A knock on the door dragged her attention from her remodeling problems.
“Richard, have you come to see the mess?” Lana greeted the lawyer from next door.
“I thought they’d be further along than this,” he said, coming to stand beside her.
“A problem with staff. You know the flu bug going around? Well, it decimated the builder’s team. I wanted to fire his ass until I realized he’d dragged himself out of bed to work on my renovations. He looked so sick I sent him home.”
“You’re too soft,” Richard murmured. “Let me take care of it for you. I’ll get them to finish the work and sue them for loss of income.”
Lana hid her irritation behind a quick frown. No wonder things hadn’t worked between them from her perspective. Take-charge men who thought they knew better pissed her off. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer. I’ve dealt with it.”
“Let me sue him on your behalf.”
“We’ve worked out a deal. Yes, he’s inconvenienced me. It couldn’t be helped. Business is light anyway since the stupid flu has struck so many people.” Lana held up a hand when Richard started to speak again. She’d been right to keep their relationship on a business footing.
Her thoughts drifted to Duncan, as they often did, even though she’d tried to stomp on the bad habit. What would he recommend her to do? Or would he try to take over as well?
“No, Richard. Everything is fine. I have several private parties booked. Once I reopen everything will revert to normal.”
“I came by to take you out for a drink. Are you ready to go?”
Once again his pure disregard for her feelings—on any subject—grated. Perhaps she’d like him to ask instead of tell. The man didn’t have a clue. “No, I have things to do here. The Goods and Services return has to go out in the mail tonight.” She’d tried to attack it yesterday but illness had felled her, and she’d dragged herself upstairs to her apartment above the restaurant. This morning she’d felt better, at least until she entered the restaurant, so the paint rather than the flu had caused her queasiness.
“Are you brushing me off?”
Surprised, Lana turned to him. “What are you talking about? I have to do my bookwork tonight.”
“I’ll ask Marjorie from the dress shop out for a drink.”
Lana rolled her eyes. What did he expect her to do? Beg him not to take Marjorie? Lana went for nonconfrontational despite wanting to flay him with the blunt truth. “I’m sure she’d enjoy a drink with you.” Perhaps Richard’s strange behavior was due to impending flu. She caught him staring at her lips and the lustful look jolted her right to her stomach. It wasn’t a pleasurable sensation, not when she compared him to Duncan. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Richard.”
With a curt nod he left, the door clanging shut after him. Talk about weird. Shaking her head at the silliness of men, Lana did a final walk-through, checking the progress of the day while trying to ignore the unsettled lurching of her stomach. The builder had promised his crew would be here at six in the morning. Her sleep might suffer, but it was a small price if they finished the alterations. The sooner she could get rid of the paint and varnish smell, the quicker her feline would settle. Sometimes, the feline’s excellent scent receptors didn’t merge well with city life.
Someone tapped on the door and she grouchily whirled to face her visitor, ready to tell them to go away. The urge faded on seeing him. Duncan. Her heart slammed against her ribs as she gestured for him to come inside. What was he doing here? And worst of all why was she so thrilled to see him? That was the kicker.
“Hey, Lana. Whoa!” He paused, his nose wrinkling. “That smell is horrendous. Can I coerce you into coming out for dinner or a drink?”
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at a rodeo somewhere.” She scanned him from head to foot, checking for injuries, relief bringing lightheadedness. Nothing obvious. His strong, muscular body looked as sexy as usual and did the normal number on her knees. Stupid hormones.
“That’s part of what I wanted to discuss. Please, I hate this smell. Isn’t there a pub on the corner?”
Lana laughed. “The smell isn’t the best. Okay, a quick drink. I have office work I need to finish so I can’t be away for long.” She grabbed her wallet and hurried to join him, pausing to lock up and pocket the keys.
“Where’s the best place for a drink?” Duncan asked.
“The pub you saw on the corner will work. I often have a drink there with friends.” Lana craved a kiss. Badly. The urge to touch simmered through her like a compulsion. She inhaled, pulling his seductive scent into her lungs. He beat the stench of the paint by a wide mile.
“Let’s go.” Duncan took her hand and her breath exited in a whoosh. She’d spent two nights with him, and seeing him now, she realized how much she’d missed him, how there were a million little details about her days she’d stored up to tell him. The thought shocked her because that was exactly what she’d done with Jamie, or at least until he’d started to resent her restaurant because he wanted her to stay home and have babies.
“Why are you here?” she repeated.
“I’ve retired.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock. “But you love the rodeo and you’re good at it.”
“I wanted to try something else. Despite healing well, even a feline can take only so many falls.” Duncan pushed the door to the pub open and ushered her inside. “Want a glass of wine?”
“Please. I’ll grab a table.” Lana saw Richard standing at the bar with Marjorie and grimaced. Great. That was all she needed. He’d think she lied to him. Coming to a quick decision, she crossed the tiled floor to say hello instead of following her initial impulse to hide. “A friend dropped by after you left, Richard, and twisted my arm. Hi, Marjorie. How’s business?”
“Slow,” the brunette said. “I’m hoping it will improve. This flu seems to have hit the tourists too. When are you reopening?”
“Next week, all going well.”
“Good. Your coffee is so much better and I’ve been dying to have a piece of that caramel slice you make.”
“I’ll make a batch on opening day. See you later,” Lana said to both of them.
“Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?” Richard’s jaw stuck out in a pugnacious manner.
Lana kept her smile intact despite his snide tone. “Sure. We’re only here for a quick drink because I still have that GST return to do before tomorrow.” Lana sensed rather than saw Duncan behind her. “Richard, Marjorie, this is my husband’s cousin Duncan.”
Duncan set the drinks on the bar and stepped forward to offer his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Oh, a cousin,” Richard said, his shoulders visibly relaxing.
Lana wanted to hit him. His behavior had reached peculiar, almost as if he thought she belonged to him. Never. Not in this lifetime.
“We’re not related,” Duncan said.
Richard’s smile faded, and Lana had to work extra hard to maintain hers while Marjorie and Duncan chatted.
Finally Lana decided she’d suffered enough torture. Besides, Duncan had roused her curiosity. “I’ll see you at the opening next week,” she said.
“If not before,” Richard said.
Not if she saw him first. With a curt nod, Lana walked away at Duncan’s side. They took possession of a secluded corner table out of sight of Richard and Marjorie.
“Boyfriend?” Duncan asked.
“We’ve been out to dinner a few times.” Lana hated the defensive note in her voice. It was none of Duncan’s business.
“He wants more.”
“And I’m not interested. I have more important things to do.” So there! She’d told him. Lana reached for her wine, disturbed to find her hand trembling. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’ve bought a parcel of land not far from Cromwell. I intend to breed bulls for the South Island rodeo circuit, and after talking to Saber, I intend to dabble in grapes. They need more land for planting an
d I have it. Later on I might start a school to help train younger bull riders.”
“Oh.” It was all she could say. Inside, emotions rioted through her. Excitement. Alarm. And sex—she contemplated that too. One weekend hadn’t been enough to sate her craving for the physical outlet of sex. Lana glanced at Duncan and blushed at his intent regard. Desire spread, tugging at her breasts and tingles surged through her lower belly. A need for sex after a long drought. Nothing to worry about.
“Is that your only comment?”
“Wow. I’m…it’s unexpected. Of course I’m excited for you. Have you taken possession of the land yet? When did this happen? When did you decide to change directions?”
“I moved in last weekend.”
“And? Are you living there?” She’d see Duncan again, and he might be willing to share a bed on occasion. The idea put a brake on her thoughts. They didn’t have a future. Thinking of a relationship had landed her in trouble last time. Despite loving Jamie, the knowledge they’d grown apart gnawed at her. They might have ended up hating each other if they’d continued on the path they’d traveled.
“There’s a house on the property. Nothing flash, but I intend to work on improvements when I have time. You should see the land.” His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “There are acres of rolling hills and a stream runs through for water. Even at the height of summer there’s plenty of water for cattle.”
“A man with a dream.” The tight bands of anxiety loosened around Lana’s chest. She recognized the signs of ambition and determination since she bore the traits herself. And if he intended to work on the farm, he wouldn’t have time to bother her. “You didn’t say when you decided to go into farming.”
“I’ve been considering it for a while,” Duncan said, picking up his handle of beer to take a sip. “I waited for the sale to go through before I told anyone.”
Lana nodded, relaxing for the first time in the last two weeks. She leaned back into the squishy leather chair and drank her wine, comfortable with the silence that had fallen between them.
“Come back to my place with me tonight?”
Lana jolted, sending splashes of her wine flying before she could set her glass on the wooden-topped table sitting between them. Yes, she’d love to. “I don’t think so.” Good grief! What was she thinking? The paint fumes must have damaged a few brain cells.
“Why not? If your quarters are above the restaurant, won’t they smell of paint and varnish?”
“Yes, except I need to complete my GST return tonight.” It wasn’t an excuse, dammit. She needed to do her return.
“Bring your bookwork with you.”
“You wouldn’t mind if I did office work instead of paying attention to you?”
Duncan shrugged. “Why would I? I understand you have responsibilities. Besides, it won’t take the entire night to do the return. You could do it while I cook dinner.”
Lana’s mouth opened and closed a few times while she tried to decide on her reply. Shock tinged her thoughts. Duncan was offering to cook? Offering to give her time alone to do her bookwork?
“As long as you’re sure,” she said. Jamie had hated her doing anything that took her attention from him. Her work had become a sore subject, and she’d found it easier to cede to his wishes, saving an argument and days of uncomfortable silence.
“I’m sure. Do you want another drink or are you ready to leave?”
“I’m ready to go now,” Lana said. “It won’t take long to grab my laptop and the folders of paperwork.”
“What time do you need to be back in the morning?”
“The builders are coming around six. I’ve spoken with the foreman and they have a key.”
“I can have you back at ten. Is that okay?”
“Perfect. I could drive out to save you coming back.”
“I have to come back tomorrow to pick up an order of farm equipment. There’s no point taking your vehicle too.”
Lana shrugged, her pulse racing faster at spending time with Duncan even though her brain screamed of danger. Suddenly her eyes narrowed on him. “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
“Who mentioned a relationship? I want to spend a few hours with a friend. The farm will keep me busy. I figured if we were both free we could spend time together.”
A frown creased her brow while she considered Duncan’s words. “What did you have in mind?” She didn’t try to hide her suspicions.
“A meal together. A movie. Think you could handle that?”
Even though his mouth hadn’t quirked into even the faintest grin and his eyes appeared somber, his amusement shimmered in the air. “Aren’t you scared I’ll get the wrong idea? Want more than you’re prepared to give?”
Duncan had to work hard not to laugh aloud. She’d run a mile if he admitted he wanted her any way he could have her. No, since he required a more subtle game, he intended to woo her, play the long game. He had ideas all right, but he was a patient man. “I’m not worried. You’ve told me you want to grow your business and I understand because I want to do the same thing for mine.” They’d be together soon. He sensed it in his gut, and the weekend in her bed had solidified his plan. Spending time with her and not pushing would help build trust. Yeah, he’d sneak up and pounce before she grasped the danger.
“Oh. That’s okay then.”
Half an hour later Duncan drove through the outskirts of Queenstown and away from the narrow lake framed by The Remarkables mountain range. The journey took them through the Kawarau gorge to the Gibbston Valley with its acres of vineyards.
“That’s the Mitchell vineyard,” Duncan said, pointing to a group of buildings on the left dominated by one with a soaring roof.
“The shape reminds me of a bird in flight.”
“Yeah, Leo told me they’ve won design awards with the design.”
Lana nodded. “Now that I know the Mitchells own it I might make a point of stopping.”
Duncan wanted to say he’d take her but remained silent, not wanting to push too hard. “It’s not far to my place. Another fifteen minutes.” It was the damnedest thing—the nerves simmering in his stomach. He wanted Lana to like his farm.
He turned onto a side road and took the second left, driving down a long, winding gravel road before pulling up outside a bungalow-style house. Duncan had plans for the house and grounds, and while they needed work, the view was spectacular.
“Wow.” Lana scrambled from his vehicle and walked around to join him. “It’s a beautiful setting.”
Pride rose in Duncan along with contentment. He slung his arm around her shoulders and hugged Lana to his side. “I’m pleased with it.”
“What’s not to like?” Lana scoffed. “The rolling hills, the mountains in the distance. The river and the grapevines. It looks as if you could shift and run for miles without running into any humans.”
“How does a run now sound? It’s not dark for a couple of hours.”
“I’d love it.” Her eyes sparkled, and although he’d considered hustling Lana inside to show her his bedroom, a run excited her so much waiting seemed a small price to pay.
“What about your GST return?”
Lana wrinkled her nose. “A run will clear my head. I should complete the return in no time.”
Duncan stepped away from her and unfastened the buttons on his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought you wanted to go for a run.” Duncan liked the way Lana’s gaze dropped to his chest and had to bite back a groan when she licked her lips.
“I do.”
He tossed the shirt aside and bent to unlace his boots. He undid the button and zipper of his jeans, removing his boxers and socks to toss them in a heap. Naked, he turned to Lana. “Something wrong?”
“Ah no.”
Grinning, he pictured the feline in his mind and let the shift take him. He had her hooked. Now all he needed to do was reel her in.
Chapter Eight
“I enjoyed the run
so much,” Lana said, scooping her clothes off the ground. “I love your farm. The land is beautiful.”
Duncan nodded, gathering his own clothes and boots. “This plot spoke to me the first time I visited. Go take a shower and do your bookwork while I take care of dinner.”
Lana stopped walking. “Really?”
“Yeah, that way we can spend the rest of the night relaxing.” And doing more, he hoped. He scanned the part of her chest visible above the clothes she clutched. Damn, he wanted her. He opened the front door and stood aside to let her enter first. “Last door on the right is the bathroom. My bedroom is on the left.”
“Are we sleeping together?”
“If that’s what you want.” His breath caught while he waited for her reply.
“I want,” she said before sashaying away and disappearing into the bathroom.
Duncan dropped his boots by the door and grinned. After dressing, he turned and padded barefoot into the kitchen. He was gonna get lucky tonight. Until now he hadn’t been sure. After opening the battered fridge, he grabbed the bacon and egg pie Emily had sent for him. Saber had dropped it off when he’d gone to visit the family vineyard. Duncan turned on the oven and while he waited for it to heat, he made a lettuce salad to go with the bean salad Emily had also packed. Lana came into the kitchen with her laptop and two folders of invoices, settling with minimum of fuss to her bookwork.
While he worked on dinner, he glanced at her a couple of times, enjoying her presence, her feminine scent and the view she presented seated at his table.
His. His feline stirred in a reproachful protest. Duncan tamped him down, determined to work to his slow and steady plan. The cat-and-mouse thing and the skillful chase had gone well so far. It wouldn’t do to screw up his hard work by letting his feline take control.
The phone rang and Duncan strode over to the kitchen counter to grab the receiver. “Hello.”
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