by Kris Pearson
“Shall we eat?” Diana suggested a few minutes later.
Grateful for the distraction, Kate rose. And found Matthew instantly at her side, hand on her upper arm, guiding her into the dining room. Ready to flinch away at his touch, she noticed Hamish escorting Diana in the same fashion. So the brothers were protective men with impeccable manners? She softened a little and walked with him to the impressive dining table. He’d set four places at one end, and soft lamplight glowed on the folds of long linen curtains and polished timber.
“Girls’ night off,” he said, pulling out a chair for her. “Hamish and I’ll bring the rest of the food.”
“You’re having it easy,” Diana teased. “I happen to know Lottie made the curry, and I suspect this lovely salad is Kate’s creation.” She cast an approving eye over the big bowl of crisp vegetables.
“Yeah, yeah, and you made the pie,” he agreed. “Okay, I managed the rice. Happy now?” He departed with a grin.
The men returned carrying a bowl each, and set them onto heat-absorbing cork mats. Hamish pulled out his chair and sat.
Kate smiled to herself as she watched Matthew take their padded oven gloves out to the kitchen. She hadn’t expected that glimpse of domesticity. He brought back dishes of yoghurt, toasted coconut and other condiments. “Dig in,” he said, handing Kate a big serving spoon.
“Guest of honour should go first,” she countered, trying to hand it to Hamish.
“You’re the visitor,” Hamish returned cheerfully, already helping himself to rice. “Some for you, hon?” he asked Diana. She handed her plate across and he piled it up.
Kate spooned out some curry, wondering how fiery it would be, and sniffing cautiously.
“It’ll be fairly hot,” Diana said, interpreting her hesitation correctly. “Lottie’s mother is Indonesian Dutch, so the spices are authentic. You can cool it down with the yoghurt.”
“Or a cold beer?” Matthew suggested.
Kate shook her head. “Not after the wine, thanks.”
“Anyone else?” he asked, glancing around the table. Heads were shaken. “More wine all round then,” he said, striding out to the kitchen and returning with four fresh glasses and a different bottle.
Kate glimpsed the distinctive McLeod Brothers label again. “Do you always drink your own wine?” she asked.
“Someone has to,” Hamish said with a wry smirk.
Diana smiled. “He keeps a keen eye on the competition—by sampling their fine products of course.”
“But we trot out the good stuff when it’s family,” he confirmed, taking a closer look at the label as Matthew positioned the glasses. “I thought you’d finished this vintage?”
“I kept a few bottles aside for special occasions.”
“And it is an important birthday,” Diana inserted.
Matthew poured, and handed the wine around. “Absent friends,” he said, lifting his glass in a toast. “Shame Lottie’s not here. All the family together.”
Everyone sipped and set their glasses down.
“Do you have brothers or sisters, Kate?” Diana asked.
Kate shook her head. “Only child. I would have liked a sister at least, but my mother...had problems in that department. I have a younger female cousin I’m fond of. Alfie.”
“Alfie? For a girl?”
“Poor thing—she’s named after her grandfather. He’s Alfred. She’s Alfrieda. I don’t see her often because she lives way out on a farm.”
Diana sent her a soft smile. “Two boys for us.”
“I bet they’re good company for each other.”
“Most of the time,” Hamish agreed. “Until one of them pinches something belonging to the other. Then all hell tends to break loose.”
Matthew laughed. “Sounds like you and me when we were younger.” He turned to Kate. “You’ll meet them on Saturday, if not before.”
“If I’m still here.”
“You’ll be here,” he confirmed with arrogant off-handedness. “I’ve already re-booked your ticket. Sunday evening to Auckland. Okay?”
Kate held his gaze without flinching. “So you’re sending me home. No job?”
He shrugged. “We’ll see. Everything’s been turned on its head now Lottie’s injured. You’d have to go home eventually to collect the rest of your clothes anyway.”
So just like that, she’d be dismissed? It stung.
“Oh yes, clothes,” Diana exclaimed. “How did the shopping go?”
Kate forked up some more curry and swallowed it before answering, wondering if Matthew would comment first. “It was fine,” she eventually replied. “I don’t think I needed everything we bought, but I was ganged up on. So I have jeans, leggings, a couple of jerseys, a leather jacket I certainly wouldn’t have chosen...”
“It looked good on you,” Matthew interrupted. “You can borrow the padded one again if you want.”
“...and a cardigan and some shirts and a lovely warm robe.”
She noticed neither of them mentioned the lingerie.
“Good work,” Diana said. “And you’ve met Lottie now?”
“Finally awake,” Matthew confirmed. They must have given her horse tranquiliser.”
“I don’t blame them,” Hamish muttered. “She can be a hell of a drama queen.”
“Yep, she was having a moan about the food when we arrived,” Matthew agreed, apparently not the least put out to have Lottie referred to so unkindly.
Hamish and Diana laughed.
“Nothing wrong with this food,” Kate said, spooning out a little more curry.
Diana nodded. “True. I wonder if Lottie could make me a nice big pot of it for the party? Maybe a little milder?”
“Consider it done,” Matthew said. “Although she’ll probably achieve it by barking orders at Kate or me while we skivvy for her.”
He turned to watch Kate. The soft lamplight brought out dark red highlights in hair that otherwise looked black. She’d pulled it away from her face and fastened it with the big spring-clip so a luxuriant mane of waves tumbled down the centre of her back. Her emerald green shirt emphasised the colour of her eyes. And in the unbuttoned opening at her throat, his chain sparkled and glimmered like a line of golden fire. Under the table, his groin stirred. He parted his thighs, making no effort to suppress the pleasurable sensation.
What was she really here for? So far, she’d shown no real signs of interest in his work. Had sent his office only the briefest of glances from the doorway when he’d given her the house tour. And seemed more interested in the vineyard than anything else. Rob Pleasance wasn’t associated with the wine industry, so there was no danger of industrial espionage in that direction. Undoubtedly, Rob might have shares in some of the leading brands, but Matthew knew enough about him to be certain wine wasn’t the focus of her sneaky investigations. He eased his thighs further apart, leaning back in his chair to savour the sensation, and thinking back to her frank appraisal as they sat together in the sitting room. Thank God for big white paper napkins, or he would have given his interest away entirely. And in front of his brother and Diana, too...
It had been bad enough driving her around the town. Worse sitting at the cafe, watching her across the table, seeing the breeze flirting with her hair where his fingertips itched to wander. Worse again every time her serious big green eyes flicked up to his as they talked. He’d been half-hard for most of the day.
She was cool and classy; no femme fatale. There was nothing he could interpret as flirty encouragement or sexy suggestion. Even when he’d teased her about the panties she’d responded with annoyance rather than mirth. She was a total enigma. A challenge and a temptation. And his to keep watch over until Sunday.
Kate turned to Diana as she laid down her knife and fork. “Can I be any help with the party?
“Another nice salad like this one? Everyone’s bringing something, rather than getting caterers in. I’m hoping that’ll get around the birthday present problem.”
“I’ll be l
ucky to get off scot-free there,” Hamish muttered.
Diana touched his arm and sent him a fond smile. “You must let them have their little jokes if they want to. I happen to know Joanie and Len have been working away at something on your behalf.”
Hamish rolled his eyes, and Kate laughed. It felt good to be part of easy family banter like this. She’d missed it since her parents had divorced. Being in the company of just one of them hadn’t been the same. And trying to relax with any of her father’s new ‘friends’ was excruciating.
“Time for dessert?” Diana asked, stacking Hamish’s plate and cutlery onto hers, and rising. Kate sprang up too, and reached for Matthew’s. The two women walked out to the kitchen together, leaving the brothers alone. Kate made one more trip to the dining room to gather the curry casserole, the rice dish and the smaller bowls onto a tray while Diana retrieved her Banoffie Pie from the refrigerator.
“This is so full of calories,” Diana said with a guilty smile. “I don’t make it often, but for his birthday...?” She attempted to stand a candle in the centre of it. “Mmm—might have to do that at the table,” she decided as it leaned drunkenly over.
“Shall we light it out here and I’ll carry it?” Kate offered. Together they managed to get pie and candle to the table. As soon as they appeared, Matthew began to whistle ‘happy birthday to you’ with surprising sweetness.
Wedges of pie and dark smoky coffee completed the meal. Diana stacked the dishwasher. Conversation became desultory, and finally Matthew rose. “Port in the spa, everyone?” he asked, threading his long fingers around the stems of four glasses set ready on the sideboard, and taking the bottle by its neck. Kate tagged along uncertainly, wondering if she could escape now.
But Diana ushered her into the changing room, inviting her to choose from the half-dozen swimsuits kept there for the use of guests. Kate slid into the plainest and most concealing she could find, bundled up all of her hair on top of her head, then followed Diana next door. Relief washed over her once she saw the pool was huge.
Matthew stood fully clothed by the big folding glass doors forming two walls of the room. His eyes caressed her, burning down the length of her legs, blatantly appreciating the curves of her breasts and hips. He unsnapped the door-locks and slid the misted panels aside. Frosty air and moonlight poured in, as magical as any film set. Lord of the Rings mountains shimmered, crystal clear, impossibly close.
Diana submersed herself in the warm bubbling water with an exclamation of pleasure, and Kate followed rapidly to escape Matthews’s hungry eyes.
She sat mesmerised as he slowly pulled his shirt free from his trousers. Long fingers slid the buttons through their holes. With a shrug, he shimmied the shirt down his arms, baring his body for her, still holding her eyes with his own.
Kate would not have noticed if someone had punched her in the stomach. She’d stopped breathing. She’d stopped thinking. She’d started wanting, mindlessly.
Her hands longed to smooth and stroke his powerful shoulders and arms. Her lips and tongue needed to lick and slide over his hard chest and lean torso.
His fingers located the catch on his trousers, and the dark fabric slipped a little down his hips. This granted her the briefest glimpse of an intricate band of tattooing circling his waistline before he stepped away and disappeared into the changing room.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Nothing had prepared her for this. She’d arrived in Queenstown hoping for a job. She might still be successful in her quest. She was coming to terms with her possible new boss being famous...the house being so large and beautifully appointed.
She had managed—just—to cope with Matthew for the day. Had resisted his potent charm, fielded his intrusive questions, not quite fallen apart when he stood too close, arrogantly playing with her hair, caressing her ear.
But his taunting little strip-tease was her undoing. His hard flesh was lean and streamlined. It was the body of a fully mature man, with no boyish softness, no unwanted fat, no hint of city slackness. The combination of his vineyard labours, high-country photographic hikes, and the professional gym next to the spa room had made him tough and toned, sinewy and sexy. She might have imagined him as gorgeous as this, but now she knew.
And so far she’d seen only half of him.
Desperately she turned to Diana as a distraction.
“Matthew says I’ll need a proper party dress for Saturday. Is he teasing me again?” she asked in a voice that was less than steady.
Diana smiled. “For once he’s not teasing. We thought we’d give everyone the chance to really dress up—quite fun in mid-winter.”
Kate nodded, trying to think of anything else to say. “He was most extravagant buying me clothes today, and now he wants to pay for this dress as well. It’s embarrassing.”
“He wouldn’t know the meaning of the word.”
She thought of the lingerie selection and silently agreed.
“He’s probably quite enjoying spoiling you. Lottie’s no fun to buy for. She practically lives in his old shirts—well-daubed with paint.”
Kate smiled. She could picture that. “All the same, it doesn’t feel right...”
“He does exactly as he wants, Kate—you’ll have a job stopping him. This one’s bad enough,” she added as Hamish padded in from the changing room.
“Who’s bad enough?” he asked, giving Diana’s short blond curls an affectionate ruffle as he stepped into the pool.
“You are, birthday boy, but your brother’s even worse.”
“Matthew? Total shocker. What’s he done now?”
“He wants to buy me a party dress,” Kate murmured.
“Hit him up for shoes as well,” Hamish said, grinning, and lowering himself into the water. “Ahhhh... much better. What on earth does he want the doors open for? It’s cold as sin out there.”
“Philistine,” Matthew said, surprising everyone. Kate dared not raise her eyes to look at him. “Appreciate the contrast...cold air and hot water. Moonlight on the mountains. The noises of the night.”
Somewhere in the distance, a car backfired and they all collapsed laughing. It broke the ice, and she was able to relax and accept the glass of port he handed her.
She was slightly miffed to find there was absolutely no more of him on display. A little less, indeed—there was no glimpse of the tantalizing tattoo. He now wore blue elastic-waisted board shorts that reached below the side of the pool. From Kate’s low vantage point, she couldn’t see his legs at all.
He switched off the wall lamps, and by the time her eyes had accustomed themselves to the moonlight, he was in the water with them. He raised his glass in a toast.
“To Hamish—happy fortieth. To Kate—happy thirtieth.”
“How on earth did you know?” she asked, dismayed.
“How do you think?” He half closed his eyes and smiled, leaving her floundering. After a few seconds, he took pity on her. “Lottie gave me your CV this morning. Date of birth, swimming medals, business degree. Easy as that.”
“Happy birthday to you both then,” Diana chuckled.
Kate and Hamish raised their glasses in each other’s direction. The port was coal-black in the moonlight—rich and persuasive. They all sipped in silent enjoyment as the water fizzed and frothed around their shoulders.
“Perfect end to a good day,” Hamish said with satisfaction.
“Was it a good day for you, Katie?” Matthew asked.
In the half dark, in company, she found the nerve to meet his compulsive eyes. “It had its moments.”
“Which were?”
The port had given her courage. She smiled and listed the parts of the day he wouldn’t be expecting. “Lovely flight—the mountains looked fantastic. Great to meet Lottie—a huge surprise. Seeing this house. The landscaping here is amazing, and my bedroom is beautiful. Meeting Diana and Hamish... ” She paused.
“Lunch?”
“Oh yes, lunch was all right.”
“Shopping?”
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“Good to get it out of the way.”
“Dinner?” he growled.
Hamish and Diana were chuckling.
“You’ve met your match there,” Hamish said, giving his brother a friendly nudge.
“And I thought you were so obedient, Katie,” he murmured.
In an instant, her nerves jumped to full attention.
“When what’s expected is fair, I’m happy to oblige,” she said, finally looking away from him. It was as sharp a rebuke as she dared give him in the current company.
Hamish set his empty glass aside with care.
“Another?” Matthew asked.
“Best not. I won’t be safe to drive.”
“Enjoy the port and stay. Kate’ll be grateful to have a chaperone. She’s worried I’m going to pounce in the night.”
“I am not,” she gasped, astounded he’d voice her thoughts aloud in front of Hamish and Diana. Because he’d certainly been right. With Lottie out of the house, she’d conjured up all sorts of sexy scenarios. Her face burned. Thank heavens for the cool moonlight washing over the spa-room...
Hamish held out his glass, and she relaxed a little. There’d be others in the house after all.
“So you’re a swimmer, Kate?” Diana asked.
“Not for a while now, but yes, I was okay.”
“More than okay from what I read,” Matthew softly inserted. “Commonwealth Games medallist.”
“Of course,” Diana exclaimed. “I knew your name was familiar.”
Kate shot Matthew an annoyed glance. “I’ve given up the serious competitive swimming now, but I coach talented children every week.”
His gaze sharpened. “What about this week? You said you had nothing to prevent you staying here.”
“No, they’re doing some mid-winter pool maintenance, so it’s fine.”
“You’re sure?”
Kate turned further toward him in exasperation. “It’s absolutely fine. No classes.” She inspected his impressive shoulders, and couldn’t help imagining the rest of him. “Were you ever a swimmer?”