Cathryn Parry - The Long Way Home

Once, he had trusted her enough to open up. Just by listening, she had helped him. A small thing she knew had brought him comfort because he’d told her so himself.

And that had been an extraordinary night to a girl of fifteen with little confidence in herself or sense of her worth. She needed to remember that she’d grown since then. She had achieved some extraordinary educational and career accomplishments, and she had found the courage to come home and carve out a place for herself. Don’t think of me as I was then. Let me show you who I am now.

As Bruce walked toward her, smiling, she remembered Maureen’s deal with her. But even if there hadn’t been one dollar of business on the line, Natalie would be breathing just as hard, her hands sweating just as much, and her heart yearning for Bruce to trust her again, just as deeply.

He reached for two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter. He held one flute up, and the full glass obscured her view of his mouth. It was so loud and so confusing in the room that she had to lean in to catch what he was saying.

He lowered the glass and looked at her, his smile expectant, a gleam in his eye. “So what do you think?”

This close to him, his voice sounded so low and deep that it sent shivers up her spine. But at the same time, she panicked. Because all she could think was, What did he just say?

CHAPTER THREE

BRUCE STARED DOWN at the woman he’d aimed for like a laser beam. She was tilting her head at him, focusing on him with those inquisitive blue eyes as if she were trying to figure him out. To other people that might be a good sign, but not to him. He didn’t want to actually talk to anybody about anything more important than an offer of champagne or a stroll on the beach.

He wanted a distraction. That was all.

He held the glass out again. “I can’t promise it’s a good year, but I can promise a decent toast from it.”

She smiled at him, a brilliant, relieved smile. “Then I’m glad I didn’t leave and miss the opportunity.”

Her voice was soft and pleasant-sounding. He had to lean forward to hear her, which was nice. She smelled great, something lush and sexy that came from soap or shampoo rather than perfume.

Once there, in her space, she didn’t shrink from him, and he didn’t back away.

He handed her the flute of champagne, his heart kicking up a notch. She accepted it with a small laugh, and for a moment their fingers brushed. Hers felt soft and slight, her nails short and free of polish.

She’s low-maintenance, was his automatic thought. Good.

He lifted his glass to her. “To getting to know you better.”

She gave him a smile that invited him in, like a blond Mona Lisa. He suddenly felt very predatory and very hungry. It had been...months since his last hookup, with an international flight attendant who led the same transitory lifestyle he did. They’d drifted apart, and he missed nothing about her but the sex. Maybe that was cold, but that’s who he was. He just didn’t feel things the way regular people did. Not anymore.

A shout went up from the dance floor. Maureen was dancing with her new husband and everyone was congratulating her.

“I hate these things,” he said to Natalie.

She blinked for a moment, and then smiled harder. “I know. I’d rather be somewhere else, too. With you, of course.”

“That’s heartening.”

She brought the flute to her lips and took a sip, so he did the same. The tart, bubbly taste jarred him. He wasn’t a champagne guy, but he drank a swallow, both of them watching each other over the rims of their glasses. The magnetism between them made his blood pump.

“We should probably toast the bride,” she said, licking the champagne off her lips.

He raised his glass. “To Maureen and Jimmy. May they have years of bliss ahead of them.”

Her gaze moved from his mouth to his eyes, then back to his mouth. She kept doing that, and it made his groin tighten. It also told him to keep going, that she was interested. “How was that for a toast?”

“Scintillating.” She lifted her glass and clinked it with his, her eyes sparkling. “And now it’s my turn. To bliss. May you have a good visit in Wallis Point.”

Yeah, right. If she only knew how short it would be. Then again, she was still looking at his mouth. Maybe she wanted him to stay for purely selfish reasons.

He could handle that.

He took a second drink of champagne and then put down the glass. “I’m Bruce,” he said. “And you’re a...friend of Maureen’s?”

Her brow furrowed. Her mouth opened then closed. Then she pressed her lips together and glanced toward Maureen.

Ah, hell. And they’d been doing so well.

“I’m Natalie,” she said finally. She was still staring at his mouth, so there was that. He needed to press on.

“Pleased to meet you, Natalie.” He held out his hand to shake hers, but she didn’t take it. For some reason, she looked disappointed.

“I’m up-to-date on all my shots,” he said to lighten the mood, “and I haven’t bitten anyone yet.”

Finally she smiled and took his hand, and he felt himself exhale. At the soft press of her flesh against his, he felt a thousand sparks within him.

She didn’t. Or maybe she did—he couldn’t tell because even though she gave his hand a halfhearted shake, her sharp blue eyes were focused on his mouth. It was confusing as hell. Maybe she wanted him to shut up and take her to her hotel room for some quick sex.

That was fine with him.

But first, they needed to stop dancing around the one clarification they needed to get out in the open.

“Look,” he said, steering her gently by the elbow away from some guests returning to their table with dessert plates. “I know you don’t know me from Adam, and that’s fine—it’s how I prefer it, too. But since you’re a friend of my sister’s, I need you to tell me how you know her, so at least there are no misunderstandings between us.”

Protecting his baby sister took priority over anything he would do in town during these few hours. Even over his own need to escape.

“What kind of misunderstandings?” she asked. At least it appeared she was considering his offer.

“I...” When I leave, you might get mad. It had been known to happen. She didn’t look like the stalker type—he didn’t get that vibe at all from her. His impression was that she was sweet and laid-back—exactly what he needed.

But a man with white hair was walking straight toward them. If Bruce wasn’t mistaken, he looked like his old elementary school principal. “How about we take a walk on the beach and sort this out?” Bruce asked.

She frowned. “It’s dark on the beach.”

Wasn’t that the point? He noticed, with alarm, that his niece Nina was skipping his way as well. “None of my family members or old teachers are there, either,” he quipped.

Her head tilted as she listened to him. But it was too late. Nina ran up to them and came to a stop. Natalie put her hands lightly on his niece’s head. “Hello, Nina.”

Shoot. She knew his family better than he’d assumed.

“Hi, Natalie! Uncle Bruce, will you come dance with me?” Nina pleaded. She hopped up and down, clinging to his hand with both her tiny ones.

Aw, hell.

“Dance with your niece,” Natalie said softly. It was noisy, and he had to lean close to hear her. Then she turned and smiled at the white-haired gentleman. “I’ll dance with Bill.”

He felt deflated. He couldn’t get a read on this woman, no matter how hard he tried. Altogether, nothing about her made sense. She’d come on to him, too, with her looks, her smiles. But then as soon as he’d asked how she knew Maureen, she’d turned...cautious.

But her expression was smooth, and she gave him no hint of trouble. Her face was...a mask. Happy-go-lucky. Agreeable.