Desire for Love (The Club #13)

by S. E. GILCHRIST

  They sat for silence for a while, the fire crackling and sending tiny sparks into the air every so often. Her mobile pinged. Madeline retrieved it from her pocket and read the text.

  “Everything alright?” Harrison said.

  “Yes. It’s from Sasha. She wants to know where I am and if I’m okay.”

  “Better not tell her your whereabouts in case the police question her.”

  After considering him for a moment, Madeline nodded. She sent a brief text back telling Sasha not to worry.

  “Now that we’re hidden in the wilderness, are you going to tell me why the cops are after us?” Matty laid his iPad onto the cushion beside him and cupped his hands around his mug.

  At the sight of his serious face, Madeline sighed. Her brother was right; he needed to know the truth. Well, maybe not all of the truth.

  “Not us, just me, apparently.” As concisely as possible, she relayed the news that Roberta had fired her last night, leaving out the sordid details of the bet, the missing money from the bar till, and how earlier this morning, Madeline had discovered charges had been laid with the police against her for theft.

  “No, way.” Matty’s eyes bulged. “You would never do anything like that.”

  “Yes, way. I mean, yes, in that I’m not joking. And no, I would never steal from anyone.” Pain pulsed behind her eyelids and Madeline stared at the fire, listening to the snap and pop of the flames. Looked like her migraine might be on its way back. She attempted to will herself to relax and empty her mind, but it was too hard. The situation she was in terrified her, plain and simple. I can’t lose my brother. I can’t lose the little family life I’ve made for us.

  His voice, low and even, Harrison said, “I figured we needed some breathing space to decide on the best course of action.”

  Matty pulled at the hair flopping near his eyes, a sure sign he was agitated. “Don’t get me wrong, dude, it’s great that you’re here for us but it’s kinda weird you’ve muscled in like this and taken over. We don’t know you.”

  “Matty’s right. I think we should go home.” Do I ask him now why he’s so intent on helping us or wait until later? She nibbled on her lower lip.

  “I’m the best chance you’ve got to clear your sister’s name. Anyway with that storm raging outside, we’re safer inside until it blows over.” Harrison drew in a deep breath.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Madeline noted how his chest expanded as he inhaled. The memory of how smooth and firm his torso had felt beneath her exploring fingertips was as sharp and tempting as if it had happened only seconds ago. And that was another source of anxiety. Why did she remember every little detail about their time together with such clarity? Surely that wasn’t normal for a one-night stand?

  Pain sliced over the top of her scalp and she winced. Black dots formed in front of her eyes. Damnit. Not again.

  “Hey! You’ve gone as white as snow. Madeline, is your migraine returning?” Harrison gently turned her face towards his. “I think we better have some tucker and get you off to bed sooner rather than later.”

  Feeling unutterably weary, she lifted her heavy lids to gaze into his amazing cobalt-blue eyes. The concern she read there made her feel all weepy inside.

  She held it in. I’m not getting involved. How can I, when this guy is the source of all my problems.

  Then a sneaky thought whispered inside her mind. But oh Lordy, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have someone strong and dependable by her side.

  Someone like Harrison.

  Chapter Six

  Harrison pulled aside the heavy brown curtain and stared out the window. During the night the storm had passed over, leaving behind a thin layer of frost and ice that covered the land, giving it the magical appearance of a snowy Christmas. Dawn lightened the sky, the beams cutting through the thin clouds and gilding the ice into glittering specs of gold. A faint breeze rippled through the sparkling marsh reeds and a small flock of ducks rose from the dense stalks, wheeled in a circle, then flew off out of sight.

  As he sipped his mug of tea, Harrison pondered over his actions of yesterday.

  Here, in the relative safety of the cabin far from any police and possible theft charges, it was forcibly borne on him that he may have made a tactical error in virtually kidnapping Madeline and her brother. He hadn’t failed to notice the reserve she’d erected again between them last night. For a few moments in her home, when he’d massaged her, he could have sworn they’d connected on more than the awesomely physical level of that mind-blowing sex they’d shared. Then, she’d opened up to him a little about her childhood only to close him out again. She was suspicious of his motives, still was uncertain of how involved he had been in the bet and now that he’d hidden them away in a cabin was no doubt considering the possibility he was some kind of psycho.

  Desperation can make a man do strange things, his dad always said to him and his brothers. Add love into the mix, and really, Harrison, hadn’t stood a chance of acting rationally.

  I need to think. Do what’s in Madeline’s best interest. The small amount of information he’d gleaned from her last night about her life had struck him like blows from an iron bar. He’d spent a long, sleepless night staring up at the ceiling and thinking about her, her brother, and how they’d lived so different to his own happy and safe upbringing.

  Geez, but he could still see the lost look in her eyes as she spoke about her mother. Madeline’s childhood had been hard and probably desperate. And yet through it all, she’d remained strong, determined, and with a heart as big as Australia if he could only unlock it.

  What he needed to do was protect her, even if it was from himself. Turning away from the window, he crossed to the counter and placed the mug on the sink. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Shit, I’m a selfish bastard, only thinking of myself. Of my own wants and needs. Right then. Let’s fix this mess.

  Before he did anything else, he stoked up the fire then he flicked on his smart phone and went to work. By the time, Matty struggled out of his blanket cocoon, Harrison had already set his plan into motion and had breakfast on the burners; bacon, eggs and fried canned tomatoes.

  “Smells awesome.” Matty leaned on the counter and sniffed the air like a hungry dingo.

  The bedroom door opened and Madeline walked out, a shy smile on her beautiful lips. “Is that breakfast?”

  Bereft of speech, Harrison nodded, looking his fill and loving every inch of her. She was dressed for the day in skinny-leg blue jeans and a pale, candy-pink pull-over with her blonde hair brushed and falling over her shoulders. He wanted to scoop her up into his arms and cart her back inside that bedroom, peel off her clothes, and lap his tongue over all her luscious curves. With her brother present, that was one fantasy that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

  If ever.

  Because it was also possible that was all it would be—a fantasy, a day dream, a wistful hope. After he told her exactly how much of a part he’d played in that bloody bet, he could be left with only the one precious night of memories that he’d cherish all his life.

  Frowning, he returned his attention back to the frypan and dished the food up onto plates. When they were seated around the small table and beginning to eat, he cleared his throat. Madeline’s eyelashes flickered. She didn’t look up, instead appeared to be engrossed in cutting her bacon into tiny pieces.

  “How’s your migraine this morning?” he asked.

  “Gone. I only feel a bit drained like I could sleep for a week. Are you heading off to work soon?” She rubbed her hands together and shivered. “Gosh, its cold.”

  “Yeah, temperature’s dropped again. I think we’re in for more bad weather. Listen, Madeline, I’ve cleared it with my supervisor and told him I’m not coming in today. The thing is, I think I may have made a big mistake in bringing you here.”

  She laid her knife and fork on the table and lifted her chin. “We can leave anytime you’re ready to take us.” Her voice was so chilly, it reminded Har
rison of her nickname at the Club.

  He took his time, chewing and swallowing his mouthful of food before responding. His gut churned and he pushed his plate away, his appetite vanished. “Time to lay our cards on the table. We need to discuss the bet.”

  Matty glanced up. “What bet?” His gaze darted between his sister and Harrison.

  “Don’t!” Madeline pleaded.

  Harrison shook his head. “Matty is fifteen not five. He can deal with this. A bet was laid at the Club between several of its patrons concerning your sister. I’m not giving you details, so don’t bother asking me. All you need to know is that your sister was coerced by her supervisor into going along with it, isn’t that right, Madeline?”

  She blushed but held her brother’s gaze as she elaborated, “My hours at the Club were cut and Roberta promised me a bonus if I ensured that the Club won.”

  “What has this go to do with you?” Matty fixed Harrison with a grim stare.

  “A friend of mine is a regular there and told me about it. We decided, actually, I decided that I needed to be involved for reasons of my own.” Harrison grimaced. “The Club lost the bet and your sister was fired.”

  Matty pushed his plate across the table and sprang to his feet. His chair crashed to the floor. “What did you do to her?” he roared, his hands clenched into fists.

  Harrison stood also, ready to let the kid punch him one. He probably deserved it. “I told you I’m not going into details.”

  Matty slammed his fist into Harrison’s face.

  “Matty, no!” Madeline jumped up and pulled her brother away. “This was my choice, and it is my decision to work at the Club. No one else is to blame.”

  “But the police? Geez, sis, I don’t want you to go to jail.” Tears formed in Matty’s eyes.

  Madeline hugged him.

  “Your sister isn’t going to be charged.”

  They looked over at him.

  Harrison said, “While you two were snoring your heads off, I was busy making calls. My mate has come up with the goods. Aaron’s a lawyer and knows one or two of the cops at Karim Station. Apparently, the so-called theft complaint has come from one Roberta Sangrini.”

  “Roberta?”

  “Yep, I kid you not.”

  Shaking her head, Madeline released her brother and collapsed into her chair. “I should have known. She’s always had it in for me, from the day she started working at the Club.”

  Fingering his aching jaw, Harrison sat down. “Good right hook there, mate.”

  “Sorry,” Matty said.

  “No need. A man can’t fault another man for looking out for his family.”

  Matty reddened and shyly extended his hand which Harrison took in a firm grip.

  “Now that the mutual admiration society is over, can we get on with my problem?” Madeline didn’t smile but inwardly the sight of those two bonding caused a positive whirlwind of emotions seething in her breast. She swallowed over her suddenly constricted throat and looked down at where she’d hidden her trembling hands in her lap. “How sure is this friend of yours?”

  “He’s positive, actually. Did I mention Aaron’s a lawyer?” Harrison quirked his eyebrows. “He’s also the guy that got me an invite to the Club.”

  “That was your first time there?”

  “Second.” With vivid clarity, he recalled his first visit when he’d spent the majority of his time there, gawping at the photos lining the Club’s walls; and in particular, the ones that featured Madeline. Those images were seared into his brain and had made for a hell of a lot of wet dreams. “My mate’s got one or two buddies in the police department. His intel is gold. It was Roberta Sangrini who lodged the complaint, admittedly by phone, and named me as the victim and you as the culprit. She also implicated you stole a thousand dollars from the downstairs bar.”

  “Roberta,” Madeline whispered. “She was furious with me for the Club losing the bet.”

  Harrison walked around the table and laid his hands on her shoulders. Through the thickness of her pullover, he felt her skin ripple and tense under his touch and he gave her a quick squeeze. “You’re not alone in this, babe.” After pulling out the chair beside her, he sat down and scooped her hands into his. “Geez, your fingers are like ice.”

  He rubbed her hands gently. When she turned to look at him, her eyes glistened with tears. From across the table, he could feel her brother watching them like a hawk. “I’ve been thinking about her involvement since I received Aaron’s text. The odds are, she was expecting a big payout herself which would explain why she’s so vindictive.”

  Madeline nodded. “I never believed that Jet Mak would have allowed the bet in the first place, no matter how tempting the prize money. She could have organized this on the sly and with Jet out of town, took advantage of his absence.” She drew a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. If they check, the police will find my fingerprints on the till.” She explained about paying for the glass of wine she’d poured.

  “Damn. The security cameras would have caught you opening and closing the till.”

  Madeline nodded.

  “Someone else must have taken that money. What about Roberta?”

  “I don’t know. It’s possible, I guess.”

  ”Unless you’ve pissed off someone else, she’s the logical choice. Right now we know who and what sounds like to me, a plausible why, we have all the ammunition we need. And once the cops find no trace of the missing money in your possession, I’m certain this problem will disappear. I hope that Roberta chick gets charged with wasting police time as well as theft. Maybe we can throw in defamation of character.” Harrison glanced over to Matty then back to Madeline. “My mate reckons I did the worst possible thing for you by insisting you take off yesterday. It’s made you look guilty as hell which means I need to deal with this, today.”

  She looked at him mutely.

  He smiled. “I’m driving you both home. Then I’m meeting Aaron at the cop shop where I’ve an appointment with the bloke in charge of the case. Under legal representation, I’ll make a statement refuting the complaint and make a counter-one of my own about false accusations and using my name without my consent and knowledge. This should clear you of any involvement with me. Afterwards, Aaron and I’ll escort you to the station and you can make your statement about the till. The police will have to investigate Roberta for the missing money.”

  Raising her hands to his mouth, he brushed his lips over her knuckles, his heartbeat jumping about like a jack-in-the-box as a flush spread rosily over her face. About to confess the reasons for his involvement in the bet, he hesitated, their conversation of last night echoing in his mind.

  She didn’t believe in love at first sight. Had practically laughed in his face at the idea. Maybe fessing up should wait a while until she got to know him better. He’d show her with his words and actions exactly how much she meant to him.

  By the time he came to this decision, the moment had passed anyway. Already, his babe had pulled her hands from his and was busily stacking plates while her brother was packing up their gear. Looked like they were both eager to leave.

  And although he knew they had no idea how much this time here together meant to him, it hurt like bloody crazy that they could dismiss him so easily.

  All he could hope, was for Madeline to give him a second chance.

  ***

  The drive back to Karim was enlivened with Harrison tuning in the car’s radio to a country and western station the instant they set off. Madeline took the hint and remained quiet the entire journey while her brother, after rolling his eyes, stuck his iPod’s buds into his ears.

  With Harrison and his attorney buddy on the case, it looked like her problems were about to disappear.

  I should feel relieved. Well, she did but there was that niggling little voice in the back of her mind prompting her to wonder what would happen next. Would Harrison walk out of their lives? He’d said nothing to explain his reason for being involved in
the bet. What if it was just an ego trip between him and his buddies? Some type of competition with her as the prize?

  The thought made her sick to her stomach. Disappointment was like a knife twisting in her belly. What had she expected? Surely not a happy-ever-after?

  The problem was, the caring and respectful attitude he’d displayed the last couple of days had kindled a tiny flame of hope in her heart. One she’d never imagined she’d ever feel. Add that to the strong sexual attraction pulling her like a magnet into his vicinity, she’d allowed herself to wonder what it would be like, loving this guy. And being loved by him in return.

  But his silence in justifying his actions told her he was just like any other guy she’d ever met.

  They turned into her street and a few minutes later, the pick-up rolled to a stop outside their house. Slush and mud lay in thick mounds covering the grass. Icicles hung like ragged banners from the house guttering and the branches of the Drake Elm tree. Some kids had attempted to make a snowman a few doors down but there was no sign of anyone playing outside now. Smoke rose from the chimneys of a couple of houses and the footpaths were deserted of life.

  Studying her home as if she’d never seen it before, Madeline realized how run-down the building actually was. The entire street for that matter was hardly any better. I’ll feel better once I’m inside and the boiler’s on. It’s only the cold weather that’s making me feel so low.

  “I’ll help bring your bags inside,” Harrison said and swung out of the car.

  Madeline grabbed the blankets, while her brother carried his backpack and a duffle bag. They all trooped up the path to the front porch where Matty unlocked the door and after a muttered, “Thanks, dude”, rushed inside leaving an awkward silence behind him.

  “Yes, thanks for helping me.” Madeline drew in a deep breath. The cold air stung her lungs and she shivered.

  “No, worries.” He stared at a point above her head.

  “Listen…” she began when he didn’t speak.