responded dryly. ‘This seems to be our table here.’
‘I’ll get some drinks,’ Matt said. ‘Toni, white wine?’
Toni nodded. ‘Thanks, Matt.’
‘You look amazing, by the way,’ Liz said as they took their places at the big round table. ‘Sydney?’
‘My favourite dress shop in Rose Bay.’
‘Shame Rafe’s not coming.’
‘Actually, he seemed pretty tired.’
‘Still,’ Liz contended, ‘it would have been a good look for the department if he’d shown.’
Toni raised a shoulder stiffly. Well, she’d asked him and he wasn’t here. But she was keeping that information strictly to herself.
The Valentine fundraiser would be a success, Toni decided as the evening wore on. Folk were in a happy and giving mood and tickets for their raffle were practically sold out. And the supper set out in buffet-style had been exceptional. And now people were beginning to drift on to the dance-floor.
Their table had emptied almost as soon as the dance music had begun. Left on her own, Toni took off towards the powder room, deciding she’d stay until they’d drawn the raffle and then she’d be away to her bed.
After refreshing her lipstick, Toni left the powder room. As she passed the bar on the way back to the table, she stopped and almost froze. Rafe was standing with his hip against the bar, elbow bent as he lifted a glass of orange juice to his mouth.
Toni took a step backwards as if to regain her equilibrium. Her breathing immediately felt tight and her stomach went into freefall as she admitted honestly, that physically Rafe Riccardi pushed every one of her buttons.
Steadying herself with a long breath, she went forward. ‘Hi …’
Rafe spun round. ‘Antonia—’ In an almost jerky motion he lowered his arm and placed his glass on the bar top.
For a few seconds there was an awkward silence while they each took stock.
Sweet God, she was lovely, Rafe thought. Beautiful and warm and … sexy. And he wanted her, as he hadn’t wanted a woman in ages. Maybe years.
He certainly scrubbed up well. Toni bit gently on the soft pad of her bottom lip. Her eyes flicked to the pale blue shirt that moulded his broad shoulders, followed the tailored line of his black trousers to his black leather shoes. She pressed her clutch-bag tightly against her chest.
‘You managed to drag yourself here, then?’ Oh, lord. Toni almost groaned. That hadn’t come out right. But suddenly her tongue seemed to have a mind of its own.
Rafe gave a tight shrug. ‘Bernie Maguire put the weights on me to draw one of the raffle prizes.’
‘And you can’t very well ignore the chairman of the board,’ Toni agreed, oddly disappointed he hadn’t felt the need to respond to her invitation. ‘Our people are mostly at the table over here.’ She indicated with her hand. ‘Would you like to join us?’
‘Thanks.’ He picked up his glass. ‘Can I get you something to drink while we’re here?’
‘I’m fine, thanks.’ Toni shook her head. ‘Have you eaten?’
‘I had a steak at the pub.’
Toni flicked a tentative smile at him. ‘There’s dessert still going begging. Interested?’
‘Might be. What’s on offer?’
Well, not me. Toni’s heart began to patter. Were they playing games again? ‘There are three kinds of bread-and-butter pudding, for starters.’
His chuckle was a bit rusty. ‘My grandmother used to make bread-and-butter pudding.’
‘Not like this, she didn’t.’
‘Reckon?’ Rafe turned his head a fraction and sent her a slow, lazy smile.
Toni blinked, feeling shock waves of its aftermath right down to her toes. His smile was like the sun coming out. Shame he didn’t do it more often. They stopped at the table. ‘I’m sitting here.’ She put her clutch-bag down. ‘Park your drink and let’s find out, shall we?’
Rafe hesitated. ‘I’m not taking someone’s place, am I?’
‘I’m not here with anyone.’ Toni answered the question she assumed he was asking.
His mouth twitched. ‘Lead on, then. I need to see these puddings.’
At the buffet they bypassed a luscious tropical fruit salad, sorbet and various kinds of cheesecakes. ‘Now, here we have the bread and butter puddings,’ Toni said, hamming it up with a graceful sweep of her hand. ‘You could start with maple syrup and pecan, get a bit edgy and try the lemon curd and coconut and then give your tastebuds a real treat and finish with white chocolate and raspberry.’
Rafe clicked his tongue and sighed in mock-resignation. ‘It’s a hard call but someone has to do it. Going to join me?’
‘Of course.’ Toni’s mouth fell into a soft pout. ‘Can’t have you eating alone.’ With their selections made, they went back to the table.
‘So, where are you staying?’ Toni asked conversationally.
‘Joe and Cath kindly offered me the use of their annexe at the house.’
‘What a good arrangement. It’s a great space. They had it built for Joe’s dad originally but he didn’t stay long. Missed his mates in Sydney.’
‘It’s certainly very comfortable,’ Rafe agreed. ‘Close to the hospital. And the pool is a real bonus on these hot nights.’
‘Yes, it would be,’ Toni rejoined softly, her thoughts going into overdrive. She’d been invited to swim many times in the Lyons’ pool. And at night especially it was magical, with the lights by the pool shining back through the tropical shrubbery and edging the white jasmine with soft radiance. And the air you breathed was heavy with woodsy scents. Cath and Joe had created a very private place. Special. She wondered if Rafe found it so.
The creamy dessert slid over her tongue.
Did he swim naked …?
As if he’d divined the pattern of her thoughts, he remarked, ‘Joe said you swim at their place quite often. Don’t feel you have to stop just because they’re away.’
‘I wouldn’t want to invade your privacy.’
‘You wouldn’t be. Besides …’ His spoon paused midway from his dessert bowl ‘… it’s no fun swimming alone.’
Toni had no time to answer. Bernie Maguire materialised at the table. ‘Good, you’re both here,’ he said. ‘We’d like to get cracking if you don’t mind and draw these raffles. The mayor will be drawing the main prize and, Rafe, if you’d draw the winners for the cases of wine? And Toni …’ He looked down and gave her one of his big barracuda grins.
