by Janice Lynn
This should be easy. McKenzie was here, baring her soul to him. But old hurts cut deep.
“You can’t be sure this isn’t just a rebound reaction.”
McKenzie laughed and shook her head. “I’m not on the rebound from Paul.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I was never in love with Paul. You’re not the only one hiding behind walls. Part of me is terrified of being in a relationship with you because the stakes are high. I’ve seen what that can do to a person. I saw what it did to my mama when my daddy died.”
He captured her finger poking into his chest, held it close to his heart.
“I think it’s why I stayed in relationships that weren’t right for me,” she continued. “Because I knew that even though it would sting if they ended, which they did, it wouldn’t shatter my world.”
“Is that why you’re here? To start another relationship that isn’t right for you?”
She shook her head. “For the first time in my life, the right man is in my life. Only he isn’t in my life, and that’s why I’m here.”
How did he explain this to her? Make her understand all the things running through his mind, through his heart?
“I have been crazy about you from the moment we met,” he admitted. “Do you know how it feels to want someone so much and to know you’ll never have her? That’s how I felt about you right up until the day you asked me to be your pretend boyfriend.”
“I didn’t know. I thought you didn’t like me, that I’d done something to upset you.”
He snorted. “You weren’t supposed to know. I didn’t want you or anyone to know how I felt. And, the only thing you did to upset me was be in a serious relationship with Paul.”
“You never let on that you wanted me.”
“Nor would I have had he not made the mistake of breaking things off. I’d been there, done that and planned to never get involved with another woman who was on the rebound or seriously involved with someone. Not easy when it came to you, but I managed by keeping my distance. I didn’t want to like you.”
“But you did anyway.” She smiled as she said it, flattening her hand against his chest, covering his heart.
“Obviously.”
“Not from where I was standing. I couldn’t believe when you said you’d go with me to Tennessee.”
“I couldn’t stand the thought of you hiring an escort and possibly being taken advantage of.”
“Because you thought I was on the rebound?”
“Yes.”
“I am on the rebound.” She stared him straight in the eyes. “From a relationship with my pretend boyfriend who stole my real heart. It’s his for the taking. All he has to do is say yes.”
* * *
McKenzie waited to see how Ryder would respond. Did he want her heart? Want her?
What she’d seen in his eyes had made her think he did, but she needed to hear him say the words. Needed to know he wouldn’t push her away.
“I love you, McKenzie.”
Not yes, but she’d take those words, would take them and cherish them.
“Tell me again,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Tell me over and over.”
“I plan to.” He kissed her, long and hard and with a possession like she’d never felt. Because she’d never been loved the way Ryder loved her. She’d never let him go, knew without doubt he’d never let her go again.
“Every day for the rest of our lives, McKenzie, I’ll do more than tell you. I’ll show you.”
And he did.
* * *
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Janice Lynn
The Nurse’s One Night to Forever
A Nurse to Tame the ER Doc
Friend, Fling, Forever?
Heart Surgeon to Single Dad
All available now!
Keep reading an excerpt from The Nurse’s Secret by Sue MacKay.
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The Nurse’s Secret
by Sue MacKay
PROLOGUE
‘LEAVE YOUR BROKEN heart at home and go and do what you’re good at and used to enjoy more than anything. Dance the night away. Have some fun, sweetheart.’
Her dad had had a point, Stacey Wainwright admitted as she gazed at the heaving dance floor in front of her. It seemed as though all the medical staff from the London General Hospital were here at the Doctors and Nurses Ball—except of course that wasn’t possible, with some having to cover the night shifts.
Since she’d never worked there she wasn’t known here, except by the two friends she’d come with, both nurses, but she could still enjoy herself. If she let go of the handbrake that had been holding her back over the past year.
It was twelve months since the day she’d been stood up—not at the altar but in her parents’ lounge, where she’d been putting the finishing touches to her wedding dress for the big event in four days’ time. Her heart hadn’t recovered, and neither was it likely to start without her making an effort to get out and do the things she’d used to love.
It didn’t come easily since, for the first time ever, she had to do all those things, like dancing, alone. So she hadn’t bothered.
‘Let’s rock and roll!’ Ada all but leapt onto the dance floor in the beautifully decorated hotel conference room. ‘You coming, Stacey?’ she asked, with a warning that she’d better be.
It was time to get out and about, Ada had said when mentally twisting Stacey’s arm up her back last week to convince her to join them here.
‘In a minute.’ She needed to get a little more of her delicious cocktail on board to build up the Dutch courage needed for her to let loose. Once she’d loved nothing better than a good party, but nowadays she was out of practice.
Watching her friends making moves nearly in time to the music, without any hesitation, she chuckled. ‘Here I was, worrying I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but I’ll be fine.’
‘You into dancing? As in really into it? I’ve got two left feet, but what the heck? I enjoy myself anyway.’ Katie grinned as she poked her cheek with her straw.
She’d only met Katie an hour ago and liked her already. ‘I used to do a lot of it.’
Stacey sighed. She’d better get started on having this fun and letting her hair down. Show some resilience. If any man wanted more than a dance or a drink with her, she’d cope. Just say no. She’d only known one man completely, and they’d been best friends most of their lives before their friendship had turned to love. And then Angus had said he didn’t want her any more, didn’t love her as much as he’d thought, and felt she was still a friend, though no longer the love of his life. He’d snapped his fingers and broken her heart.
Stop thinking about him. He doesn’t belong here.
‘Is there a dance every year?’
‘I think so. I came last year soon after I began working at London General. It was a masked dance party, but the masks didn’t last long. I remember two absolutely hammered registrars removed more than their face attire. They weren’t exactly studs.’ Katie laughed.
‘It’s usually the ones who aren’t who put it all out there.’
‘True. You got a man in your life?’
‘Afraid not.’ If she had he’d be here with her, wouldn’t he? Then again, she couldn’t guarantee that any more. The man she’d loved with all her being hadn’t been there for their wedding. ‘I’m taking some solo time at the moment.’
Katie glanced at her with shared sympathy in her eyes. ‘You and me both. Don’t know why a good man is so hard to find. Or I’m very picky. My l
ast one was a hunk but had the attention span of a gnat when it came to our relationship.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Stacey said.
‘It’s all right. I’m better off without him, though I could do with a replacement soon. What happened with you and your last man?’
Only man. ‘We had different ideas about the future.’ He’d wanted to spend it with a woman he’d met four weeks before the wedding. After another deep swallow of her drink, Stacey stood up. ‘Come on. Let’s join the others.’ Before the questions became too intense, before she let the past interfere with the present. This was not the night for spilling to someone she barely knew how her one and only boyfriend had had a change of heart.
‘About time, you two,’ Ada shouted above the music. ‘This is fantastic.’
Stacey felt the music grip her, and instantly her feet were moving in time as though they had a mind of their own. Her hips swayed as she raised her arms and went with the rhythm. Closing her eyes, she let the liberating sensations brought on by the music take over. Should’ve done this ages ago. It was fun. And relaxing. Surrounded by people intent on having a great night, she was finally having a blast.
Opening her eyes, she stared around at the sea of bodies crowding the floor, all the females glammed up in chic dresses. Her blue and green long strapless dress was complemented by blue nearly sheer leggings and a green bow in her long hair and had all come from the charity shop, the price tag being the decider on what she’d wear. It didn’t look half-bad, and the amazing make-up job her friend had done made her feel awesome for the first time in a year. Made her feel light-hearted and free of the past—if only for a few hours.
‘Can I have the pleasure?’ A deep-voiced, stunning-looking man stood before her.
She smiled. ‘Sure, as long as you’re not expecting anything too boring.’
‘After watching you, I can’t imagine you being boring.’ Reaching for her hand, he led her deeper into the pulsating crowd.
He’d been watching her dance? She scoped the man before her. His white open-necked shirt was a perfect fit, a tantalising V giving a hint of a broad chest, while his tailored navy-blue trousers enhanced slim hips. Quite the picture, Stacey thought, swallowing hard. He had a strong jawline and an alluring mouth, those full lips giving her ideas she hadn’t had in a long time. His eyes, direct and amused, were intriguing, like there was a load of sensuality shining out at her. Talk about itemising a guy, but, yeah, she sighed, she liked what she saw. Wanted to know more about him. Was this what waking up was all about? Like a sudden bang on the head? Or was she overreacting as a consequence of only ever dating Angus? If this was what having fun meant she might need to go carefully, not leap in and make a disastrous mistake.
Or I could try relaxing and having that fun I intended when I left home.
Relaxing came easily when she absorbed the music. Her hips swayed, her feet doing their own thing with no worries about being in time. Dancing was in her blood, something she’d done from the day she’d put on the pretty pink dancing shoes Santa had given her when she’d been three. Looking up into the eyes of her partner, she gasped. He was watching her with a smile and warmth in his gaze. Her stomach tightened, and she tripped.
Instantly he caught her, held her long enough for her to get her balance, then dropped his hand.
‘Th-thanks.’ A gentleman, and gorgeous. Glancing around at the other men on the dance floor, she had to acknowledge he wasn’t the only good-looking guy in the room. But...deep breath...he pushed some of her buttons when no one else did or had. Again, she was probably overreacting. Relax. Strange how quickly the tension slipped away, and her body continued moving effortlessly in time to the music.
‘Come on.’ Reaching for her hand, he raised their arms high and with his other hand on her waist, he gently pushed her into a twirl. Next she was being tipped backwards so her hair fell in a long line towards the floor. She spun upright and did another twirl, coming back to face him. ‘I’m enjoying this.’
Suddenly Stacey laughed, letting the music and her partner take her on a ride of sensual movement. At least it seemed sensual to her. Another glance at her partner and her breath stuttered in her lungs. He looked as relaxed as she felt. He also looked a little bit surprised. Was he not used to having fun with a stranger, either?
That beautiful mouth spread into a crooked grin. Which set her heart racing.
‘You’re done this before,’ he said.
‘Once or twice.’ Why had she stopped? She didn’t need Angus to go dancing. There were plenty of nightclubs near where she lived with her family, and plenty of friends to go with. As of now there must not be any backing out when someone suggested a night on the town. She couldn’t use her family commitments as an excuse since her father was over his depression from losing a foot and well on track with studying for an accounting degree. ‘I’ve danced most of my life in one style or another.’
‘But nothing boring.’ His grin widened.
‘You’re on to it. You’re not so bad yourself.’ Flirting? Wow, old Stacey was returning in a rush. No, she hadn’t flirted before, never had the need. Angus had always been there like an extra limb.
‘Glad you noticed.’
How could she not? Those long, muscular legs moved slickly in time to the music. His hand when he held hers was strong and warm. And made her palm hot and tingly with a sensation she’d long given up on ever feeling again. Except this seemed sharper, more tingly. Guess when a drought broke the ensuing result would feel stronger.
The guy had her hand again, and his other hand splayed on her lower back pressed gently for her to twirl. Once more she was tipped back, then pulled upright and spun around, first one way, then the other.
‘That’s awesome.’ A smile broke across her face as she studied the man holding her. Not once had she felt awkward or worried about taking a tumble. He knew what he was doing and held her just right. He knew what he was doing? What was he doing, apart from dancing with her? Seducing her? If he was, she didn’t care. This was why she was here, to enjoy herself, and if things got out of line she would walk back to the table and have another drink before re-joining Ada and co on the dance floor.
The music halted. The sudden quiet was awful. She wasn’t ready to stop. Stacey stepped closer to her partner, not wanting him to disappear on her just yet.
A member of the band stood up with a microphone. ‘I know this is different to what we’ve been playing, but it can be fun, if not hilarious. You’re such a boisterous crowd that we’re going to play a Cha-Cha. Even if you don’t know how to deal with that, just leap around in time to the music and you’ll be fine.’
Stacey grinned. ‘I can Cha-cha. I even quite like it.’
‘Me, too,’ murmured her dance partner. ‘We’re good to go.’
Locking her eyes on him, she tried to banish her surprise. He was staying around for more dances with her? Why wouldn’t he? She hadn’t squashed his toes or made a fool of herself. This was what being single at a party was all about. Getting amongst it, with a good-looking man to boot—who did delicious things to her insides. Perhaps she should look for a duller partner before she lost all common sense. Brilliant idea, if she wasn’t intent on at last getting over Angus, and now she was having so much fun moving on, it was suddenly imperative to keep going. The time had come to stop looking back and asking, ‘What if?’ This man was hot and fun, so she needed to make the most of him and step outside her comfort zone, which frankly had got boring. ‘We are?’
‘Yes, unless you’ve got other plans?’
More laughter bubbled up her throat and across her tongue, obliterating her hesitation. ‘Nope, none at all other than enjoying myself.’
‘Then bring it on.’
The crowd on the floor was thinning as the band struck up. ‘Hope we’re not the only ones left out here,’ she said.
‘We’ll give them a
show if we are.’ Her partner laughed. ‘Just relax and follow my lead.’
Taking his hand, she breathed deeply and smelt excitement in the air. And tripped before they’d gone more than two steps. ‘Damn,’ she muttered. ‘That won’t happen again.’ Concentrate on dancing, not sniffing his scent. Or feeling that warm hand holding hers. Or the way his leg pushed against hers as they raised their legs in unison. The more she immersed herself in the heat surrounding them the more she forgot to focus on where to put her feet, and the better their dancing became.
‘You’re a natural.’ The man’s mouth was close to her ear.
Her mouth dried. Settle, girl. He only meant dancing, nothing else. ‘Sure am.’ She leaned back to look at him. Everything about him was magnificent, wonderful. Abruptly she turned her head, afraid her face was giving too much away.
He spun her around in a circle as they danced. ‘What’s your name?’
So he wasn’t about to stop dancing and say thanks, it’s been a pleasure, and walk off the floor. ‘Anastasia.’ She gave her full name, something she usually only did when filling in legal documentation. About to retract it and say the shortened version, she hesitated.
‘It suits you.’
Anastasia it was, then. ‘How does a name suit a person?’
‘You’re fun and happy, as is your name.’
Okay, everyone, listen up. As of now my name is Anastasia, not Stacey.
But she couldn’t help being honest. ‘I’m not always fun and happy.’ Silly woman. Should’ve kept that to herself.
‘No?’ Disappointment blinked out at her from those mesmerising eyes, but his lips quirked as though he was holding back a laugh. ‘Guess that makes you normal, then.’
‘Afraid so.’
Take that however you wish.
Surely he’d be going in search of someone else to dance with now? Hopefully not when she’d made up her mind to let loose a little—with him. Damn, but she was hopeless at this. Should she grab his hand tightly so he couldn’t get away? Yeah, right. Then he’d really be running. So what happened next? More dancing? A drink? Mix and mingle? Talk about being out of practice. ‘What are you known by?’
