by Tina Beckett
Yes, he did. He was watching it happen right before his eyes. Felix was a shell of the man he’d once been. A sad, drunken shell.
He decided to divert the subject if he could. He didn’t want Cora or Darcie to hear his brother at his worst—or listen to the tears that would inevitably follow one of his tirades. “Are you taking your medication? You’re not supposed to drink with it.”
“I’m not.”
Lucas wasn’t sure if he meant he wasn’t taking his medication or if he wasn’t drinking. But since he was now shifting that bottle from one hand to the other, he would have to assume it was the latter. That he was off his antidepressants.
He took another quick look down the hallway then held his hand out for the beer bottle.
His brother surprisingly handed it over without an argument, probably because it was empty. He went over to the recycling bin and tossed it inside, hearing the clink as it landed on other bottles—hopefully the ones Lucas had emptied the other day.
When he went back he knew what he was going to say. “I love you, Felix, and I was hoping I’d never have to say this, but if you can’t get your act together, Cora’s going to have to come live with me for a while.”
His brother shook his head, eyes wide. “You wouldn’t take her from me. She’s all I have left.”
“I don’t want to. But I can’t leave her here to watch you spiral back down, not when you’ve worked so hard over the last several months.”
Felix sank into his chair. “I know. I need to pull it together, but…” He glanced at the picture of his wife.
With a sigh, Lucas took the picture and put it back in its spot on the mantelpiece just as Cora and Darcie came back into the room.
Darcie’s face was pink and her glance went from him to Felix. Her hair was a riot of curls from their day at Max’s and the sea air. It framed her face in a way that made his breath catch in his lungs. Lucas glanced at the group of pictures on the ledge over the fireplace.
Was this how his brother had started down that dark road? An initial attraction that had turned into an obsession that refused to let go, even after Melody’s death?
Hell if he knew, but if that’s the way it worked, he didn’t even want to stop and glance at that road.
Hadn’t he already? With both those kisses?
His jaw tightened and he glared at his brother. “Are you going to be okay tonight?”
“Yeah.” Except Felix wouldn’t quite meet his eyes. “Cora and I are going to be just fine. I’ve got big plans for us. Pizza and a movie. That one with all the singing and ice and snowmen.”
His niece squealed. “I love that movie. You have to sing with me this time, Dad!”
“Yep, we’re going to sing.” He threw Lucas a defiant glare that dared him to argue with him.
He wouldn’t, and his brother knew it. Not right now. But he would soon if Felix couldn’t get back on track.
And if he had to take Cora away? What then for Felix?
That was one thing he didn’t even want to think about. All he knew was that there came a time when the needs of his niece had to take precedence. And that time was drawing closer every day.
* * *
Darcie hadn’t slept well. She wasn’t sure if it was from looking at those pictures of her and Lucas frolicking in the pool or from the memories of him helping her take her restraints off.
That had to be it, because she certainly hadn’t had a lot of restraint when it came to the man. And she needed some. Desperately. At least Cora hadn’t captured that kiss they’d shared in the water.
She breathed a prayer of thanks.
Dressing quickly, she scowled at the dark circles beneath her eyes that told a tale of a long, hard night. There’d been those pictures, yes. But there’d also been something about Lucas’s brother. He’d seemed just a little “off.”
Not that she could pinpoint what made her think that. Cora had seemed happy enough when she’d interacted with him.
Maybe it was her coworker’s behavior that had set her on edge and not Felix’s.
Lucas had been tight-lipped the whole time he’d talked to his brother, and when she’d been in Cora’s room, staring at those damning images, she’d thought she’d heard one of them raise his voice. She wasn’t sure who it had been, though.
And it completely obliterated her view of Lucas as a self-indulgent playboy. His face had been deadly serious as he’d faced off with his brother. Were there hard feelings between the pair?
If so, he’d said nothing about it on the way back to her flat. And when she’d invited him up, he’d refused, saying he had an early morning. Well, so did she.
Another thing that had skewed her image of him. What man in his right mind would give up an opportunity to get into a woman’s flat and into her pants?
Certainly not the Lucas she thought she knew.
Then again, she’d thought Cora was a full-grown woman back then. She didn’t remember hearing Lucas talk about any other women over the months she’d known him. If anything, it was the other way around. Women talked about him. Wore false eyelashes for him. Threw themselves at him.
He hadn’t taken the bait once that she knew of.
Maybe he’s just not interested in you, dummy. He could have an unspoken rule about dating co-workers.
And kissing them? Did he have a rule against that too?
Not that she could tell. And she knew of at least a couple of the female species who would kill to have been in her shoes on either of those occasions.
Dwelling on this would get her nowhere. She tossed down the last of her tea with a sigh and went to finish dressing. At this rate, it was going to be one very long, depressing day.
* * *
Darcie made it to the maternity ward and signed in with just minutes to spare. Her eyes automatically tracked to the sign-in sheet, looking for Lucas’s name. The space was blank. Strange. He wasn’t here yet.
After all that blubbering about having an early day today? Irritation marched into her belly and kicked at its sides a couple of times. Maybe she’d been wrong after all. Maybe he did take the bait from time to time…just not when she was the one dangling it.
Fine. She wasn’t going to wait around for him to check in.
Even as she thought it, she stood there and brooded some more, while the clock crept to three minutes past the hour, and the second hand began its downward arc, reminding her of Lucas’s bungee jump yesterday. And, like yesterday, he was headed straight for the bottom…of her respect.
He was officially late. Again.
What was with the man? He never seemed irresponsible when you talked to him. But his actions? Another story.
Even as she thought it, Lucas came skidding around the corner, hair in glorious disarray, face sporting a dark layer of stubble. He took one glance at her and then took the pen and signed in. Five minutes late. Not enough to throw a fit about but he’d obviously not been home.
“Where were you?”
He flicked a glance her way then one brow went up in that familiar nonchalant manner that made her molars grind. “Keeping tabs on me, are you?”
She wanted to hurl at him, “You’re late, and I want an explanation!” She wanted something other than his normal flippant response—the one that went along with the MMU’s view of him: a charming playboy who took nothing seriously.
He’d diagnosed Margie Terrington, though, when she hadn’t.
Because everyone in Victoria knew what redback bite symptoms were.
Except her.
“No, of course not. I just…” For some reason she couldn’t get the words out of her mouth, not while tears hovered around the periphery of her heart.
She would not beg him for an explanation. Or ask him to reassure her that he wasn’t this rumpled couldn’t-care-less man who stood before her, as delicious as he looked.
He stepped closer. “I know I’m late. And I’m going to be later still once I go back and shower. But I’ll make it quick.” His jaw t
ightened. “All I can do, Darcie, is say I’m sorry.”
Still not an answer. But at least all that glib cheekiness was gone.
She glanced at the patient board. “It’s still quiet. I’ll let Isla know you’re here and that she can go home.”
“Thanks.” Warm fingers slid across her cheek and his glance dipped to her mouth before coming back up to her face.
Heat flashed up her spine. He wouldn’t. Not here at work.
Before she could pull back—or remain locked in place, which was what her body wanted her to do—he withdrew his hand and took a step back.
“It would help me a lot if you didn’t go all pink every time you saw me—peace treaty or not, a man’s only got so much willpower.”
“I don’t go pink!” Even as she said it, heat flamed up her neck and pooled in her cheeks, proving her a liar. It also broke the bubble of anger that had gathered around her.
Lucas laughed and tapped her nose. “Like I said…” He let the sentence trail away and then headed for the locker area, dragging both hands through his hair and whistling as he went.
Whistling!
Passing him in the hallway, Isla turned to glance at his retreating back before her eyes came to meet hers. Warmth again flooded her face as her friend drew near. “Well, I see he got here.” She looked closer. “Why are you so red?”
“I—I…” What could she say, except deny it again?
“Oh, God. You two aren’t…” Isla lowered her voice “…doing it, are you? I know I suggested he take you to the beach, but—”
Darcie reared back. “Of course not,” she said in a loud whisper.
“Then why does the man look like he just rolled out of someone’s bed? And why are we whispering? There’s no one around.”
Darcie cleared her throat and walked to the nurses’ station. “We’re whispering because I don’t want any ugly rumors floating around about my personal life.”
“Personal life?” Isla rubbed her belly. “You actually have one?”
The words might have stung had they not come from her friend. But Isla was right. “No. Can you blame me?”
Tessa came from a room with a chart in hand. She’d evidently overheard the last part of Darcie’s declaration because she said, “You need to get out there and live it up a bit. Melbourne has some awesome nightclubs. Maybe we could make it a group outing.”
“I don’t know…”
Isla took up the cry. “Yes! You have to go at least once. I can’t believe I didn’t take you.”
“You were kind of busy, remember?” An understatement if there ever was one.
Her friend laughed, hand still on her burgeoning stomach. “Maybe just a little. But, seriously, you can’t leave Australia without seeing at least a little of the nightlife.”
The three of them were still joking about it when Lucas appeared less than ten minutes later. Wow, the man was fast, she’d give him that. His hair was damp from his shower and he’d changed into fresh clothes.
“What are we talking about, ladies?”
“Oh…nothing.” Even as she said it the slow flush rose in her face like clockwork. One side of his mouth lifted but, thank God, he said nothing about it this time.
Isla nudged her. “Darcie hasn’t been to any of the nightspots. None. Zip. Can you believe it?”
“It seems there’s quite a lot she hasn’t experienced yet.”
Lucas said it with a totally straight face, but she glanced sharply at him.
Tessa cocked her head, drumming her short fingernails on the counter. “Maybe I can get a group together to go to the Night Owl tonight. They have brilliant music and dancing. How does that sound, Darcie?”
“Well, I…” She didn’t dance if she could help it. Another thing that had worn thin with Robert, who had loved it.
“If Darcie’s going to make a checklist of things to do while in Australia, that should definitely go on it.”
Great, just what she needed, to have him remind her of his challenge—that she pick things that were outside her comfort zone. Clubbing was definitely one of those. Not that any of them had suggested making the rounds and getting drunk.
She tried one last time. “I have to work tomorrow.”
Lucas parried with, “We’ll watch our step and make sure you’re not arrested.”
“Arrested!”
Isla put a hand on her arm. “He’s kidding. You should go, Darcie. Especially since Lucas seems to be offering his services as a bouncer. You know, in case a thousand guys start hitting on you. I, unfortunately, am not allowed to have any fun for another month or so, even if Alessi would agree to let me go.”
Darcie snuck a glance at Lucas, who didn’t look at all put out with the idea of tagging along.
The nurse picked up a chart with a grin. “I have to go back to work now, unlike some of you. I’ll ask around and whoever wants to come can meet up at the entrance of the hospital at eight, okay? Wear something sparkly.”
And with that, Tessa and Lucas both walked away without giving her a chance to refuse. And the hunky midwife had left without actually confirming that he would be there—protecting her from unwanted advances.
Unfortunately, if he did come, Darcie had no idea who was going to save her from him—or from herself.
CHAPTER SIX
SHE’D WORN SOMETHING SPARKLY. And green. And clingy as hell.
That dress was probably banned in ten countries. There was nothing vulgar about it, but the neckline scooped far enough down that a hint of creamy curves peeked over the top of it. And it was snug around her hips and the sweet curve of her backside, exposing an endless length of bare leg. He’d been trying not to stare as the group of them had taken off from the hospital and headed toward the railway station. But, holy hell, it was hard.
“Did you go shopping?” Because he just couldn’t see Darcie pulling something like this out of her wardrobe. Not that he was complaining. No, he was salivating. And thinking about all the men at that club who were going to see her in this dress was doing a number on his gut.
“No. Isla loaned it to me. I didn’t bring anything suitable for a night on the town.”
Suitable. That was one word for it. What it was suitable for was the question. Because in his mind he could see himself peeling the thing down her shoulders and right past all those sexy curves. They might just get arrested after all.
Why had he agreed to come again?
Oh, yes. To ward off any unwanted advances. If that was the case, he was going to have his hands full. Because he might end up having to fight off his own advances if he couldn’t get his damned libido under control. Right now it was raging and growling and doing all it could to edge closer to this woman.
Thank God, the train ride was a short one. And there were seats this time, instead of having to stand and have her bump against him repeatedly. Within another few minutes they arrived at the Night Owl, a club frequented by young professionals looking to let their hair down.
The second the doors opened the music hit him between the eyes. Loud, with a driving beat, blast after blast of sound pumped out into the night air. Despite his cocky words earlier in the day, Lucas had not gone to a club since his early days at medical school. Life had been too hectic, and after Melody had died he just hadn’t had much else on his mind except his brother and Cora.
Ten people in all had come with them. The rest of the group went in, but when Darcie started to pass through the door she backed up as if changing her mind, only to crash into his chest. Her backside nestled against him for a split second before she jerked away again.
His internal systems immediately went haywire.
That decided it. He wanted to be here. With her. For whatever reason.
Maybe it was just to escape the highs and lows that had become a normal part of life these last years. He’d enjoyed the bungee-jumping trip far too much. He was ready to repeat the energetic day. But in all-adult company this time. The club would do that and more.
&n
bsp; Strangely, the noise would insulate them, keep their words from being overheard by those around them.
When she again hesitated he leaned down. “It’s okay, Darce. I’m right here with you.”
There was that short version of her name again, sliding right past his lips like it belonged there. He didn’t know why that kept happening, but it did the trick. She stepped through the door. And as if he’d fallen down the rabbit hole in that old children’s book, the inside of the club morphed into something from another place and time.
Darkness bathed the occupants, except for brief snatches of light that flooded his pupils. The extremes made it hard to focus on anything for more than a second at a time so bodies became puppets, moving in jolts and jerks as if controlled by outside forces. The sensation was surreal. Anything that happened in the club tonight would take on a dreamlike quality: had it happened, or hadn’t it? Maybe that was for the best.
Tessa came back and grabbed Darcie by the arm, dragging her away and making a drinking motion with her hand, since it was probably impossible for her to yell above the noise.
When had it become noise? At one time in his life he would have been yelling for the DJ to turn the sound up. Not any more. He squinted, trying to see where the group from the hospital had gone. When he trained his eyes to capture the second-long flashes emitted by the strobe he could just make out the dim overhead lights of the bar at the far side of the room. At least those weren’t blinking on and off.
A few minutes later he was there, squeezed between Darcie and some guy on her left—who shot him a look that could only be described as a glare. The man picked up his drink and moved on to another woman a few seats away. Tessa laughed and saluted him with her drink, while the glass in front of Darcie contained something that looked fruity and cold, with plenty of crushed ice—and probably a shot of something strong. The bartender came over with a quizzical lift of his brows.
“Just a lemonade,” he yelled above the music.
Darcie threw him a wide-eyed glance. “I thought we were supposed to be living dangerously.”
“I still have to get you home in one piece, so it’s better for me to play it safe. At least for tonight.” Lucas had had enough of Felix’s drinking problems to last a lifetime. Except for that swig of beer he’d taken in his brother’s kitchen, he hadn’t touched the stuff in almost two years.