THE DEAL by Marsh, Nicola (electronic reader txt) 📕

called him ‘son’. And what was that stuff he’d said about Kara’s business? Was that why she needed the money?

“Anyway, I’ll email the details to you. Don’t forget to tell Kara I said hello.” His father paused at the doorway. “I’m proud of you, Son.”

He hadn’t imagined it. His dad had called him ‘son’ again. Matt sat back in his leather-backed chair and exhaled. He’d waited a long time to hear those words from his father. Then why did it feel like a hollow victory? He hated deceiving his dad but the deal was the only way to make his father take him seriously. If today was any indication, he was succeeding. But at what cost? The sooner he sorted this mess out, the better. His dad deserved better. So did Kara.

Twirling his pen absentmindedly, he stared at his calendar. A couple of weeks would be too long. He resolved to discuss the deal with her over the weekend away. If the money was that important, he would give it to her. He just wanted their relationship to be obligation-free. No more deals.

But what if she didn’t want him without the money?

His heart clenched. After all, she’d made it clear right from the start that she didn’t want anything to do with him. Maybe she was only doing this for the money? Only one way to find out.

As he reached towards the phone to call her, it rang.

He picked up. “Matt Byrne speaking.”

“Byrne, you old dog. Been holding out on me. What’s all this about you bringing the fair Kara to our weekend away?”

“What do you want, Saunders? I’m busy.”

He hadn’t spoken to his best friend Luke Saunders in a few weeks, despite the fact they worked for the same law firm. Luke’s criminal caseload meant the two rarely crossed paths these days.

“I bet you’re busy. You seem to have your hands pretty full...” His mate’s voice trailed off in a snigger.

“Cut the crap. I’ve been working long hours on a few copyright cases. And yeah, I’ve been seeing a bit of Kara, not that it’s any of your business.”

Luke guffawed. “Touched a nerve, mate? Not like you to get serious about one woman. What gives?”

He wished he could divulge his secret to his friend. Unfortunately, Luke wasn’t renowned for his tact. “Can’t a leopard change its spots? I like Kara.”

There was a definite snort from the other end of the line. “You? Change spots? You’d need to change species. Are you telling me our carousing days are over?”

“You got it, buddy. You’re on your own.”

“But my dating apps are pinging constantly. Remember the good old days?”

“I really need to get back to work. How about I meet you for a drink after work?”

“Fine. Wimp.”

Matt chuckled. “Just think, all the more ladies for you, my friend.”

“Whatever.”

“See you at the local around seven. Bye.”

He stared at the phone, wondering if he should call Kara. Luke’s call had distracted him and he wanted to be focussed when he invited her away for the weekend. They hadn’t spoken much since the debacle on his yacht and he had an inkling that spending a whole weekend in the role of his girlfriend wasn’t going to appeal to her one bit.

He needed to tread carefully for her to accept and he had to ask her in person. A call wouldn’t suffice for something as important as this.

It wasn’t like him to be low on confidence. This stupid deal had him on edge. He wished he could be himself with Kara and woo her properly, not with some half-hearted lines while play-acting their roles. In that moment, it came to him. He’d been playing a role, not just for the benefit of his father but for Kara also. Why not try being himself? She’d liked him all those years ago, why not try to recapture some of that old magic and see what happened? What did he have to lose? Genius.

Then why did he feel like the kid standing in the corner of the classroom wearing a pointy hat with a big D on the front?

Seven

Kara sank into the warm water and breathed a sigh of relief. The lavender-scented mist enveloped her in a fragrant cloud, helping her to relax. She closed her eyes, shutting out the flickering images of the candles she’d lit. What a week. Thank goodness she’d ignored Olivia’s persistent invitation to go out clubbing tonight and followed her instincts. A hot bath, a romcom and a tub of her favourite strawberry ice cream were all she craved tonight.

Speaking of cravings…Matt popped into her head, eradicating relaxing thoughts. She’d managed to push him to the far recesses of her mind all week, throwing herself into work. The Normanby’s had been suitably impressed, even the old battle-axe. However, during her quieter moments like now, she’d think about him, throwing her into chaos once again.

Ever since that hot session on the boat her imagination had shifted into overdrive. She’d woken several nights in a row, sweaty and dishevelled from erotic dreams involving Matt.

He’d been polite yet withdrawn the few times they had spoken. They’d exchanged pleasantries, that’s all. She felt he’d been calling out of obligation rather than any burning need to see how she was. She’d even wondered if he’d been seeing another woman but had quickly squashed that thought; he wanted the partnership in his dad’s firm too much to jeopardise it now. After all, he wouldn’t have taken the ludicrous deal this far if he didn’t want it so badly. Only three months left and she’d be free...

Free to do what?