“I’ll give Susan a call. Do you want to change first?”
Yvonne glanced down at her jeans. “I didn’t bring many clothes. Will I be okay like this?”
Nolan’s quick grin flashed—the one that shot a bolt of lust through her every time she witnessed it. “I was impressed by your light packing. I’m going in jeans, but I know women worry about things like clothes, so I’m giving you the option.” He picked up his cell phone and hit speed dial.
Yvonne listened to him speak to Susan. He didn’t flirt, but his voice held warmth. She’d heard gossip, of course, even though she hadn’t watched the reality show. He mightn’t have found love with Susan but their friendship was obvious.
He hung up. “Susan said we can go now and to knock on the door. Do you fancy a walk up Queen Street? We can grab a coffee and something to eat on the way.”
“I’d love to walk and window shop. I want to get the boys a small treat. Maybe a toy or a book.”
Drawn by the excitement on her face, Nolan reached for her and closed his mouth over hers. His lips lingered as she pressed closer, fitting her curves against his body. He groaned and lifted his head, affected by the simple kiss.
“We’d better go or we’ll never leave this room.” He hustled her out, and unable to resist, he grasped her hand as they walked through the hotel foyer. He enjoyed the slight widening of her eyes each time he touched her in public, but it also showed him what an ass he’d been before appearing on the reality show.
He’d treated Yvonne like a naughty secret. Even though he hadn’t meant to, he’d demonstrated his lack of care when he’d merely wanted to keep his feelings for Yvonne private. He’d known his mother would assassinate her character because she’d done that with every woman he’d dated. He’d wanted to save Yvonne the drama, the gossip, but in the end his mother had done her worst.
That wouldn’t happen again. He wouldn’t let his mother’s warped mind hurt Yvonne, and damned if he’d let Tyler disappear from his life either. Tyler might live in Auckland, but there was no reason he, Yvonne and the boys couldn’t visit.
“What are you smiling about?”
“Just enjoying the moment,” he said, sensing if he spoke of what was really on his mind, he’d scare her. She didn’t trust him. He got her misgivings, even if his stupidity in letting the wall build between them pissed him off. He needed to work to restore their relationship, to regain her trust.
“There’s a bookshop,” Yvonne said.
“The boys have lots of books.” He steered her past. “Why don’t you buy them a T-shirt? Or a model plane?”
“Please,” she said. “Have you seen the instructions on those things? Besides, they’re too young.”
“I’m sure they have models for all ages. What about a football or a game they can play outside now that the weather is warmer?”
“Good idea. I like to tire them out so they sleep well.”
Nolan tugged her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “I like them to sleep well too.” He’d like it even better if she let him stay the entire night instead of kicking him out after a couple of hours.
Shopping for Yvonne’s sons proved more fun than he’d expected, and they ended up buying the boys a puzzle each plus a rugby ball and T-shirts.”
Almost two hours later, Nolan knocked on the front door ofMaxwell’s.
Susan opened the door. “You’re here,” she said. “We’re in the middle of dance practice so I won’t hug you.”
Nolan watched Yvonne’s curious face as they followed Susan into the club. It was a big room, but with its midnight blue walls and gold stenciling it looked nothing like a traditional strip club. Tables and chairs waited for the arrival of customers while the bar gleamed. Up on the stage about a dozen dancers went through their paces. Julia stood in front and gave them a wave.
“We won’t be much longer,” Susan said and ran up on to the stage.
The music started again.
“This reminds me of my ballroom dancing days,” Yvonne said.
“Were you good?” Nolan noticed her right foot had started tapping to the beat.
“My partner and I won a few prizes.”
“Why don’t you jump up on stage and join in? I’m sure they won’t mind.”
Her head started to shake in the negative.
The music came to an abrupt halt. “No, like this,” Julia said and demonstrated a few quick steps and a leg raise that impressed the hell out of him. “Let’s do it again.”
