I scowled. I’d told her too much.
Then she completely took the wind out of me when she texted:It’s OK to have fun, Jess. You deserve it. x
I’d pulled on the dress during our texting and now sat on the edge of the bed. Tash had a theory I was intent on living some kind of ascetic life of service because of Callum. As if I had survivor guilt because I was living my life and his had been arrested so young.
My brother Jamie had had it too, except his version of it had been to work in remote, dangerous locations as a cameraman, almost willing the universe to do its worst with him. He’d got appendicitis in a jungle and had almost died.
Tash made it sound so easy. Could it be that easy? There was something very seductive about indulging in a completely transparent, no-emotions-involved tryst. Going method for our fake date. I’d seen condoms in Brodie’s washbag. The man was probably always prepared. After all, he had a reputation touphold. Except, I knew that was no longer a fair assumption to make. He hadn’t had a condom with him that first night.Ihad.
He was still a corporate property shark, but maybe less of a playboy.
But the truth was that the thought of seizing something for myself for the sheer pleasure of it – seemed so provocative and outrageous that a little rebellious spark lit within me. Would it really be so bad? After all, I’d learnt from my past mistakes – it wasn’t as if I’d ever fall for a guy like him...
Chapter 22
Brodie
Brodie saw the effect of Jess’s arrival on the faces of his colleagues before he saw her and, when he turned around, his expression probably went a little stunned too. She was standing hesitantly on the edge of the terrace, wearing a strapless dress in a dark cream/gold colour. It fell below her knee. It was covered in some sort of glittering brocade detail.
Gold high-heeled sandals. Hair down. Minimal make-up and gold hoop earrings. She instantly stood out and yet managed to make others look like they’d tried too hard.
Their eyes met. Without even thinking he went over to her and took her hand. ‘Hey.’ He felt a burst of gratitude that she was here.
Because you coerced and bribed her, pointed out a small voice.Yeah, and she negotiated a better deal, he argued back. He was losing it.
She looked up at him and for a second he couldn’t breathe. There was some kind of glittery eyeshadow on her eyelids and it brought out the golden brown in her eyes. She smelled amazing.
He tugged her back to where he’d been and snagged a glass of champagne en route, handing it to her. She took a sip.
He introduced her to some of the team and she conversed as easily as she’d done with his boss and Cecily – the woman hadn’t come near him since they’d arrived.
Brodie noticed how Jess put people at ease with a disarming friendliness and deflected attention from herself by asking questions. It was a quality he wasn’t used to seeing and only made him more conscious of the fast paced and somewhat cutthroat environment he’d taken for granted for so long.
A low melodic gong sounded and staff started to gently move them inside for dinner. It was a long table and Brodie was glad to see they were seated away from Gordon and Cecily.
‘You enjoyed the pool?’ Brodie asked as they were served starters.
Jess glanced at him. ‘You saw me?’
Brodie nodded, heat sizzling along his veins again when he thought of that swimsuit. ‘Nice suit.’
She went pink. ‘You noticed.’
Brodie shifted in his seat as her blush directly affected him. ‘You could say that. You distracted me.’
‘This weekend isn’t about that,’ she said primly.
‘So the other night was just a one-off...’
‘It should have been.’
‘If I hadn’t been...me,would you have wanted more?’
She shook her head quickly. ‘No, because that was out of character and I’ve already been burnt in the past with a guy like—’ She stopped abruptly and looked at Brodie. He was shocked to realise he was feeling hurt.
‘I’m not that guy. I’ve never used a woman like that. I’m always up front and I don’t make promises.’
She bit her lip. ‘That wasn’t fair. It’s just...we’re very different people.’
