Alison Roberts - The Australian's Bride

In fact, Alex was quite sure Susie would be incapable of cruelty. He had seen her concern. Her understanding. Her willingness to help.

Somehow, magically, as they’d shared that glass of wine, she’d slipped through a barrier he’d considered impenetrable. Mistrust had evaporated and it was possible to see her as a genuine person with no personal agenda. A very beautiful person.

Yes. Susie was part of the magic.

A temptation to his senses. All of them. She was beautiful to look at. The sound of her voice and laughter a pleasure. If he, say, kissed her, he would know what she tasted like, wouldn’t he? Whether her hair or skin smelt of any tropical scents. At the very least, if there was any dancing involved with this gala dinner tonight, he could take her in his arms and he would know what it felt like to touch her…

Alex changed direction abruptly, taking a fork of the track that had to lead to the beach.

A dip in the ocean was what was needed here.

He could only hope it would be cool enough.

‘MORE champagne, Susie?’

‘Go on, then.’ Susie held her glass out. ‘It’s not as if I have to walk home, is it?’

‘You don’t even have to ride your bike. We can just pour you into the lift. Star’s dad did us a favour, really, didn’t he?’

‘You and Mike should have had the penthouse suite. It’s ridiculous having me rattling around in there by myself.’

‘We’ve got a room that opens into the pool complex. It’s perfect. We went swimming in the dark last night. Very romantic. There was no one else around. We could have swum naked if we’d wanted to.’

‘And did you?’ Susie gave her best friend a suspicious glance and then her jaw dropped. ‘You did! You’re a wicked woman, Emily Poulos.’

‘It was Mike’s idea.’

Susie felt the need to change the subject from romantic midnight swimming. ‘This place is enormous, isn’t it? We must have a hundred people at this function and it’s completely separate from the rest of the guests.’

‘I hear a bit of juggling went on. This room is the hub of the convention centre and there’s a medical conference on this weekend.’

This was a nice, neutral topic. ‘Anyone from Crocodile Creek at the conference?’

Emily shook her head. ‘It’s very specialised. Epidemiology.’

Susie smiled. ‘Skin…right?’

Emily laughed. ‘No. Causes of diseases and stuff. Hey, you made a joke!’

‘What’s so unusual about that? You trying to tell me I’m no fun to be around?’

‘No.’ Emily touched her arm in a gesture that spoke of long familiarity and close friendship. ‘It’s just…I don’t know…I got the feeling something was bothering you yesterday. You were very quiet when we were coming over to the resort.’

‘I was still steaming over the way Alex had been treating his daughter, that’s all. I thought he was a complete jerk.’

‘Was?’ Emily eyed her over the rim of her water glass. ‘Past tense?’

Susie shrugged. ‘I guess I was wrong. He’s OK.’

Emily’s eyebrows shot up. ‘ OK? He’s gorgeous!’ She turned her head to give the top table a deliberate stare and her sigh was wistful. ‘Maybe it’s being Greek that does it. They do the tall, dark and handsome thing so well, don’t they?’

‘Hmm. Don’t try and set me up, Em. The man lives in Sydney. If he’s not already spoken for, he probably has every single socialite in the city after him. And he already has a family. I want my own kids, remember?’

Emily made a sound that suggested she understood. She would, too. Susie knew she had spent her share of time considering all the reasons why nothing would happen between herself and Mike. Plus, she was a woman. What was it about being a woman that could make you feel attracted to a man and then get a sudden insight into all the pitfalls a future together could produce? It was crazy.

Mind you, it had worked out rather well for Emily and Mike, hadn’t it?

The two women were silent for a minute, watching the gathering. The other people at their table were all engrossed in their own conversations and the noise level was growing steadily as coffee and exquisite petits fours were being served to mark the end of the dinner. Around them, people were leaving their allocated table seating and starting to mix. A five-piece band was setting up at one side of a small dance floor.

The subdued lighting did nothing to dampen the glitter of this occasion. Silverware and crystal caught the light and sparkled on the white linen tablecloths. The women sparkled in their gorgeous dresses and jewellery and the men were all in black tie, which always seemed to automatically increase their attractiveness. Or maybe it was the champagne. Whatever. Susie couldn’t help sneaking another glance at the front table herself.

Charles was there, of course. So was the mayor of Crocodile Creek, their member of parliament and George Poulos, who had spearheaded the huge support that had come from local businesses for the building of the new medical centre. Partners were also present…or supposed to be. There was an empty seat beside Charles.

‘Where’s Jill?’ Emily wondered aloud.

‘She’ll be with Lily. Did you hear she had to have a lumbar puncture this morning?’

‘Yes. I flew back to Crocodile Creek with Mike when he took those urgent samples.’

‘I thought you didn’t like helicopters?’

‘I don’t.’

Susie grinned. ‘But you like Mike enough to get over it, right?’

‘Right.’ But Emily’s smile faded. ‘Lily couldn’t really have meningitis, could she? It’s too awful to imagine.’

‘I hope not. Alex seemed to think he was just being careful and doing the test to rule it out, but she looked pretty sick.’

‘You’ve seen her?’

‘I had to help with the lumbar puncture. Alex asked me to.’

‘Did he, now?’

Susie had to steer the conversation away from Alex. Why did everything seem to get pulled back to that man? ‘Did you know that Jill and Charles are officially engaged now?’

‘Sophia said something but she’s always trying to marry people off. I didn’t take too much notice.’

‘She’s got this gorgeous ring. Really unusual. An opal instead of a diamond.’

‘I’m really pleased. Just a bit surprised, I guess.’

‘Why? I think they’re perfect for each other.’

‘Yes, but do they think that?’

Susie sighed. ‘Charles did say it was just a marriage of convenience. For Lily’s sake.’

‘Maybe they think it’s the sensible thing to do, seeing as they’re practically living together.’