One-Click Buy: September Harlequin Presents

by Penny Jordan

‘What’s what?’

  ‘Are you in love with the girl or not?’

  There it was again, that dumb question. Zack shot out of his chair, paced over to the parlour’s open terrace doors, suddenly feeling like a caged animal. Tension vibrated through him. He shut his eyes, the scent of lavender and brine flowing in on the breeze suffocating him.

  He pictured Kate’s face. Comforting and compassionate when she’d held his hand a few minutes ago. Bright and defiant whenever they argued. Sexy enough to make his heart stop when they made love.

  He wanted her, sure. But was he falling in love with her?

  Over the last week he’d been pretty much cross-eyed with lust, but right along with it had been a surge of longing and bone-deep contentment he still didn’t understand. After all, she was easily the most difficult, the most impossible woman he’d ever dated. She used her independence like a shield and never let him get away with anything. That her obstinacy thrilled him as much as it infuriated him probably meant he was losing his mind.

  ‘You figured out the answer yet?’ Hal asked, touching his shoulder.

  Zack glanced round to see an ‘I told you so’ smugness in the old man’s face. ‘We’re not in love with each other,’ he said, frustration sharpening his voice. ‘We’re friends. Nothing more.’

  And that was the way it was going to stay. He wasn’t going to let his heart get ripped out and torn to shreds. He knew what it felt like, had known since he was eight years old. No way was he ever going to leave himself open to that again. If he’d learned one thing from JP, it was that love was for suckers.

  ‘If you say so,’ Hal said gently, interrupting Zack’s thoughts. ‘But she’s my friend now, too. So I’m going to ask you a favour.’

  ‘What is it?’ Zack asked, warily.

  ‘When you two get the passion out of your system—when you decide to let her go—I’ll be expecting you to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.’

  Zack nodded, but the hair at the nape of his neck bristled.

  One thing was for damn sure. Kate wasn’t out of his system yet—and until she was, he wasn’t about to let her go anywhere.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  AS KATE WALKED along the crushed rock pathway back to the cottage she inhaled the fresh resin scent of the Monterey pines and finally faced the truth.

  She’d fallen hopelessly in love with Zack Boudreaux. Super-cool, super-confident, super-sexy Zack. Her boss, her lover and a man who would never, ever need her the way she needed him.

  She’d made some pretty spectacular mistakes in her life up to now—trying to win her father’s love, trusting Andrew the rat—but this was easily the most catastrophic one so far.

  She’d feared the worst yesterday when she’d accepted his necklace. But she hadn’t realised the full extent of her idiocy until she’d watched him stiff and vulnerable in Hal’s arms and the wave of love, of longing, that had welled up inside her had left her feeling punch-drunk.

  A plump quail and its chicks waddled out of the long pampas-grass in single file, scratching for seeds. Kate watched them cross the path. The sight didn’t make her smile as it had the day before.

  How could she have been such a fool? Hadn’t she always promised herself she would never make the mistake of falling for someone who didn’t love her? She’d seen what it had done for her mother—tied her for life to a man who had ended up destroying her. Of course, Zack was nothing like her father. He might be arrogant, ruthless even, but he wasn’t cruel and manipulative. He’d been generous and caring in his own way, he’d even held her when she’d needed it. But she knew he didn’t love her back. He’d never given her any indication that this meant more to him than a casual—and temporary—fling.

  She opened the cottage door and walked through the living room, slanting her gaze away from the fireplace as the memory of their strip poker game assaulted her. She paused by the French doors, pushed them open. The bougainvillea and trumpet vines gave off a sweet perfume, making her feel like a princess in a tower. The rocky cliffs gilded with spring flowers and the drama of the dark blue sea below completed the enchanting spell.

  Kate let go of the rail and stepped back from the edge. There she went dreaming again like some naïve teenager. She wasn’t Rapunzel waiting for her prince. This wasn’t a dream. It was an illusion, that was about to suck her in and destroy her. She’d always prided herself on her independence, her self-sufficiency. She needed to cling on to the last remnants of it now if she was going to survive this.

  She had to protect herself. She gave a quiet huff of breath, felt her heart crack. Which meant not begging Zack for a commitment he couldn’t give. She had made that mistake once before, with her father, and it had cost her dearly. She already knew Zack’s rejection would cost her a great deal more.

  Drawing her shoulders back, she walked through the cottage to the bedroom she’d been sharing with Zack. She dragged her suitcase out of the wardrobe with leaden arms and began gathering up the clothes scattered around the room. She pulled her clean undies out of the dresser, threw them in the case.

  The first step to a stronger, more resilient, more self-aware Kate was a Kate who didn’t give in to her rioting hormones. Starting now, she had to stop sleeping with Zack. After all, the incendiary sexual chemistry between them had got her into this fix in the first place. She zipped the lid shut and wheeled the case through the bathroom and into the smaller of the two bedrooms.

  The fantasy was over. She lifted her case onto the bed’s down comforter, flopped down beside it. She had to start facing reality.

  She’d taken a gamble sleeping with the boss, but now she’d fallen in love with him all bets were off.

  Two hours later, Zack skidded the Ferrari to a stop in the cottage’s driveway and yanked on the handbrake. Ignoring the crisp wind and the darkening sky on the horizon, he left the top down and jumped out of the car. He felt revved up, excited about what the future held and no damn rain cloud was going to dampen his mood.

  After spending an hour chatting to Hal—and taking the first tentative steps to reforging the bond they’d once shared—he’d gone for a drive to clear his head. And to plan what the hell he was going to do about Kate. It had taken him a while to calm down enough to think it through rationally—surely just a result of the emotional jolt from his reunion with Hal—but once he had, everything had fallen neatly into place.

  He didn’t love her, any more than she loved him, but what they had together was way too good to throw away. He adored her company, her companionship, even her smart mouth, and they made a fantastic team—both in business and in bed. The simple solution to the problem had hit him like a brick as he’d handled the powerful car through the heart-stopping scenery of Big Sur.

  He’d make her his permanent PA.

  She could work for him during the day and they could play together at night. It would be the perfect partnership with no messy emotional entanglements. Kate was the most practical, pragmatic woman he knew—right down to those proper knickers. She’d see the benefits and wouldn’t be sidetracked by loads of dumb nonsense about true love. She valued her independence. She wouldn’t need more from him than he was willing to give.

  He whipped his key card through the cottage lock and flung the door open. ‘Hey, Kate, where are you?’

  Damn, he’d never been so excited about offering someone a job before. His blood pumped through his veins as he strode through the living room, making him feel more alive than ever.

  His enthusiasm had dimmed, though, by the time he’d checked out the terrace, the bathroom and their bedroom and hadn’t been able to find Kate. Where had she got to? She was supposed to be here, waiting for him, so he could tell her about the great new opportunity he was about to give her.

  As he turned away from the bed, though, he noticed something that sent a chill skidding up his spine. Where was the silk camisole he’d stripped off her this morning while taking her back into bed? He turned in a slow circle. And where were the rest of her
clothes? Walking over to the armoire, he pulled open the doors, saw the empty space where her suitcase should have been. Every last molecule of blood seemed to drain out of his head. He blinked, tried to focus past the roar in his ears, the panic ripping at his gut. He swore viciously, the obscenity slicing through the ominous stillness like a jagged blade. The room seemed to fold in around him, and suddenly he was eight years old again, waking up to find the bed beside him empty and his father gone. He tried to force the memory down, but the panic crawled up his chest and sank its teeth into his throat.

  Calm down, damn it. She hasn’t left you, she can’t have.

  Slamming the armoire door shut, he stormed through the living room and out onto the terrace, his hands fisting at his side. He whipped round as the flash of blonde caught his eye in the cove below.

  He took a deep breath, eased it out. Finally the choking panic began to fade, but the bitter bile of temper rushed up to replace it.

  He took the steps down to the beach, two at a time. If she ever scared him like that again she was going to regret it. And, anyhow, what the hell had she done with her stuff?

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  KATE PERCHED ON the slab of grey granite and stared out at the Pacific Ocean. The timeless rhythm of white surf foamed around the rocks topping the dark, angry blue peaks. A chilly mist hung low as storm clouds frowned over the coastline.

  Kate knew just how they felt.

  She wrapped her arms round her knees and swallowed down the tears that had been tightening her throat ever since she’d decided her fling with Zack had to end. She had to shake this ridiculous melancholia before she saw him again. Carefree and flippant was how she’d decided to play it. He’d be irritated she didn’t want to sleep with him any more, but he’d get over it. They had less than a week left in California. Surely she could hold out against him that long, now she knew how much was at stake.

  The knowledge that the days to follow would be agony only made her more determined to keep things dignified. She must not break down in front of him. She mustn’t let him know how she felt. Pride, after all, was the only thing she had left. She shut her eyes, pulled her skirt over her knees and hugged her shins as the first drop of rain splashed onto her cheek.

  ‘What are you doing out here? It’s about to pour.’

  She looked round to see Zack jogging towards her across the sand, devastatingly sexy in an open-necked shirt and black trousers. Why did he have to look so flipping irresistible? It wasn’t fair.

  She forced a smile onto her face, climbed off the rock. ‘I fancied a walk.’

  One black brow arched as he got closer and studied her face. A raindrop splattered down and clung to his lashes like a tear. ‘What’s wrong?’ He wiped the moisture away. ‘You look like you’re about to cry.’

  So much for carefree and flippant. She looked past him, her throat closing on the words she needed to say. ‘We better go inside before we get soaked.’ She tried to walk by him but he took her arm, pulled her round to face him.

  ‘Where’s your stuff?’

  She shivered, his confrontational stance as much to blame as the spots of rain dampening the light sweater and skirt she wore. ‘I’ve decided to move into the other bedroom.’

  The emerald-green of his eyes darkened to match the ominous clouds overhead. ‘What the hell for?’

  She dipped her head—and felt the instinctive response at the sight of his chest outlined by the damp splotches on his shirt. This was exactly why she had to stand her ground. She was addicted to him. Her head came back up. ‘I think we should stop sleeping together.’

  ‘Yeah?’ The single word sliced out. This wasn’t irritation, Kate realised, but something much more volatile. ‘Well, what if I don’t?’ he finished.

  ‘Please, let’s go inside?’ she said, struggling for calm. Matching his temper with her own would only make the fire between them flare hotter. ‘We’re getting wet.’

  He looked ready to argue, but then the rumble of thunder signalled a deluge that drenched them in seconds. But as they raced up the cliff steps he kept hold of her arm, only letting go once they were inside the cottage.

  ‘Stay put. I’ll get the towels,’ he said, his voice now rigid with control.

  She stood frozen in place as he stalked into the bedroom. The soft pat, pat, pat of rainwater dripping from her hair onto the floor galvanised her into action. She peeled off her soaked cotton sweater, clasping her arms over her chest as Zack walked back into the room, only too aware of her bra made transparent by the rain.

  He’d taken off his shirt and was rubbing a towel across his chest. She swallowed, feeling the familiar flames burn hotter. Terrific. Now she would have to argue her case while they were both practically naked. Why couldn’t anything in her life be easy?

  ‘Here.’ He threw her the extra towel he’d slung round his neck. His gaze slid down to her breasts, making the heat throb harder. She pulled the towel around her shoulders.

  ‘I thought we could grab a shower together,’ he said, his voice cool, but his gaze more penetrating than a laser beam. He leaned against the sofa and folded his arms, giving her a stiff smile. ‘Then we’ll talk about our sleeping arrangements.’

  Kate felt indignation flare alongside the desire. He was trying to ride roughshod over her. Typical. Well, this time, finally, she was going to get her own way. Pheromones or no pheromones. She had to.

  ‘I’ll shower alone, thank you. And then I’d like to make a few calls. I’ll be back in Britain at the end of the week and I need to line up a new job.’

  He straightened, the smile wiped off his face. ‘You’re not going back to Britain. I’m giving you a permanent contract as my PA.’

  ‘But…’ The implication of what he’d said sank in. She bit into her bottom lip, forcing down the spurt of hope. She couldn’t stay with him, however much she might want to. It would only make things harder in the end. ‘Why are you offering me this now?’

  ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Zack dropped his arms and gripped the armrest, tilting his upper body towards her. ‘You’re doing a fantastic job.’ His gaze intensified. ‘And we make a great team.’

  ‘I…I can’t accept it,’ she said on a shuddering breath, feeling her resolve dripping away like the raindrops from her hair.

  ‘Don’t be stupid.’ He pushed away from the sofa, stepped close. His body heat felt almost as overwhelming as the force of his will. He stroked open palms up her arms. ‘I’m offering a good salary.’

  Her heart plunged as he pushed her wet hair back and framed her face.

  ‘You’ll have your independence.’ He pressed his thumb against her bottom lip. ‘If that’s what’s bothering you.’

  She heaved out an unsteady breath.

  ‘I want you with me,’ he said, pushing the towel off her shoulders, throwing it away.

  She shivered violently.

  ‘You’re cold,’ he murmured, holding her steady. But she knew she wasn’t. What she was was weak. He took her hand, led her across the living room. ‘Let’s get you warmed up.’

  But as they walked towards the bathroom her dazed mind registered one thought. He was wrong. She wouldn’t have her independence. Despite the salary he was offering, despite the trappings of independence, she would be little better than her mother. A woman who’d sacrificed her identity, her individuality, for a love that had never been real.

  Clinging onto the thought, Kate tugged her hand out of Zack’s. ‘I’m not doing this. I’m not taking the job.’

  ‘Why?’ Temper still simmered in his eyes, but with it was confusion.

  She drew in a deep breath, gathered her courage like a shield around her heart. ‘Because you don’t just want a PA, you want someone to share your bed. And I don’t want to be your convenient bed partner any more.’

  He gave a harsh laugh. ‘You’re not what I’d call convenient.’ He stepped forward and she bumped back against the wall. ‘And, anyhow, you’re lying.’ His hands grasped her hips, held her still.
‘I know you want me.’

  ‘Stop it, Zack.’ She wriggled.

  He dragged her against him. ‘You want to know how I know?’

  She flattened her hands against his chest. ‘No, I don’t.’

  His big body held her back against the wall. ‘Your eyes get this ring of violet around the iris when you’re aroused.’ He captured her chin in his hand when she tried to turn away. ‘And your lips get plumper.’ He bit her lower lip softly as his thumb and forefinger skimmed down her neck. ‘Your breathing gets rapid.’

  Her breath panted out in ragged gasps.

  ‘And your nipples get so hard.’ He cupped her breast, lifted it. ‘It’s like they’re begging for my touch.’ He bent his head, took the swollen peak into his mouth, the hot suction scalding her through the cold, wet lace.

  She moaned, the sexual thrill spreading through her like wildfire. ‘I can’t. I can’t do this.’ She choked on the words, unable to hide the quiver of longing.

  He lifted his head. ‘Yes, you can.’ His arm closed around her waist as one powerful thigh pushed between her legs, forcing them apart, and rubbed against her sex. ‘Put your arms around my neck.’

  The harsh demand sliced through the fog of arousal and her arms lifted of their own accord. She clung to him, feeling the press of his erection through his trousers. Her legs quivered as her insides melted, surrendering against her will.

  His lips crushed hers as his hands pushed under her skirt and kneaded her buttocks. The swift, heady rush of heat had her fingers fisting in his hair. Her mind screamed at her to stop him, but her body wouldn’t listen. Like a kamikaze moth dive-bombing into the flame she held his cheeks, dragged him closer. Her breath shuddered out and her eyes closed as their tongues tangled in a kiss full of hunger, heat and mutual demand.

  His fingers ripped at her knickers and then plunged into her. She bucked, cried out, already on the verge of coming apart. Humiliated by her inability to resist him, she let go of him, pushed against the hard planes of his chest.