Middlemarch Shifters Box Set 4--6, page 34
“We’re catching the train to Dunedin the day after tomorrow and picking up a hire car to drive along the coast to Christchurch. Jenny wants to swim with dolphins and I want to go whale watching. We’re making our way to Picton, catching the ferry over to Wellington, then flying home.”
A phone chimed behind her, and one of the three guys at the nearest table slammed the flat of his palm onto the polished wood to emphasize his point, snaring her attention for a second.
“Sounds good. Have you visited Auckland?”
“We spent a few days in Auckland at the start of our holiday, visited Rotorua and Taupo. You live in a beautiful country.”
“We do,” Gerard said.
“Do you live in Middlemarch?” She wrinkled her nose as a group of newcomers wound through the tables by them and started to breathe through her mouth to combat the stench of body odor. Someone needed to bathe.
“Yes, but Henry and I are newcomers. We’ve purchased a property and are starting a security business. Originally, we wanted to base ourselves in Christchurch to be near our friend, but property is in short supply after the earthquake. Sam, our friend, suggested Middlemarch since he and his wife grew up here.”
Music started and the crowd in the bustling pub cheered.
“They have a band for tonight and tomorrow,” Gerard explained. “Gives me an excuse to ask you to dance, see how we’ll fit.”
Henry rose and held out his hand to Jenny. Her sister curled her fingers around Henry’s and let him lead her to the dancefloor with not a word spoken. The non-verbal cues, however, made London blush and want to fan her face. She turned back to Gerard with no idea of what to say, given that he’d witnessed the crackle of sensual electricity between the pair. London never jumped into bed with a man so fast, preferring to get to know them first, but he might have received a different impression after seeing Jenny with his friend.
Gerard winked at London Allbright, the blush that crawled over her creamy skin charming him. Instead of dancing straightaway, he was content to chat and get to know her better. God, she was sexy, enticing, and his feline agreed because he hadn’t ceased his inner purring since they’d joined the women. He’d seen them across the crowded pub and without a word to Henry, he’d started over to their table. He’d heard Henry’s soft curse, his grumble, but his best friend didn’t seem so put out now. Easy to see Henry liked Jenny, London’s sister, which worked well for both of them.
He caught London’s glance at Jenny and Henry, the curve of her plump pink lips and the sparkle of her blue eyes. She’d pulled her glossy brown hair into one of those high ponytails that whacked a man in the face if he wasn’t alert. He itched to tug off the purple thing holding it tight and run his fingers through the perfumed strands.
“So, how was the bike ride? Henry and I were discussing cycling part of the path once we have free time.”
“The first day—I thought I might croak,” she said in a dry voice. “A hot bath and a few drinks helped me feel better. The second day, I walked like a duck. Another hot bath, liniment and dinner and drinks at a historical pub helped ease the pain. I didn’t want to cycle on the third day but Jenny dragged me out, and it wasn’t too bad. The scenery is gorgeous, the weather was kind. The fourth day, I enjoyed but was glad to finish.”
Her self-deprecating humor made his lips curve and her crisp English accent put the seal on his initial attraction.
“After the race and our market visit, I promise to ply you with drinks.”
“There won’t be a hot bath. The bed-and-breakfast only has a shower.”
“We have one big enough for two.” Gerard’s feline let out an extra loud purr as he imagined sharing the bath with this beauty. “You can use it and I’ll throw in a massage. What do you say?”
“A massage? Are you any good?”
Gerard flexed his fingers. “I am a master.” Not a lie. He’d gone out with a physical therapist a few years ago, and she’d taught him a thing or two. A man could never have too many skills.
Her smile lit her face, and Gerard was toast. He’d laughed at Sam Mitchell when he said he knew Lisa was his mate from a young age. Gerard hadn’t believed a word of Sam’s certainty. One look and a few minutes with London Allbright had changed his tune. He and his feline were in complete agreement. Now all he had to do was work with the time he had and convince London to his way of thinking.
Difficult but not impossible.
“Tell me about this security business. I wouldn’t have thought there’d be much business in the country.”
“We’re not far from Queenstown and Wanaka. Lots of people have luxury homes and holiday getaways. Property is in hot demand since the Lord of the Rings movies. We’re close to Dunedin, so we have a large pool of leads for our business.”
“Why security?”
“Henry and I were both in the army. We wanted to use the skills we learned there.”
“What services will you be offering?” She sounded interested, something Gerard found unusual in the women he met in pubs and other pick-up spots. It made him like her even more.
“We intend to offer full-site security. Security for buildings and properties. Security for people and computers. Data protection is big business these days. That’s Henry’s specialty.”
“That’s a lot for two men to cover.”
Astute lady. “Yes. We intend to start small, and we have army friends we can recruit when we get busier.” He sipped his beer, the condensation of the glass wet against his palm. “You work in an office?”
“Yes, secretary and personal assistant. It’s easy to get a job in this field if you’re a good worker. It’s why I didn’t hesitate too long when it came to taking time off my current job to come with Jenny when she said she needed a change of scenery.”
“She’s been sick?”
“No.” London hesitated, deliberating on what to tell him. “Problems with her marriage,” she said finally. “She made the separation legal and intends to start divorce proceedings on our return.”
“No chance of a reconciliation?”
She shook her head, and Gerard changed the subject. “Want to dance?”
Her face brightened, and she grinned, making him realize she had two cute dimples. “I am an excellent dancer.”
Gerard stood, scooting his chair over the wooden floor. “Is that so? I’m not bad myself.” He reached for her hand, and she didn’t hesitate to slip her fingers into his. The physical contact had his breath catching. His nostrils flared as he tugged her closer and inhaled her scent—something floral with a hint of spiciness that a man might wear. Yet another contradiction. He had paid little attention to her clothing, but he saw she was wearing a dress with a full skirt that hit her above the knee. It was pretty and feminine and made the most of her sexy curves. Perfect for dancing.
He swung her into his arms and started a foxtrot to test her abilities. She fell into step without faltering, following his lead.
“This is a treat.”
Her eyes sparkled. “It is. Where did you learn to dance?”
“My parents were in to ballroom dancing, and they dragged me and my younger sister along to lessons. I fought learning until I realized it was great for meeting girls. You?”
“I learned for a friend’s wedding and found I enjoyed dancing. I kept up the lessons.” She glanced past his right shoulder, her friendly countenance freezing for a brief second. Gerard caught her as she misstepped, saw the flash of fear, the uncertainty, followed by a release of the tension in her shoulders.
“You all right?”
“What?” She shook her head, almost as if she were shaking off a problem. Then, she focused on him. “Sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew.”
“Did you?”
“Pardon?”
“Did you see someone you know? We can say hello.”
“No. It wasn’t…I mean, there was a resemblance.” She gave a light laugh, but didn’t quite pull it off. “They say everyone has a doppelgänger, don’t they? For a moment this man looked like someone at home. But it wasn’t him. Just a passing resemblance.”
The man had frightened her. The tone of her voice—expressionless yet precise—indicated something lurking beneath the surface, something hidden and painful. Gerard scanned the crowd, his feline on the defensive. He didn’t intercept a gaze out of place, apart from two of his feline acquaintances eyeing up London. He barred his teeth at them, narrowed his eyes, relaxing only when they laughingly gave way to his visual commands.
The music changed to something faster, more modern.
“Let’s see if you know this one.” Gerard moved into jive steps, and to his delight, she followed again without hesitation, even the tricky, showier moves. He spun and twirled her, dipped and then tossed her between his legs. The surrounding crowd withdrew to watch and oohed and aahed, then clapped with a thunderous applause at the song’s close.
“No more,” London said. “If you want to drag me past zombies tomorrow, you will have to let me rest.”
“That was fun.” His heart still beat fast, and he was eager to learn more. Asking about her journey and the things the girls had seen sounded a safe bet to start.
Their table was empty when he led her back, and he glanced around to see Henry still on the dance floor with Jenny.
He handed her the remains of her wine, and she frowned at it.
“I’ll buy a new glass,” she said.
Gerard with his mind on his next move was slower to understand. He sniffed his beer before his mind caught up. “You’re worried someone might have put something in your drink.”
“It pays to be careful. One of my friends… Never mind. Can I get you another beer?”
“You’re right to be careful, but this is one pub, one town where you never have to worry. I’ll get your drink. Which wine are you drinking?”
“I’ll get it,” she said, staring at him.
Fuck. She thought he might stick something in her drink. His feline’s growl rumbled through his mind, incensed at the lack of trust. He forced back his protest and nodded. “Will you get me a lager?” He pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty-dollar note.
Henry and Jenny returned while London was getting drinks. Henry’s arm remained around Jenny’s waist, and his friend looked mighty cozy. Pleased with himself. “Jenny and I are going for a walk, then we’re going to our place.”
Gerard’s brows rose. Quick work, even for Henry.
“London has gone for drinks.”
“Can you tell her we’re going?” Jenny asked.
“I’d prefer it if you’d wait until she brings the drinks, so you can tell her yourself. I don’t want her to think Henry kidnapped you.”
“Pooh,” Jenny said and wrinkled her nose.
Pooh? Gerard’s brows rose again, this time his attention on Henry. His friend gave him a lazy grin. Hell, both of them reeked of desire. No matter what London said to her sister, this vehicle was already in gear. There was no way these two wouldn’t end up fucking each other silly tonight.
“Ah, London.” Jenny beamed at her sister, her blue eyes shining with excitement, her breathing faster than normal.
Gerard angled his body away a fraction, so his feline didn’t receive as much of the lusty fallout between his werewolf buddy and his new lady.
“Henry and I are leaving.”
“But we’ve just got another drink,” London protested.
Jenny laughed, a blush creeping into her cheeks. She was attractive with her light brown hair and trim figure, but she bore a look of fragility her sister didn’t possess. She leaned toward London and whispered in her ear. Gerard hid his amusement as London’s mouth rounded, and she glanced at Henry. Color bloomed in her cheeks as she stepped away from her sister.
“Okay.” London’s voice shook a fraction. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Gerard could tell she wanted to say more but his presence, Henry’s presence, stilled her tongue.
Henry and Jenny left with Geoffrey trotting behind the couple. An uncomfortable silence remained in their wake.
“Are you going to Australia again when you leave New Zealand?”
“Our flight goes via Sydney, and we’re stopping off for a few days. Jenny wants to see a show at the Sydney Opera House and to do the bridge climb.”
“How are you with heights?”
London smiled, and her pretty eyes lit from within, as if she were laughing at herself. “I close my eyes and pretend I’m on the ground. Jenny assures me the bridge climb is safe, but my knees will knock like castanets the entire time. I’ll try to get out of it, but Jenny is the bossy older sister. Somehow, she always gets her way.”
“You’re not as intrepid as your sister.”
“That’s not a bad thing.”
“I didn’t say that.” Gerard reached for her hand on instinct, and when their fingers twined, it felt right. He liked this woman. A lot. “I get the impression your sister is impulsive.”
London sighed hard, drawing his attention to her breasts. More than a handful there. He’d felt her softness as they danced, enjoyed their bodies moving together, and he knew that would translate well once he talked her into bed.
“Yes, she leaps before looking. She’s lucky though because most things turn out for her. She doesn’t make many missteps.”
“Her marriage?”
“The worst mistake she’s ever made. At least she’s wised up and kicked her husband’s arse out the door.”
“Henry won’t hurt her. He’s a good man. You don’t have to worry. He comes across as gruff, but he’s a softy. You saw Geoffrey?”
She nodded, and Gerard decided Henry wouldn’t mind him telling London the story if it reassured her about her sister’s safety.
“Henry and I were staying with our other friend Sam and his wife Lisa, although she wasn’t his wife at that stage. Someone was stalking Lisa. Sam has a farm near Christchurch, and when he couldn’t be around, Henry and I stayed with Lisa and watched out for her. Geoffrey belonged to the elderly lady who lived next door to Lisa. The lady was the nosy type, and she was always at Lisa’s house to borrow cups of sugar. Geoffrey used to come with her. He took an instant liking to Henry, although he growled at me, Lisa and Sam. The stalker escalated and killed Geoffrey’s owner. The cops caught him the next day, in Lisa’s house. After his owner’s murder Geoffrey attached himself to Henry, and he’s been with us ever since. Geoffrey’s owner flirted with Henry too. Henry is kind to animals and old ladies. Your sister will be safe.”
She smiled but her trepidation didn’t lessen. His feline sensed her anxiety, and he glimpsed it in her blue eyes. He glanced at his watch.
“Storm in a Teacup is staying open late with so many people in town. Would you like to walk there for a late dessert and coffee? My friend’s cousin owns the place…well, his wife. Lots of my friends will be there. I can introduce you to some of the people you’ll be racing against tomorrow.”
Her tense shoulders relaxed at his words.
“Emily makes a delicious chocolate brownie.”
“I bake a good brownie.”
“Ah,” he said. “You have to come with me now so you can make a comparison.”
“You had me at chocolate.”
A laugh burst from him along with relief. London Allbright attracted him like no other woman, but she was timid. Or cautious. It made him wonder if it had been her and not her friend who had run into trouble with her drink in a pub.
“You’ll like my friends. Most of them are married. If Saber and Leo are there, we’ll quiz them about the course for the zombie run. I know there are obstacles—”
“Obstacles?” she blurted. “You never mentioned obstacles.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No. Yes.”
His brows rose, and he picked up his glass to drink the last of his beer.
“I’m not the most coordinated person when it comes to sports.” She met his gaze and held it.
“Dancing is a sport.” Yep, there was that zing again. Gerard wondered if he could persuade London to stay in Middlemarch.
She snorted. “Most people would dispute that statement.”
“Not me.” He reached for her hand, half expecting her to jerk from his touch. She surprised him, curling her fingers around his. This time he was ready for the zing, the satisfied purr of his feline. “Don’t panic about the race or the obstacles. Henry and I entered for fun. The funds raised go to a good cause, and I will be with you every step of the way.”
London finished her wine and stood, separating their hands. “Lead me to the chocolate. We didn’t eat much dinner. I’m starving.”
Gerard backed up to allow a newly arrived couple access to their table. “Let’s go. I’ll give you a tour of the town on the way to the café.”
Outside, when he reached for her hand again, London let him weave their fingers together in a solid grip. Darkness had fallen, and a chill lingered in the air.
“Is your business in the town?”
“No, we purchased a lot on the outskirts of the town. We’re building an office and storage facility, but at present we’re operating out of a garage.”
“You sleep in a garage?”
“No, the house is completed, but we’re still working on the business setup.”
London cast a sideways glance at him and he caught her, flashing her a charming smile. His signature smile, she was learning. A panty-wetting grin for sure. She’d bet women chased this man. His friend too, although Gerard hadn’t paid attention to anyone except her while they’d been in the pub.
“The garage and petrol station,” he said. “Post office, local school, the new sports grounds. The fields and changing sheds were the last community project. The school hall. That’s where they hold the craft market, but on fine days, the stalls spill outside too.”
London pictured the town with these events in full swing. It was quiet now, the streets devoid of traffic.
“Here’s the café.” He led her past several parked cars, through a gate and up three steps to an old-fashioned veranda. A pot of roses in full bloom perfumed the air. Gerard opened the door and gestured her inside.
