At Last (Time for Love, #5)

by Miranda P. Charles

  Greg ran his hand over his face as the call ended.

  The security staff member they’d sent to observe the man claiming to be Gemma’s fan had lost him when the ‘fan’ went to the train station—all because their guy couldn’t find a parking spot so he could follow on foot.

  They had no other details about this man yet—no name, no address, just a photo. The concerning thing was that he was spotted stopping a mother and her daughter, who happened to read a sign posted on the door of Gemma’s closed studio. At least reporters and paparazzi could generally be trusted to behave almost predictably. But if this man was somehow crazed, who knew what he’d do?

  Greg shook his head. There were no two ways about it. Gemma would have to have security around her when she went back home. He hoped she wouldn’t freak out too much when she heard the news.

  Should he tell her soon, or could he wait until just before she was due to leave the Sanctuary? The last thing he wanted was for her to spend time worrying about this issue when she should be enjoying her holiday. But at the same time, he wanted her to get used to the idea so she could mentally and emotionally prepare herself for the coming disruption.

  He got up. He’d have a shower, then he’d find her. It would be best if she knew immediately. Then he’d have plenty of time to convince her that although it wasn’t fun having her privacy and security threatened, she didn’t have to worry. He’d make sure she was safe.

  His heart jumped strongly enough that he frowned. What was that reaction about?

  Ignore it, Greg. It’s just about you dying to sleep with Gemma—and you can’t.

  He pressed his lips in a thin line. She was proving to be his biggest frustration.

  *****

  Greg smiled at the picture of his gran and Gemma enjoying breakfast together. Somehow he knew Gemma would be up by now. She seemed to love mornings. Early yesterday, he’d noticed her taking photos of the plants, birds and landscape around her. Her face had been a picture of such joy and contentment that he’d stood by his window for ages, just watching her.

  “Gregory!” his gran cried. “I can’t believe you’re up already after last night.”

  “Who said I went to sleep?” he asked with a deadpan expression.

  Both Magda’s and Gemma’s jaws dropped to the floor, and he laughed out loud.

  “That’s not good, Gregory. You need sleep,” Magda said, glaring at him from over the top rim of her glasses.

  He leaned down to kiss Magda’s forehead and winked at Gemma. “Is four hours good enough for you?” he asked his grandmother. “I’ve done nothing but relax since we got here.”

  “We only got here three days ago,” Magda retorted. “This has been your first proper break from work in almost a year. You in particular have been working extra-long hours every day for months now.”

  “Well, someone has to pick up the slack, since the CEO and the COO of our company both decided to fall in love and get busy preparing for engagements and weddings and such. So I, the indispensable baby brother, have to keep things running smoothly while those two give their women some well-deserved attention. But don’t worry, Gran. I’m getting plenty of rest.”

  Magda sighed. “If you had a partner who looked after you, like your brothers have Rebecca and Sarah, I wouldn’t worry so much.”

  He rolled his eyes. “This is what I have to put up with at least once a week,” he complained to Gemma.

  “I hear it a lot, too,” she said.

  “What? She also nags you to find someone?”

  “No,” Gemma said with a giggle. “She tells us that she wishes you’d settle down.”

  Greg wrinkled his nose. “You look after me, Gran,” he said to Magda. “That’s good enough, isn’t it?”

  “It’s not the same, Greg,” Magda said. “You know that seeing all three of my grandsons happily married is one of my last unfulfilled wishes—apart from having great-grandkids to help raise, of course.”

  “And spoil, no doubt,” Greg said. “I’m sure Zach and Jeff would gladly grant you great-grandkids. As for me, don’t I keep telling you I’m still happy with my single life?”

  “I know, dear,” Magda said with resignation. “Don’t mind me. I’m just an old grandma who wants her beloved grandsons to have the best in life. And I truly believe that the love of the right woman can do wonders for your overall well-being. Look at how happy your brothers are.”

  He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “You’re not planning on setting me up with daughters or granddaughters of your friends while we’re here, are you?”

  Magda had been quite vocal with her opinion that it should be Greg, not Zach or Jeff, who should stay at the Sanctuary to play host to their VIP guests who’d be staying in the next two months. He didn’t mind. He enjoyed this place and hadn’t spent enough time here in the past. But he wouldn’t put it past his grandmother to want to play Cupid with a girl she thought would be suitable for him.

  “No. None of my friends are arriving with ladies in your age group,” Magda said.

  “What about those who have already arrived?” he asked, thinking of Liana and Annette.

  Magda sighed. “Honestly, Gregory. I don’t think you need my help with any woman in this place. It seems to me that it’s them who’d welcome some help when it comes to you,” she observed dryly.

  He chuckled. “The time may come when I’ll eventually want to settle down, Gran. But I don’t see it in my near future, so please don’t hold your breath.”

  Magda shook her head with slight irritation. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Have you ordered breakfast?”

  As if on cue, Greg’s breakfast arrived.

  “You have impeccable timing, Phoebe,” he said. “Thank you.”

  Phoebe smiled while she efficiently arranged his breakfast in front of him, before quietly leaving.

  “Let’s talk about Gemma,” Magda said.

  “Yes, let’s,” he answered, taking a deep breath.

  “I’ve told her about the man who claims to be her fan,” Magda said quietly.

  He glanced at Magda, then turned to stare intently at Gemma. “You know you don’t have to worry, right?” he asked her. “I’ll have a security detail assigned to you when you go back home. I promise they won’t be too intrusive, although you will need to be a bit more careful than usual—at least, until we know more about this fan of yours.” He tried to sound unperturbed, not wanting her to be overly concerned. Gemma wasn’t used to this kind of attention and he knew she’d find it quite unsettling.

  “The fact that he calls himself my fan actually disturbs me,” Gemma admitted. “I mean, how could anyone be my fan? I’m just an ordinary piano teacher. If it were some woman hassling me because she thinks I’m your girlfriend and wants me out of the way, then I wouldn’t be surprised. But someone saying he’s my fan? That’s like, why?”

  “Hey, don’t sell yourself short,” he answered. “Who knows, maybe he’s heard you sing and play the piano before. Anyone who has could easily become a big fan. I became one last night.”

  “Me, too,” Magda quipped.

  Gemma blushed prettily.

  He smiled. Gemma really had no idea how good she was. It was kind of cute—and refreshing. Lately, the women who’d been hanging around him were more than eager to talk themselves up. They painted their status and social connections in the best possible light, especially when they recognised they were in competition with other ladies for his attention.

  Not that Gemma was trying to attract his attention like the others. That wasn’t the case at all.

  A pang of disappointment hit him, and he frowned at it.

  “Before last night, I hadn’t performed in front of anyone except for my family, friends, students and their parents,” Gemma said. “I’m sure this person is not one of them. Do you think he could be really dangerous?”

  “We’ll find out more about him soon enough,” he replied. “For now, there’s no reason for you to be concerned about this. N
o one could stalk you in here.”

  “Which is why Gemma is staying here until she needs to go back to her students in February,” Magda interjected.

  His brows rose as a burst of excitement shot through him. “Great idea!”

  Gemma smiled. “You’ll have an extra in-house entertainer for a few weeks. That’s the least I can do for you guys for putting me up in this place for that long.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Gem,” he censured. “You don’t need to do anything in exchange for your stay here.”

  “Of course I do! This place is... is heaven,” Gemma said animatedly, sweeping her arms at the pool and the surrounds to emphasise her point. “The average person can’t afford to stay here. Even some with lots of money can’t get a reservation. And yet I’ll be here for more than a month, occupying a suite that you could give to a paying guest. It’s way too generous of you guys. My playing the piano for a few hours a week doesn’t make up for the cost of—”

  Greg pushed a piece of warm, freshly baked bread in Gemma’s mouth to try to shut her up. He didn’t like to hear things like that, especially from Gemma. And it worked! She stopped talking and started chewing. He grinned at the deep frown she gave him.

  “Nice, isn’t it?” he teased.

  Gemma tried to scowl harder, but a reluctant smile formed on her face. “Yum,” she acknowledged.

  “Our chefs make the best bread. The best food,” he said proudly.

  “I wholeheartedly agree,” Gemma said. “But, Greg, seriously—”

  He pretended to feed her another piece.

  Gemma puffed in resignation. “Okay. I won’t mention it again. But I’m still playing,” she added stubbornly.

  “Fine. You love to play, so that’s cool,” he conceded, popping the bread in his mouth. “And the guests would be pleased to hear it, too.”

  “We have company,” Magda murmured.

  Greg glanced at his grandmother. Then he saw Liana approaching them, wearing a skimpy bikini top and a sarong wrapped around her waist. Clearly, she was ready for a swim.

  It intrigued Greg that Magda didn’t seem pleased that Liana was joining them. With Tony Sanders, Liana’s father, being one of his dad’s best friends when his dad was still alive, he’d gotten plenty of not-so-subtle nudges from Magda in the past to ask Liana out. But his grandmother had been holding back on that front lately. Perhaps because Annette was around, too. Annette’s family was also close to the Carmichaels.

  “Hi!” Liana called out, waving to them.

  They all waved back.

  Greg was surprised to see Liana looking fresh and upbeat. She’d been quite drunk last night, or rather early this morning. She’d flirted with him outrageously and had not cared who was watching. Fortunately, Liana’s parents had already gone to bed. With Liana’s folks also keen for their only daughter to end up with him, it would have been uncomfortable if they’d witnessed Annette’s jealous and intoxicated reaction to Liana’s antics. Annette had literally jumped on him and kissed him on the lips without warning in the middle of the dance floor.

  Thank God he could rely on the staff to keep quiet about everything they saw and heard at the Sanctuary. As for their guests, they were people who didn’t want their privacy breached either, so none of them were likely to leak whatever happened within the resort to the hungry press.

  Those reasons were precisely why those who stayed at the Sanctuary got complacent enough to let their hair down and do the things they’d think twice about doing elsewhere. So he wasn’t surprised that both Liana and Annette—who presented an image of sophistication, restraint and supreme self-confidence in public—didn’t seem to have qualms with openly fighting over him.

  The two women were the aggressive, alpha-female types who were used to getting what they wanted. And they’d already made it clear they wanted him. He was flattered, of course. Who wouldn’t be? But he was starting to think he’d rather not have the headache. While he was sure the other guests would see any rivalry between the girls as more of an entertainment than an irritation, he’d still need to handle things delicately. Luckily, Liana was due to leave in just over a week and Annette a week after that. He’d still have a good few weeks of peace in the resort after they were gone.

  He almost laughed out loud. He couldn’t believe he was looking forward to two beautiful women going away and leaving him alone.

  “Glad to see you’re already up, Greg,” Liana said, plonking herself right next to him. “I was going to ask if you wanted to join me for a swim, and here you are!”

  “Did you have a late night, Liana?” Magda asked.

  “Gosh, yes! I can’t even remember what time I left the party. I’m still a bit fuzzy in the head, but I had a Berroca before I went to bed and after I woke up this morning, so that seemed to have helped.”

  “Yes, you need to hydrate yourself,” Magda said.

  Liana nodded, reaching for Greg’s glass of water. “Do you mind, darling?” she asked sweetly.

  “It’s yours,” Greg answered.

  “Thank you,” Liana purred, before taking a couple of big gulps. “Hey, guess what?” she said, looking at Greg, then Magda. “My dad agreed with me that it would be a good idea if I extended my stay here for a few more weeks. I’ve been struggling to finish my new designs for my planned clothing label, and this place is giving me a good dose of inspiration. I’ve already confirmed with reception that they could make my suite available for me for an extended stay, so I’ll be here for another full month!”

  “That’s great,” Magda murmured politely.

  “I’ll make sure this one doesn’t overwork himself while I’m here, Magda,” Liana said, putting her arm around Greg’s shoulders. “I heard you mentioning to my parents how your grandsons are such workaholics that you hoped they’d relax enough while they’re here.”

  Gemma cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she said, rising from her seat. “I better go and, uh, talk to the activities director.”

  “It’s Christmas, Gem,” Greg said softly, not wanting her to leave yet. “It can wait.”

  “Oh, right. Well, I’ll go see if my parents are up. They have to go home tomorrow, and I want to spend some time with them today.”

  “Aren’t you gonna join us for a swim, Gemma?” Liana asked, sliding closer to Greg, almost rubbing herself against him.

  Greg stiffened, but it would be too impolite to push her away.

  “Not today,” Gemma said with a small smile, then waved goodbye.

  Greg reached for his coffee and deliberately extended his elbow so Liana would give him some room. How funny was it that he’d been so excited about Gemma staying at the Sanctuary until February, and how flat he’d become upon hearing that Liana would be around, too?

  Argh. His attraction for Gemma was obviously growing stronger. He’d better do something before it became irresistible enough that he’d find himself seducing her while he was wide awake. He didn’t want to complicate things. Going for Gemma would certainly create more problems than he wanted to deal with.

  Couldn’t he just pick any other pretty woman to be his fling for the coming weeks? Or maybe he could fly a fuck-buddy over to the Sanctuary?

  But those options didn’t excite him.

  Only Gemma did.

  Ah, hell. How frustrating!

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Gemma stopped walking to take a picture with her phone of a kookaburra perched on a tree branch. She must already have taken over a hundred shots of the flora and fauna within the Carmichael Sanctuary, and she’d only been here a week. There was something about being in nature that made her feel inspired and at peace, and she wanted to bring home memories when it was time to leave.

  Ben, one of Jeff’s friends, stood beside her and pointed the impressive-looking lens of his digital SLR camera at the bird, which seemed unperturbed by the attention.

  “No prizes for guessing who took a better photo,” she commented as Ben finished clicking.

  Ben chuckled. “
Don’t be fooled. Just because I’ve got this doesn’t mean I’m an expert photographer. Besides, the cameras on those phones are getting better and better.”

  “Well, they’re good enough for me,” she said, turning to take a quick snap of Sarah and Jeff, who were right behind them.

  “Could you forward that to me, Gem?” Sarah asked. “And also the ones you took from the beach yesterday?”

  Gemma grinned. “If you lovebirds would let go of each other’s hands for a few seconds, you could take your own pictures.”

  “Hey, I can multitask,” Jeff quipped, fishing his phone from his pocket and taking a photo of the group walking up ahead, without letting go of Sarah with his other hand. They laughed when the stolen shot Jeff took captured Ash giving Brenna a peck on the lips.

  About ten of them were following Robert, the Sanctuary’s outdoor activities director, to a ‘surprise’ location in the rainforest through a trail Gemma hadn’t noticed before in her previous walks. Admittedly, she’d only covered a tiny portion of the expansive property. It was a good thing she’d be here long enough to explore more of this awesome setting.

  “So what exactly are we going to see at this spot we’re going to, Jeff?” Ben asked.

  “I can’t tell you,” Jeff answered. “Robert won’t be happy with me if I popped his balloon. He wants it to be a surprise. Actually, I haven’t seen it yet, either. It was only set up last year, and this is the first time I’ve been back in three years.”

  “I guess we’ll know soon enough. Is this your first time here at the Sanctuary, Gemma?” Ben asked.

  “Yes,” she answered. “In fact, I haven’t been to Serenade Bay before this.”

  “Oh, right,” Ben said. “The last time I was here was five years ago, when Jeff had his twenty-fifth birthday. This is my favourite Carmichael resort out of the four I’ve been to.”

  “I’ve only been to a couple,” she responded. “This and Magda’s Place at the Hunter Valley.”

  “Ah, Magda’s Place... where we first met earlier this year during the birthdays of these two,” Ben said, pointing to Jeff and Sarah and grinning at her.