by Judy Jarvie
Maddie winked in confidence. It sounded great. Much better than the damp squib she’d encountered in the planning file. ‘Sounds fabulous.’
‘Attendance isn’t a problem. We can hand-pick who we want. So I’ll get started on working out details and the guest list.’
‘It’s got spectacle, celebrity and a guaranteed crowd with picture opportunities. Leave the media rallying side to me. I’ll start calling them as soon as Ewan’s confirmed,’ Maddie affirmed.
Heather picked up her cell phone ready for action. ‘I’ll call him now.’ Heather pulled a mock face that feigned pain but her eyes were gleaming.
‘We make a killer team. Only question, will Lyle agree?’
‘From brother’s reactions to you so far, I’m sure you can win him round,’ Heather added.
Maddie decided she’d worry about that part later. ‘Ice breakers!’ she proclaimed. ‘I love it.’
‘Let’s do it. And worry about potential big brother trouble later.’
Chapter Ten
After Heather left her, Maddie, now alone in the empty café, looked up from the laptop to see someone staring through the window.
‘Paula!’ she exclaimed seeing her friend staring hard at her. She rushed to the door to bring her inside.
Paula faked dramatics. ‘Some best friend you are. Do you return my calls? Do you pop by for coffee or cocktails? No, you’re Maddie. Who’s never free. As of today you’re on best buddy probation.’
‘Sorry. I’ve been so busy working for Lyle. I didn’t mean to neglect you.’
Paula pointed to the coffee machine. ‘Maybe if you suck up to me with sustenance, I’ll reconsider. If you tell me all about your new intimacy with the boss.’
‘What’s to tell?’ Maddie’s tone was wary.
‘He’s tripled your salary. I’ve been hiring out temps for years and no one has had as many fast pay rises as you. What’s the deal? Are you getting it on?’
Paula slid herself in behind the table. Smacked her lips and crossed her arms across her chest. Maddie knew immediately she was in for a tough time. So she smiled wanly and kept a neutral tone. ‘What kind of coffee would you like?’
Paula nodded. ‘Latte, and stop evading. Just divulge and I’ll judge.’
Maddie shrugged and palmed the air. ‘I’m just trying to help in whatever ways he needs me. Like here at the café because he’s short-staffed. Lyle has a zillion business priorities to tackle plus Josh is on vacation, freeing me up.’
Now wasn’t the time to admit that she and the boss shared chemistry, that he’d kissed her but they’d agreed to back off. That she hadn’t been able to look or breathe or think in quite the same way since. That Lyle had posted her here in an effort to keep them both on the safe side of the attraction line. These were strictly off limits snippets.
Paula was great, her best friend in the world, but one sniff of seduction, attraction or scandal, and she made overdrive look retiring.
‘Lyle’s just a great, decent guy. He knows I want to buy the apartment and he wants to help me achieve that if I can help him in return.’
‘I smell attraction.’ Paula’s eyes narrowed to glittering feline slits of disbelief. ‘He’s got a string of cafés and shares in a vineyard in Tuscany. He’s an ex-pro rally ace whose café franchise is set for big success. Why aren’t you giving him encouragements, are you crazy? Any woman with half a mind would stampede, what gives?’
‘Employee and employer only. Can’t you get your mind past sex?’ Maddie’s tone was patient and firm.
‘The last time we met he slammed me down when I suggested we could secure him a permanent nanny.’
‘Really?’ Maddie faltered, wondering what Lyle had said. ‘I’m glad. That’s good for me, good for you and the agency if he’s happy. We work well together and his son, Josh, is adorable. Working there’s good for us all.’
‘So up a gear and date him,’ Paula pushed. ‘You’re both there in that great big house. Single. Available. Have you had a relationships lobotomy lately?’
Maddie lied. ‘Tim sabotaged my sex drive. I would have thought that was obvious.’
Paula sipped her coffee. Maddie bit her lip.
‘Anyway,’ she swiftly changed the topic. ‘Since I’m organising a speed dating sensation and you’re an eligible, sassy single, how about you sign up?’
Paula flashed a beaming smile. ‘If the men are as hot as Lyle is – where do I sign for first choice?’
At the sound of her keys in the door Lyle forced calm, casual interest. Commanded himself not to rush out and interrogate Maddie about her day. He wouldn’t. Overzealous was out; calm, neutral detachment in.
His mantra of loosening the reins of control sounded good in theory, but it proved harder than hard when every instinct itched to push.
Maddie appeared through the kitchen doorway. The mere sight of her, dressed up to the nines in tailored pinstripes and fitted blouse, ricocheted through his hormones.
His eyes revisited the details – shirt collar loose, jacket unbuttoned, skin dewy, inviting. It caused his Adam’s apple to jerk. His pulse joined the militant action as it roared inside.
‘Hi, how are you? Hungry?’ he asked, trying his level best to sound relaxed whilst feeling wired. He wanted to close in and savour her scent. Perhaps drag her upstairs to lose himself in Maddie’s pure hit rush.
This time there was no urgent clamouring to play from Josh. This time they were alone in a big house with lots of bedrooms and no distractions. Strong attraction fizzed like a ticking bomb.
Lyle forced a smile to hide the coiled tension. ‘Been blazing a trail already?’
She nodded. ‘Lots to sort. But it’s taking shape and Heather’s great fun.’
‘If a little crazy.’
‘Nice too.’ She sighed. ‘Hard work but making progress brings its own reward. It’s good to feel under pressure again.’
‘Ease up for a while. I’ll fetch dinner. Keep up your energy reserves.’
Maddie held up a hand. ‘I’ll just go freshen up first. Lose the suit.’
The statement had lurid images clamouring and his mouth falling open without consent. The promise of lacy lingerie. Visions of her silhouette from the pool were still fresh and fiery.
His unruly imagination leapt forward to her crooking a beckoning finger from his whirlpool Jacuzzi. A smile tugging that temptress mouth…
Had Maddie ever felt this way when he’d come home?
But then, she didn’t need this. She’d made that clear.
The night before, he’d kept thinking back to their discussion when she’d urged caution. Could he really keep his side of the bargain, stay the safe distance? Keep the restraint on kisses and touching?
Risk losing out on the best time of his life?
Lyle went into the kitchen and removed the salad he’d set aside in the refrigerator to accompany their seafood. All selected from Marco’s deli because he wanted to watch appreciation warm her eyes, to prove he noticed what she liked.
‘I’m just going to shower,’ he heard her call, putting lustful thoughts back centre stage.
‘Take your time. It’ll keep.’
Some things shouldn’t be rushed.
He ramped up the gas flame below the griddle pan, then tried to whistle a tune that dried to a rasp and he clicked on the radio instead. Right now Maddie was on the floor above, stripping naked; flooring his ability to create music. Or think straight.
Lyle rubbed his neck because his insides had heated all by themselves. Tonight he’d eat solo and leave her to her own devices.
Time to vacate. Extinguish the burning threat.
We’ve got him – Heather’s text boasted in capital letters.
Maddie immediately pressed dial on Heather’s number as she stood post shower in a fresh robe with her hair turbaned. She needed a rundown, then maybe, just maybe she’d relax. Recognise the progress, let calm replace concern. Perhaps even manage not to feel like a cat on a searing sauna sea
t around Lyle?
Hot sauna? More like nuclear reactor periphery wall.
Was it the secrecy of the plan with his sister, the ‘up in the air’ nature of their event? Or was it the sight of him in casual trackpants attire? The marl T-shirt complimented the attributes of a remarkable male physique. Blessing for him; sweet, slow torture for her.
Small slow mini-breaths had seen her through – but her eyes had kept returning. Ducking away from the bedroom eyes that reminded her way too much of the way he’d looked at her just before the kiss.
Heather’s voice sounded enthused down the line. ‘Great news isn’t it? McQueen’s confirmed and he sounds enthusiastic about the booking.’
‘Tell me. How did you do it?’
‘Ewan and I have history. He’s agreed to compere and has cleared it with his agent. He’s happy for us to tout it to the press. Rosie McCulloch, the designer is on board too. She says it’s an ideal time to preview her key pieces.’
‘That’s terrific, Heather. Tomorrow I’ll start rallying media attendees.’
‘Though keep a lid on some of it – i.e. other than the press, don’t go stirring up Lyle.’
Maddie felt her brow crinkle behind her hair turban. ‘You want me to keep him in the dark?’
‘Let’s get all the details firm before we reveal it.’
‘I’m sensing camouflage? I’m not so sure I can go along with that.’ Cover-ups didn’t sit well with Maddie. She’d played enough impulsive cards in the past with Lyle; she didn’t want to risk it on this one.
Plus it wasn’t really fair. The cafés were Lyle’s brainchild and he trusted her instincts to pull this off. He’d given her this gold dust chance. Keeping details back smacked of deception.
Her future and her home purchase prospects were riding on this and she’d grown to respect Lyle too. She figured he’d resent being kept out of the loop.
At heart was she any different?
Heather added, ‘Just hold fire for now. We want a roaring success – not Lyle on the rampage.’
‘I’ll think about it,’ said Maddie. ‘But I can’t make promises.’
After two nights in the vast house alone with Lyle, Maddie felt stir-crazy. She was strung tighter than the London Philharmonic after a retune. Though things were panning out with the launch and she should have felt more confident, she guessed she couldn’t relax until she’d cleared it all with Lyle.
On a personal level, the unspoken things between them still caused a barrier. The air of forced detachment rang hollow. The stand-off created more pressure than the open shared chemistry confessions had.
Sometimes it felt like Josh’s presence had been the ballast that made their relationship float. He’d enabled the ease; without him they floundered. They’d tried to ignore the attraction, but now had resorted to avoidance.
Tonight no Lyle greeted her on arrival. Instead she found a note telling her he was in his office and that supper was prepped and in the chiller.
Maddie sighed, as she drummed her fingers on the countertop. She couldn’t face eating alone, and for days now Heather’s urges to keep things secret plagued her. Something galvanised inside her. The stealthy evasion had to end. She wouldn’t hazard another ‘lock Lyle in the stockroom’ disaster.
Taking the bull by the nose ring, she decided to seek him out. Impulsive it might be, but right now she had to do something. So why did her stomach clench with every step towards Lyle’s office?
Like grouchy crocodiles awaited her there, intent on their next meal.
He’d kissed her there before.
Was this another misguided urge she’d live to regret?
Lyle was hiding out; the cowardly truth.
Maddie Adams drove a man to this kind of behaviour. Covert sanity preservation.
He’d tried to immerse himself in work; planning, stockkeeping, strategising. Somehow she got through, like distant tom-toms to a jungle camp. Her irrepressible life force, and sex appeal, nailed him like a hammer gun on tissue paper. He had to stick to his word and play gentleman. He didn’t chase where he wasn’t wanted – so who’d slipped something in his coffee that had activated crazed and interested?
Lyle sipped at his cool soda can – no beer, beer would be dangerous – he hadn’t quite worked out his problem right now. Maddie wasn’t a problem. His own mixed-up feelings were.
Lyle stopped a water droplet in its descent down the can with his finger. Maddie was so unlike Becca they were night and day.
Maddie turned his feelings to wire wool in a tangled knot. Confused by her about-turn; turned on by the pure gold glimpses of how things could be. Becca had been barbed wire in a stranglehold; switchblade swipes to his sanity.
He’d bought a house. She’d insisted they move to Milan.
He’d bought her a car. She’d traded it for a sleek sports showpiece. One without a rear seat for her son.
Could he make a real go at a normal relationship after his prior personal life trials?
He’d been trying to put things right with a woman who’d continually rebuffed his attempts. End result. Shattered faith, patience shot.
Lyle crushed the empty can with one hand.
Maybe he was wrong and his prudent nanny had good, sound sense.
Maddie found Lyle sitting in the middle of the floor – transformed into a plaster-built mini rally circuit, complete with mountains, woods and rivers in miniature. Two small motorised cars flew round a tiny curving track and Lyle pressed remotes to spur them on.
‘You’re missing Josh, aren’t you?’ Maddie remarked from the doorway.
Lyle smiled up at her ruefully. ‘Am I so easy to read?’
‘The place isn’t the same without him around, is it? I miss him myself.’ She entered and sat down on the floor opposite him.
Lyle shook his head. ‘That’s the thing about parenthood. When they’re not around it feels like you’ve lost a limb. The phantom pains are agony.’
His expression underlined the tension inside.
‘Why the sudden journey with his grandmother?’
Lyle looked at her, darkly wary. ‘My mother is chaperone because his Aunty Lizzie, Becca’s sister, is going too. Her family has rights and Lizzie wants time with Josh too.’
‘That’s a big leap. A hard one for you.’
‘But a necessary one. I’m not vindictive, Maddie. I’d been evading the issue for a while. You made me realise I have to face up to it.’
‘Me?’
Lyle put the remotes down and the cars stalled. ‘Yes, you. That night, when Tim’s ex came for her son and we talked, I realised I was lecturing you yet I had my own issues to tackle.’
Maddie pulled a floor cushion over for comfort. ‘Then at least Nadia coming by did some good, and for that I’m pleased. But I’m sorry about your wife.’
‘I regret her passing – it’s been hard for Josh to lose his mother so young. But our relationship had been suffering for a while. She could never put him first and I always held that against her. She resented getting pregnant so young. Resented me being happy to settle, I suppose.’
‘You’d fallen out of love – my mother and father did too. But Becca’s death must still have been a big blow.’
His eyes grew darker. ‘Does anger count as the response to a tragedy?’
Yes. I’ve been there. Anger sometimes takes control. Anger at dad. Anger at Truda. At her mother’s compliance. And their long-term deception.
Lyle looked drawn and his face darkened. ‘Becca risked her life for a party. I arrived back from a championship and Josh was with a baby-sitter, only I didn’t want to go to the party. Becca went anyway, intent on her night out. Her attention was always on her social life. That night her attention wasn’t even on the road, never mind her obligations. Do I sound bitter?’
‘Driving’s your career. You know the stakes.’
‘Josh should have been her primary concern. I can’t forgive her for rating him beneath her life’s social priorities. He lost a mother
through her own selfishness.’
‘Hence the ‘impulsive’ allergy when we met?’
Lyle stretched out long, strong legs and regarded the toy track thoughtfully. ‘I lived with a career rebel for so long I bore the scars. I was too conventional for Becca. We tried several times to make it work but couldn’t. Now she’s dead.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Being a parent means curtailing risk. I put my rally days behind me. So why does sending him to his aunt feel more risky than racing ever did?’
Maddie felt her heart resonate with empathy for this man, his honesty and his past predicament. ‘Because love brings risk and changes your life. You’re a good dad, it’s no crime.’ Maddie reached to brush his hand. His love for Josh shone and went straight to her tender heart.
‘I want to trust again,’ he said, ‘and that means giving Josh and Lizzie space for a relationship. See, not so big bad Lyle after all.’
Maddie stared at the photo of Josh on the wall near her. Focusing on his cheeky grin, his likeness to his father. Thinking how it was the lost trust element with her parents that had done the most damage.
‘Lyle?’
‘Yes?’ His grey eyes met hers.
Should she tell him? Confide the truth about those last days of her Mom’s life – the discoveries that had smashed everything apart?
She decided against it.
‘You should be proud of your son and your own achievements. You’re doing the hardest job in the world and you’re doing it well,’ she offered in conclusion.
Lyle had confided. Now wasn’t the time for the spotlight. Though she suspected she might tell him some day. Admit the truth that Clark Adams wasn’t her real father at all. Explain how the discovery had detonated her life and resulted in a transatlantic relocation to Edinburgh. Lyle might just understand why that had hurt so much.
Maddie picked up a remote. ‘Gonna let me thrash you badly, rally guy?’