The Pitch: City Love 2 (15 page)

“Good morning.”

I opened my eyes, allowing the room to come into focus gradually. Sunlight was streaming through the curtains, which were blowing gently in the tropical breeze. Beside me, Paul was lying on his side and watching me.

“Good morning,” I replied. I felt like I was still dreaming. This couldn’t be real, could it?

“I was going to order some room service. What would you like?” he asked.

“You.”

Paul’s face broke into a broad grin. “You’re a very single-minded woman.”

“I thought you liked that about me?” I teased.

“I do.” His eyes darkened. He reached over and pulled me to him. We were still naked and my breasts brushed against his chest. He sighed and leaned in to claim my mouth in a long, luxurious kiss that had my heart pumping.

He broke away and gave me a soft smile. “As much as I’d like to continue this, we’ve slept in. If we don’t order room service soon, we’ll miss out.”

I looked past him to the clock on the bedside table. “Shit.” It was already nine thirty.

His grin turned boyish. “What did you expect? You kept me up half the night.”

“
I
kept you up half the night? You wouldn’t let me get to sleep.”

His fingers threaded through my hair. “How am I supposed to get to sleep with you lying naked next to me?” he whispered.

He looked like he was about to lean in for another kiss and I only had so much self-control. I placed my hands on his chest and pushed myself away. “Breakfast.”

I sat up and located the resort menu near the television. “I’ll have an omelet and fruit salad. Long black. Room one-three-six.”

He ordered our meals, then threw the sheet off and came over to stand in front of me. “Madeleine.”

Damn him. He was naked and he’d said my name like that deliberately. “Paul?”

“Come here.” He pulled me against him, one hand in my hair and the other gripping my hip.

I moaned. “What about breakfast?”

“What about it? There’s time.”

“What about your client? Don’t you have to meet with them today?”

“Not until after lunch. You’ve got me for the rest of the morning.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I didn’t resist when he gently pushed me down onto the bed. If he was all mine for the next few hours I was going to make the most of it.

*

The rest of the day passed in a surreal haze. The morning was over too quickly. In the afternoon when Paul was working, I took a nap and went for a swim. By dinner time I was dressed in a simple blue summer dress and waiting for Paul’s knock at six o’clock, which came right on time.

“Hi.” He gave me a soft kiss. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks. How was your afternoon?”

“I would have preferred to be here with you. Although it was interesting hearing everyone gossip about who left the bra floating in the pool.”

I paled. We had never gone back to find it. “Oh my God.”

He laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. No one knows it was yours, and it’s the best fun I’ve had in a client meeting for ages.”

“Glad I could help.” I smiled weakly. “I don’t suppose I can go and claim it now. How embarrassing.”

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

He waited while I locked up and we walked hand in hand to the restaurant. The evening passed easily and we enjoyed a three-course meal together, until I pleaded defeat in the face of all the delicious food. I needed a walk or else I wouldn’t be able to move. We strolled toward the sand, taking our shoes off so we could walk along the water’s edge.

“I can’t believe we have to get on a plane and go home tomorrow,” I said wistfully.

Paul gave me a sidelong glance. “And to think I almost had to force you to come.”

“That was before I knew what you had in store for me.”

Paul cleared his throat. “You know that wasn’t my plan.”

“Planned or not, I’ve barely thought about work the entire weekend. It helps that you’ve been keeping me distracted.”

“Glad I could be of assistance.”

We walked further along the shore. The moonlight reflected off the water, giving the darkness an otherworldly glow.

“I’ve got a busy week when we get back to Sydney,” Paul said, staring into the distance. “I probably won’t manage to see you until the weekend.”

“Should I be worried? Is this where you announce that it’s been a fantastic holiday romance but now it’s time to return to the real world?” I’d meant it as a joke but my voice came out higher pitched than I’d intended.

Paul squeezed my hand. “Of course not. That’s why I’m mentioning it now. I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression and have you think I was avoiding you all week.”

“That’s fine, Paul. The ACB account is going to keep me occupied, don’t worry.”

“It might be a good chance for you to reflect on things, though.”

I stopped and turned to face him. My earlier joke aside,
that
sounded like a statement I should be worried about. “What things?”

“I’ve told you my situation and where I stand, but I want you to put more thought to it.”

“Your situation?”

“Yes.” He sighed and ran a hand roughly through his hair. “I’m a father to two boys and you need to be comfortable with that.”

“Of course I’m comfortable with that, they’re your children.”

“It’s a lot to take on and I’d understand if it wasn’t for you.”

“Paul.” I reached over and placed a hand on the rough stubble of his cheek. “I’m okay with it.”

He clasped my hand in his and squeezed. “For now. But what about when you’re ready to have your own kids and I’m not?”

This again. Why did my love life always seem to revolve around the children I could or couldn’t have? “I’m not planning on having children.”

Paul shook his head. “That’s easy to say now, Madeleine, when you’re in the midst of building up Grounded Marketing, but one day your feelings will change. I need to be upfront with you and tell you I’m not sure I can offer that.”

“You don’t need to. I’m sure about my decision.”

Paul looked at me skeptically. “That’s a big call to make when you’re not quite thirty.”

“It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to,” I said flatly. Now would be the time to mention my medical history and the difficulty I would have in trying to conceive children, but something held me back. I didn’t want to ruin the perfect weekend we had together by dredging up the cold, hard facts about my gynecological issues.

Paul released my hand. “I’m sure it is, but I’m asking you to put some more thought to it before you get too carried away with me.”

Carried away with him? It was far too late for that, but I held my tongue again. “I’ll think about it, but I can already tell you what my answer is going to be.”

He slipped a hand around my waist and we started walking again. “Just think about it some more, alright?”

“Alright.”

We walked in silence and I rested my head on his shoulder. It was a warm evening so there was absolutely no reason the sand beneath my feet felt suddenly cold. He was being honest and decent to me and now I was feeling dishonest.

The coldness spread to the pit of my stomach and I snuggled into Paul’s warmth, determined to fight the demons threatening to surface. It was irrational. Paul had already made it clear that he didn’t want any more children. Yet the fear clutching at my stomach begged me to think otherwise.

What if one day Paul changed his mind? It was obvious he had a lot of regrets about raising his boys. What if he decided he wanted to try again and have a second chance at fatherhood?

And what would he do when he discovered it was the one thing I couldn’t give him?

“So the purple dress came in handy?”

I did my best to ignore Scarlett. If anyone could sense the glow that resulted from good sex, Scarlett could. Damn her. It wasn’t something I wanted to broadcast just yet.

I gave her an abrupt shake of the head and attempted to study the menu. It was Tuesday night and I was catching up with the girls after work for dinner.

“What’s she talking about?” Christa was sitting beside me and leaned in, trying to catch my eye.

“Nothing.” I smiled tightly at her, then glared at Scarlett across the table.

“One hundred bucks says Maddy got laid in Fiji,” Scarlett said.

Cate looked from me to Scarlett, then back to me again. “Really?”

Scarlett leaned back and crossed her arms in satisfaction. “Look at Maddy and you tell me.”

Cate observed me curiously. To my annoyance, a red blush worked its way up my neck to my face. She squealed – loudly. “Paul?” she asked, breathless.

“Who else would it be?” Scarlett looked at Cate like she’d just grown a second head.

Christa ignored them and reached out to squeeze my arm. “Truly?”

I scowled. “Is it that obvious?”

“You do look …
happy.
” Cate grinned at me.

“She ought to. It’s been four years,” Scarlett said, with a smirk.

“Oh shut up, Scarlett. You couldn’t last a month let alone a year,” I shot back.

“I wouldn’t try.”

That was true. “That’s because you take advantage of innocent young men like John,” I told her.

Something flickered in her eyes. “He’s not as innocent as I thought,” she said.

I sat up straighter. What was she talking about? I wondered. My other girlfriends didn’t give me the chance to ponder her statement.

“So was it worth the wait?” Cate inquired.

I paused. “Yes.”

Christa’s full lips quirked. “Oh?”

I looked at her for a long moment, considering my response. “I stripped off and jumped into the resort pool with him,” I admitted.

“
No!”

Scarlett winced and covered her ears while Cate squealed. I ignored them and turned back to Christa. “It was very good, alright?” I wasn’t open the same way Scarlett was open about sex and my girlfriends appreciated that. I couldn’t believe I’d shared the bit about the pool with them as it was.

“When are you seeing him next?” Christa asked.

“On the weekend.”

I was already having withdrawal symptoms. Paul had dropped me home Monday evening, after our return flight from Fiji. I’d been missing him ever since. Today was my first day back in the office. Ordinarily I’d work myself into the ground to make up for time off. Instead, I’d navigated the day in a contented daze. When Scarlett had called suggesting dinner I’d accepted straight away. Sex-starved Madeleine would have politely declined and told her I had way too much work to catch up on. As it turned out, loved-up Madeleine was a whole lot more relaxed about things.

Christa squeezed my arm again. “I’m so happy it’s working out.”

That familiar feeling of doubt attempted to creep up my spine, but I shoved it away. I still felt guilty about not telling Paul the truth about my decision not to have children. I knew it was a conversation I couldn’t avoid forever.

“Stop thinking about things so much,” Scarlett advised me. I truly hated the way she could read me sometimes. “See him on the weekend and have sex again, then you’ll feel better.”

“I wish I was as simple as you,” I said with a sigh.

“You call it simple. I call it avoiding complications,” she replied.

I noticed Cate pouting next to her. “I think Maddy might like it if things were a bit more complicated …”

Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Why can’t you people just enjoy the benefits and forget about all the other bullshit?”

“Because some of us call the other bullshit having a relationship, Scarlett,” Christa told her.

“It’s completely overrated,” Scarlett muttered.

Christa rolled her eyes. “It’s not overrated, it’s what adults do.”

“Oh, so I’m acting childish now am I?”

“If the shoe fits …” Christa gave her a hard stare.

I held up a hand. “Children. How about we agree to disagree on this one?”

Scarlett and Christa continued to glare at each other and I sighed. “Face it. Christa, you’re in love with Max and a poster child for relationship success. Scarlett, you’re a consenting adult engaging in recreational affairs. You want completely different things.”

Cate tilted her head and looked thoughtfully at me. “What is it you want, Maddy?”

It was a good question.

*

“Alright. Spill. What have you done to piss Scarlett off?”

John gave me a lopsided grin and sipped his coffee. It was late Wednesday morning and we were sitting in a small city café filled with men and women in business suits. It felt a little strange to be meeting him during work hours, but my curiosity had gotten the better of me. After my futile attempts with Scarlett to discover why John wasn’t as innocent as she’d anticipated, I’d decided it was necessary to go directly to the source. Was I interfering? Judging by John’s willingness to meet up with me for coffee, probably not.

“I did exactly as you suggested,” he said.

“How do you mean?”

“I ignored her.”

“Surely that doesn’t explain her level of frustration,” I mused out loud.

“I might have given her a taste of her own medicine.” His expression turned sheepish.

“That sounds dangerous.”

“You’re not too far off, as it turns out.” He read my questioning look and continued. “I thought I’d see how she felt when I flaunted another beautiful woman in her face – just like she used me to upset Paul.”

My eyes widened. “Really? I didn’t pick you for being into retribution.”

“Scarlett brings that out in a man,” he said darkly. “Anyway, she invited me to another one of her gallery showings. She made a big show of pointing out the latest male nude she’d done – some muscle chested dude with the full kit.”

I choked on my coffee, then managed to swallow. “She didn’t.”

“Yep. The bastard was there too. Looking like he was on roids. He definitely had the hots for Scarlett.”

I reached over and placed my hand on his. “I’m sorry, John. I did warn you she’s not relationship material.”

“I guess I got angry.” He carefully removed his hand and grasped his coffee cup tightly. “There was a really gorgeous blond there. We got talking and next thing I knew, she was all over me.” He looked up, his dark eyes full of guilt. “I didn’t exactly fight her off.”

“And why should you? Scarlett’s done nothing but toy with you this entire time. You don’t owe her anything.” I felt guilty talking about one of my closest friends like that, but I wondered again why Scarlett was trying so hard to resist this man.

The guilt in John’s eyes intensified. “I’d had a bit to drink. Next thing I know, I’m out in the alleyway with this chick virtually … you know …”

Given how I’d spent my most recent weekend, I wasn’t one to judge. “Good for you.”

“Scarlett discovered us. She was clearing up after the gallery showing and she walked out on us.”

“So? You shouldn’t have to explain yourself to her.”

John swept his dark fringe away from his face roughly. “I know, but I don’t
do
shit like that. I’ve had relationships, but I’ve never had a …” His frustration turned to embarrassment. “You
know
…”

“A what?”

“One night stand,” he said softly.

God, this man was a catch. Maybe I should introduce him to Cate – she deserved someone like John, not Scarlett. “What happened when Scarlett found you?”

“I panicked. I couldn’t believe what I’d been about to do, in an alley of all places. We didn’t even have protection, for fuck’s sake. Scarlett just kind of smiled at me – I swear she had a look of respect in her eye – and told us she’d leave us to it.”

“Oh.”

“After she went back in, I realized I was lucky she came out when she did. Somehow I managed to convince the blond to get into a taxi and go home. She was trashed. I gave her my number because it seemed like the right thing to do, but I haven’t heard from her. She might not even remember.”

“I’m sorry, John.”

He looked up from his coffee and his eyes held an appeal. “I can’t understand how Scarlett can just treat guys so casually. Why does she do that?”

“I don’t know.” I leaned back in my chair and twisted my napkin. “I don’t agree with it either, but for the most part, she usually only gets involved with men who share her approach. It seems to avoid anyone getting hurt.”

He was silent for a while, watching pedestrians stride past on the footpath.

“Maybe it’s best if you don’t see Scarlett for a little while. Clear your head,” I suggested.

“You’re right. I don’t want anything to do with her anymore,” he said decisively. “She’s screwing with my head.”

“I think it might be a good idea,” I agreed.

“Don’t tell her we had this talk, okay?”

“I won’t. What are you going to say to her?”

“Nothing. I’m just going to drop out of her life quietly. If she asks, I’ll say I’m really busy with work.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry it’s come to this. I’ve really enjoyed our friendship.”

“Hang on.” John sat up straighter in his seat. The action drew a few admiring looks from the women at nearby tables. “I didn’t say anything about not seeing you anymore. Why should I lose a good friendship because of Scarlett’s immaturity?”

I flushed, unexpectedly flattered. “I thought it might be easier.”

“No way. You’re a great person, Maddy, and I really enjoy your company. I also haven’t finished teaching you how to surf.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. So long as your boyfriend doesn’t have any issues with it.”

I stared at him in alarm. I hadn’t said anything about my weekend with Paul to John.

“Got you.” John grinned at me.

“How did you find out?”

“I didn’t. It’s the way you walked in here.”

“Seriously?” First Scarlett. Now John. I couldn’t believe I was that obvious.

He shrugged. “You seemed happy.”

“I could be happy about something at work,” I protested.

“Not
that
happy.” He hid his smirk with the coffee cup.

I reddened, my face feeling uncomfortably hot. “He took me to Fiji for four days,” I admitted.

He looked at me in surprise. “He took you to Fiji?”

“He claimed it was for work.”

“But I’m guessing you got up to more than just work?”

I bit back a smile. “You could say that.”

“He finally made the first move?” he asked.

“He did. Although he didn’t need too much encouragement after that.”

John laughed loudly, his deep, rolling bass attracting more interested looks. “That’s good news.”

“Thanks.” We smiled at each other across the table. I was glad to see he seemed more relaxed after sharing his relationship woes with me. “There is one small problem with Paul,” I said, setting my cup of coffee down.

“Don’t break my heart. I was hoping one of us might at least end up happy,” John replied.

I sighed and told him all about my fears about children and Paul. I hadn’t even spoken to Christa about it. He listened patiently while I skimmed over my medical condition – in as little detail as possible, I didn’t want to gross him out – then waited for him to answer. It seemed strange to be telling someone I didn’t know that well, but I realized I was desperate for a male opinion.

“I think you’re thinking about it too much,” John announced, after digesting my story. “Next time you get the chance, just tell him what you told me. It’s no big deal.”

“It’s no big deal?”

“He’s got two kids already and he’s told you he doesn’t want any more. He’s worried you won’t want a relationship with him because of that. Surely that’s the best scenario you could hope for?”

“I know.”

“But?” John was astute. He could tell I was holding back.

“What if he changes his mind?” I whispered, struggling to get the words out.

John let out a deep sigh. “Maddy. Guys are pretty straightforward. We say what we mean. Don’t twist things because you’re worried about all the different scenarios that will probably never happen.”

“I suppose.” I knew he was right but I still felt unsure about it. “I guess I’m just scared.” I hadn’t realized it until I’d just said it out loud.

He shrugged. “Goes with the territory.”

“What territory?”

“Falling in love.”

I stared at him in shock and exhaled a long breath.

His mouth quirked at the edges. “Seems to me that might be what’s happening.”

“Holy crap.”

He looked at me knowingly. “You’re a control freak, aren’t you?”

“The world’s biggest.”

“Might be time to let go. Just a little bit.”

I stared at him for a long moment until he laughed again. He stood up, his black suit accentuating his surfer’s body. The suit matched his raven hair and dark eyes, and to me he looked like some sort of secret agent.
You silly, silly woman, Scarlett
, I thought.

“We’d better get back to work,” he said, guiding me toward the entrance. “How about you settle with controlling your business empire and just wait to see how things with Paul turn out?”

“I’ll try.”

*

Friday arrived sooner than I anticipated and along with it, the prospect of spending more time with Paul. We’d spoken every day, although I hadn’t seen him since he’d dropped me home from the airport on Monday.

It had been a busy week and my staff was almost through finalizing the campaign for ACB. Everything would be approved and organized by Christmas, which was only a few weeks away. It was the perfect way to end the year.

Just after lunch, when the familiar telltale signs hit me, I felt like a complete and utter fool. Between work and Paul I’d been so preoccupied that I’d completely forgotten to take my birth control pills. Normally I was religious about it.

I tried to ignore the muscles in my stomach that felt as though they were attempting to ball themselves into a tight fist. “Mum,” I cried out.