Secrets of Silvergum

by Mandy Magro

  ‘Earth to Zane …’ Emma gave him a playful shove, snapping him from the painful memories.

  He shifted so he was facing her again. ‘Oh, shit, sorry, I was miles away.’

  ‘Yeah, I could see that.’ She smiled so genuinely it warmed his heart. ‘Do you remember this song?’

  Drumming the bar with his fingertips, he took a few moments, and then it hit him. ‘Oh, hell yes! We boogied our arses off to it at the Silvergum B&S ball and won the prize for best crazy dancers.’

  She nodded, her smile widening. ‘We sure did, not that Michael was too happy about it.’

  ‘Michael was never happy about anything.’ His brows rose.

  ‘Oh, come on, as unlikeable as he can be these days, you have to admit he was heaps of fun back then. Before Peter had completely brainwashed him.’

  Zane shrugged. ‘Yeah, he was an all right bloke back in the day, I’ll give him that much.’ He placed his drink down and held out his hands, gesturing towards the dance floor with a tip of his head. ‘Should we go and burn up the floor, for old times’ sake?’

  She hesitated, jiggled on the spot as though mentally reasoning with herself, and then to his surprise, accepted his offer. Her petite hand entwined in his, and he enjoyed the looks they got as he led her to the dance floor. Making sure not to overcrowd her as they eased themselves into the rhythm of the beat, he slowly closed the distance between them. She yielded to his touch, her smile soft and her eyes breathtaking. With the disco light filtering over her face, and both of them falling into the groove with the music and each other, the past sixteen years faded away, leaving just her and him, seventeen, footloose and fancy free … with their whole lives ahead of them.

  CHAPTER 10

  Emma had been with Zane for all of ten minutes, and yet he’d succeeded in getting her onto the dance floor and into his arms. As much as it irked her that he still had that irresistible magnetism over her, she had to smile – his charm was one of the many things she’d found attractive about him, and still did. Not that she’d let him know that. A bloke with a hell of a lot going for himself already, he didn’t need any more of an ego boost, especially not from her.

  From the crowded dance floor, she finally caught Renee’s eyes, and gave a quick wave so her friend knew where she was. A knowing grin plastered on her pretty face, Renee gave her the thumbs up before turning back to the handsome, and unfamiliar bloke, who was now cosied up beside her. The pair were seemingly engrossed in deep conversation, and Emma couldn’t help but notice the way Renee was twirling a lock of hair around her finger – a sure sign she was really into him. Glad her mate wasn’t sitting alone, she focused on Zane. Again. The expression on his gorgeous face was one of pure joy as he bopped and grooved his way around her. A seasoned dancer, the pair of them having done rock-n-roll classes in preparation for their deb ball years ago, she couldn’t help but let herself flow in sync with him. She loved how he was always able to bring out her playful side, no matter what mood she was in. Even now, with everything that was troubling her, he made her feel as though life couldn’t be any sweeter.

  His intense gaze capturing hers, she allowed him to grab her by the hand and twirl her out, only to quickly rein her back in. She was so close to him she could smell the hint of aftershave on his neck and the lingering scent of leather on his shirt. Their bodies brushing past each other’s and then colliding as they rock and rolled, she sensed old flames blazing to life, and by Christ it felt good to feel so sensual, so sexy and so wanted. She knew she’d have to douse them down when reality kicked back in, but not just yet. Right at this second, she didn’t care about the consequences; this was the freest she’d felt in what seemed like forever. As though the years had all but vanished, it was just like the good old times, when she and Zane and all their mates would hit the dance floors of the B&S balls they travelled to in convoys, their utes with more stickers and aerials on them than you could poke a stick at.

  The upbeat song ending and the band announcing one for all the star-struck lovers in the house tonight, reality finally kicked in and she quickly made her exit, with Zane close behind her. A slow love song wasn’t a good idea, especially not when the sexual chemistry was sizzling between them and her voice of reason was clouded with the effects of alcohol. Although there was no denying she had feelings for Mister Zane Wolfe, she was shocked by just how much she was drawn to him – it was almost out of her control. Almost …

  Hiking it from the dance floor before he could haul her back onto it, she pulled up at the bar, hot and sweaty and keen for a drink. While fanning her face, she tucked sweaty strands of hair behind her ears.

  ‘We need something to wet our whistles after that effort, Em. My shout …’ The broad smile he’d worn the entire time they were bopping away to the music still plastered to his handsome face, Zane stepped in front of her to order. ‘Is vodka, lime and soda still your poison?’

  ‘Yup, creature of habit, I’m afraid.’ Sweat trickled between her breasts and down her back as she wiped beads of it from her forehead.

  ‘There ain’t nothing wrong with being a creature of habit, Firecracker.’ He grinned mischievously, and she walloped his arm.

  ‘You cheeky bugger. You know how much I hate that nickname.’

  Zane playfully rubbed where her hand had connected. ‘My wild guess is about as much as I hate “Casanova”?’

  She grinned, enjoying their familiar banter. ‘Touché, my friend.’

  He grinned and she fought the urge to give him another hard shove.

  The barman sprang over to them, keen as ever to take their order. Emma had to give him credit for being committed to his job. Zane leant over the bar to be heard above the music, his arse at the perfect angle for her to perve on. He’d always filled out a pair of jeans to perfection, and not only at the rear. She almost slapped herself with the wicked thought while wishing she could rein in her animalistic attraction to the macho man. But she couldn’t help but drink in all six-foot-three of his unrivalled hunkiness. It was all she could do to tear her eyes from him and try to think rationally. When he turned to pass her the drink, she had a sudden urge to press her lips on that part of his chest where she knew she would feel his big, beautiful heart beating. He may have been a lady-killer, and infuriatingly stubborn at times, but she couldn’t deny he had a heart of gold beneath his thick armour. Not many had witnessed his soft side, but she had, many times over.

  Taking a sip from his whisky, he pointed to the jam-packed dance floor. ‘Now that was good old-fashioned fun out there.’

  His deep husky voice made her legs weak; weaker than they’d been already from the effects of the alcohol. She took a desperate swig from her glass while trying to get her heart rate back to normal. ‘Yeah, it sure was. I’ve needed to let my hair down. These past few days have been super tough.’

  ‘No doubt about that … how’s Riley handling it all?’ Emma’s mouth dropped open but when nothing came out, he quickly elaborated. ‘You and Michael separating, I mean, and then Peter passing away?’

  ‘It’s all hit her pretty hard, the poor kid, and I …’ A surge of emotion stole her ability to speak. She offered a shaky smile.

  Reaching out, Zane gave her arm a squeeze. ‘Oh, Em, it’s gotta be tough, being a single mum, but I know you’d be hitting goals.’

  Ready to burst into tears, she laughed instead, her gaze darting this way and that so she didn’t have to look into his kind eyes. Her heart was broken enough when it came to Riley, but having to talk about her daughter to a man who had no idea he was her father was beyond overwhelming. With all the strength she could muster, she bit back the guilt. ‘Um, yeah, sometimes I feel like I’m getting a grip on the whole mothering thing, and then other times I feel like I’m way off the mark and have no idea what I should be doing.’ Recalling how tightly Riley had wrapped her arms around her yesterday afternoon, her eyes stung with tears. She quickly blinked them away before Zane noticed.

  ‘You’ve always been your toughes
t critic, Em. You really have to stop being so hard on yourself all the time.’ His voice was filled with so much compassion it only made it harder for her to remain composed.

  ‘It’s just not that easy, Zane.’ A tear escaped and she quickly wiped it away while forcing a smile. ‘Being a mother is the hardest job I’ve ever done.’ Her heart rate increased in frantic rhythm as she gazed into eyes she could so easily tumble into, if she allowed herself.

  His expression one of anguish, he placed his drink down on the bar. ‘Oh shit, Em, please don’t cry. Me and my habit of putting my damn foot in my mouth.’ Without warning, he leant in and gave her a hug so tight there wasn’t an inch between them. His hand gently rubbed her back, both consoling her and unintentionally tempting her. The hustle and bustle of the pub faded away, and all she felt, heard and smelt was him – she wanted to stay in his arms forever.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me,’ she mumbled into his shirt as she hugged him a little awkwardly. Not about to crumble in the middle of a packed pub she tried not to let his kindness break her resolve. And besides, he’d just lost his father, no matter the fissure between the men, so she should be comforting him, not the other way around. Her guilty conscience getting the better of her, she pushed back from him and smiled. ‘Thanks for caring so much.’ She wiped her cheeks. ‘Have I got mascara everywhere now?’

  ‘A little bit.’ His perfect set of lips curled into the most tender of smiles, and his blue eyes held her captive as he reached out and gently wiped beneath her eyes with his thumb. ‘There, just like new again.’ He placed both hands on her shoulders protectively. ‘You sure you’re okay, Em?’

  ‘Yeah, I’ll be right, just being a bit of a sook, that’s all.’ She pushed the words out from her tight throat. ‘A decent night’s sleep will make the world of difference.’

  He gave her a look to say he didn’t believe a word she’d just said. ‘Well, I’m all ears, if you need to talk about it.’ He chuckled, deep and throaty. ‘And I’ve got plenty of shoulder for you to cry on, if you need.’

  She had cried on his big broad shoulders many times, and scratched her nails on them in the throes of passion too. Her cheeks flamed with the memory. ‘Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.’

  Taking a sip of whisky, he stared at her over the rim of the glass. ‘You sure there’s nothing else bothering you?’

  ‘No, what makes you think there is?’ It was said a little too fast, and a little too defensively.

  He shrugged. ‘Dunno, I just feel like there’s more to the story than what you’re telling me.’

  ‘Nope.’ Her mouth growing drier by the second, she quickly grabbed her drink, taking big gulps as if it were water. He’d always been able to read her like a book, and she damn well didn’t want him to.

  ‘Okay, that’s good then.’ He gestured towards the now empty glass. ‘Want another?’

  She sucked in a deep breath as she placed her glass back on the bar. ‘No, thanks, I better get back to Rennie before she thinks I’ve deserted her for the night.’

  ‘Right, yup.’ He paused, his gaze gaining intensity. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘Doing what I did last time I was here.’

  ‘It’s okay, all forgotten.’

  ‘Just like that?’ He half grinned, half frowned.

  ‘Yup, just like that.’ She lowered her eyes. She could so easily open up right now and tell him how she’d never stopped thinking about him all these years, but … mentally slapping herself, she reminded herself of all she was keeping from him. There was enough for him to possibly hate her throughout this lifetime and into the next.

  ‘I really want you to know that I …’ His hand came to rest on her.

  Terrified of what she was about to hear, Emma almost covered her ears. A declaration of his feelings for her was the last thing she needed, or deserved. At least, not until she’d had a chance to tell him the truth about Riley, and about his father.

  Unknowingly saving the day, Renee suddenly skidded in beside them. The handsome man she’d been chatting to had his arm coiled in hers. Renee’s wayward smile spoke of everything she was hoping to get up to with him later. Emma stifled a grin; with her best friend not having bedded a bloke since she broke up with her cheating ex six months ago, lord help the poor man.

  ‘Oh, my god, how are you, my long-lost friend?’ Disentangling herself from her new date, Renee threw her arms around Zane. ‘It’s been way too long between visits.’

  Giving her a tight hug, Zane smiled as Renee stepped back. ‘Yeah, it has been … life kinda got away from me over there. How’ve you been?’

  ‘Overworked, underpaid and exhausted, but other than that, I’m bloody great.’ She grinned and then gestured to the man standing patiently beside her. ‘I’d like to introduce you both to Silvergum’s newest police recruit, Constable Jackson Hume.’

  A copper? Holy shit. Not ideal, after what she’d told Renee last night. Not that she thought Renee would ever reveal her secret, but it was all just a little weird. Emma gave her mate a quick raised brow before turning and flashing him a broad smile. ‘Hi, Jackson, nice to meet you. I’m Emma.’

  ‘Nice to meet you, Emma … I’ve just heard lots about you.’

  His handshake was firm and his smile genuine; Emma liked him instantly. ‘I hope it was all good.’

  ‘Most of it.’ He grinned as he gave her a playful wink.

  Zane held out his hand. ‘G’day, Jackson, Zane Wolfe.’ He tipped his head to Renee. ‘You’re keeping good company with this one.’

  Reaching out, Jackson accepted the handshake with vigour. ‘Oh, hey, Zane, am I? We’ve only just met, so I’m yet to find that out.’ It was said light-heartedly.

  Silence settled and they all looked to one another, smiling.

  Renee jumped to action and grabbed both of Jackson’s hands. ‘You want to join me on the dance floor?’ She began dragging him out before he could even reply.

  ‘He seems nice,’ Emma said as she watched them on the crowded dance floor.

  Zane edged up beside her. ‘Yeah, he does.’

  Yawning, Emma looked to her watch. It was almost midnight. ‘Holy crap, I’m going to turn into a pumpkin if I don’t hit the sack soon.’

  Zane offered her a steady sideways glance, a smile on his lips. ‘Have one more dance with me, before you head off?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know, I’m really tired.’ She looked to where Renee and Jackson were now kissing beneath the glittering disco ball. ‘Shit, she moves quick.’

  ‘Yup, Rennie has never been one to beat around the bush.’ Zane leant into her ear. ‘And about that dance, I’m not taking no for an answer.’

  Grinning, Emma tried to ignore the pleasure-filled quiver that travelled all the way from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She light-heartedly groaned. ‘Fine, but only one, and then I’m going home to bed, where I hope I’m going to sleep for all of Australia, and then some.’

  ‘I promise, just one dance, and I’ll let you go.’

  ‘Hmm, I don’t know if I’ve got the energy for it.’ Tugging the scrunchy from her wrist, Emma pulled her hair up into a ponytail.

  ‘Oh, come on … I’ll make the decision for you.’ Grabbing her around the waist, he picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder, and carried her to the dance floor without any fight from her; the crowd too busy in their own drunken dancing worlds to take much notice of them.

  From her prime position atop his broad shoulders Emma couldn’t help but feel his strapping back muscles clenching with her weight, her gaze fixed on his perfect arse again. Good god, this man was a package – if only he wasn’t such a ladies’ man, and her ex-brother-in-law, and the secret father of her beautiful child, as well as the son of the man she’d accidentally killed, life would be peachy perfect. She almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. Yup, she was officially drunk.

  When he placed her down, Emma struggled to shake off all the reasons she shouldn’t b
e standing here with him as the steel guitar came to life, along with the beat of drums. Taking her by the hand, Zane swung her out and brought her back to him, so effortlessly, so charmingly, her breath caught. The other couples moved out of their space a little, and eyes fell upon them as they tumbled into each other’s arms. As soon as she was in his firm grasp, Zane picked her up and twirled her in the air. Back on her feet in seconds, Emma swayed with him to the beat of the music, their boots moving in tempo, their bodies in perfect union. His piercing gaze flirted with her the entire time and swept her up in the moment. She couldn’t help but send him some sultry looks of her own.

  Renee and Jackson bopped beside them, all four of them laughing and enjoying every second of the party classic. Then, before Emma knew it, the addictive tune of ‘Khe Sanh’ ended, and the tempo slowed as Chris Stapleton’s ‘More of You’ rang out, the vocalist doing the song proud with his husky, honky-tonk voice. Before Emma had time to escape, Zane closed the distance, pulled her arms up and around his neck, and then dropped his hands to her lower back. The poignant country song caressed her very core, and every lyric felt as if it were written about Zane and her. From the expression in his eyes, she knew he was thinking exactly the same thing. This. Was. Dangerous. Territory.

  Tearing her gaze from his, she looked down at their boots sliding across the floor as she tried to catch the breath he was stealing from her, over and over again. Possibly sensing her hesitation, he drew her even closer, until her face was pressed up against his chest, and he buried his face in her hair. He pressed his lips up against her ear, and for a delicious moment, he just inhaled, exhaled, deeply, slowly, sending shivers all over her. And then, ‘I’ve missed you so much, Em,’ he whispered.