... He was only human. And a long way from being a saint.
‘Kate,’ he said, clutching at what conscience he did have where women and sex were concerned. ‘I can’t. I’m sorry. You’re drunk.’
She stared at him, shock and confusion in her eyes. ‘What? You don’t ever go to bed with a woman who’s had a few glasses of champagne? I find that hard to believe. From what I’ve heard you’re the very devil with women.’
‘Not always,’ he returned. ‘It depends on the woman.’
Tears suddenly filled her eyes. Tears and a type of rage. ‘The truth is you don’t really want me, do you? Not enough. I thought you did. I thought... Oh, what does it matter what I thought?’ she cried, jumping up and throwing his jacket at him. ‘You’re a total bastard and I hate you!’
CHAPTER TEN
BLAKE STOOD OUTSIDE the bedroom door, listening to the sound of Kate sobbing inside. Cleo crossed her arms and glared at him, having joined the chase when she’d spotted Blake racing after a fleeing Kate. Both of them had followed her back into the house and up the staircase, unable to catch her before she’d slammed the bedroom door in their faces.
‘What on earth did you do to her?’ Cleo demanded. ‘You were both getting along fine earlier in the evening. She was glued to you when you were dancing, and then later you were kissing down in the foyer.’
‘We went for a walk to the gazebo,’ he said, sighing.
‘And?’
‘I refused to have sex with her.’
‘What? Good Lord—that’s a new one.’
‘Look, she was drunk. I don’t have sex with seriously intoxicated women, no matter how much I fancy them.’
‘That’s very commendable of you, Blake. But I’m not sure if I totally believe you. You do have a rather ruthless reputation where the ladies are concerned, you know.’
‘No, I don’t know,’ Blake snapped. ‘Just because I enjoy a bachelor lifestyle it doesn’t mean I treat women badly.’
He supposed his so-called reputation was a hangover from those few months after Claudia had left him, when he had indulged in some thoughtless revenge sex. With actresses, of course. But those days were long gone. Okay, so his girlfriends were still usually actresses, or people involved in the movie industry. But that was only logical. Who else did he meet?
‘Fair enough,’ Cleo said. ‘Don’t get angry with me. I’m just telling you what I’ve heard on the grapevine. Obviously Kate has heard something similar. Still, it was a strange reaction on her part. I would have thought she’d be impressed by your gallantry.’
‘Obviously not. I don’t understand her, Cleo.’
‘I think you should go in there and talk to her.’
‘She’ll probably scream at me to get out.’
‘If you really like her, you have to try. Don’t wait. Waiting never works where women are concerned.’
‘You’re right.’ He tried the doorknob and found it wasn’t locked. Still, he hesitated.
‘I really must get back to the party,’ Cleo said. ‘Byron will wonder where I’ve got to.’
‘Tell him you had to check on the baby.’
‘He won’t believe that. April’s at her godmother’s tonight.’
‘Well, say you had to call and check that she was okay.’
Cleo laughed. ‘I can see you’re an accomplished liar.’
‘Hardly. I’m usually accused of being brutally honest.’
‘That’s not always a virtue, Blake—especially when it comes to women. Kindness is what we value most in a man, which might involve the occasional white lie. Anyway, I must go. I’ll catch up with you later and see what you achieved.’
She was gone in a flash, leaving Blake mulling over what she’d said about kindness.
I can be kind, he told himself as he slowly turned the knob. Can’t I? Yes, of course I can. And he pushed open the door.
Kate was lying face down on the bed, weeping into a mountain of pillows.
‘Kate?’ he said gently as he approached the bed.
‘Go away,’ she blubbered. ‘Leave me alone.’
He ignored that and sat down on the side of the bed. ‘Not until you tell me what I did that was so wrong.’
‘You don’t understand,’ she cried in muffled tones.
‘No, I don’t. Not unless you tell me.’
She rolled over and showed him her pitiful face, her flushed cheeks stained with masca
ra and tears, her eyes swollen with weeping. ‘I... I can’t,’ she blurted out. ‘It’s too...humiliating.’
‘Kate, I like you. A lot. And I fancy you. A lot. I have every intention of making love to you tomorrow night, after I’ve taken you out for a suitably romantic dinner and then taken you back to a suitably romantic place, befitting what a lovely girl like you deserves. Does that sound like I don’t really want you?’
She shook her head from side to side, then buried her face in her hands. ‘It’s nothing to do with you, really.’
‘Then what’s it to do with?’
‘I can’t tell you.’
Blake took her hands away from her face and held them, forcing her to look up into his eyes. ‘It’s something to do with your sister, isn’t it?’
Her puffy eyes widened.
‘I’m a fairly observant character,’ he went on. ‘I noticed that every time you had something to do with your sister today you became upset. Unhappy. Different. When you came downstairs after helping Maddie with her going-away outfit you were very different. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but in hindsight I think you were extremely upset and that you tried to hide your feelings behind a rather reckless façade. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t think you really wanted to have sex with me. Not me personally. You were just craving distraction. That’s why you drank so much as well—to dull whatever pain it was that your sister caused you.’
He stopped talking then, and she just stared at him, her expression bewildered at first, and then just bleak. ‘If I tell you, you’re going to think me a fool.’
‘I doubt that very much. We’re all capable of foolishness. So what is it, Kate? What’s been bothering you so much today?’
She blinked, then sighed, and then shook her head again. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to tell you this. I... I never wanted to tell anyone—never wanted anyone to know, especially my family.’
‘Well, I’m not family. Sometimes it’s good to tell outsiders. They can give you objective advice.’
