He blinked and it vanished. Or had it been a reflection of her own?
‘Full?’
She could only nod, her throat too clogged to form words. He wanted to talk; she’d prefer to delay it any way possible. If he wanted her history, dared she ask for his? Wouldn’t it be better to have only memories of their time together untainted by his past?
The dishwasher was stacked, the food containers stored in the refrigerator. Lauren curled up in the corner of the settee cradling the remnants of her drink.
‘Top up?’ Matt waved the bottle in front of her.
Why not? She’d make it last ’til the end of the evening.
He half-filled hers, gave himself more then took the remainder to the fridge. Settling at the far end, he twisted towards her, one ankle balanced on the other knee. His arm lay along the back of the lounge, forming a perfect angle with his body for someone to snuggle into.
She stifled the sigh that threatened as she remembered the firm warmth of him, and the way her head rested cosily on his shoulder during the slow dances. A quick self-rebuke, a sip of wine and she met his gaze with a bravado her internal fortitude didn’t match.
‘So you didn’t inherit the sporting gene like your brothers?’ A coaxing tone, probably developed with his nephews, with an edge that said he wouldn’t give up until he’d learned all he wanted to know.
‘I was uncoordinated, couldn’t catch, throw or jump and had no interest in being coached to improve. Lately I’ve been wondering if I was the one who withdrew from my family rather than it being them who ignored my interests.’
‘Maybe lack of compromise on both sides.’
‘I believed I didn’t count so I stopped attending anything sporty and made a life on my own.’
He scooted along the cushions, stopping inches from her knees. His fingers caressed her neck and tangled into her hair.
‘You count, Lauren, in every way that matters.’
‘I know that now, just not sure how much with them.’
She suddenly hit him, flat-handed over his heart, making him jerk away.
‘Admit it, Matt Dalton, you were one of those guys like my brothers, who assumed being athletic made you better than those who weren’t. And more deserving of attention from girls.’
Matt’s fingers stilled, his stomach clenched. She’d nailed him. Major benefits of being in the school’s A-grade had been the accolades, the admiration of lesser-gifted pupils. The chicks he could take his pick from.
Hell, that sounded egotistical.
‘And I’ll bet you barely noticed anyone who wasn’t beautiful, confident and out there.’ Her jaw lifted and one finger tapped on his chest. Her hazel eyes flashed with challenge.
‘Ah, but I did.’ He grinned at her defiance. ‘I was nineteen, surrounded by adoring girls yet I followed a shy, unknown escapee into the dark and kissed her. She ran and I ended up going home alone because I couldn’t find her again.’
‘You didn’t?’
She doubted his word. Understandable maybe but it irked. He prided himself on his honesty. Taking her drink, he plonked it on the table heedless of the splashing droplets. He bent forward, splaying his hand on the lounge arm, enclosing her and forcing her to lean away.
‘You don’t believe me? How can I persuade you it’s true?’
‘You can’t.’ Proud and playfully stated.
She had no idea how provocative she looked arched over the armrest, enticing full lips parted and bold eyes sparking.
Or did she? The tapping stopped. Pity, he’d liked it from her. She sucked in a deep breath, her head tilted and wariness drove defiance from bright hazel.
Ashamed of his brash behaviour, he shifted but kept within reach. Picking up the glasses and holding hers out, he noticed the motion of the wine. From his trembling. He drained the remainder of his, shaken by his reaction.
‘Forgive me. I said tonight was for talking. I won’t make that promise for the future though. There’s something between us, Lauren, something too strong to ignore.’
‘It’ll pass. There’ll be other women in your life.’
‘You’re the only one now. It’s you I want.’
Her head swung from side to side in slow motion as if that would change his statement. He halted the movement by cupping her chin.
‘I don’t lie, Lauren. And I can wait until you’re ready to admit it too. In the meantime, we could call Alan, who’ll confirm my story. I shared a cab with him and his date.’
She flicked him a half-smile. ‘No phones tonight, remember.’
Almost an admission she believed him. He feigned an affronted air.
‘You questioned my word. I deem that an emergency.’
Her instant laughter hit a spot deep inside, denting the armour he’d placed around his heart. Scaring the hell out of him. He’d sworn never to be vulnerable again.
‘So why Sydney?’ Out of the blue to give him recovery time.
‘I was offered a challenging position interstate from Melbourne.’
‘A long way from your family.’
‘I didn’t disown them. I keep in touch, visit reasonably regularly, and always see them when they come to Sydney for a sporting fixture.’ She spoke defensively as if she’d heard censure in his voice.
‘Which you don’t attend.’
‘No. They seem to have accepted I’m different. I’m hoping they give this new consideration to their grandchildren.’
‘My eldest nephew loves anything involving kicking or hitting a ball, the younger one can take or leave it. We’re trying to keep it all fun for as long as possible.’
‘There’s only the two?’
‘Alex and Drew.’ He recalled Lena’s expression when she’d told him she was pregnant, felt the same rush of affection he’d had then. ‘Lena and Mark would love a little girl as well.’
‘I wish them success. What did you do in London?’
STUPIDLY BECAME INVOLVED with a scheming adulteress. Confused physical idolisation with love and almost got sucked into a nightmare.
‘I’m a partner in a consultancy firm. We tailor business strategies, give advice and bring investors and companies together. Unlike my father, we don’t invest in them though I do have my own portfolio. And I’m very good at what
