One Real Man (Entangled Bliss) )

by Kwan, Coleen

  She shrugged. “We just aren’t. Does there have to be a reason?”

  He could feel the tension in her shoulders. “There doesn’t have to be a reason,” he said carefully, “but if there is, I’d like to know.”

  He paused, but Natasha continued to study the bowl of chips. Uneasiness stirred in his gut as he recalled Paige’s warnings about Argyle House. He wouldn’t put up with anyone persecuting Natasha. Nobody was going to pick on his baby sister.

  “If there’s any bullying, you can tell me. I know how hard it can be to fit in sometimes, and that school of yours can be daunting. If you’re not happy there, just say the word and we’ll find you a better school.”

  Natasha lifted her head. “Oh, no, I don’t want to leave Argyle House. I love it there.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. No one’s bullying me. I stopped being friends with Gretel because I didn’t like the way she was manipulating me, making me do stuff I wasn’t comfortable with. I stood up to her, and she backed off.”

  “Well, uh, good for you.” His sister was a lot more mature than he gave her credit for. Slipping his arm free, he helped himself to a potato chip.

  Natasha nodded, her face becoming animated. “It was my fault. I was too eager for her approval, but after Paige talked to me, I realized how stupid I was. I’m hanging out with other girls now, girls who don’t push me around.”

  Owen compressed his lips at the mention of Paige’s name.

  “Paige was really good to me.” Natasha popped a couple of chips into her mouth. “I wish she was still here,” she mumbled around her food. “Why did she have to leave?”

  The ache returned to his chest as it always did when Paige crashed back into his thoughts. “She was only here temporarily. She had better things to do than be my housekeeper.”

  “Is she in Sydney?”

  “I guess.”

  “Don’t you still talk to her?”

  “No.” His jaw hurt from the grinding of his teeth.

  Natasha crunched another chip. “Are you moving out of this house because of her?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’m moving out because I don’t enjoy living here. I made a mistake, and fortunately Crystal Kerrigan wants the house back anyway, so everything works out.” When he’d called Crystal, at first she had been suspicious of his change of heart, but in the end she’d stiffly thanked him and even suggested he drop by for a drink sometime in the future, an offer he had no intention of taking up.

  “But this house is great,” Natasha said. “It’s big and it has a fantastic pool.”

  “Is that what you want? A fantastic pool? I’ll keep that in mind when I go house-hunting next week.”

  She turned to him swiftly. “No, I don’t need a pool or a big house. I’m just happy you’re staying in Burronga.” She gave him a quick hug before returning her attention to the movie playing on the television.

  Owen massaged the tight spot in his temple that had taken up permanent residence there ever since Paige left. Maybe it would disappear once he’d moved out of this house with all its reminders of Paige, but he doubted it, just as he doubted that any amount of hard work would fill the yawning hollowness inside him.

  …

  The entrance to the Burronga Country Club featured lots of wood and potted palms. The concierge gave Owen a quick once-over and didn’t seem to find any fault with Owen’s tailored trousers, business shirt, and taupe sports jacket. After signing the visitors’ register, Owen made his way to the restaurant at the rear of the clubhouse. Anticipation tingled along his nerves. Nate had been annoyingly mysterious about this lunch meeting with a potential investor. He’d refused to divulge any details, just insisted Owen be there at one o’clock.

  At least this was distracting him from the black mood he’d sunk into. Maybe for a few hours he might even stop thinking about Paige. So far, everything he’d tried to scrub her from his thoughts had failed miserably. Work hadn’t helped, especially when he’d had to tell Jim that the weekend had been a disaster. Jim hadn’t pressed him for details, the old guy probably sensing his hair-trigger mood. The house seemed to mock him now, and he spent as little time there as possible.

  Just outside the restaurant he paused to give himself a mental shake. Man, you’re letting Paige Kerrigan torture you all over again. He wasn’t a martyr. He wasn’t going to waste any more time on her. He would push all thought of Paige to one side and focus on this business meeting.

  Shoulders squared, he made his way through the restaurant. He spied Nate sitting with another man at a table near the terrace. The man had his back to Owen and at first glance didn’t appear familiar. Owen walked up and clapped his hand on Nate’s shoulder.

  “Hi, Nate.”

  Grinning a welcome, his friend stood to shake his hand. “Glad you could make it.” He gestured toward the stranger who had also risen to his feet. “I’d like to introduce you to Eric Jensen. Eric, this is Owen Bellamy.”

  Owen froze, hand half outstretched. Eric Jensen? What the hell was going on?

  The other man shook his immobile hand. “Afternoon, Owen. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

  Eric Jensen. The smooth golden boy who’d taken Paige to her school dance. The rich, handsome star who’d stood and watched while he was evicted from the hall. Dammit, there was no getting away from Paige.

  “Why don’t we sit?” Eric suggested. Still good-looking and prosperous, judging by the expensive watch on his wrist, he seemed a little on edge.

  “Not yet.” Owen pinned him with a heavy stare. “Does Paige have anything to do with this meeting?”

  The other guy fiddled with his watch before lifting his hands. “Well, yes. She approached me and said she knew of a lucrative property development I might want a piece of.”

  “She told you about my development?” His mind raced. Had Paige betrayed him? Had she leaked confidential details to her old friends? Acid stung the back of his mouth. His hands clenched spasmodically.

  “Not in much detail, but enough to pique my interest.”

  Slowly Owen unclenched his hands. “Didn’t know you were interested in property development.”

  “I’m the managing director of the family company, Jensen Capital. We’ve been around for generations. Took some hits in the past decade, but we’ve got a strong balance sheet, and we’re on the lookout for some good projects.”

  The man spoke easily and without bragging, but Owen couldn’t shake his suspicion. “I don’t understand why Paige approached you. Are you two friends?”

  “Uh, I wouldn’t go that far.” Eric’s face grew slightly pink. “I really haven’t spoken with Paige since that school dance…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “To be honest, back then I felt she just used me to make you jealous, and I was right because she avoided me afterward. Didn’t speak with her for years until a few days ago when she came to see me about your development. I thought she was pulling my leg, but she was very persistent. In the end, I agreed to Nate setting up this meeting, but to be honest, I’m still a little skeptical.”

  Owen’s mind hummed, but out of the turmoil he grabbed hold of one fact. Paige was trying to make amends. She didn’t love him or want to see him again, but she was sorry for what had happened with Asquith, even though she was blameless. She’d gone to a lot of effort to get him another potential investor, but why did it have to be Eric Jensen? The guy was part of the establishment, and that would help with the planning approval, but he was the complete opposite of Owen. Plus, given their shared messy past, there was a helluva lot of awkwardness between them to overcome.

  But he’d learned a lot about himself in the past few weeks. He could work with Eric, despite their differences. And besides, Paige had put aside her pride to approach Eric—that wouldn’t have been easy for her—so he owed it to her to give this meeting his best shot.

  “I’m a little skeptical, too.” Owen looked Eric straight in the eye. “But I’m loath to throw away Paige’s hard work. Why don’t
we sit down and see if there’s any way we can do business?”

  Eric hesitated, but when he finally nodded, the tension between them slackened. “Sure, why not? Let’s order lunch. They do a great beef burger here.”

  An hour later, Eric departed, leaving Owen and Nate alone at the table.

  Owen spread his hands on the tablecloth. “So,” he said without preamble. “Where is she?”

  Nate swallowed the last of his coffee and raised his eyebrows. “She?”

  “You know who I’m talking about,” Owen replied impatiently. “Paige. She’s been in contact with you. She’s back in Sydney, right? What’s her address?”

  “You’re keen to see her all of a sudden. Is it because she went out of her way to get Eric Jensen for you?”

  Owen frowned at his friend. “She ‘got’ Eric Jensen because she felt bad about what happened with Asquith. That’s all.”

  “So why do you want her address?” Nate challenged him.

  “Because…” Owen blew out his breath as the force of his emotions crushed him. “Because I should be glad my project has another chance. I should be pleased my sister is settled. I have so many reasons I should be happy, but the truth is I’m not, and Paige has everything to do with that.” He halted, aware that he’d just spilled out his guts to Nate. But he didn’t care; he cared about only one thing. He lifted his head and glowered at his friend. “Are you going to stop dicking me around and give me her address?”

  “Are you going to race up to Sydney right now?”

  “Yes.” If he left now, he’d be in the city by six, given the traffic.

  “That desperate, huh?”

  “You have no idea.”

  Nate grinned. “You’re in luck. You don’t have to travel far because she’s right here in the club.”

  “What?” Owen reared to his feet, his thoughts whirling. “Where? Why?”

  “She was anxious about this meeting. She came down today so I could debrief her as soon as possible. But you can do that for me.” Nate motioned with his head. “She’s in the Waratah Room on the other side of the building.”

  Owen was already pacing away when Nate called after him, “It’s members only over there.”

  He didn’t stop, didn’t care. Nothing could prevent him from laying eyes on Paige today.

  …

  But when Owen arrived outside the Waratah Room, he found himself hesitating. Through the glass-paneled doors, he spied a large room furnished with plump couches and table lamps. Small groups of well-dressed people murmured together, while several old men dozed in wingback armchairs. On the glass panel of the doors were etched the words Members Only.

  Craning his neck, he saw Paige, the familiar sight of her ash-blond hair making his heart contract. She had her back to him as she talked to her companion, a crusty matron he recognized as Aunt Lucinda.

  Doubt spasmed through him. Sure, Paige had set up the meeting with Eric Jensen, but that was only to make amends for his failed deal with Asquith. She’d only done it out of pity. Not because she was in love with him, or wanted to see him again. Especially not in this swanky country club, in front of her peers.

  His hand dropped from the big brass handle. For a moment the years fell away, along with his achievements and his wealth, and once again he was the inferior punk locked out from his betters, the pool boy pressing his nose against the glass to catch a glimpse of everything he desired.

  No. Not anymore. He gripped the brass handle again as fresh determination rushed over him. He was through with his insecurities. No one could make him feel inferior without his permission. Wasn’t that what Eleanor Roosevelt had said? She was completely right. He had something to say to Paige, and nothing, no glass door, no Aunt Lucinda, no inferiority complex, was going to stop him.

  He pushed open the door and strode across the thick carpet. Aunt Lucinda glanced up and frowned at him, but he barely noticed her, all his attention focused on Paige, who slowly turned in her chair at his approach.

  “Hello, Paige.” His voice was thick, strangled with emotion.

  Oh God, she was so awe-inspiringly beautiful. Tailored herringbone pantsuit, black leather boots, white silk shirt. Classy, elegant. Only, her eyes were wide and she chewed at her lower lip as if she were nervous. Nervous? About him?

  “Hi, Owen.” Her husky voice sent a thrill down his spine.

  “This is a members-only lounge,” Aunt Lucinda snapped. “If you don’t leave, I’ll call the manager.”

  Several people nearby glanced up, curious. He couldn’t pay attention to anything but the anxious look on Paige’s face. Was he making a fool of himself again? Embarrassing her in front of her peers? Stuff that. It couldn’t be helped. He was who he was, and he had to do this.

  “Can we go somewhere quiet to talk?” he asked her, his body rigid as he waited for her answer.

  Slowly she rose to her feet. “Uh, sure.”

  “Paige, what are you doing?” Aunt Lucinda protested.

  An officious-looking man with a name tag on his blazer was bearing down on them. Owen didn’t spare him a glance as he walked out of the lounge with Paige. He felt electrified and petrified. He’d overcome some of his insecurities, he’d gotten Paige to walk with him, but could he convince her of what was in his heart?

  …

  Nervous anticipation dried Paige’s throat as she exited the country club with Owen. Oh God, how gorgeous he looked. She sneaked another hungry glance at him, overwhelmed by a longing to run her fingers through his tousled hair. How she’d missed him; how glad she was to see him, even if he was staring straight ahead and she was at a complete loss for words.

  Say something, anything. “Sorry about Aunt Lucinda—”

  At the same time Owen said, “Sorry about barging into the members—”

  They both stopped. Owen gave her a rueful smile. “Hope you weren’t too embarrassed by me.”

  She’d been too stunned by his sudden appearance to feel anything else. She cleared her throat. “Nate told you I was at the club?”

  He nodded as they walked toward the parking lot. She wanted to ask him about the meeting, about his plans, about so many things, but his sheer presence scrambled all her thoughts, leaving her to act on instinct. And instinct told her to follow Owen.

  When they reached his car, he stopped abruptly. “Want to go for a ride?”

  She nodded dumbly, and he opened the passenger door for her. A few minutes later they were on the road.

  “How’s Sydney?” he said, breaking the tingling silence.

  She hesitated before answering, “Brash. Busy.”

  “I’m moving out.” He shot her a glance. “But I suppose you already know that since you’re probably living with your parents.”

  “I know you’re moving out, but I’m not with my parents. I’m sharing a flat with a friend in Parramatta.”

  “Parramatta? Not exactly what you’re used to.”

  She knew why he sounded doubtful. Parramatta was a working-class suburb miles out west from the city center and another world away from the eastern suburbs she knew.

  She lifted her shoulders. “The rent’s cheap, and until I find a good job, I can’t be choosy.”

  “You could live with your parents until you do.”

  “No, not this time.”

  He kneaded the steering wheel for a while. “I hope you haven’t fallen out with your mother over me—”

  “It’s not you. It’s me.” She could understand why her mother was so baffled by her behavior. She’d even come to appreciate that her mother’s haranguing was just her way of showing she cared. But sooner or later, Crystal would realize Paige wasn’t going back to her old ways, and maybe then they’d be able to forge a different, more equal connection.

  Owen was silent for about a block. “Aren’t you going to ask about my meeting with Eric Jensen?”

  She turned to him, suddenly apprehensive. “Did—did it go okay?”

  “Looks like he’ll be our new investor in Bandi
coot Creek.”

  Relief trickled through her. She’d struggled to catch her dad’s attention, but eventually he’d listened to her and offered advice. He’d even appeared impressed by her efforts. It had been another ordeal to approach Eric and convince him she was genuine. She’d feared Eric would be unbearably snobbish toward Owen, but it seemed this unlikely partnership might work.

  “That’s great.” She smiled briefly. “Though you may not think so when you meet his fiancée, Astrid.”

  “The Astrid?”

  “Yep.”

  He shrugged. “If I can handle Gretel, then Astrid will be a cinch.”

  “Eric’s a bit of a pill, but I’m glad you’ve worked something out with him.”

  “It’s all thanks to you.” He shot her a brief glance loaded with meaning. “I never expected you to do something like this.”

  She tightened her grip around her purse. “I wanted to make up for what happened with Asquith.”

  He shook his head vehemently. “I never blamed you. You didn’t have to—”

  “I had to put things right.” She met his eyes. Emotion rushed over her, loosening her tongue. “Not just for Asquith, but for everything else.”

  Something flared in his eyes, something wild and exhilarating. “You mean you…”

  Frightened of what she’d revealed and of what she’d glimpsed in his eyes, she glanced away and saw the open gates of the Kerrigan house just a short distance away. She hadn’t expected to end up here today, alone with Owen. He steered the car down the driveway. When he cut the engine, her throat dried. Anxious, she got out of the car and took off for the rear of the house. Owen’s footsteps crunched behind her as she headed instinctively for the conservatory.

  She walked into the cool, serene space, feeling anything but. So much of significance had passed between them in this place, but instinct warned her that something of even greater importance could now happen. She rubbed her forearms, agitated, filled with suspense and longing.

  “I remember the first time I saw you here.” Owen’s reflective tone startled her. “You wore a blue polka-dot bikini and you had your hair tied up with a blue scrunchie.”