by Sue MacKay
She stumbled, quickly recovered. ‘What about Aimee?’ What happened to asking me?
‘Brendon’s happy to look after her. He’s got to get his fishing tackle ready and cook a pie or something for lunch tomorrow.’
Her chuckle warmed him. ‘Dad’s fishing gear is always ready.’
‘Yeah, I kind of figured that, but I’m not going to turn him down when he offers to babysit so I can take you out for some one-on-one time. So, my lovely, how about you take yourself inside for a long, relaxing shower or bath? Then dress in something gorgeous and we’ll hit the town.’ Excitement twirled in his belly. A night out with Charlie. Bring it on.
CHAPTER NINE
MARSHALL STARED AT the apparition floating down the hall towards him. A cloud of pink and yellow balanced on dangerously high heels. A hint of frangipani tickled his nose, bringing back memories of nights on the beach in Honolulu. The biggest, sweetest smile he’d ever seen split Charlie’s face.
He could not speak. The roof could’ve fallen on his head and he wouldn’t have got a word out. Charlotte was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, had ever had the good fortune to meet and touch, to kiss and laugh with. Holy Toledo.
‘Marshall? Is something wrong?’ The hesitancy in her voice mobilised him.
Two strides and he reached for her hands. Her fingers curled around his. ‘No.’ A swallow. ‘Nothing.’
Her eyes scrunched up, her brow creased. ‘I can change if my dress is all wrong. I’m so not used to dressing up these days.’
Now he got the hang of talking. ‘Don’t you dare. You look sensational. You took my breath away, that’s all.’ That’s all? It was huge. He didn’t usually stop breathing for anyone, let alone a woman. But Charlie was something else. If he ever fell in love it would have to be with someone exactly like her.
Relief battled with laughter in her eyes as she relaxed. ‘Thank goodness for that. For a moment there I thought I’d have to wear my best pair of jeans.’
‘Want to say goodnight to Aimee and your dad?’ He had to get out of there, get Charlie to himself. He’d come to Taupo with the vague idea of spending time with her, and so he had, but he’d been sharing her all the time. Tonight was his. Theirs.
*
The waiter showed them to their table at the window, where they had a bird’s-eye view of Huka Falls. Marshall had gone all out to find the best restaurant around. Charlie felt even more special, and determined to be fun and witty. And to stay awake—at least long enough to have dessert.
‘This is lovely,’ she murmured as she sank onto the chair he held out for her, having just nudged the waiter aside none too gently.
Then he further upset the young man by shifting his setting around so that he sat beside her and not opposite. ‘I want to see the view too.’
The way his voice caressed her, she wondered exactly which view he meant. Though if he’d wanted to stare at her all night, he wouldn’t have shifted, would he? Then his shoulder settled against hers and his hip touched hers and she smothered a sigh of pleasure. When his hand engulfed hers she smiled directly at him. ‘Are we eating one-handed? Rice or mashed spuds maybe?’
His grin warmed her through and through. ‘I’ve missed you. I want to be with you. It’s been great staying at your house, getting to know you and your family, but tonight I want you for myself. All of you.’
Gulp. So they were to have an interesting, exciting evening, were they? Bring it on. Heat trickled along her veins, warming her from head to toe. She loved being treated like someone very special. It boosted her flagging ego, made her feel completely feminine again. ‘I think I’ll have a glass of champagne tonight.’ Her strict regime of no alcohol could go to blazes. For tonight at least. She’d spent too long worrying about the possibilities of getting sick again. It was time to let her hair down and have fun. Pity she didn’t have that long hair Marshall had known before.
‘Atta girl. Let’s celebrate being together again after far too long apart.’
She could do that. And when a bottle of very good champagne appeared on their table almost immediately, she smiled. ‘So you’d already ordered?’
‘Yep. I remembered how much you used to enjoy drinking this stuff so hoped I could entice you into partaking tonight. I’m surprised that you don’t drink wine at all now.’
So she couldn’t relax completely. There was no way she’d spoil tonight with her sorry tale. ‘The moment I suspected I was pregnant I gave up anything remotely alcoholic. Then I breastfed Aimee for a while. Guess I’ve never really bothered since.’ She raised her glass and toasted him. ‘To you. Thanks for turning up out of the blue. You have no idea how much that meant.’
The rim of Marshall’s glass tapped hers very carefully. ‘The pleasure’s all mine. I really had missed you and during this last deployment found myself thinking about you more and more. Besides, I wanted to know how your medical career was going since I had some input in it.’ His lips seemed big and full against the delicate glass. Lips that could turn her body on with a single kiss. ‘I’m glad I followed up on those instincts.’
‘How often have you been deployed overseas since we were in Honolulu?’
‘Twice.’ When the gleam faded in his eyes she wished her question back. Marshall also had issues best left alone tonight.
Quickly changing the subject, she said, ‘Tell me about your grandparents and their farm. Didn’t you say you went there for school holidays?’ It must’ve been the right thing to say because the tension she’d begun to feel in the hand holding hers backed off. She turned a little so she could watch all his facial expressions. There’d never be enough time just to absorb them, drink in this man who had her heart in his care.
‘You’d have loved Grampy and Gran. They were so loving and sharing, like you and your father. I always put on a right performance when it was time to go back to whichever base my parents were at after my stays with them. I never understood why I couldn’t just go to their local school.’
‘So you went to a lot of schools?’
‘Oh, yes. Too many. Not like you, eh?’ His hand squeezed hers. ‘What is it like, living in the same place all the time?’
That was easy. ‘I don’t know anything different. Apart from Mum’s death, I had a truly happy childhood. I learned to sail on the lake and can catch a trout on a spinner.’ She grinned when his eyebrows rose. ‘There were week-long school trips to the mountains for skiing and day trips to Rotorua and the mud pools.’
‘You sound like a travel brochure.’
The champagne bubbles burst on her tongue. ‘That’s divine. How could I have managed not to have this for two years?’ She saw the waiter hovering and added, ‘Guess we’d better order our meal.’
‘What’s the hurry?’ Marshall picked up his menu.
I turn into a pumpkin at nine o’clock. ‘I’m hungry.’
Charlie ordered steak, medium-rare, and mushrooms, while Marshall went for the lamb rack. ‘Should try what this country’s famous for.’
‘Have you told any of your family about Aimee yet?’ she asked quietly a little while later.
‘No. I’d talk to you before I did that.’
She stared at him. ‘You don’t get it, do you?’ Hadn’t he picked up on any of her vibes? ‘If I hadn’t wanted you and your family’s involvement with Aimee I would’ve sent you packing the moment you stepped through the front gate.’
As the waiter placed their meals before them Marshall kissed her cheek. ‘Sometimes I get it wrong when it comes to knowing you.’
‘We don’t know much about each other at all.’ But for her it had been love at first sight.
They talked and ate and enjoyed the wine for the next hour. Marshall was reticent about his army career and his parents. Charlie avoided her illness completely, fudging over those months when she’d been going through treatment. He raved on about the farm in Montana and how he’d learned to ride horses when he was nine. She spoke of her girlfriends and all the pranks they’d go
t up to as teenagers, and how she hoped Aimee would have such good friends as she grew up.
‘Are any of those friends still living here?’ he asked as he reached for the dessert menu.
‘Jacqui’s a teacher at the local high school, and Lisa is a radiologist up the road at Waikato Hospital. It’s hard to see a lot of each other with our careers and families getting first dibs on our time. But twice a year we go away to a spa for a girls-only weekend.’
Marshall dropped his chin into his palm. He looked so sexy. Those come-to-bed eyes twinkled at her, making her toes curl with desire. How had she managed to stay out of his bed all week? ‘Spare me. I can hear the three of you now, talking non-stop for the whole weekend.’ Then he grinned at her. ‘I’m having the strawberries. You?’
‘Same,’ she muttered around a sudden yawn. At least she’d made it until now for the first one. Hopefully she’d be okay for the rest of their meal. Shouldn’t have had the champagne. Hurriedly covering her mouth as another yawn ripped through her, she forced herself to focus on the menu. ‘Strong black coffee, too.’
Marshall squashed a flare of disappointment when Charlie yawned for a third time. They’d made it to nine o’clock before her tiredness had won out. He’d been hoping that a change of environment, a romantic dinner for two and just relaxing and talking might’ve kept her alert for longer. But seemed he was wrong. She was fading fast. Leaning close, he kissed her cheek. Then the corner of her sweet mouth. Then her lips. She tasted of champagne and mushrooms.
‘Come on. Let’s go home.’ Standing, he lifted her up against him, kissing the top of her head softly. That exotic fragrance wove around him again. So Charlie. So erotic.
But Charlie sat back down. ‘No. We’ve ordered dessert and coffee. I’d like to enjoy them.’ Her eyes were wide as she stared up at him, as though she was deliberately holding them open while her brain was trying to make her go to sleep. ‘Please.’
‘Am I allowed to carry you out of here later?’ His grin was forced.
Glancing around the nearly full restaurant, Charlie laughed. ‘That’d be entertaining.’
‘That’s a yes, then.’ He slid back onto his chair and pulled it closer to her. To feel her thigh against his gave him a sense of belonging. Yet he never wanted to belong to someone, not even Charlie. That would mean living with her whenever he wasn’t on active duty, which he could handle, even enjoy.
But he never wanted see the light go out in her eyes as he packed to go away for months on end. He knew the hurt and anger and sense of abandonment that went with that look. Because he’d felt it, seen it in his own eyes every time his parents had headed out, leaving him behind.
Her elbow jogged him. ‘Where have you gone?’ she asked as she tried to hide another yawn.
‘I’m right here, babe.’ She shouldn’t be so tired all the time. About to ask about it, he stopped, swallowed the words. They were having a good time. Why spoil it? But he would be talking to her later. Maybe making an appointment for her with one of her partners at the medical centre.
Thankfully the desserts and coffee arrived and they went back to chatting about everyday things.
*
Marshall didn’t have to carry Charlie out of the restaurant but he did carry her up the path and through the front door of her house. She was unbelievably light in his arms. Her eyelids had drooped shut, her eyelashes dark on her pale cheeks. Not even the light dusting of make-up had given colour to her face. With her head lolling against his shoulder, he felt incredibly protective of her. Wanted to look out for her. Knew he’d do anything to keep her safe. And happy. Anything except quitting the army and letting his men down. Even that was beginning to feel odd.
‘Have a good time?’ Brendon asked from the kitchen doorway. ‘Charlie didn’t make it all the way, then?’ Sadness darkened his eyes as he followed them down the hall to Charlie’s bedroom. ‘Shame, when she was so excited about going out. It’s been so long since she dated.’ Ducking around them, he headed for the bed and pulled back the covers.
So Charlie hadn’t been dating. Didn’t make a lot of sense. She was attractive, gorgeous and very friendly. Having a toddler wouldn’t prevent most hot-blooded men from wanting to spend time with her. ‘We had a fabulous meal. Perfect setting for spending special time together.’
He placed Charlie on the bed, pulled up the sheet and tucked it under her chin. Standing back, he gazed down at the beautiful woman who’d somehow managed to snag his heart when he’d thought he’d had it well and truly locked away. Goddamn it, he loved her. No denying it. He loved her. For the way she just accepted him. For how she made no demands on him and didn’t ask what he was going to do about his daughter. Love meant protecting. It meant making sure Charlie and Aimee got what was best for them.
Brendon cleared his throat. ‘If it’s all right with you, I thought I’d head away tonight. Bill and I like to be on the river before sun-up and he’s already gone down to the shack.’
Twisting his head, he met the keen gaze of Charlie’s dad. This man was on the same page as him. Wanted only the best for his daughter and granddaughter. And yet he was leaving Marshall alone with them for the weekend. Didn’t he know what would most likely transpire? Then he saw the understanding, the acknowledgement of his daughter’s needs in the man’s eyes. ‘Of course it’s okay. Just bring me back a trout to taste, won’t you?’
‘Then I’ll be off.’ Brendon leaned down and kissed his daughter’s cheek. ‘Goodnight, sweetheart.’ When he stood up he was blinking hard.
What the hell? ‘Brendon?’
The guy turned for the hall, waving a hand over his shoulder. ‘See you Sunday night.’ Then the front door closed, and moments later Brendon’s car pulled out onto the road, the sound of the engine fading into the night.
Marshall went through the house, locking up and turning off lights. Was Brendon afraid he was going to take his girls away to the States? The man’s big heart wouldn’t stop them going if that’s what Charlie wanted, even though it would break him apart. If only the guy had said something, he’d have reassured him that wasn’t going to happen.
He had no intention of bundling Charlie and Aimee up and dragging them off to another country where they knew no one and would be left to fend for themselves for months at a time. He might like the army but Charlie living on base? After growing up here with family and friends all around? It would never work. Not to mention being totally unfair.
He checked on Aimee and grinned to see her lying on her back with her teddy clutched tightly against her. How had he managed to father something so gorgeous that his heart hurt? She was a cracker of a kid. A Kiwi kid. He kind of liked that.
Now what? He was feeling antsy. His night had been cut short. There’d been no particular plans for after dinner but Charlie falling asleep on him hadn’t featured either. His grin was self-deprecatory. So he’d been a boring date? Not if the way she’d cuddled in close to him had been a clue. That small, hot body had seemed to fold into his shape. No denying he’d hoped they might’ve got hotter than just touching.
It was time he found out what was going on with Charlie and why she had so little energy. He needed to know, wanted to help her if at all possible.
With a glass of bourbon in one hand and the bottle in the other, he returned to her bedroom and removed the workclothes she’d dumped earlier on the recliner chair in the corner. Pulling it out from the wall, he toed off his shoes and stretched out on the leather. The comfortable chair sucked him in, made him relax as he sipped his drink and watched over Charlie. He suspected he’d be there all night.
Not a problem. There’d been many nights in his life when he’d been on duty, watching out for something, someone. Tonight Charlie came under his scrutiny, and if she so much as whimpered in her sleep he’d be there for her. Not quite the way he’d thought he’d be spending nights with her when he’d hopped on that flight down to Auckland.
Strange how sitting here made him feel quite happy. True, he’d love not
hing more than to slip into bed and make love to her, bring her to the peak of ecstasy and hear her cry out before entering her. But that hot and fast relationship they’d had two years ago had morphed into something that touched him more than physically. Talk about complicating things.
He sipped his drink and tried not to think about how he’d deal with this new feeling for Charlie when he flew out of the country.
*
Charlie rolled over. Sweat ran between her breasts. Her hand slid over her damp neck, then further down. Huh? She was still wearing her dress. Why hadn’t she undressed before going to bed?
Sitting up, she pushed the sheet off and reached for the bedside light switch. A golden glow filled the dark room from the low-wattage bulb. The air in her lungs leaked out as she stared across at the nursing chair, where she’d spent many hours feeding Aimee. Correction, stared at the man sprawled over it. Marshall’s long legs spread off the end; his arms hung on either side, with his hands brushing the carpet. And the cutest little snore ricocheted around the room.
Now she remembered—dinner. She’d fed strawberries to Marshall, one at a time. He’d licked her fingers every time he’d taken another berry, sending slicks of heat up her fingers, her arms and throughout her body, making her crave his touch. For a while she’d believed she was in heaven and that she’d manage to stay awake for a few more hours to enjoy what was so obviously going to be a very exciting night in Marshall’s arms.
A rueful glance down at her dress. She’d let this wonderful man down. She remembered walking out of the restaurant clutching his arm, but the rest was a blank. No memory of the drive home, of coming inside or getting into bed. Marshall must’ve put her to bed. And now look at him. Sound asleep in her room. Had he been waiting, hoping she’d wake up so they could finish their evening in the way they’d been headed?
There was nothing to stop them having a good time now. A wicked sense of mischief teased her. Why not wake Marshall up and lead him to bed? Her bed. Or start undressing him, kissing any bare flesh that appeared. That would arouse him in more ways than one.