Suddenly his contentment started to feel a little shaky. ‘What is it?’ he asked, gaze firmly now on her. His heart beating that little bit faster.
‘Why did you tell Debs not to say anything to me about the tickets you bought her?’
‘I didn’t want you feeling beholden to me.’ Suddenly he found he couldn’t look into her eyes. ‘I wanted you coming to me because you couldn’t live without me. Not because you had to thank me.’
There, he’d done it again. Mentioned a forever future for them.
And it was met by another deafening silence. One which made his heart tighten fiercely in his chest. Could he live with dating her, knowing she didn’t want anything more? Knowing she wouldn’t ever want to marry him?
‘I was on my way to you, you know.’
Her quietly spoken words crashed through his thoughts. ‘You were?’
‘Just before you turned up, I’d planned to go and knock on your door. Well, to ring your fancy intercom.’
His eyes searched her face, desperate to know if she was telling the truth. ‘Really?’
‘Really.’ She sighed, dropping a brief kiss on his chest. ‘You must think what we have has been very one-sided, but I had my reasons for pushing you away, you know. Good reasons, at least I thought they were at the time, though you managed to plough your way right through them.’
He felt the bump of his heart as he asked, ‘Those reasons. Are they still valid?’
She snorted. ‘I’m in bed with you, naked. They clearly aren’t important anymore.’
‘They are if they come between us eventually.’
Her eyes flicked to his and for a moment she looked almost shy. Nervous. ‘What do you think of tabby cats?’
It wasn’t a question he’d been expecting, but there was something in the stiff set of her shoulders, the tilt of her chin, that told him his answer was very important. ‘I’ve not had many dealings with felines of any description, but if I was to have a cat, I’d choose a tabby over a pedigree any day.’
Her shoulders relaxed a little. ‘Why?’
‘Because they’re strong, smart, independent. They don’t sit around all day looking pretty. They get out there and get on with life.’
She nodded, the twitch of her lips hinting that he’d said the right thing. ‘And how do you feel about lions?’
‘Lions?’ He stared at her, wondering what was going on in that amazing mind of hers. ‘I think they’re beautiful beasts, but the closest I want to get to one is on the television screen.’ He raised a hand to her face, tracing his thumb along the smooth skin of her cheek. ‘What’s going on here, Kat?’
She shook her head. ‘No biggie. It turns out I’m not quite as secure in myself as I thought I was, at least not when it comes to thinking I’m right for you.’
‘Kat.’ He almost barked out her name, so great was his frustration. ‘You’re perfect for me. It’s me who isn’t good enough for you, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to be.’ He swallowed down his fear and looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I want to marry you, Kat.’
He didn’t think it was possible for her eyes to get any larger. ‘Marriage?’
Ignoring the warning in his head that he might be about to ruin everything, he pushed on. ‘I don’t mean tomorrow, though if I thought you’d say yes, I’d drop down on bended knee now.’ He pressed a kiss to her lips, hoping against hope that her expression was a happy dazed and not a bloody-hell-get-me-out-of-here dazed. ‘I plan on dating you first, getting you used to the idea of me being a permanent fixture in your life. Then persuading you to come and live with me in my soulless apartment, filling it with your warmth, your laughter, and your clutter.’
Her face slowly lost its frozen look and hope surged as he watched a wide smile spread across her gorgeous features. ‘I like the sound of that.’
Heart in his mouth, he asked the question. ‘Which part?’
‘All of it. The dating, the living with you.’ She bit down on her lip and looked him straight in the eyes. ‘The eventual marriage.’
And now he felt it. The delirious happiness, his heart so full it almost hurt. ‘Thank God for that.’ But just as he was about to kiss those bewitching lips, to seal the deal in the most delicious way, she pressed a hand to his chest, holding him back.
‘This being with me for the rest of your life. The future marriage.’
He stared down at her hand, and then up at her face, noting the mischievous glint in her eyes. ‘Yes?’
‘Please tell me you’re not expecting to find your slippers by the fire every night?’
Amusement, joy and a fair amount of relief, all came together in an explosion of laughter. ‘Good God, Kat. Given your distaste for neatness, I’ll be grateful to find my slippers at all.’
Then she was laughing, too, and Zac’s last thought, before he swept her into his arms, was that it was a noise he was very much looking forward to getting used to.
Epilogue
Kat stood in front of the mirror, turning first to the left and then to the right.
‘You look amazing. Now quit gawping at yourself and do up my zip.’ Mandy turned her back towards her. ‘This dress had better fit. I never realised giving up alcohol would make me crave sugar instead. It’s been hell trying to get rid of all the weight I gained.’
It had been just over a year since Mandy had come back from rehab. Just over a year since Debs had been kidnapped … which also meant it had been a year since Kat and Zac had started officially dating.
Kat obediently tugged at the zipper on Mandy’s dress, which glided up easily. ‘It fits perfectly. All those boot camps are paying off.’
Mandy waggled her eyebrows. ‘Yeah, in many ways.’
Her sister had the hots for the guy who ran the boot camps, which explained why she was turning up to them so religiously, but Kat was only too happy to see Mandy’s obsession with alcohol turn to an obsession with a personal trainer. Especially as she had a feeling the attraction was in no way one-sided.
‘Are you really sure this dress is okay?’ Kat asked her as she stared back into the mirror.
Mandy threw her hands up in the air. ‘I said so, didn’t I? And since when did you care so much about how you look?’
‘Err, since I find myself having to walk down a red carpet at a film premiere in front of a barrage of photographers?’
Mandy just grinned. ‘Hey, it was your choice to fall for a film star.’
‘It wasn’t exactly a choice,’ Kat muttered, smoothing down the purple silk. It felt so foreign to her. Maybe she should have stuck to black. But she always wore black, and tonight she wanted to look special for Zac. Okay, cut the crap, tonight she wanted to bloody dazzle for him. Not that he’d ever given her cause to think she didn’t actually dazzle for him every night – it still took her breath away, that look that came into his eyes whenever he saw her. A hungry, possessive look that told her everything she needed to know about how he felt. Tonight was their first public occasion together though, and she might be convinced she was right for him, but damn it, she wanted the world to realise it, too.
Mandy gave her waist a gentle squeeze. ‘He’ll love it,’ she reassured. ‘Mostly because it’s on you, but then he’s apparently blind that way.’ Kat gave her a shove and Mandy laughed. ‘Okay, okay, you’re gorgeous and he’s a lucky bloke. Now is Debs still in the blinking bathroom?’
‘No.’ Debs emerged from the en suite in a cloud of steam, a towel wrapped around her.
Mandy looked at her watch, and then at her daughter. ‘Are you planning on going to the premiere dressed like that? If not, you’d better get your skates on.’
‘Chill, Mum. There’s loads of time.’
The inevitable ensuing argument about how long it took Debs to do her hair – which Kat had to admit was longer than it took for her to make and eat her dinner – was halted by a knock on the door.
‘Bet that’s lover boy, finally finished with his interviews.’
&nb
sp; It always made Kat laugh that Mandy called Zac Edwards, distinguished actor brought up by Lord and Lady Edwards, lover boy. Then again, to her and her family, he was simply the guy she’d fallen in love with.
Her hormones sighed when she opened the door. It didn’t matter whether it had been a few hours, as today, or a week since she’d last seen him, his stunning looks always took her breath away. And when he wore a tux, like he was now, God help her. ‘Well hey there, Mr Edwards. Don’t you clean up nicely.’
It was only then she realised Zac wasn’t looking at her … well, he was, but not at her face. His eyes were skimming up and down her body like they couldn’t get enough of her. ‘Heavens above, Kat. What are you trying to do to me? It’s clinging. There’s cleavage. And it’s not black.’ He raked a hand through his previously neatly combed hair. ‘I rather think I’m going to have to drag you back to our room and take it off you.’
His eyes finally made it to hers and her heart skipped a beat as she saw both the desire, and the adoration. To know she was so cherished, and by him. It was beyond her wildest imagination. ‘You do, huh?’ She gave him a saucy smile. ‘Well I look forward to that. After we’ve sat through this flipping film of yours that everyone seems so excited about.’
‘Everyone, including you.’ He bent to give her a light, sexy kiss. ‘Come on, admit it. You’re dying to see me on the big screen.’
‘I see enough of you in real life. Tonight is for all those poor women who don’t get that dubious honour.’ But, she conceded, she was looking forward to seeing the film that had brought him into her life.
Rather than taking offence, he smirked. ‘Ah, but you get to see parts of me they don’t.’ Debs let out a rather loud cough, and looked like she was trying desperately not to laugh. Immediately Zac’s focus zeroed in on the other two people in the room. ‘My apologies.’ Zac gave Mandy and Debs a courtly bow, which should have looked ridiculous, but didn’t. ‘I forgot there were ladies present.’
‘Oh my God, he’s such a charmer.’ Mandy made a shooing signal with her hands. ‘Will you two please bugger off. Me and my daughter need to get ready for this fancy premiere we’re going to.’
Kat picked up her clutch bag and walked towards the door. Yes, it was true, she’d actually been persuaded to buy a rectangle of material that was only big enough to carry a stupid lipstick. Like she needed that. What she wanted was a headset so she could listen in to Mark and the team, but apparently she wasn’t allowed that tonight. Apparently tonight she was the one being guarded, which, frankly, sucked. ‘We’ll see you inside.’ Apparently – there was that word again – she wasn’t allowed to walk quietly into the cinema unobserved like everyone else. No, she had to arrive in a big showy limo and get photographed.
And apparently, she was so nervous about the whole stupid walking down a carpet in front of the press thing, she was saying the word apparently far too many flaming times.
***
Zac glanced sideways at the woman fidgeting beside him. Christ, she was gorgeous. Even sat there looking like she wanted to bolt, in a dress that, while stunning, she clearly didn’t feel comfortable in.
He reached for her hand and held it in his. ‘We’re just walking into the cinema.’
She snorted. ‘Yeah, with cameras watching our every move, and reporters ready to pounce the moment they spot you.’
‘You could have gone with Mandy and Debs,’ he reminded her. He’d given her the opt out, though he’d likely ruined his magnanimous gesture by adding he’d rather she went with him. And then totally dipped into blackmail by telling her he wanted to show the world who he was in love with.
‘I could have, but that would have been the coward’s way out.’ She sat up straighter and gave him a determined look. ‘I’m not a coward.’
‘Exactly.’ It’s what he’d been counting on. ‘So, to a brave woman like yourself, this is a doddle.’
She had no time to argue with him because the limo glided to a halt, and a doorman, complete with uniform and white gloves, reached out to open it.
‘Shit.’ The curse was muttered beneath Kat’s breath. ‘I can’t believe you conned me into this.’
Laughter rolled through him as he watched her climb, a tad inelegantly, out of the car.
‘Relax.’ He held out his arm for her to take. ‘And remember, they’re far more interested in me, than you.’
She gave him a cool look, which only made him want to laugh harder.
He was accosted straight away, as he knew he would be. Being the star of the film, this was just one of many promotional events he was scheduled to take part in. Usually he disliked this part of his job – he was an actor, skilled at giving lines someone had written down for him, not ad-libbing his own. Tonight though, with Kat on his arm, it didn’t feel like a chore. It felt like fun.
Well, it had, until he noticed the way she kept looking around them as they made their way slowly up the red carpet.
‘Lift up your left hand.’ She gave him a strange look, but for once did as he asked. ‘What do you see?’
‘A bloody great rock.’
He smiled. ‘I was thinking more along the lines of a flawless four-carat emerald-cut diamond, but your version works, too. Why are you wearing it?’
‘Err, because you gave it to me?’
He could see another reporter lining up to muscle in, so he knew he had to make this quick. ‘You’re wearing it because you’re my fiancée,’ he hissed.
She rolled her eyes. ‘Well, thanks for the reminder but I already know that.’
‘Then why are you acting like my bodyguard?’
She huffed. ‘Because it’s easier being that right now.’
Immediately his heart turned to mush. ‘Hey, look at me.’ When she did, her brown eyes so full of trust, he smiled and kissed her. Then kissed her again. He knew damn well flashing bulbs were going off all around them but he didn’t care. ‘How about now?’ he whispered when he drew away.
Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing quicker. ‘I think I prefer being your fiancée.’ Ignoring the man with the microphone hovering to the right of them, she tipped her head back up to his. ‘But I need a bit longer to decide.’
Laughing, he bent to kiss her again, driving them both mad for a few more pulsing moments. ‘Umm, Zac Edwards. Snogging on the red carpet.’ She smirked up at him. ‘And I thought you were The Good Guy.’
He smiled. ‘Haven’t you realised it yet? I’m not The Good Guy, I’m Your Guy.’
THE END
If you enjoyed Up Close and Personal, don’t miss Strictly Come Dating, a joyously heartwarming and uplifting romantic comedy inspired by your favourite dance show. Get your copy here!
Be sure to follow Kathryn Freeman on Twitter @KathrynFreeman1, on Facebook @kathrynfreeman, and check out her website at kathrynfreeman.co.uk for all the updates on her latest work.
You will also adore The New Guy, an irresistible romance following the riotous dilemma of CEO Sam Huxton when her one-night stand shows up the next day as her new employee. Get your copy here!
Find us at @0neMoreChapter_ on Twitter and @0neMoreChapter on Facebook where we’ll be shouting about all our new releases.
Happy reading!
Acknowledgements
‘So,’ my editor said to me, ‘how about writing a book about a female bodyguard?’
How could I turn down a challenge like that? So a huge thank you to the fabulous Charlotte Ledger, not only for being the inspiration behind this book, and for guiding me into directions I wouldn’t otherwise have considered, but for doing it with such enthusiasm and warm encouragement. I love, love, love writing for you and the One More Chapter team.
My second thank you is to my gorgeous nieces, Gracie and Tiegan, who kindly read through the sections where Debs appeared and helped correct this boomer’s language … err is that the right word? Or are you cringing again?! A mention too, for my other gorgeous niece, Maddi, just for being herself
Really I should mention
my hubby too, who acted as my beta reader yet again, and gave me the idea of the teapots. And I can’t not mention my sons, who might groan and complain when I talk about my writing, but do provide help when I ask for it (give me some cool names, what car should he drive, what should we call his film …).
I’d also like to thank members of the writing community, the authors and bloggers, who are always so supportive.
And a shout out to friends and family who, through their unstinting support, have helped with every book I’ve written. To David and Jayne, Anne and Keith, Shelley, Kath, Karley, Kirsty, Charlotte, Sonia, Gill, Tara and Jane to name but a few.
A big thank you to my lovely mum, too, who has been with me every step of this exciting writing journey, though she does have this confession. ‘I do enjoy your books, but I keep falling asleep.’ Don’t worry, I won’t take it personally, Mum. Love you
Most importantly of all, thank you for buying Up Close and Personal. I hope you enjoy reading Kat and Zac’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Also by Kathryn Freeman
The New Guy
Strictly Come Dating
About the Author
Kathryn started her working life as a retail pharmacist but soon realised trying to decipher doctors’ handwriting wasn’t for her. In 2011, backed by her family, she left the world of pharmaceutical science to begin life as a self-employed writer.
She lives with two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in her life is all in her head.
@KathrynFreeman1
@kathrynfreeman
@KathrynFreeman
kathrynfreeman.co.uk
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Up Close and Personal Page 29