Do Opposites Attract? (10 page)

Brianna felt slightly foolish as she walked towards Margaret’s sparse, functional office at Medic SOS. All morning she’d told herself this
wasn’t
a job interview. It was just a chat with one of her mother’s friends about some ideas she had for the charity. But somehow her mind had got carried away and here she was, dressed in a smart suit, her heart thumping, her clasped hands trembling, feeling very much as though she was going into the most important interview of her life.

Just outside the open office door, Brianna paused and took a deep breath. She was offering to help, to provide her services to the charity for free. She had absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Other than making a total tit of herself, of course. Oh heck, maybe she could just sneak out without anyone noticing?

‘Ah, Brianna. Please, come in.’

So much for disappearing. Plastering a smile on her face, she lifted her chin and walked into the office to shake Margaret’s outstretched hand. The smile the other woman gave her was friendly enough, but Brianna knew Margaret. She wouldn’t hold back if she disagreed with what she had to say.

‘Thanks for seeing me.’ Brianna returned the hearty handshake and sat down gratefully on the offered chair. At least now nobody could see her knees knocking.

‘No problem. I was intrigued by your phone call.’ Margaret sat opposite her, pushing her chair back a bit so she could lean comfortably against it. ‘But before we get round to what you wanted to discuss, how did you find the trip?’

Brianna considered her words. ‘A real eye-opener,’ she confessed. ‘You might hear about these disasters on the television, but nothing can prepare you for the reality of seeing tragedy up close. I have utter admiration for all the people working there.’ Did she sound too gushing? Brianna paused and took another deep breath. ‘Have you heard from them recently? How are things now?’

‘They’re getting there. Mitch thinks they should be back in a week. The rest of the agencies will be there for a few more months, helping to rebuild, but our work should be done. What were your impressions of the team?’

Brianna swallowed hard. Discussing the team was fine, but how could she do that without talking about Mitch? And how could she talk about him, without giving away her silly crush? At the mere mention of his name, her heart had jumped. ‘They’re professional, hard-working, capable, compassionate,’ she replied quickly. ‘I just don’t know how they keep going back for more. I felt emotionally and physically drained when I left. I couldn’t go back again.’

Margaret smiled. ‘You say that now, but in a few weeks you might think differently. We always try to make sure that the staff have some time off before sending them out again. You’re right though, it is exhausting work, on both the mind and the body.’

‘Margaret,’ Brianna began before the older lady could ask her any further questions, ‘while I was there I had some thoughts about Medic SOS and how it could re-position itself amongst the relief agencies. I think it would make them more attractive to donors.’

‘Well, don’t hold back. Go for it. I’m always receptive to new ideas, especially if they help bring in the funding.’

With her heart in her mouth, Brianna handed over the report she’d compiled. ‘I’ve outlined everything in here, so perhaps I can take you through it?’

Brianna spent the next hour discussing her plans and the details she’d worked up. Margaret listened attentively, asked searching questions, but gave away little of what she was thinking. So little that Brianna started to feel she was wasting her time. Maybe she was being ridiculous. After all, Medic SOS had survived very nicely for many years now. Moreover, it had grown from being a list of on-call doctors to a dedicated team. Who was she to think that, after one brief week, she could change the direction of the charity? She didn’t even know anything about medicine.

But you know something about marketing
, her mind kept telling her. You just have to make Margaret understand that.

‘So you see,’ she continued, trying desperately to make an impression, ‘I think Medic SOS really has the potential to attract more funding by making it clearly different from the other aid agencies. In Mitch you already have a Chief Medical Officer who is known as an expert on severe trauma care, and who’s built a team with similar capabilities. I’ve seen it for myself. Medic SOS get the tricky cases because they have the experience to deal with them. If the charity capitalise on this expertise in their marketing, it would make it easier to promote and thus bring in more revenue. With the increased funding you could expand, recruiting and training more personnel and buying further specialist equipment.’

Brianna didn’t realise her eyes shone with enthusiasm, or that her voice betrayed her excitement. She only knew that she’d pitched her ideas with all her heart. If they fell on stony ground, then so be it. She had tried.

‘You’ve obviously given this a great deal of thought,’ Margaret replied, her face pleasant, but nothing more. ‘However, I have to ask myself, what does this young lady know about medicine, or the work of medical staff in times of disaster? One week doesn’t make you an expert.’

Brianna’s heart sank. She had always known the charity head would be a tough nut to crack. ‘I understand your reservations, believe me. If someone had told me a couple of weeks ago I’d be pitching an idea to market and expand a medical relief charity, I would have laughed in their face. I don’t have experience of working in disaster areas, you’re right, but I do have experience in marketing. It’s what I did much of my degree in, and what I’ve focused on in the family business. I’ve also spoken to Mitch about my ideas and he thinks they have value.’ Brianna felt she’d just played her last card. If the old bird didn’t respect the thoughts of her Chief Medic, then she was a fool. Brianna didn’t think she was.

At last, Margaret’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘I’m sure he did think that. Who wouldn’t? You’ve put together an excellent proposal, Brianna. One I endorse wholeheartedly. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can see things that should have been blindingly obvious to those who work here day in, day out. The only question I have is would you be willing to see your ideas through? To work for the charity?’

Brianna thought her grin must be a mile wide. ‘Yes, yes please!’

‘I’m afraid we can’t pay you much.’

‘Good heavens, I don’t want paying. Just the chance to make a difference.’ Crikey that sounded corny, but Brianna’s throat felt unusually tight and she had the uncomfortable feeling she was only a short step away from crying. She had to be crazy, getting emotional over taking an unpaid job. Or maybe, just maybe, the tears were because she’d found a direction for her life.

‘Well, you’ll certainly get a chance to make a difference.’ Either Margaret hadn’t seen her wobble, or she was discreetly ignoring it. ‘One final thing, Brianna. I will expect you to work normal office hours. That means being in the office for nine o’clock each morning. I’m afraid I can’t have you wandering in late and leaving early. It isn’t fair on the rest of the team.’

For a moment Brianna hesitated. She thought of her life, of the parties, of the long, luxurious mornings lying in bed. She’d have to give up both in order to do this. Was it what she really wanted? Then she thought of the traumatised faces of the people she’d met in South America, and of the hard work the team put in to save lives. Really, working in a centrally heated office and going back to her elegant home each night wasn’t so difficult. ‘No problem.’

Margaret stood and shook Brianna’s hand. ‘Then welcome on board, Brianna.’ The hand that clasped hers squeezed tightly, leaving Brianna to wonder if Margaret really was the battleaxe she pretended to be.

‘Come and meet the office crew and find yourself a desk,’ her new boss was saying. ‘If you’re going to work with us, there’s no time like the present.’

With a laugh Brianna picked up her bag and followed Margaret out into the main office. It wasn’t large, just a few simple workstations, a small kitchenette, two printers, and a couple of potted plants. When she’d worked for her father she’d been given a plush office, a leather chair, her own secretary. Here she was one of a small team in a basic environment.

She’d never felt more proud, or more delighted to be anywhere.

Several hours later, Brianna was finding it hard to remember why she’d been so excited about working for a living. Her eyes ached from looking at a computer screen and her brain ached from trying to understand how the charity worked, and who was responsible for what. She must be mad, she thought, as she drank her third cup of coffee that afternoon. She could be sitting in a spa, or shopping. She sipped from the chipped cup. Or having freshly roasted coffee with her friends. What was she doing in a shabby little office, drinking instant coffee and trying to get her head around the workings of a medical relief agency?

‘How are things, Mitch?’

Brianna’s head shot up at the sound of his name. Sally, the office manager, was smiling into the phone. All of a sudden the middle-aged mother of three was acting like a coy schoolgirl. ‘Well, just you take care of yourself, you hear me? You’ve been out there for nearly three weeks now. Time to come home.’

On impulse, Brianna scribbled a note to Sally asking to be put through to Mitch when she’d finished. Then she waited, heart hammering in her chest, for her phone to ring.

‘Mitch, how are you?’

There was a pause. ‘Brianna?’

Why did the sound of his deep voice cause her to tremble? If she’d thought a few days away from him would cure her of her infatuation, she was wrong. If anything, it was getting worse. ‘Yes, it’s me.’ Not a cool, measured reply. More a breathy squeak.

‘You convinced Margaret then?’

‘Sure looks that way.’ She hesitated, picking up a pen, then putting it down again. ‘So I guess you and I will be seeing each other again from time to time.’ Immediately she cringed.

‘I guess we will,’ he drawled with a casualness she’d tried, but totally failed, to convey.

‘How is everybody?’ she asked, wanting to keep him on the line.

‘Well, Tessa’s not talking to me. Apparently spoilt rich girls aren’t my type.’

Brianna let out a chuckle. ‘I got that impression from her, too.’ There was a pause during which she wanted to ask him if Tessa was right, but she swallowed the words. Too keen. There were lots of other things she was bursting to ask. How was he, really? Had there been any more mudslides? When exactly was he coming home? When he swam in the lake, or lay down in bed, did he think of her? The questions died on her lips. Always so confident around men, now she felt tongue-tied and awkward. ‘Well then, I’ll see you around.’ Slowly she put down the phone.

‘I hear you’ve met our Mitch.’ Sally pushed back her chair and went to collect her coat.

‘Yes, I was out there with them all last week.’

‘My sources tell me he showed you more than just the camp.’

Brianna looked up sharply, but was pleased to find Sally was grinning. ‘What can I say? He’s a sexy man.’

Sally laughed out loud. ‘You won’t have any of us arguing with that. Well, good luck to you, love. Many have tried to crack him, but none have succeeded so far.’

‘Oh, it’s not serious,’ Brianna replied quickly, anxious to get this part straight. ‘We had a bit of fun, that’s all.’

Back at the camp, Mitch turned the phone off thoughtfully. He had to admit to a fair degree of surprise that Brianna had actually gone and joined the charity. His money had been on her going back home and not giving the place a second thought. But no, the enthusiasm she’d shown at the camp, the desire to help, seemed to be genuine. Whilst that was great for the charity, it was going to be bloody awkward for him. Not least because, when he bumped into her in the office, he knew damn well he was going to find it very hard to keep his hands off her. Even now, just imagining her, he could feel the heat pulsing through his body. But continuing to sleep with a woman who was now a work colleague, as well as the patron’s daughter, wasn’t going to work. Relationships ended, at least his always did, and with the end came bitterness and bad feeling. He couldn’t afford to taint his career with that, not when working for the charity meant so much to him. Not when it was all he had.

‘Can I come in?’

Mitch turned from his desk to find Sam, the man in charge of the whole refugee camp and an old friend.

‘Sam,’ Mitch greeted him with a warm handshake. ‘I wondered when I was going to see you.’

‘Well, you could have come and found me, you know,’ he replied, walking into the tent. ‘Dan did. He also introduced me to your newest recruit.’

Mitch frowned. ‘Pardon?’

‘That gorgeous, classy bird with the shiny brown hair and flashing green eyes.’ Sam grinned and wriggled his eyebrows expressively in appreciation.

‘Umm, let me think, it’s still hard to pin down.’

Sam laughed and slapped Mitch on the back. ‘You old devil. How do you do it? Every time I look round you’ve added another woman to your harem. What with Jane—’

‘Who’s married,’ Mitch interjected.

‘And Tessa, who’s not,’ Sam replied with a sly smile. ‘I thought you had enough on your plate. Now you add Brianna.’

‘I haven’t added anyone. Brianna is the daughter of our patron, and came to see what we were up to. If you’ve spoken to her, I’m sure you’ll know all that already.’

‘Well, if you had any sense you’d be grabbing that one with both hands. It’s not often someone like you will get to meet such a classy lady. And smart too, from what I could gather.’

Mitch knew Sam meant no slight, but the truth of his words stung. ‘She’s not my type, Sam,’ he told the older man. ‘High maintenance and way out of my league. Now what was it you wanted to talk about, or did you just come here to wind me up?’

They sat down and went about discussing the business of transferring any outstanding casualties to the outlying hospitals. Medic SOS had been on site for nearly three weeks. It was time to begin the process of packing up and going home.

Though she was ashamed to admit it, this morning Brianna had taken extra care over getting dressed. The skirt she wore had been deliberately chosen to show off her legs, ending as it did several inches above her knees. She’d topped it with a deep green blouse, knowing it clung to her curves and accentuated the colour of her eyes. Finally she slipped on kitten-heeled sandals. They helped to dress down the outfit, but still added that touch of sexiness she was looking for. The mirror told her that her hair was smooth and casually styled, that her make-up was subtle but emphasised the shape of her eyes and the high cut of her cheekbones.

Today Mitch was back from South America. The word in the office was he’d be coming in, as he always did, to sort out the paperwork before heading home. It had been a week since she’d last seen him, but the time apart hadn’t dimmed her desire one iota. If anything it had heightened it. So today she wanted to look irresistible. He’d seen Brianna on camp. Now she wanted him to see Brianna in her own environment; glamorous clothes, sophisticated make-up, sleek blow-dried hair. She wanted to knock him dead.

It was well into the afternoon by the time she managed to catch up with him. Having been holed up with Margaret for over an hour, he was making his way towards the open plan office as she was coming out of the ladies.

‘Brianna.’

‘Mitch.’ Pretending casualness, she nodded in his direction, taking the opportunity to appraise him carefully. The last week hadn’t dulled his sex appeal, but it had added to his dishevelled and frankly shattered appearance. The deep brown eyes were bloodshot, the lines on his face deeper and harsher than before. ‘When was the last time you had a decent night’s sleep?’ she asked sympathetically, feeling a deep and alarming rush of tenderness towards him.

He half smiled. ‘I can’t remember.’

‘You’re on your way home, to bed, I hope.’ Inside she cringed. She sounded like his damn mother.

His lips tightened, but he nodded his head, ‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Well, I hope you’re not planning on driving. Not in your condition.’ Oh heck, now she’d gone from mother to matriarch. ‘Sorry, that didn’t come out like I’d planned.’

If anything his jaw clenched further. ‘I’ll be the judge of whether I’m capable of driving or not.’

‘Well, when you’re making that judgement, just remember that if you fall asleep at the wheel, it won’t only be your life that’s put in danger.’ Oh, why was she firing off at him like a pompous twit when all she really wanted to do was fling her arms around him and tell him she’d missed him?

‘I’m quite aware it wasn’t my welfare you were concerned about,’ he replied in a clipped voice. ‘But the point is mute. My car’s at home. I’m going back by train.’

‘Oh.’ Brianna sighed. This wasn’t at all how she’d hoped their reunion would go. Far from being blown away by her looks, her stupid remarks, which she could only blame on nerves, had made him cross and irritated. ‘Can I give you a lift to the station?’

It was on the tip of Mitch’s tongue to say no, he was perfectly capable of getting to the damned station by himself, but he stopped himself. He was justified in being pissed with Brianna for treating him like her son – as if there were any similarities, any at all, between her and his mother – but to refuse a lift would be churlish. He was her work colleague now. He needed to get his act together and start behaving like one. Not stand here wishing she’d run up to him and thrown her arms around his neck. ‘A lift would be good. Thank you.’

God but she was a sight for sore eyes, he thought as he followed her out. And his exhausted eyes were definitely that. He’d forgotten how bloody stunning she was. He could see the curves of her pert bottom ahead of him and his hands itched to touch. Heck, he was so damn punch-drunk with tiredness, he might just do it. Might just forget all the reasons why he shouldn’t. Swiftly he shoved his hands into his pockets.

As they entered the small car park round the back, it didn’t take much intuition to work out which was Brianna’s car.

‘Don’t tell me, yours is the Jag.’ It was the only one expensive, stylish and new enough to have possibly been hers. And it wasn’t just any Jaguar. No, Brianna had to have the top of the range sporty XKR model, all power and understated luxury.

She pressed her key fob, and the Jag’s indicators blinked in reply. ‘Any complaints?’

He shrugged. ‘I guess it beats a cab.’

‘You silver-tongued devil.’ Shaking her head, as if she couldn’t believe his boorishness, she nodded to the passenger door. ‘Don’t expect me to open it for you.’

He grunted and let himself in. Nestling into the warm, leather interior, he was too tired to worry about his grouchy behaviour. Or to fret about comparisons between her sleek sports car and his own basic four-wheel drive.

Within moments, his eyes grew heavy and he was asleep.

Knowing Mitch wasn’t one for conversation, Brianna didn’t realise he’d fallen asleep until she arrived at the station. He looked so peaceful she hesitated to wake him up. What was the alternative? Should she take him home? She glanced in his direction once more. He was breathing slowly and deeply, the harsh lines on his face blissfully relaxed. Waking him up wasn’t an option. It was too cruel. She reached into her handbag for her mobile phone.

‘Sally? It’s Brianna. I was taking Mitch to the station, but he’s fallen asleep in the car. I thought I might as well take him home instead. Can you give me his address, please?’

She noted it down with interest. So, he lived by the sea did he? The man was full of surprises. She would have had him down for a city apartment. She put the address into her navigation system and saw it would take about an hour and half to drive him home. Well, that wasn’t such a big deal. It wasn’t as if she had any plans for the evening. At least none more important than taking Mitch home.

‘Either a lot has changed in the last three weeks, or this isn’t the way to the station.’

Brianna jumped at his voice and quickly turned the radio down. ‘You fell asleep. I thought I might as well take you home.’ She knew she sounded defensive, but she was worried he’d be cross with her.

Instead of the sharp retort she’d expected, his body relaxed. ‘Do you know where you’re going?’

‘Address from Sally, instructions from the satnav.’

‘Well, you seem to have everything under control.’ And with that he fell back to sleep.

An hour and a bit later, Brianna turned the car onto the seafront and smiled to herself. There was something about the sea and the pounding of the waves that lifted the soul. Instantly she could see why he lived out here. Doing the job he did, how better to unwind, to get away from it all, than to come to the sea? Though it was May, today the clouds were grey and the sea reflected the dull shade. Not put off, she stopped the car, let down the sunroof and sucked in a deep breath. The smell of the salt spray, the sound of the waves as they crashed onto the shingle beach. She glanced sideways. The sexy man in her passenger seat, making her feel so very alive. It was glorious.

‘I take it we’re nearly there.’ Mitch sat up in the car and fixed his sleepy brown eyes on her.

God, she ached to kiss him so much it was driving her mad. ‘I thought the sea breeze would help wake you up,’ she replied with a grin.

‘Well, gee, thanks.’

Ignoring him, she carried on down the road and pulled up outside the address she had on her satnav. ‘Oh, what a charming house.’

Delighted, she bounded out of the car, impatient to take a closer look. When Mitch made no move to get out, she turned her back on him and walked down the front path. Did he seriously expect her to just drop him off, turn round and go back? She’d driven him all the way here, the least he could do was let her see where he lived.

Slowly Mitch eased out of the car, stretching out his legs. Wasn’t charming another word for small? He looked at his house and tried to see it through Brianna’s eyes. A Victorian building, backing on to the sea. He kept it in good order, even doing a spot of gardening when he’d run out of other chores to do, but he had no doubt his
charming
house could fit into hers several times over.

Pulling his holdall out of the back, he tried to shrug off the chip weighing heavily on his shoulder. ‘Thanks for the lift,’ he said belatedly, catching up with her on the step. ‘I’d offer you a drink, but I’m not sure whether Edna has stocked up the supplies or not.’

‘Edna?’

‘My elderly neighbour. She insists on knowing when I’m coming home so she can turn on my heating and fill up the fridge.’

‘Well, why don’t we go in and see? And if she hasn’t I’m sure we can think of something else to do.’ She trailed off, giving him a coy, flirty grin.

Despite his tiredness and his wariness around her, Mitch couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I think we’d better hope she’s been in. I doubt I’m capable of much more than boiling the kettle.’

He opened the door and before he could say mind the step, she’d darted in. He was close behind, noting the post neatly stacked on the sideboard, a strong indication Edna had, indeed, already been in. The relaxing warmth from the radiators confirmed his suspicion.

‘Well, it looks like we’re in luck. Coffee, tea?’ he asked.

‘Tea would be great, thank you. I won’t expect herbal.’ After giving him a teasing smile she slipped off her shoes and wandered into the front room.

He filled the kettle but as he waited for it to boil he couldn’t resist craning his neck round the corner, observing her as she had a poke around. Did she notice the large patio doors opening onto the wooden sun deck? The original open fire. The state of the art flat screen television. Or did she see a worn rug and battered leather sofa. Books and magazines scattered untidily across a stained coffee table. A wetsuit thrown carelessly over the back of an old armchair.

He huffed and turned his attention back to the tea. It didn’t matter what she thought, he told himself. It was his house, his choices.

When he went to join her she was curled up on his sofa, looking for all the world like a regular visitor. He felt a dart of annoyance, but couldn’t explain why. Was it because he felt safer pigeonholing her as a stuck up rich bird, than seeing her looking so at home on his sofa?

He thrust the steaming mug of tea under her nose. ‘Sorry I couldn’t find the Royal Doulton.’

It was an ungracious comment. He knew it. So, by the look she gave him, did she. Irritated that he felt so damn awkward in his own house, he went to sit on the armchair, pushing the wetsuit onto the floor. It landed with a plonk, the sound bouncing round the otherwise silent room.

‘Do you surf?’ she asked, just as the quiet was becoming uncomfortable.

‘Occasionally.’ He was about to leave it at that, but he’d already made a big enough prat of himself. Time to show her he could be decent. When pushed he could even make polite conversation. ‘But the waves aren’t really big enough on this coast. Mostly I go windsurfing.’ He swigged at his tea, then forced a smile. ‘Look, thanks for driving me home, Brianna. If you hadn’t I’d still be on the train, probably fast asleep and having missed my change.’

‘It was my pleasure. That’s what work colleagues are for.’

None of his previous colleagues had ever sat on his sofa. Or looked so damn sexy doing it. He cleared his throat. ‘I guess this is where I should say welcome to Medic SOS. If I’m honest, I didn’t really think you’d follow through on your ideas.’

‘Oh?’ She pinned him with those green eyes. ‘Of course, you still have me down as the flighty rich girl who hasn’t done a day’s work in her life.’

He shrugged to hide his discomfort. Her words were very close to the truth. ‘You don’t exactly have to work for a living.’

‘No, I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared to try.’

Her chin was angled, her head held high, daring him to disagree with her. This time his smile was spontaneous. ‘I can see that, and I admire you for it.’

He was amused, and surprised, to see her blush at his small compliment. It made him wonder if she was ever complimented on anything other than her looks. ‘I take it Margaret liked your ideas?’

Her face lit up with pride. ‘Yes, she did. She’s agreed we should look at making Medic SOS a specialist trauma group. It’s there already, really. We’d just be formalising it and then capitalising on it.’

His interest piqued, he sat forward on the chair. ‘We’d need more equipment and training. Definitely more staff, as we’d need specialists rather than the on-call generalists we tend to rely on. That all requires money.’

‘I can get that.’

He raised his eyebrows and couldn’t resist a short laugh. ‘I bet you can.’

They discussed the charity for a bit longer and it was dark outside when Brianna finally stood up. ‘I guess it’s time I hit the road. You look done in.’

As she eased off the sofa and bent to pick up her shoes, Mitch’s breath caught in his throat. It was right that she was going, he reminded himself as his body made a mockery of his tiredness by becoming instantly alert at the sight of her rounded backside in that tight skirt. Those endless legs. They couldn’t continue to sleep together. Not now she worked for the charity.

‘You don’t have to go.’ Christ, where on earth had those words come from? He’d just broken every one of his promises to himself. He was weak, so flaming weak – but he wanted her. In fact at that moment it went beyond a simple want. He needed to have her.

She straightened up, her face looking as shocked as he felt. ‘I thought you said you weren’t capable of doing anything more than boiling a kettle?’

Slowly he raised himself off the armchair and stood in front of her. Mouth aligned with her inviting lips, chest aligned with the curve of those tantalising breasts. ‘A man would have to be comatose not to be able to respond to you,’ he replied hoarsely.

A grin split her face and she raised her arms to encircle his neck. ‘So you do give out compliments.’

He shook his head. ‘It wasn’t a compliment. I just tell it the way I see it.’

‘Well then, I’d be delighted to stay.’ She moved in and lightly kissed his lips. With a groan he yanked her harder towards him and deepened the kiss.