The Candidate (23 page)

She looked angry and confused. Arms crossed tight across her chest and shoulders hunched; he’d got her spectacularly offside.

‘Both. And work. All this shit that’s been happening. Everything.’ She scrubbed her face with her hands. She thought she’d done a brilliant job of managing everything but after this set-to she felt overwhelmed and scared. I need him at my back, she realised, not going head to head with me.

‘Do you want to end this?’

Her head shot up to look at him. ‘That’s not what I’m saying. No.’ She hesitated. ‘Why? Do you?’

‘God, no.’ He let out a laugh and took a step toward her. ‘Not at all. But I want you happy. And if what I’m doing makes you unhappy, then maybe this isn’t good for you.’

Ginny frowned, not sure if his gesture was endearing or annoying. ‘I’m happy. How about you?’

‘Yes. Very much so.’

‘Okay then.’ Ginny reached out a hand, which he took. ‘We’re agreed then. Let’s not stop. But please don’t go on about all that other stuff, Mac. I hate being told what to do — you know that.’

‘I do know that. But stay away from Miles, alright?’

She nodded. She’d already made that decision so it wasn’t a big concession. And then her heart started up a quick pitter-pat as he reached in to kiss her, soft and slow and sweet.

‘Have we just had our first fight?’ he asked after a while.

‘Yeah — I reckon.’ She smiled, linking her arms around his neck.

‘Wanna go make up?’

‘I told you — I need to work.’

‘You always need to work. We can make up in instalments.’

‘You’re insatiable, Mac.’

‘You bring out the best in me, Ginn. Always have.’ He kissed her again. ‘Come on.’ He pulled her by the hand and she took a few steps with him. ‘Anyway, I figure we’ve still got a lot of catching up to do.’

‘You think so, do you?’ She tried not to smirk, but it was hard not to.

‘Yes.’ He led her down the street towards her building. ‘Lots.’

She laughed. They’d reached an agreement of sorts, but they’d also raised more questions. Oh well, she thought, as they arrived at her flat. Fumbling for her keys, she sighed happily as Mac lifted her hair to kiss her neck. They had plenty of time to answer those questions. Summer wasn’t close to over. Not for a long while yet.

Ginny waited until mid-morning UK time before calling Sean.

The reference he provided was faultless and the man himself was friendly and relaxed; he seemed to have all the time in the world to wax lyrical about Daniel Baire. More importantly, the information he provided hit the mark in terms of consolidating Daniel’s fit for the role. Hanging up, Ginny contemplated her phone, tapping her fingernails lightly against the screen. Almost too good, she found herself thinking. A bit too perfect.

‘How was it?’ Mac sat at the other end of the couch, idly thumbing through one of her books.

‘Hmmmm?’ Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard him.

‘The reference. Will smiley-guy get the job?’

‘It was certainly … glowing.’

‘Isn’t that what you want?’

‘Yeah, it’s just … There’s an industry joke about what a reasonable rate for a good reference is. Talking to that referee got me thinking about that.’

‘Really? Why would Daniel do something like that?’

Ginny shook her head. ‘No, I’m being silly. He’s a strong candidate. There’s no reason why his references wouldn’t be strong, too.’

‘You sure? You’ve got good instincts, Ginn.’

‘You just don’t like him.’

‘True.’ He smiled at her.

She reached over and put her phone on the coffee table, signalling that work was finally over for the day. Following suit with the book, Mac moved towards her.

‘What are you doing?’ she giggled as he yanked her leg, pulling her along the couch.

‘I thought I should apologise again.’

‘Really? You did that quite comprehensively earlier on.’

‘Thanks. But I want to make sure you truly understand how filled with remorse I am.’ Mac pushed his hand up under her T-shirt. ‘For being so stubborn. Pig-headed. Blinkered.’

‘Well, you were that.’ Ginny kissed him, feeling insatiable herself. ‘But so was I. In fact,’ she rolled on top of him and sat back so she could unbutton his jeans, ‘it’s probably my turn to apologise to you.’

‘Well … maybe it is.’ Mac obligingly lifted his hips as she pulled down his jeans.

‘No boxers?’ she asked, with an enquiring look.

‘I told you. Instalments. It seemed a bit … pointless.’

‘Cocky, aren’t you?’

‘About some things — sure.’

Ginny ran a hand up each leg before resting them at the top of his thighs.

‘Lovely legs, Mac. Lovely everything, if you don’t mind me saying.’

‘Not at all, Ginn. Knock your socks off.’

‘Why thank you, Mac. Don’t mind if I do.’

Reaching forward, he snagged a length of her hair and, curling it around his finger, feeling its soft silkiness, lay back and closed his eyes as she lowered her head.

Chapter 27

Determined to get Daniel’s damn references finished once and for all, Ginny made sure she was in the office early the following morning. As she transcribed the conversation with Sean, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was over the top. She let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead. The RK project was hard work; she wasn’t sure she was thinking straight. Reaching a decision, she picked up her phone.

‘Robert … it’s Ginny. Sorry for the early call but I spoke with Daniel’s second referee last night and I wanted to sound you out about a few things before I send it through.’

‘Go ahead.’

She talked him through what Sean had said, reading verbatim at times from her notes so he could test the sincerity of it himself. ‘I’m a bit concerned the referee was coached too well.’

She heard Robert sigh. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be selling Daniel to me? Or is this some type of recruiter’s reverse psychology?’

‘No … but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you what I thought.’

‘Just send it through, Ginny, and I’ll take a look.’ He sounded annoyed. ‘This is the final stage. Let’s just put it to bed.’

Hanging up, she shrugged. She’d done her best, but at the end of the day it was Robert’s call.

‘Swap?’ Mac offered his father the sports section.

‘Sure.’ Andrew handed him the business pages. Taking a mouthful of coffee, he looked his son over.

‘What?’

‘Just thinking how much better you’re looking.’

Mac eyed his father warily.

‘Happier,’ his father explained, ‘and there’s a bit more meat on your bones than when you first came back. But definitely happier.’

Mac shook his head in amusement and went back to his paper. ‘Thanks, Dad.’

Still watching his son, Andrew swallowed more coffee. ‘How’s Ginny?’

Mac glanced back up at him. ‘Good. Why?’

‘Just curious. Back on track then? After everything that happened?’

‘Yep.’

Andrew shook his head in admiration. ‘Tough wee thing, isn’t she? Would have stopped a lot of men I know, all that business. But not her by the look of things.’

Mac couldn’t help it — he grinned. ‘She certainly is. She’s amazing actually.’

‘And you two are …’

Mac lifted an eyebrow. ‘Having a bit of fun. If that’s alright, Dad?’

‘No need to get shirty, Mac. I’m interested, that’s all.’

Mac nodded, and went back to his paper and coffee, hoping that was the end of it.

‘Have you told her what happened? Why you’re back in Auckland?’

Mac stopped reading but didn’t look up. ‘No.’

‘Are you going to?’

Mac turned his head and looked out over the water through the big glass doors. ‘Not sure.’

‘Have you told her how you feel? What about that?’

‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’ Mac demanded.

‘Have you?’

‘No,’ Mac muttered into his coffee.

‘You probably should, don’t you think? At some stage?’

‘I’m fairly sure I’ve had this discussion with you, Dad. Knocking on twenty years ago.’

Andrew laughed. ‘That was about something else altogether, Mac, and I’m fairly confident you’ve got that end of things covered by this stage in your life.’

Mac shook his head and grimaced. Blindsided twice in one twenty-four-hour period: first Ginny and now his dad.

‘What I mean,’ Andrew got off his stool, ‘is that you’re going to have to come clean at some stage. About all of it. She strikes me as the sort of woman who would prefer to know things straight.’

‘She is. I just don’t want to scare her off.’

‘I thought the same thing about your mum, Mac. I could hardly breathe around her at times, I loved her so much. And it just got to a point where I had to have her close — all the time.’

Mac looked up at him. Maybe he had more in common with his old man than he thought.

‘But it didn’t scare her at all. You might just have to take a risk. Trust her. You sure as hell can’t keep standing still. Can you?’

‘No. I can’t do that for much longer.’

‘You’re still going back then?’

‘I told you already — of course I am. It’s unfinished, Dad. I can’t leave it like this. I have to go back.’

‘Is it worth it? Ginny …’

Mac cut him off. ‘It’s not open for discussion.’

‘Okay, okay.’ Andrew held his palms up. ‘Just asking.’

‘I want both.’

‘Well, maybe you’ll find a way to do that. But you need to tell her, Mac.’ He placed his empty cup in the sink. The chat was over. ‘I’m off then. See you later in the week?’

Mac nodded and Andrew left his son to his thoughts.

The next morning Ginny had just fired up her computer when she got a call from Robert.

‘I’m sorry I haven’t called you sooner. I’ve been stuck in Wellington with back-to-back meetings but I’ve read Daniel’s second reference.’

‘What did you think?’

‘It was great. No concerns whatsoever.’

‘Great. Are we talking an offer?’

‘Not yet, Ginny.’ She closed her eyes in disbelief. What more did the man want?

‘The thing is,’ he continued, ‘it’s been so protracted, and both sets of references are strong. I want both Stella and Daniel in front of me again before I make a decision.’

Ginny sighed and rubbed her forehead. She couldn’t remember the last time she had so badly wanted a role to go away. ‘Sure, Robert. Of course. When can you do it?’

‘Call Camilla, will you? I’m driving and haven’t a clue what the next couple of days look like.’

‘Sure,’ she said again, resigned.

Camilla gave her a few options. Ginny thanked her and looked up Stella and Daniel’s numbers. It had to end at some stage. Surely.

Daniel picked up at once.

‘Another interview?’ he asked, exasperation in his voice. ‘But I thought we were nearly there?’

‘Tell me about it. But it’s more of a final meet and greet.’

‘Oh. Well. That sounds a bit better. So it’s just me then?’

‘No. Both of you. I told you: the other candidate is back in the running.’

There was silence.

‘Daniel?’

‘Yeah — I’m here.’ He paused. ‘So the reference with Sean was okay?’

‘Yes. Very okay. It’s just that Robert needs to see the both of you again before he makes a decision.’

Daniel sighed. ‘When?’

Early on Thursday afternoon Ginny’s phone rang, a welcome reprieve from her struggle to find the right tone for an ad she was drafting. Usually it happened naturally, but today the words wouldn’t come.

‘Hiya,’ Mac said. ‘How’s your day going?’

Ginny leant back in her chair and smiled. ‘Good, thanks. When did you get back?’ Mac had been on base and off the radar for a couple of days and although Ginny would never admit she was waiting for his call, it sure was nice to hear his voice.

‘This morning.’ She heard his pen, drumming fast and hard. ‘Fancy a movie tonight?’

‘Definitely. Did you have something in mind?’

He mentioned a recent release. ‘I think it starts at nine — how about I swing by about half-seven? Pick you up?’

‘You don’t need to be that early. It’ll only take us five minutes to walk.’

‘Yeah, well.’ He chuckled lightly, and she heard him shift the phone. When he spoke again, his voice was a little lower, a little dirtier, and it sent a lick of heat through her. ‘I haven’t seen you for a day or so. Thought I’d say gidday properly.’

Ginny moved slightly in her seat, thinking about what he’d said. ‘That doesn’t give us a lot of time.’

‘Sometimes fast is good, Ginn. You know that.’

The way he was talking they wouldn’t make the movie. ‘Maybe I should meet you there. We can sit in the back row, make out.’

‘Stop playing hard to get. I’ll pick you up.’

‘Well, if you insist — sure.’ She stretched out a leg and pushed her chair in a slow turn. ‘I’ll make sure I’m ready.’

‘Really. I think you’d better tell me what you mean by that.’

‘Well, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about my apology. The other night.’

‘Yes. I remember. I’ve thought about it a fair bit too.’

She spun again so her back was to the open office door. ‘I think I can improve on it. If you like …’

‘How?’

She told him, and at the other end of the phone, Mac turned to look out over the city. He could only see a small patch of Queen Street and not the laneway that housed Shine Consulting. He could picture her though, and didn’t immediately register that she had stopped talking.

‘Mac? You still there?’

He cleared his throat. ‘Yes. Still here.’

‘I’d better let you go. Ange and I have a meeting at four and I haven’t done any prep.’ And would struggle to do so. Counting down the minutes until she could get her hands on him would probably more accurately describe the coming afternoon.

‘I’ve got a meeting too. But I’m not done. Keep talking.’

Ginny gave herself another spin so she faced her computer again. ‘No, Mac. I don’t want to be late, and neither do you — being the responsible young lawyer on the way up. I’ll see you later.’

She hung up. That was a bit steamy for a Thursday afternoon. Checking surreptitiously that Ange hadn’t been within hearing distance, Ginny went back to the ad.

Ten minutes later the buzzer on the street door sounded and she looked up in surprise when she heard Mac greeting Ange.

‘Hello,’ she said as he walked into her office. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Hi. I forgot to tell you — there’s a bit of a problem. With the door.’ He pointed to the ceiling.

‘I haven’t noticed any problem.’

‘Trust me, there’s a problem. Can I show you?’

‘Now?’

‘Yes. Come on.’ Mac grabbed her hand and pulled her up. At the stairs, he stood back to let her go first.

‘So what exactly is this about?’

Mac held up a set of keys. ‘I got you some spares cut. And they’re a bit sticky. Thought you should make sure you can get them to work otherwise I’ll get another lot done. No point having keys if they won’t open the door.’

‘Spares?’ As it was — between the twins, Ange and Mads — there were sets of her keys pretty much all over Auckland.

‘Yeah. You never know when you might want to … lend them to someone.’

‘Right.’ She smiled, and he smiled back. He was sneaky, she thought, taking the keys and heading up the stairs. He’d be asking for a drawer next.

She slid the key into the lock. It turned easily. Not a hint of resistance. ‘Mac … there’s nothing wr—’

His hands were on her hips, his mouth on her neck. She took a breath and he kicked the door open pushing her through, turning her around and pinning her back against it as he clamped his mouth on hers, kissing her hard, hot and — like his voice on the phone earlier — just a little dirty.

He pulled her jacket down over her shoulders, trapping her arms behind her as his mouth started on her neck. She tried to step forward but he pushed into her.

‘No, you don’t. Stay put, Ginn.’ He thought he’d behaved admirably over the past couple of months but as he kissed her again and felt her body against his, all thoughts of letting her lead went out the window. It was his turn to set the pace.

‘You’re a bloody tease, Ginn.’ He took advantage of her pinned arms to run his hands up under her top. ‘Getting me all worked up over the phone.’

‘You started it,’ she breathed, as he moved his thumbs over her nipples.

She had a point. Which was why he was here. To finish it. Kissing her again, he pulled down the cups of her bra and roamed his hands over her. She let out a low moan and he yanked her top up, lowered his head, and took her in his mouth.

Ginny let her head fall back against the door and closed her eyes. His arm around her waist was pulling her up to him as his mouth, his tongue, his teeth sent her closer and closer to the edge. He pushed his other hand up the back of her skirt, drew his fingers lightly over her thigh and all rational thought flew out of her head. Right here, she thought. Now. She shook off her jacket and grabbed him by the hips, pulling him against her and the feel of him made her breath catch.

‘I can’t get enough of you.’ There was a note of frustration in his voice, desperation. He kissed her neck, the line of her jaw, found her mouth and dived in — hard, deep, hungry for her. Ginny tried desperately to keep up; he was moving fast, in complete control, and it was making her head spin. He tugged her skirt up her legs, reached behind, let his hands wander over her, speaking low and fast into her ear.

‘When I’m with you, I want you. When I’m not with you, I want you. And now that I can have you pretty much anytime I want, I want you even more.’ His mouth moved back to her neck and his teeth grazed her skin. ‘As soon as I’ve had you, I want you again, only more than before.’ He pulled back and caught her face with his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. ‘You’re in my blood, Ginn. You’re like a fever, a fucking drug.’ And there to stay, Mac realised. Even if he wanted to, he’d never be rid of it. It was too big, too much, too strong.

She tried to speak but, clocking the rawness on his face, let out a shaky breath instead and gave in. He’s right, she thought: I’m hooked, too. She reached down, pulled his shirt out of his trousers, ran her hands up his stomach, over his chest — she had to touch him, feel his skin. She pulled him back into her, kissed him, used her teeth, dug her nails into the small of his back, wanting as much as she could get, wanting it now. She felt ridiculously ready, sexy, powerful.

With one hand he yanked her skirt higher, the other he pushed up under her top again, wanting the feel of her under his hand, but the damn thing kept slipping down. He broke away, swearing, and she opened her eyes, dazed, as he took a step away.

‘Wha—’

‘Off,’ Mac pointed at her top. ‘Take it off. Now. It’s getting in my way.’

He kept his eyes on her as he pulled at the knot of his tie and quickly undid the first few buttons of his shirt. ‘Hurry up,’ he said, flicking out his cufflinks.

She fumbled with the zip at the side of her top as Mac pulled his shirt over his head. Reaching behind, she unhooked her bra and shrugged out of it.

‘Now the skirt.’