Christmas Down Under: Six Sexy New Zealand & Australian Christmas Romances

by Rosalind James

  “Yes, but I use latex-free condoms.”

  “Well they’re thinner than ordinary ones and more likely to tear. Especially if your lovemaking is…” He struggled to find the right word. “Energetic, shall we say?” He obviously didn’t know whether to laugh or be embarrassed.

  Skye’s face burned as she thought about the first time she’d had sex with Owen—the way he’d taken her on the table, then carried her to the bedroom, following which they’d changed positions several times. Yes, he had been very…energetic.

  She calculated quickly in her head. That incident had been right in the middle of her cycle.

  Fuck.

  Panic filled her. “Oh God, Joss, I can’t be pregnant.”

  He held up a hand, his humor fading. “Look, let’s not panic before we’re certain—there are other reasons for feeling nauseous. Let’s do a test and make sure.”

  “Okay.” She fought to control her breathing and quell the wave of sickness rising inside her.

  “I can send you for a blood test but that would take a few days—the easiest thing is for us to do a urine test from the pharmacy. I’ll get one—here, take this.” He gave her a small bottle with a lid. “There’s a bathroom up the corridor. Go and fill it up and come back here.”

  Skye took it, her hand shaking.

  “Hey.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick hug. “Don’t worry. Either way, we’ll sort things out, okay?”

  She nodded, not believing him, but appreciating his attempt to make her feel better. “Am I holding up the next patient?”

  “Nope, I’m all done for the day. I didn’t make any late bookings because we’re going out tonight.”

  Of course, it was Kole’s stag night. Skye couldn’t believe it was still the same day. She felt as if a hundred years had passed since she’d talked to Tasha earlier about going out that evening.

  As if in a dream, she walked to the bathroom, filled up the sample bottle, and returned to Joss’s room. He was already there with a pregnancy test, and he took the bottle from her, dipped the stick of the test in it, and popped the cap back on.

  “Not long to wait,” he said, gesturing for her to sit down while he washed his hands.

  She sank to the seat on shaky knees, trying not to stare at the stick that rested on the side of his desk. “How accurate is it?”

  “If it’s negative, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not pregnant as it’s very early.”

  “But there’s no way it could be falsely positive.”

  He shook his head, his expression sympathetic.

  Her bottom lip trembled, and he sighed. Sitting back in his chair, he reached out to take her hand. “Hey, come on. It wouldn’t be that terrible, would it?”

  She swallowed hard and frowned. “Are you kidding me? I’m hardly in a long term relationship. I’m due to leave the country in February. It’s not exactly a perfect situation.”

  “I suppose. You could change your mind though, couldn’t you?”

  Her heart pounding, she withdrew her hand from his. If she did that and it all went wrong, what would she do then? Her life had been filled with a thousand bad choices, and she felt as if she’d lost her ability to make right decisions. Nothing in life was certain. There wasn’t a rulebook to follow. How would she know which decision was the right one?

  “One step at a time,” Joss said, obviously seeing her panic rising. “Let’s not jump the gun.”

  “How long?”

  He glanced at the clock on the wall behind her. “Another minute.”

  God, this was the worst thing she’d ever had to do. How could her whole life teeter on a tiny piece of plastic?

  “I’m not,” she said firmly. “I’ve just picked up a bug, like you said.”

  Joss didn’t say anything.

  She bit her lip. “If I am, please don’t tell Maisey.”

  A look of frustration crossed his face—clearly he was used to discussing whatever was on his mind with her sister. But he just said, “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “And Joss, you mustn’t tell Owen tonight.”

  “Skye, I can’t tell anyone what we talk about in here. But I strongly advise you to discuss it with him before you make any decisions.”

  He was referring to whether she would keep the baby. Another wave of nausea washed over her.

  “Are you okay? You’ve gone even paler, if that were possible.”

  She nodded. “Is it time?”

  He glanced at the clock. “Yes. You want to do it?”

  She reached for the stick, but couldn’t bring herself to turn it over. “I can’t. You look.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded.

  Taking a deep breath, Joss turned over the stick.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The bar on Paihia’s waterfront was already bustling by the time the guys arrived at seven thirty.

  Owen got out of the station wagon taxi and stretched his legs, admiring the view. Paihia wasn’t far from the Waitangi Forest where he did a lot of training and had carried out several searches, but he didn’t know the town well. Part of the Bay of Islands, it sat nestled in a corner of the sparkling Pacific Ocean with the picturesque village of Russell just across the water. Only ten minutes away was the Waitangi National Trust, considered the birthplace of the nation. Paihia had a beachfront feel with plenty of cafés and souvenir shops selling Kiwiana—jewelry and knick knacks painted with kiwi birds, koru shapes, and whale flukes. A good proportion of customers in the bar were probably holidaymakers staying in the hotels and camp sites farther up the road.

  Kole, Fox, Joss, and Stuart also climbed out of the taxi. Owen had been surprised Kole hadn’t asked more guys on the stag night, but Kole had said, “I just want to share a drink with my mates. I’m too old for nightclubs and strippers.”

  “A man’s never too old for strippers,” Fox had muttered, but from what Owen could make out, his friends had honored Kole’s wishes, and didn’t have anything more exciting planned than a few hours at the bar followed by a late night snack at Aqua Blue because Fox wanted to check on something he’d prepared for the wedding breakfast the following day.

  “We are getting old,” Kole commented as they crossed the road to the bar. “Next we’ll only be buying shirts based on how easy they are to iron.”

  “I’m shocked you even know what an iron is,” Stuart commented, making them all laugh. Kole’s T-shirts were often creased, and Tasha flatly refused to do any of his ironing for him.

  The new bar had been set up by another old school friend of the guys. It was called Between the Sheets and served hundreds of different cocktails as well as regular drinks, and the guys were keen to support their friend in his new venture.

  Owen was touched Kole had invited him, considering they didn’t know each other well, but the more Kole spoke about his sister, the more Owen was beginning to understand how worried her family were about her. In Owen, Kole apparently saw Skye’s salvation, and he appeared determined to encourage that relationship as much as he could.

  “Beck!” Kole raised a hand to a guy standing by the bar talking to customers. Sturdy and well-built, he had dark hair touched with gray at the temples, and a short beard.

  The man saw Kole, and a grin spread over his face, following which he walked over and enveloped the groom-to-be in a bear hug. “Good to see you.” The guy pulled back and surveyed Kole. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow. Why aren’t you jumping on a plane and heading in the opposite direction?”

  “I would, if I was marrying my sister.” Fox shook hands with him. “Hey, Beck.”

  “Hey.” Beck shook hands with the others.

  “This is Owen,” Kole said, introducing him. “He’s Skye’s partner.”

  Hiding his surprise at Kole’s description, Owen shook hands. “Great bar you have here.” He meant it, too. It was an interesting mix of smart and casual. The floorboards had a fine coating of sand brought in on people’s shoes, whi
le a variety of surfboards leaned against the far wall. Beautiful large photos of men and women caught in mid-surf decorated the walls, which were painted in pastel colors. The tables and chairs were plain wood, and all the signs and menus were written on boards with colored chalk. Hundreds of shells lay tucked in corners of the bar and on the tables. But Owen could see the effort that had gone into producing that just-off-the-beach appearance. The whole place had a fresh, fun, and young feel without being rowdy.

  Fox nodded as he looked around. “Yeah, it looks great. How’s it doing?”

  “Good. I was lucky the site came up at the right time—it’s well-placed near the holiday parks, but close enough to town for locals too.” Beck gestured at the walls. “The photos look amazing, don’t they? I get so many comments. You need to drop me off some more of your business cards, by the way—I’ve given them all out.”

  He was addressing Kole, and Owen looked at him in surprise. “You took the photos?”

  “Yep.” Kole grinned, fished in the pocket of his jeans, and brought out a small batch of cards. “You can have these. I’ll send you some more later.”

  “Cool.” Beck walked over to the bar, and the guys followed. “What can I get you? Something from here?” He winked and slid a menu over to them.

  Owen glanced at the title at the top and read it out, laughing. “‘Between the Sheets—putting the cock into cocktails.’ Classy.”

  “You’d be surprised how popular they are.” Beck leaned on the counter. “Especially on hen nights.”

  “The girls should have come here,” Fox said. “Caitlin would love Sex on the Beach.”

  “And I’m sure Elle wouldn’t say no to a Screaming Orgasm,” Stuart said, making them all laugh.

  “I’d order a Blow Job,” Joss said, “but I’m conscious Maisey’s your sister, and I don’t want you to have a coronary on your stag night.”

  Kole grinned and pushed the menu back to Beck. “I think we’ll stick with beer, to start with, anyway. A Steinlager for me.”

  The other guys ordered, and Beck promised he’d bring them some snacks on the house. They took their beers and headed outside. A covered area with tall heaters faced the beach, and they found a table and sat.

  “I still can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow,” Joss said. “Does it feel weird?”

  Kole shrugged. “Not really. A few years ago, I’d have laughed if someone had said I’d be settling down, but I’m looking forward to it now.”

  Stuart sipped his beer. “Is Tash going to change her surname to Graham?”

  “Actually, yes.” Kole’s expression told Owen he was as surprised as the rest of them.

  “Wonders will never cease.” Fox grinned.

  “Are you all ready for tomorrow, Fox?” Stuart smiled at Owen. “He’s giving away the bride.”

  “Oh?” Owen had only made the connection that Fox and Tasha were siblings a few days before. “Your father not around?”

  Fox shook his head. “My parents divorced when we were young, and we didn’t see much of Dad. I speak to him occasionally now, but Tasha won’t have anything to do with him. She’s asked me to give her away.” The look of pride on his face told Owen that Fox was pleased to have been asked.

  “I wonder what Tasha’s wedding dress will be like,” Stuart said. “I keep imagining her walking down the aisle in black.”

  They all laughed. “She assures me it’s not,” Kole said, “but that’s all I know. I don’t care what she wears. I just want to marry the girl.”

  His words confirmed to Owen what Skye had told him about the whole wedding being a laid-back affair. Neither Kole nor Tasha wanted any fuss, Skye had explained, and so they were holding the wedding at a local boutique hotel. Its large lawn overlooked Mangonui harbor, and that was where the ceremony would be carried out. Aqua Blue was catering, and a local band was providing music. There were only going to be fifty-or-so guests.

  “What about the honeymoon?” Owen asked. “Are you going away?”

  “Not until after Christmas,” Kole said. “We leave for Samoa the following Saturday.”

  “Nice.” If he ever married, Owen thought, he wouldn’t mind honeymooning on one of the Pacific islands.

  The guys started talking about rugby, but Owen’s gaze drifted to the horizon. The sun had nearly set and had flooded the ocean with reds and golds. Off in the distance, he was sure he saw the curve of the back of a dolphin—no doubt a pod were out there, having an evening play.

  Was Skye enjoying herself? He thought she probably was—she’d seemed happier over the last few days, content to spend her evenings with him. Whether she would still end up returning to Europe, he didn’t know. He could only hope that by the time she was due to leave, she’d fallen for him so much she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to step onto the plane.

  It was a long shot—he was aware of that. She’d told him at the beginning this was only a fling. Although she appeared content with him, it didn’t mean she was ready to stay. I’m damaged goods, she’d said, and although he hated the phrase with a passion, he knew she was trying to explain to him that she wasn’t sure she’d ever heal enough to be able to stay.

  “Earth to Owen,” Kole said. “Where were you?”

  “Sorry. I was thinking about Skye.”

  The guys grinned. “Any news on whether she’s staying now?” Stuart’s sympathetic expression mirrored that on the others’ faces.

  Owen shrugged. “Not yet. I’m trying to convince her.”

  Kole waved a hand. “Don’t worry. She acts like she enjoys living out of a suitcase, as if security and settling down frightens her, but she’s still the same Skye I’ve always known. Deep down, she’s as traditional as the rest of us and she longs for some stability, and that’s never going to change.”

  Owen nodded and sipped his beer, but he wasn’t sure he agreed with her brother.

  Beck brought out a few platters—one with cold meats, bread, pickles, and dips, another with a variety of seafood—deep fried calamari, thai prawns on skewers, some smoked hoki fish, and a dish of fresh mussels. The last was a huge bowl of potato wedges with sour cream and chilli sauce.

  “Let me know what you think,” he said to Fox. “I’m happy to accept advice.”

  “Will do. Looks great though.”

  “Another round?” Beck asked.

  They ordered same again, and Beck left to collect the beers. The guys tucked into the food with gusto.

  “Fantastic,” Stuart said as he dipped some of the bread in the olive oil and then the dukkah herbs, nuts, and spices. “I think he’s going to do well here.”

  The place was certainly buzzing. The customers appeared relaxed and happy in the holiday atmosphere and hot and sultry weather.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” Owen said to Kole, leaning forward to pick up a skewer of the Thai prawns. “I appreciate it.”

  “No worries, bro. You’re one of the gang now.”

  “Yeah, sorry you got suckered in,” Fox said. “Once those girls have their claws into you, there’s no escaping.”

  Owen grinned. “I don’t mind so much.”

  Kole glanced across at Joss. His best man hadn’t said much so far, and now sat staring at his beer, lost in thought. “You all right? You’re quiet this evening.”

  Joss looked up and, to Owen’s surprise, met his gaze for a moment before looking away. “Yeah, sorry. Got a lot on my mind.”

  “Missing Maisey?” Stuart suggested.

  “A bit.” Joss’s lips twisted.

  “It is odd without the girls.” Kole picked at the label on his bottle.

  “I bet they’re not missing us.” Fox snorted and helped himself to the potato wedges. “I bet they’re knee-deep in strippers, drunk as skunks, and creating havoc in some pub somewhere.”

  They all chuckled. “I can’t imagine Elle creating havoc,” Stuart said.

  “No, nor Maisey,” Joss said.

  “We are all getting old.” Kole huffed a sigh. “
Next, we’ll be taking up knitting.”

  Despite their complaints and assurances that they’d probably all rather be at home with their partners watching TV, the guys worked their way through the food, had another couple of beers and progressed to shorts as the evening wore on, and generally had a great time.

  Although Owen had made a few friends since moving to the Northland, he didn’t socialize much, and it made a change to spend some time in male company. He liked all the men—they were sound guys, honest, funny, hardworking, and they clearly all loved their girls.

  It was nice to take his mind off things too. He hadn’t told Skye, but he’d had a phone call from his boss in Auckland earlier. It hadn’t been good news—the guy had informed Owen that budgets had been cut again, and it was looking even less likely they’d be able to keep the Far North branch open. Depressed about that as well as his continuing anxiety that the clock was ticking where Skye was concerned, it was good to have a little distraction.

  By the end of the evening, Owen had a case of the warm fuzzies. They all swore to each other they weren’t drunk, but judging by Beck’s amused grin as he said goodbye, they were maybe a little tipsier than they’d realized. Finding their way to the taxi proved more troublesome than it should have, and it took a large quantity of concentration for Owen to get his limbs to coordinate and move the way he wanted them to.

  He sat next to Joss, near the door, because the taxi was going to drop him off at his house in Kerikeri on the way back.

  “Is Skye staying at your place tonight?” Joss asked when the taxi pulled away. He’d lost his pensiveness as the evening had worn on, and had proved to be as much fun as the others when he got going.

  “Yep.” Owen tried to slot the clip of his seatbelt in. It took him three goes.

  “How’s she getting to Kerikeri?” Fox asked, finishing off with a quiet belch that made them all chuckle.

  “Taxi, I think.” Owen turned in his seat so he could face the others. “At least, I hope she won’t be driving if their evening has been as successful as ours.”

  “Don’t worry, Skye’s not drinking,” Joss said, his words slurring a little.