The Candidate (16 page)

He moved his hand underneath her. As he touched her, she let out a long, low groan, and dug her fingers into his shoulders, pressing her hips into him with a slow sweep that made his knees go weak. He watched her, gauging the effect as he ran his fingers along her, inside her. Her body tightened and bowed and she said his name as the feeling took hold. It sounded like magic, and he wondered if he would ever have this matched.

She let her head fall forward and felt his breath warm on her neck as a blaze of stars erupted in her, splintering her, bringing her back to him. Moving against him, she felt the heat start to build again, and brought her face up to kiss him softly.

‘Well, that was lovely,’ she breathed. She smiled up at him, still slightly self-conscious that it was Mac doing this to her, but by now, very, very determined not to let that get in the way of anything.

She looked like the cat who’d devoured the cream, he thought. A sexy, knowing look played out over her face, and her mouth was parted, ready to be kissed. He obliged and, wanting to take her there again, kept touching her, drinking her in. She shifted, giving him more room and he thought he might explode.

‘Ginny …’

She looked at him, saw what was on his face and, stepping back and pushing down her pyjama pants, raised her head and met his eyes.

‘Your turn, cowboy.’

He toed off his shoes, pulled at his socks, unable to take his eyes off her. She was incredible, magnificent even. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He started on his belt buckle.

‘No,’ she stopped him. ‘I changed my mind. I want to do that.’ And taking him by the hand, she led him into her bedroom.

She woke with the warm sun playing on her face. Smiling, she kept her eyes closed as her consciousness expanded to take in the unusual quiet of the city on a Sunday morning. And the delicious tickle as Mac drew slow circles on her thigh.

She opened an eye. ‘More circle work, Mac?’ He lay on his stomach, almost at right angles to her. A pillow was bunched under his chin as he reached over to her.

‘It seemed to work for me pretty well last night.’ He grinned. ‘Morning.’

She felt a slow curl of pleasure at having him there in her bed. ‘Morning back. How are you?’

His smile broadened, green eyes sparkling. ‘Excellent. Fabulous. Fucking marvellous, actually. You?’

She laughed, and felt herself blush. ‘Yeah — me too.’

‘Good. I was hoping you’d say that.’ And, moving quickly, quicker than she thought possible on a Sunday morning, he rolled on top of her … then kissed her. Soft and sweet.

Feeling that curl of pleasure ignite into something sharper, she put her hands on him. She couldn’t help herself. The feel of his skin against hers had her nerves snapping.

She kissed him back and, taking it as enough of an invitation, Mac woke her up fully.

‘Mac?’ she asked afterwards, her fingers linked loosely with his.

‘Mmm?’ His eyes were closed, and he was seriously considering a nap.

‘Are we going to do this again?’

Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Mac opened his eyes and rolled onto his side to look at her.

‘Well, hell, Ginny. Give me a couple of minutes.’

She shot him a look. ‘That’s not what I meant, although if you’re fishing for a compliment, then yes — your prowess is extraordinary.’

‘Do you want to do it again?’

She nodded. ‘But I don’t know how this works. I’ve never gone there with a mate before. And I don’t want to fuck it up. Your friendship means everything to me.’

Mac wasn’t sure what to say. ‘Yours means a lot to me, too. But I don’t think this … development … is going to get in the way of that.’

‘Can we just keep things … I don’t know — easy? Relaxed? You know — the way you play it — casual.’

He frowned. ‘Friends with benefits?’

‘Well, yeah, I guess so. If that’s what you want to call it.’

‘Sure. No problem.’ Mood spoiled, he got out of bed. ‘Okay if I have a shower?’

‘Sure. I’ll get some coffee going.’

Mac gave himself a stern talking-to as the hot water washed over him. Who was he kidding? For him, last night had been a natural progression, the next step, so to speak. Or the result of a hard-fought campaign, he thought wryly. But he couldn’t expect it to click into place for her, the way it had, did, for him after one night in bed. Anyway, he didn’t know what he wanted either. It had been a big six months for him, and he had a lot of decisions to make, things to sort out.

Nick’s laughing face flashed in front of him and the familiar guilt rushed in, snapping at his heels as he fought to regain the easy happiness he had woken with. Mac pushed it away. But he couldn’t afford to get too tangled with anyone right now. He couldn’t foist this on Ginny. She deserved more than his baggage. And it was his — his to sort out.

So he’d take what she offered. What man wouldn’t want no-strings sex with a woman like Ginny? He told himself it was fine, it was enough … and just about believed it.

Chapter 20

Ginny’s Monday started with a phone call that quickly had her worried. It was from Stella Harrison, the other shortlisted candidate for the RK role.

‘Ginny, I’m not sure of the rules around this sort of thing but I thought you should know: I had a call late Friday afternoon from a guy saying he had an opportunity he wanted to talk to me about.’

‘Ye-es?’

‘He didn’t say who it was with, but he talked about a couple of firms looking for management consultants, and one sounded exactly like the role I’m talking to you about. What’s going on? I thought you said you had it exclusively?’

‘I do, Stella. No doubt about that.’ The wheels were spinning in Ginny’s head. ‘What was the name of the person who called you?’

‘Um … Miles someone?’

The bastard! Why was he doing this?

‘What did you tell him?’

‘Nothing. I’m working with you, and I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in either role. I don’t even know how he got hold of my details.’

It wouldn’t be hard, Ginny thought. Miles had a whole team of researchers working for him. She thought of the recent car break-in and the missing folder. Surely not. He wouldn’t go that far, would he?

‘Okay. Thanks, Stella. I appreciate you letting me know.’ Ginny let out a breath before speaking again. ‘All set to meet with them tomorrow?’

‘Sure am. I’ll let you know how I get on.’

Daniel, Ginny thought as she hung up. Better give him a call.

Her nervousness went up another level when Daniel confirmed that he’d also received a call from Miles. Just that morning.

‘I don’t know, Ginny,’ he answered, when she asked how Miles might have obtained his details. ‘I spoke to a couple of recruiters before I headed down south — Miles may have been one of them. He was pretty convincing though. Seemed to know a lot about the local market. He mentioned a few roles he had on the go and I got the sense he has a strong relationship with Robert Kendrick.’

After the call, Ginny closed her eyes and rested her head in her hands. This was the last thing she needed. She would have to confront Miles. He was a nasty piece of work and the scene on the street a couple of weeks back had put the frighteners on her. But calling her candidates? That was going too far.

Ten minutes later she slammed down the phone, swearing. He’d laughed at her.

‘You’re being paranoid, Ginny,’ Miles had told her, ‘and ridiculous. So what if I’m talking to candidates that you’re talking to as well? I’m a recruiter. If you can’t handle a bit of healthy competition you shouldn’t be in the game.’ He called it an amusing coincidence that he’d spoken to her shortlisted candidates, and then hinted that he was talking to others who Robert might be interested in.

Because Shine had introduced Daniel and Stella to RK Investments and Strategy, Miles couldn’t do much with them — except muddy the waters, in which he‘d succeeded. But what if he had other candidates? Better candidates? The only thing to stop him approaching Robert behind her back would be professional ethics. And it was bloody clear he didn’t have those.

Fee-wise, she was pretty much protected. The RK Investments and Strategy contract stated clearly that all candidates had to be funnelled through her while she was retained. If Robert severed the contract part way through the process, she could invoice a proportion of her fee for time spent. But that wasn’t the point. It was her gig, and she wanted to deliver on it.

And what about the other roles Miles had on his books? It would be a friggin’ disaster if her candidates dropped out because Miles offered more attractive options. She’d looked everywhere to fulfil Robert’s brief and had only found two he wanted to meet. She couldn’t afford to lose them to another recruiter.

Miles had definitely scored a point — that much she conceded. He’d rattled her, even made her a bit anxious. Nevertheless, it was only a point and the match was far from over.

By Wednesday morning Mac was a little worried. He hadn’t heard from Ginny since they’d said goodbye on Sunday. Although usually in the driver’s seat where women were concerned, he was resigned to letting Ginny take the lead. Needless to say, he wasn’t enjoying the role reversal at all. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, wanted to see her again, badly, and didn’t have a bloody clue what to do next.

He checked his phone again: nothing. He looked up as his dad stepped into the doorway.

‘You ready, Mac? They’ve just arrived.’

‘Sure.’ Grabbing his jacket and a pen, Mac pushed Ginny to the back of his mind. As he stepped towards the hallway his phone buzzed. He hesitated, then reached for it.

Any plans for tonight?

He grinned as his thumb slid the phone open. He replied quickly.
No.

He waited.

DVD?

Definitely, he thought. Ginny on her couch. Lovely.
Sounds good. When?

‘Mac!’ His father called from outside the boardroom. ‘What the hell are you doing? We’re waiting on you.’

His phone buzzed again:
8?

Done.

Mac flipped his phone back onto the desk and hurried out of his office, realising with a smile that he had just been booty-called.

Next morning Ginny sauntered down to her office. She hadn’t managed a lot of sleep the night before, but the delicious current running through her would surely get her through the day. And if it didn’t, well, that’s what coffee was for.

They hadn’t got as far as the DVD. He was hardly through the door when she launched herself at him, but he was more than willing. She’d felt slightly silly, putting on the decadent, gorgeous lingerie she’d bought on her lunch break — it seemed contrived — but since he’d seen her in her PJs the first time, she wanted to even up the score. After peeling off her jeans and T-shirt, trailing a line of kisses down her skin as he did, he was distinctly appreciative of the silk and lace that lay beneath. In fact, his overall response made her think expensive lingerie wasn’t so contrived after all.

The couch proved an excellent setting for what happened next, and the shower later in the evening was exceptional. She hadn’t imagined his skin could drive her crazier than it had, but, wet … well, it took things to a whole new level.

They’d ended up in bed, of course, where Mac well and truly proved his rock-star status.

It was surprising how quickly they’d slipped into this … thing … they had going. Ginny had thought it would be embarrassing, weird even, but it was anything but. She grinned to herself. They were just too damn hot for one another to give anything else a second thought.

Ange was already at her desk and raised an eyebrow when Ginny came in.

‘You’re looking pretty pleased with yourself. Have you heard from the uni? Did you get it?’

Ginny smiled. ‘No — and it will be we, not I, if it happens.’

‘So what’s up?’

‘Nothing,’ Ginny said slyly, ‘just full of the Christmas spirit.’ And she slipped into her office to start her day.

The interviews on Tuesday had gone well and today both Daniel and Stella were meeting with Robert and Jackson again. There should be a preferred candidate by the end of the week. She glanced at her calendar; it might even get wrapped up by Christmas.

She had debated whether to tell Robert of her conversation with Miles, but decided against it. After the first round of interviews things were finally running smoothly with RK Investments and Strategy. There was no reason to give Miles’s petty games more credit than they were due. She could just about taste the offer on the table and Miles could go jump.

Outside, she glimpsed bright-blue summer sky. There
was
a hint of Christmas in the air — an easing-up, a slowing-down. It wasn’t only Mac giving her this feeling. Although she was wise enough to give him considerable credit for it.

On Friday, Mac hurried down High Street, late for lunch with Ginny. He hoped to convince her to come to Gibson’s Bay for the weekend: he’d suggested it the other night but got only a ‘maybe’ in reply. Hesitant of pushing her, he’d give it one more shot and then leave it at that.

Turning into the laneway, he saw her at one of the café’s outdoor tables, her back to him. As he approached, she laughed at something her companion said.

The man across the table looked familiar. Ah — the flower guy. And Flower Guy was looking at Ginny as if he wanted a hell of a lot more than a new job.

Mac arrived at the table. ‘Hiya.’

Ginny looked up and smiled. He returned her smile and placed his hand on her neck.

‘Hi. We’ve just finished.’

She went to pull away but he tightened his fingers, just a bit, and although her eyes flashed, she stayed put.

‘Great.’ Keeping an eye on Daniel, Mac traced a small circle just below her hairline.

‘Hello again.’ Daniel smiled, making Mac wonder if he ever stopped. ‘I remember you — the friend.’

‘Good friend.’ Mac’s thumb kept up its subtle search. He was pretty sure that spot he’d discovered the other night was just about … bingo! He felt her skin shiver, and her head ever so slightly inclined his way. Totally unprofessional, he knew, and outrageously immature, but he couldn’t let that smarmy git look at her like that.

Daniel looked from Ginny to Mac. He held his gaze for a second longer then stood and put out his hand to Ginny. ‘Right then. No worries. I’ve taken enough of your time. Thanks again, Ginny. I’ll wait to hear from you.’ With a quick nod to Mac he walked back down the hill.

Ginny turned to Mac. ‘What was that? Some sort of pissing competition?’

‘Not quite. Just letting him know he’s barking up the wrong tree.’

‘He wasn’t barking.’ She shook his hand away.

‘Hell yes, he was, Ginn — although it may have been closer to a whimper.’ She was wearing that suit again.

Ginny frowned and stood up. ‘I’m not sure I appreciated that. I was working. And I’m not a fan of PDO.’

‘PDO?’

‘Public displays of ownership.’

Mac looked at her. Step very carefully here, he told himself. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interfered. I should have waited until you’d finished. It won’t happen again.’ He smiled at her. ‘Unless I see someone look at you like that again.’

Ginny looked back at him. They were navigating new territory here, and he could see she was trying to map it, map him. ‘Apology accepted,’ she said at last. ‘What’s the big deal, though?’

It was his turn to frown. ‘I didn’t think we’d have to have this conversation.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, if I take someone to bed, it’s because I’m pretty sure they’ll hold my undivided attention for at least a little while. I don’t think it’s too much to expect the same courtesy in return. Keeping things casual is one thing, Ginny, but I’ve never been particularly good at sharing.’

Ginny flushed a deep red. ‘Oh God, Mac, of course, I’m not … I wouldn’t. Of course we wouldn’t do that to one another. But you’ve got the wrong idea. Daniel is just like that; he’s a flirt — there’s nothing going on. All the same, you can’t expect me to avoid every man who gives me the glad eye just because we’re sleeping together.’

Mac hesitated. ‘Of course not. All sorted then. Lunch?’

Later that afternoon Ginny received a call from Robert Kendrick.

‘Ginny — hi, have you caught up with Daniel?’

‘Yes, Robert. This morning. And he’s very interested.’ She heard Robert’s sigh of satisfaction.

‘Excellent, Ginny, great news. We’d love to have him on board.’

That familiar rush moved through Ginny; the pointy end was always an exciting place to reach. ‘I’m delighted to hear that. I’ll call Daniel straightaway and get him working on his referees.’

‘How long do you expect that to take?’

‘Depends on how quickly he can line them up for me. I asked him and Stella to think about potential referees before their second interviews. With luck, they’ll be ready and waiting.’

‘Okay, well, let me know when you’ve spoken to them.’

Yes! She pumped her fist in the air after she hung up. Not an offer but definitely close.

So, two calls to make. One to tell Stella the bad news, which was never nice, and one to Daniel to give him the good.

As expected, he was over the moon.

‘So Daniel … referees. Who can I talk to?’

When he eventually replied, there was a degree of hesitation in his voice. ‘How many do you need, Ginny?’

She frowned. She’d been explicit. ‘At least two. Remember? Names and contact details. That a problem?’

‘No. Not at all. I’ll shoot through what I’ve got, okay?’

‘Great!’ If he was snappy, she’d be able to call the UK that night.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and she was packing up for the day when the phone rang. Putting her bag back down, Ginny answered.

Five minutes later she hung up, stunned. The university had awarded them the CEO recruitment. They wanted to meet her and Ange next week so she could get started straightaway in the New Year.

Holy shit. Ginny leaned back in her chair. It was starting to happen. Shine was taking off. She had to call Ange — tell her the good news and collar her for a few glasses of champagne to celebrate their big win. She dialled, but it rang out. So much for that.

It didn’t take long to come up with another option. She smiled. Mac, of course. Who better to celebrate with than her best friend? Or the bloke she was, well … you know. How handy they were one and the same. She gave him a call.

A few hours later Mac had Ginny back on her couch. He’d managed to get her shirt off and had his hand halfway up her skirt. He felt like he was sixteen again.

Her neck, he decided, that delightful run of throat and collar bone, was his current favourite. He couldn’t get enough of it. Running kisses over her as Ginny fumbled with the knot on his tie, he attempted again to convince her to come down to the bach.

‘Sure you don’t want to come?’ He tasted the skin below her ear. ‘We’d get there in good time. I could run you a bath. Wash your back for you.’

‘I told you.’ Ginny gave his tie a good yank. He felt it snake around his neck as it dropped to the floor, ‘I have to work. Reference checks …’ She found his mouth and kissed him hard. ‘And start on this uni stuff.’ She started on his shirt buttons.