Do Opposites Attract? (23 page)

When Catherine came back down the stairs, she found Mitch sitting alone, nursing a whisky. ‘Where’s Brianna?’

‘Gone home.’

‘Then why haven’t you gone with her?’

‘I don’t know.’ He shook his head. ‘It all happened so fast. One minute I was telling her about my childhood, which she said didn’t matter. The next she was shouting at me, telling me I wasn’t the sort of man she thought I was.’

Catherine smiled. ‘Well, if you’re still here, moping around an old lady’s house when you could be in bed with a beautiful woman, perhaps you’re not the man I thought you were, either.’ She took hold of his glass, removing it from his clenched fingers. ‘If you love her, you need to claim her, before somebody else does.’

Mitch looked into Catherine’s pale blue eyes and realised she was right. If Brianna was foolish enough to love him, and not care about his background, then who was he to argue? The alternative was letting her go. Watching someone like Frederick, or, God forbid, Henry, snap her up. He rose to his feet and hugged his substitute mother. ‘You are a very meddlesome, but very wise, lady. And I love you, too.’

He saw the pleasure creep over her face, and wondered how he had managed to earn the love of two such very special women.

Half an hour later he was ringing on Brianna’s doorbell. She opened it dressed in a slinky silk dressing gown, her hair cascading loosely around her shoulders. For a moment he was lost for words.

‘I don’t want to sleep alone,’ he said at last, his voice hoarse from the lump that had wedged in his throat.

She smiled serenely and held out her hand. ‘Good. Neither do I.’

As he followed Brianna to her bedroom, Mitch was determined, for the first time in his life, to put his fierce passion on hold. At least for a while. Tonight, he wanted to show Brianna tenderness. Show her with his actions what he was so poor at saying with his words. After undressing quickly, he joined her on her bed. Where before he would have plundered and taken, now he took the time to caress, holding back his more primitive urges until he was sure she understood how much she meant to him. He kissed her everywhere, enjoying her sighs of pleasure. He held her close and murmured his love for her over and over again. Only when she begged for release did he enter her, and even then he did it slowly, carefully. They rocked together and Mitch understood how beautiful making love could be when it involved your heart, as well as your body.

When he woke the next morning it was to find her snuggled against his side.

‘Tell me I’m not dreaming,’ he asked in a voice thick with sleep and desire.

In answer, she rose and nibbled his bottom lip. ‘Well, if it is a dream, I hope I never wake up.’

He drew her tight against him, but though his heart was full and content, there was something he knew he had to do. ‘Brianna, are your parents at home today?’

‘Umm, I think so. Why?’

‘I want to talk to them about us.’

She lurched up, unaware her breasts were gloriously uncovered. ‘Why?’

‘Princess, you need to cover up a moment or I won’t be able to concentrate.’ She pouted at the nickname she hated, but lifted up the sheet. ‘I want to tell them my history. I want it out in the open. I’d rather they heard it from me, than from somebody else.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘Your friends seem to have a habit of finding out about my past.’

Sighing, Brianna lay back on the pillow. ‘That’s fine. I understand your feelings. But you have to understand mine. It doesn’t matter to me what they say. I love you, and there is no way I’m going to let you push me away again.’

He gazed at her face. Who would have thought somebody so beautiful, so soft and genteel, could have such a stubborn streak. ‘I’ll count on it,’ he replied huskily.

He wasn’t feeling quite so convinced about his idea when he was summoned into the sitting room by the Worthington housekeeper later that morning.

‘Mitch, this is a pleasant surprise,’ her mother greeted him. ‘Come on in, and we’ll get you a drink. Coffee?’

He tried to remind himself he was a man, not a shy teenager. ‘Yes, thank you.’

‘Mitch.’ Brianna’s father shook his hand. It was a strong, firm handshake, one Mitch did his best to return. Mr Worthington gestured for him to sit down.

‘How are you?’ Brianna’s mother gave him a long, appraising assessment. ‘You look fully recovered.’

He tried not to squirm under her scrutiny. Tried not to think about the fact that she was expensively dressed, in flowing trousers and a silk blouse. He had on black jeans. ‘I’m good, thank you. Still a bit weak where the bones are knitting together, but getting there. I should be back at work soon.’

‘Good. You were very brave.’

He shook his head. ‘No. Just doing my job.’ He hesitated a moment. ‘Brianna did a marvellous thing, arranging for the air ambulance. I expect you both had a lot to do with it, too.’ He hoped his sincerity was clear in the tone of his voice. ‘Words are inadequate, but they are all I have. Thank you.’

Her father shrugged off the thanks. ‘Any friend of Brianna’s, is a friend of ours. Now, I take it you’ve not just come round to tell us that.’

‘No.’ He fidgeted, very conscious the elegant chair he was sitting in was probably worth more than the entire contents of his own home. He didn’t know how to start and was relieved when the housekeeper brought in the coffee, serving as a momentary distraction. As he thanked her for the cup, he wished he wasn’t in yesterday’s clothes. He wished he’d taken the trouble to shave. He wished a lot of things.

He decided to dive straight in. ‘I’m here to talk about Brianna.’

‘Ah.’ Her mother smiled slightly, and sat back against her chair.

‘I love her,’ he said simply. ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with her.’ He watched the reaction on their faces. It wasn’t horror, thankfully, but it wasn’t joy either. He sighed, and wished again. That he was anywhere else but here.

‘As I hope to become part of her life,’ he continued, desperate to get this over and done with, ‘I want to tell you something about me, about where I came from. I don’t want any surprises coming out of the woodwork later on.’ He went to stand. He felt more in control that way. ‘I grew up in the inner city. My mother was a hooker, my father one of her customers …’ The words came out in a rush as he gave them a short and to the point version of his sleazy childhood.

Only when he’d finished the full story did he dare to look back at them. He wished he hadn’t. Telling them all this now had been stupid. He should have let them get to know him a bit more before throwing all the gory details at them. But hell, this was who he was. He wasn’t proud of it, but he’d spent too much of his life hiding from it, being ashamed of it. Brianna had heard it all, and still loved him. That was the most important part.

‘You’ve spoken a lot about your background, Mitch, but not about yourself.’ Her father spoke, his expression not giving anything away.

Hell, what could he say? ‘I’ve been called bad-tempered, surly and rude.’ He forced a smile. ‘Mostly by Brianna. I also like to think I’m determined and fiercely passionate about the things I care about. That includes your daughter.’ He swallowed and took a deep breath. Here it was, his heart on his sleeve. ‘I can’t offer your daughter much in the way of material things, but I can tell you I love her with a strength I hadn’t thought possible.’

‘Isn’t that the most important thing, love?’ Had her mother’s eyes softened, or was that wishful thinking?

‘In my opinion, yes. But then I would say that. I have little else to give,’ he replied honestly.

‘Are you asking for our permission to marry her?’ Mr Worthington’s eyes were green, like those of his daughter. They were also just as sharp and hard to avoid.

Mitch shook his head. ‘No. I can’t risk you not giving it. I just wanted to let you know the full picture, before you heard it from anybody else. I will ask Brianna to marry me, though. I want her in my life, permanently. I know how much you love her, and she loves you. I never want to get in the way of that love, never want her to have to take sides. If she’ll have me, I wanted to reassure you that I’ll sign any document you want me to. If she ever wants out, I will only walk away with what I came in with.’

Finding the tension unbearable, Mitch ran a hand through his hair and tried to slow his words. ‘I realise I have everything to gain from this and she has nothing, but I’ve tried to do the right thing, tried to walk away and I can’t. Life without her is only half a life.’ Aware his voice was breaking, Mitch stopped his monologue there. He’d said what he set out to say. He couldn’t do any more than that.

Her mother cleared her throat. ‘Mitch,’ she said softly, glancing at her husband for support. ‘All we’ve ever wanted for our daughter is for her to find a purpose in life and find happiness. Since she met you, she has found both.’

Her husband reached out and held his wife’s hand. ‘My wife is right. If Brianna is happy, then we’re happy. As to the rest, it doesn’t matter where a man comes from. It’s what he does with his life that counts. You’re a fine example of that. All we ask is that you promise to take care of her and to love her.’

Mitch smiled at last, relief washing over him. They weren’t going to make life difficult for him. ‘That, I can promise.’

Her father stood and held out his hand. ‘You might not want our permission, Mitch, but you’ve got our blessing.’

Choked, Mitch shook his hand and then found himself hugged by her mother.

He walked away with his head held high. He’d told them the worst parts about himself and yet they’d accepted him. That was one giant hurdle over. Only one more to go.

As Brianna packed her case, ready to spend the weekend with Mitch, she wondered if she should broach the subject of them living together. Surely, now they’d both confirmed their love for each other, it was the next logical step? Of course it might be for most men, but she wasn’t dealing with most men. She was dealing with Mitch McBride. Passionate yes, but also stubbornly independent. Though he’d opened up to her finally, she knew she couldn’t rush him. Mustn’t rush him in fact, or he might back off, as he had done before. No, he would do what he wanted, when he wanted to. For now, she had to be content with the fact that he loved her, and had been as keen to see her this weekend as she had been to see him.

Zipping up her bag, she went to find her parents to let them know she wouldn’t be around. She hadn’t really spoken to them since they’d met with Mitch. Both evenings she’d come home from work ready to grill them, only to find they were out. Frustrated, she’d let the matter drop, hoping it had just been a coincidence and they weren’t deliberately avoiding her. She’d meant what she’d said to Mitch. She loved him, and would continue to love him, no matter what her parents thought. Deep inside, though, she knew it would be so much better to be seeing him with her parents’ approval, instead of against their wishes.

‘Mum! There you are.’ Finally, she found her mother home. ‘I’ve been looking for you for the last few evenings. Where have you been? I thought it was the daughter who should be out on the town, not the parents.’

‘Your father and I aren’t old yet, you know. We still have a social life, and friends who want to see us.’ She gave her daughter a quick squeeze. ‘But if we’d known you wanted to see us, we’d have stayed in. What did you need us for?’

Brianna laughed. ‘As if you didn’t know. I thought you might be avoiding me, because you were too worried about what to say to me about Mitch.’

Her mother looked genuinely shocked. ‘Good heavens, where did you get that from? I hope you don’t really think we’re such ogres.’

Brianna sighed and considered her words. ‘No, but I also know you weren’t all that keen on me seeing him in the first place. And that was before you knew about his childhood.’

Her mother sat on the bar stool in the kitchen and motioned for Brianna to do the same. ‘Darling, your father and I only want you to be happy. Yes, I was worried that Mitch wasn’t right for you, but only because I know from personal experience how much easier it is to be with someone who comes from a similar place. There wasn’t only your father, you know, but when I met him, I knew straight away he was the one.’

Brianna smiled. ‘When I first met Mitch he was rude, but the sexiest man I’d ever seen. He got under my skin and filled my mind so I couldn’t think about anything else but him. He’s the one, Mum.’

Her mother patted her gently on the arm. ‘I know. I’m not blind, Brianna. I can see how much you love him, and what you see in him.’ She chuckled. ‘But aside from his looks, to have lived through what he has and come through the other side shows a strength of character we can only respect and admire. He’s a good man, my darling, and we’re delighted you’ve found him.’

Brianna threw her arms around her mother’s neck. ‘You don’t know how happy that makes me. He’s the man I want to marry, have children with.’ She sighed. ‘I just hope he feels the same. I guess I’m going to have to be patient while he figures out he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.’

‘I guess you are.’ With a smile and a twinkle in her eyes, she ran a loving hand down her daughter’s cheek before getting up off the stool.

Brianna sat, puzzled. ‘Why are you grinning?’

‘My daughter’s in love. Why wouldn’t I grin?’

Far from satisfied with her mother’s answer, Brianna raised herself off the chair and went to pick up her overnight bag. ‘Okay. I won’t be home this weekend. I’ll be with Mitch.’

‘Well, have fun.’

When she waved her goodbye, her mother still had a smile on her face.

As she pushed open the door to Mitch’s house, she was struck by how different it looked. It was positively gleaming, as if he’d spent the whole day tidying up for her. And were they really fresh flowers in the vase? She shook her head. No, she must be dreaming.

‘Mitch?’ she called out, following the scent of garlic to the kitchen. There he was, standing over the stove, turning something over in a pan. It was like the scene out of an old domestic handbook. Only Mitch was playing the role of the anxious to please wife, and she was the husband coming home after a hard day.

He turned and there was no doubting his pleasure at seeing her. It was clear in the deep brown of his eyes, in the easy smile that spread across his rugged features. He turned down the gas, and gently put his hands on her shoulders, drawing her tight against him. ‘Umm, you feel good,’ he murmured against her hair. ‘And you smell good too.’

Delighted, she wriggled closer. ‘You know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’

‘I don’t know about that, but it certainly makes a man frisky.’ He cupped her face and gave a deep, searing kiss. ‘I hope you’re not hungry because it’s going to have to wait.’

He lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

Later, after Brianna had changed into some casual silky little number that made Mitch’s eyes water, they headed back downstairs. Mitch hunted out the champagne he’d put in the fridge and wrestled it open, handing her a glass.

‘Are we celebrating?’

He gave what he hoped was a casual shrug of his shoulders. ‘Not really. I thought you might like some.’

‘Oh, I do. It’s just, what with the champagne, the tidy house and the flowers, I wondered if something was up?’

Heck, what was he supposed to do now? The ring he’d bought yesterday burned a hole in his pocket. But he’d planned to wine and dine her first. He wanted to do this properly. ‘Can’t a man tidy his house without arousing suspicion?’ he replied a touch irritably.

She was used to him by now. Instead of taking offence, she smiled. ‘Of course. The flowers, they’re lovely. Did you buy them?’

Now she had him feeling like a twit. What man in his right mind goes out and buys flowers for his home, just for fun? ‘Yes,’ he snapped, before reigning in his temper. This fancy setting was meant to soften her up for the proposal. Not piss her off. ‘I thought, as you were staying the weekend, you might like them,’ he ventured carefully.

Brianna stood and gave them a long, deep sniff. ‘You’re right. I do. You can’t go wrong with flowers and champagne.’

‘Yes, well, I’ll go and see if our first course is ready.’

Mitch turned sharply and went back into the kitchen, aware he’d left Brianna staring after him in confusion. Not half as confused as he was. Was he really about to throw together king prawns sautéed in garlic butter?

Why hadn’t he stuck to his original plan of fish and chips?

‘Umm, these prawns are delicious,’ Brianna told him a while later as she tucked into the starter. ‘I didn’t realise you were such a good cook. You haven’t cooked for me before.’

‘No. I thought it was time I did.’ Inwardly he groaned. What on earth was wrong with him? He couldn’t string two sentences together without feeling stiff and nervous. Heck, he’d faced far more terrifying circumstances than this. He’d had to stare down men with machine guns, for goodness sake. Why was he making such a big deal out of saying four simple words?
Will you marry me?
They weren’t even hard to say. But then it wasn’t actually saying the words that was the problem. It was hearing her reply he was scared to death of. He’d finally found a woman who had broken down his defences and pushed her way into his heart. He’d never find another like her. He knew she loved him, but how much? Enough to marry him?

‘Brianna …’ The ringing phone cut across his words. With a muttered oath he went to answer it. Whoever it was, they were in for a brusque conversation.

He was soon back and clearing the plates away. After popping the steaks under the grill he went to sit back down opposite her. She looked achingly beautiful, her hair tousled from their love-making, her soft pink top draped over her curves. He cleared his throat. ‘Did you have a good day?’ he asked, immediately biting down on his lip, exasperated beyond measure at his inane question. He should be telling her how gorgeous she was. God, he was so crap at this.

Clearly surprised by his question, Brianna smiled. ‘Yes, thank you, I did. Did you?’

He saw the playful smile, the teasing light in her eyes. ‘Oh, hell. Look Brianna—’

The smoke alarm went off in the kitchen. Swearing loudly, Mitch leapt out of his chair and yanked open the grill, only to find his steaks looking decidedly charred. Bloody great. He couldn’t even get that bit right. Annoyed, he snapped off the grill and plonked himself down on the kitchen stool before briefly putting his head in his hands in despair.

It wasn’t long before a comforting arm crossed his shoulders. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ve burnt enough food in front of you. It’s only fair you retaliate.’

He raised his head and managed a weak smile. ‘It’s not the food, at least not only that. It’s everything. Who’d have thought proposing to a woman would be so damned difficult.’

Brianna stood for a moment, motionless. Then her heart leapt into life, pounding against her ribcage. ‘Is that what you’re doing?’ she asked, her voice a breathless whisper.

‘I’ve been trying to. But between the phone call, the burnt food and my nerves, it’s not quite as I’d planned.’

He looked so pained, her heart swelled still further. Easing herself gently onto his lap, she circled his neck with her arms and gave him a long, deep kiss. ‘Then let me take away some of your nerves. My answer will be yes.’

Surprise, relief, joy. His eyes lit up with all three. ‘Are you sure? Really sure? It’s a big step. I won’t put up with anything less than the rest of our lives.’

She rained kisses over his face. ‘I’m sure. Why, are you trying to put me off?’

‘God no.’ He returned the kisses then pulled his head away, holding her face in his hands. ‘I’m sorry I made such a hash of this. I wanted to do it properly, because you deserve nothing but the best. Somehow I mucked it all up. I can’t seem to find the right words to tell you how much I love you, how much I need you in my life. I’ve tried living without you and I can.’ The deep brown eyes that stared into hers were as dark as she’d ever seen them. ‘But with you in it, my life is different. I’m different. You bring me happiness, laughter, joy. Jesus, you complete me, Brianna. I can’t offer you much in return, but everything I have, everything I am, is yours.’

Tears streamed down her face. ‘You’ve just found the right words.’

‘Thank God.’ He stared at her tears. ‘Those are happy tears, right?’

She smiled and rubbed her thumb across the planes of his face, lovingly tracing the high cheekbones, the grooves at the side of his mouth. ‘Of course they are. Oh Mitch, you always have been and always will be all I’ve ever wanted.’

She leant back in for a cuddle, but he was rummaging around in his back pocket. ‘Before I forget.’ He pulled out a box and awkwardly thrust it at her. ‘I didn’t know whether you’d want to choose your own, or whether you wanted the romantic gesture. I won’t be offended if you don’t like it, but I figured as I’d never bought jewellery for a woman before, now would be a good time to start. I made the lady in the shop promise we could take it back and change it for something else.’

Brianna knew that whatever was inside the box, she would love it. The gesture, knowing he’d gone into a shop to choose something for her, was so much more important than the actual ring itself. But she was genuinely delighted by the simple, emerald cut diamond set in platinum. ‘You can throw away the receipt. It’s beautiful.’

‘It bloody should be. It cost me most of my savings.’ Before she had a chance to interject, he was talking again. ‘Speaking of which, we need to talk about where we’re going to live and about your money. I’ve spoken to your parents, told them I’ll sign anything to make sure your inheritance is protected.’

Brianna held out her hand. ‘Come with me.’ She led him up the stairs and into the bedroom. There she slid into his arms. ‘I want to live here, in this house, with you. We’ll manage off your salary. The rest of the money can stay in the bank. It can be a trust fund for our children, a large donation to charity or something for us to splurge with in our old age. I don’t care. All I want is right here.’ Gently she pushed him onto the bed. ‘Now, it’s time to make love to your future wife.’