Second Chances Boxed Set: 7 Sweet & Sexy Romances in 1 Book

by Tracey Alvarez

  He dipped his head to her. “You smell so beautiful. What is it?”

  “Shampoo.” She shot him a quick glance. “From the supermarket,” she added for good effect. “Store brand.”

  He gestured with both hands. “You see? What other woman could make supermarket rubbish smell divine?”

  “You, Mac, see what you want to see, smell what you want to smell, do exactly what the hell you like. Aargh!” She retrieved her earphones from the pocket of her computer bag and put them in. “I’m going to reply to some emails if you’re not going to listen to me. You’ll just have to amuse yourself.”

  She tugged down her skirt that had somehow worked its way up her legs by the open glances that James was giving them.

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  She read and reread a line of email, the words floating before her eyes without meaning. Her head full of the unwanted stimulus of his aftershave, the way his trousers tightened over his thigh, nestling too close to hers for comfort—she could feel its heat searing her stockinged leg—and his words, flirting with the air hostess who assured him that nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to be too much trouble for her.

  Frustration and, yes, she couldn’t help but admit it, a massive dose of lust, simmered inside her. Her body responded to him, just as it the night before, just as it had ten years ago in the hayloft. She closed her eyes as she relived that night of sheer pleasure and lust with James. It had been her first time and he’d been as tender and as loving as she knew him to be. So that, despite the discomfort, the one thing she remembered was absolute pleasure and absolute joy at her connection with him.

  “Susie.” James tickled the back of her hand with his finger. “The nice lady’s asking you a question.”

  She opened her eyes, trying to repress the residual sense of arousal that still filled her. She looked up to see the puzzled glance of the stewardess. “Tea or coffee, ma’am?”

  “Neither thanks.”

  The stewardess smiled, a wary smile, and passed James a coffee. Susie noticed it wasn’t one of the usual coffees out of the pot. She’d somehow produced an espresso for James. Of course she had.

  He plucked an earphone from her ear and whispered into her ear, his warmth breath caressing her skin. “You should chill more, you know, Susie.”

  “That’s all very well for you to say. You’re rich and have no worries. Any money I’ve made has been swallowed up with… living expenses.” She’d nearly referred to Tom and she really didn’t want to discuss him with James.

  “You don’t have to worry about money any more.”

  “Why does that make me feel like a kept woman?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s some subconscious wish coming through?”

  She sighed and shook her head. “Just promise me one thing. Over the next few days, don’t confuse me with one of your women. I’m me. Don’t flirt with me. Don’t turn on the charm. It won’t work.” She narrowed her eyes as the silence only grew.

  “I’m promising nothing,” James eventually murmured. He took a sip of his coffee and flipped open a newspaper.

  “Promise me,” she repeated.

  “Baby, I never make promises I can’t keep.”

  She dropped her head on the back of the seat and closed her eyes. Standing on a cliff top, with nothing but vast emptiness all around, was nothing compared to this for danger.

  The helicopter circled once before landing on the helipad outside Onihau Estate.

  “I might have known the public transport wouldn’t last.”

  “I think once was more than enough. Although,” he said as he waved to a tall man waiting for them, “it was interesting, fun even, talking to real people.”

  “No fun if you do it all the time.”

  “Now there, Suse, is the difference between us. You don’t like people and I do. You’re threatened by people.”

  “And you’re threatened by loneliness.”

  Rather than the irritation she’d expected, James pressed his lips together in a rueful smile. “We know each other so well.”

  The engine stopped and James slid open the door for Susie to exit. He followed her outside into the dry heat of central Wairarapa.

  “Guy, I’d like you to meet Susie Henderson. Susie is an old friend and manager of Whisper Creek Wines on Waiheke Island, the winery I was telling you about.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Susie. And this is Lucia.” He indicated a tall woman walking down the path towards them.

  Susie shook hands with them both, feeling instantly shy with these two glamorous people. Three glamorous people, she thought, glancing at James.

  “Lovely to meet you, Susie.” She and Lucia fell into step in front of James and Guy as they walked through the Mediterranean-inspired formal gardens. “James tells us you’re originally from Glencoe.”

  “Yes, my family had been there for generations. They were shepherds at Glencoe and my father had an interest in developing the viticulture there.”

  “Must have been wonderful growing up with all that open space.”

  “It was wonderful.” Susie glanced up at James who was obviously listening.

  “Susie and I used to hang out together when I was home from boarding school.” He grinned. “Terrorized the neighborhood.”

  “Do you miss it, Susie?”

  “Yes, and no. Dad got me interested in growing grapes early on so it was a natural progression to work in a winery. It was always his dream to run one.”

  “And did he?”

  “No. He died the year I left Glencoe. But he’d have loved Whisper Creek. I know he would.”

  They stopped outside some open French windows and Lucia gestured for her to enter the house. It was a huge room, with high ceilings, light and airy with windows on three sides, filled with simple, but obviously expensive, furniture.

  “I’m sure he would. And if anyone can help you with the winery, Guy can. He grew up on his family vineyard and knows everything there is to know about running a vineyard.”

  Lucia turned to James. “And, James, you’re looking well. But you always do. The rest of your family’s arriving early evening. It’ll give you a chance to have your business meeting with Guy and then relax with them tomorrow.”

  Susie’s heart sank. The Mackenzies? Here? It was bad enough being with James, but the rest of them? There were nothing but bad memories associated with their family and Glencoe.

  “Are the kids coming?”

  “Just Gemma and Callum’s baby. Dallas’s two are being doted on in Wellington by a cluster of great aunts. You’ll be staying here for a few days, won’t you?”

  James exchanged looks with Susie. “Unfortunately, not. We have to get back.” He chucked Lucia’s chin. “Don’t pout, it’s childish.”

  Guy clapped his hand on James’s shoulder and smiled across to Susie. “Anyhow, let’s get on to business, shall we? Sooner we start, the sooner we can move on to sampling some of it.”

  “I’ll bring some coffees.”

  Susie and James followed Guy through to a book-laden library, minus a desk and chairs, but complete with stone-colored soft suede sofas and a round table.

  “So, Susie. I’ve heard of your winery, of course. And watched your progress in a few short years. You guys have done well to avoid the effects of last year’s heat wave.”

  Susie could relax once more. She was on familiar territory.

  After a couple of hours they walked out onto the terrace, having looked around Onihau Lodge and worked out what new equipment Whisper Creek should invest in.

  “Would you like to try some?” Guy asked as he showed Susie the bottle of wine they’d been talking about.

  “Sure.” As they tasted and chatted, she didn’t hear a car approach the front of the property. Suddenly there were shouts and laughter and James looked up with a grin as his brothers and their wives emerged from the house. Susie shrank away. It had been a long time since she’d seen them and she wasn’t looking forward to it, awa
re of the bad memories that would come flooding back.

  “Susie! Good to see you. It’s been years.” Callum’s grin was warm and welcoming.

  Susie stepped forward. “Yes, it’s ten years since I was last at Glencoe.”

  “You should come down, we’ve made a few changes but things are pretty much the same. I remember you always had an interest in the land.”

  “Like my father did.” She couldn’t resist a reminder to the Mackenzies that her father had died on their land, in their employ. Only she knew his death was because he’d been distraught he had to leave the land he’d grown up in and loved, because of her. She doubted she’d ever get over the guilt.

  “That was a tragic accident,” Callum said. “We made sure it could never happen again by fencing off the gully.” He looked up as a pretty, petite redhead walked towards them, carrying a sleeping baby. “Meet Gemma.” Callum pulled the smiling woman into his arms, with a gentle brush of the soft downy head of the baby.

  “Lovely to meet you, Susie,” Gemma said. “I hear you knew this lot, back in the day.”

  “Kind of. From afar really. Except for James.” James and her eyes met and connected. She looked back at Gemma. “He was nearer my age than Callum and Dallas. I would have been nothing but an annoying kid to them.”

  “You were to me, too, Susie.” James laughed. “I didn’t mean it.” He backtracked as he received one of her best glares. “You remember Dallas?”

  “Of course.” Susie instantly felt shy. Dallas had always seemed so grown up when she was small; he’d carried the weight of the family’s fortunes on his shoulders for years. Strangely, he appeared younger now than when she’d known him. She extended her hand, which Dallas ignored, giving her a brief hug. He drew back and smiled at her.

  “You’re all grown up, Susie Shaw.”

  “I should hope so.” She felt embarrassed by his close scrutiny. “I must have been around ten when you left Glencoe.”

  “Cassandra,” called Dallas to a tall, slim woman emerging from the house. “Come and meet James’s friend, Susie.”

  Susie’s quick glance noted Cassandra’s raised eyebrows and smile at Dallas. She accepted Susie’s extended hand. “Pleased to meet you, Susie.” Lucia joined them as the others drifted away around James as they caught up with each other’s news.

  “I hope you’ll be able to stay for a few days? Lucia said you might be leaving in the morning.”

  “Well, James has to return to the States and I’ve work on Waiheke. So…” She looked across to where James and his brothers were talking and laughing. Her gaze lingered on James. He looked so natural there, in the company of men for a change, just like the man she used to know. Then he turned and his eyes met hers. He smiled and she found herself smiling back. He walked over to her.

  Cassandra followed Susie’s gaze and watched James approach. Cassandra’s lips twitched as she looked from one to the other. “James.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I was just asking Susie how long you’re staying for.”

  His eyes hadn’t left Susie’s. “We both have commitments tomorrow, I’m afraid. It’s just a flying visit.”

  “Shame. Next time, you must stay for longer,” said Lucia. “Come on, Susie, I’ll show you to your room in case you’d like to rest or freshen up before dinner.”

  They walked past where the men were grouped, now joined by James who immediately making some comment which had them all laughing. How did he do that? Within minutes have men and women charmed and entertained? She sighed and followed Lucia through the double doors, almost walking into her when she stopped suddenly at the first door along the wide hallway.

  “Here’s your and James’s room.”

  As luck wouldn’t have it, everyone stopped talking right at that moment. The doors to the living room, where everyone was gathered, were wide open and Susie knew they’d heard Lucia.

  Susie shook her head, not wanting to speak. She could feel a heavy blush rising up her body. “Me and James?” She glanced through the open doors; everyone was looking at her expectantly, including James, a smile playing on his lips as he watched, entertained, as to how she was going to respond. She dipped her head to Lucia, trying to make her words private. “We’re not a couple, Lucia. We’re old friends and business colleagues now, but we’re not, you know…” She shook her head in embarrassment.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” Lucia looked appalled. “Come on, I’ll show you another room.” She continued down the corridor. “It’s just that James, he’s so, well, you know…”

  “Yes, I know. He has a reputation for…”

  “Exactly…”

  “But…we’re not…”

  “Sure.” Lucia said too quickly. She looked back at Susie. “Sorry.”

  “No problem,” Susie mumbled. But, as she followed Lucia down the hall to a spare bedroom, Susie knew she’d lied. There was a problem. A big problem.

  James watched Susie and Lucia disappear inside and tried to swallow the grin that threatened to spread over his face. He turned to his brothers and his friend and his grin faded. Everyone was staring at him.

  “What?” He asked accusingly.

  “You’re not with Susie?” Callum asked.

  “Of course I’m with her, I’m just not…”

  Three men shook their heads, sharing a puzzled look on their faces and stared right back at James. “What?” asked Guy. “Not… what?”

  James shrugged. “I’m not sleeping with Susie.”

  Three pairs of eyebrows shot up into foreheads in identical amazement.

  “What is wrong with you people? Haven’t you heard of platonic relationships before? Haven’t you heard of a woman and a man being together and yet not having carnal knowledge of each other?”

  “Heard of it,” said Callum with characteristic abruptness, “but not in relation to you.”

  James didn’t contradict Callum. What was the point when he spoke the truth? “Well, there’s always a first time.”

  “You are kidding, right?” Dallas managed to say.

  “No, I’m not kidding.”

  “Who are you and what have you done with my kid brother?”

  James groaned. “Give me a break.”

  “No way. This is far too entertaining.”

  “Hey, if not for me, don’t give Susie a hard time.”

  “Jesus, you do like her, don’t you?”

  “Of course I like her. I’m investing money with her, we’re, well, old friends.”

  “You’ve got history, haven’t you?” Dallas asked suspiciously.

  “‘History?’” asked James, stalling. “Why don’t you say ‘previous’ and be done with it? You make it sound like some old conviction.”

  “I’m beginning to wonder.”

  “Well don’t.”

  “Hey, guys, stop bickering, will you?” Cassandra joined them and intervened. “It’s lovely to meet a friend of yours, James. Susie’s wonderful.”

  James couldn’t help softening. “Yes, she is.” He immediately regretted it when he heard Callum’s exclamation. He turned to Callum. “For once and for all, Susie and I are not a couple. I’m investing in her business, she just happens to be an old friend, but we’re not sleeping together.”

  “Christ, it must be serious then.” Callum swigged back his beer and placed the bottle, which looked too small in his large hands, on to the table.

  As usual, Callum had hit the nail on the head without any preliminaries or frills. It was damned serious. His brothers knew it, his sisters-in-law knew it, his friends knew it, and he bloody well knew it. Why didn’t Susie know it?

  James sighed, accepted another glass of wine, and watched his family shift focus and talk about their children. Even though they were here as something of a break, they couldn’t stop talking about them. He caught Lucia’s uneasy gaze and they exchanged embarrassed smiles. His family sometimes forgot that Lucia was having difficulty conceiving and was increasingly finding it hard to cope with talk about children.
>
  He indicated with his head that Lucia and he should move away.

  “How are you, Lucia?” He slipped an arm around her and drew her to him and kissed her on the cheek. He didn’t let it drop until he felt her relax in his arms.

  “I’m fine,” she said too quickly. “But I’m more interested in Susie. She’s lovely. Too nice for you,” Lucia teased. It was exactly his thoughts and he couldn’t find his usual banter to counter her words. Lucia looked at him with a surprised smile on her face. “What? No riposte? No come back?”

  “No. You’re absolutely right. She is nice. Too nice for me.”

  “Self doubts, James? That doesn’t sound like you.”

  He couldn’t find any energy, any way in which he could dredge up the old James. “Maybe not, but it is me. I’m good at hiding them.”

  She raised her eyebrows in surprise as she patted the seat beside her for him to join her. “I had no idea. When did this start?”

  “Always. I have two big and powerful brothers, a domineering mother who adored me, and a father who I’m far more like than Dallas, except no one can see it. Except Susie.”

  Lucia nodded. “She’s your Achilles Heel. She knows you like no one else.”

  “She knows me and she hates me.”

  “I doubt that. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

  James turned to look at Lucia. “Really? Which way?”

  “Like she’s concerned for you, worried about you, looking at you like you’re definitely more than a business partner. James, she cares for you.”

  He shook his head. “You’ve got it wrong. She’s putting up with me because she has to. Her partner wanted out of the business, which is her whole life, and I’m the only one who wants in. She needs my money.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that.”

  He shrugged. “If there is, then she’s hiding it well.”

  “She mentioned her son to me earlier, I guess she doesn’t want to rush into anything because of him.” She paused. “Have you met him?”