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

So much for unlocking his secrets. He hadn’t needed to challenge her with that tempting key. She’d taken one look at his wet body and lost her mind. The trouble was, her heart had followed suit and she had no idea how to retrieve either.

* * *

The doorbell roused her. Glancing around, Kara was surprised to see twilight had descended; she must have fallen asleep on the couch.

The doorbell rang again and she rubbed her gritty eyes, wishing whoever it was would go away. Sunday nights were her ‘chill out’ time in preparation for the dreaded Monday mornings and after the confusing weekend she’d had, she needed all the chilling she could get.

As she opened the door, Sal enveloped her in a bear hug before releasing her. “How are you, honey? How was the weekend? How’s that gorgeous boyfriend of yours?”

“One at a time Sal.”

Sally eyed her critically. “What’s up with you? I thought you’d be over the moon after spending the weekend with that dishy hunk of yours.”

“He’s not mine,” she muttered, wishing the words weren’t true.

“Is that right? How do you explain that look you’ve got? The one that says you haven’t slept a wink in the last few nights, huh?” Sal winked and wriggled her eyebrows.

Kara feigned indifference. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just having a snooze. That’s why I look tired. Now, do you want a cuppa or not?”

She turned away and headed for the kitchen so Sally wouldn’t see her incriminating blush, knowing her too-readable face would give away her secrets.

After closing the door and following her into the kitchen, Sally came up behind and hugged her again. “I’m not prying, darling. I’m just so happy you and Matt have found each other again.”

“Mmm...” Sal’s second hug almost undid her completely. She longed to turn around, bury herself in Sal’s arms and confide the whole sordid mess: the deal, the money, her feelings for Matt.

Pulling herself together, she forced a smile when Sal released her and buried her head in the refrigerator in search of milk.

“I’ve got some news for you. Big news.” Sal’s voice brimmed with excitement and as Kara turned, Sal punched the air. “I won! Can you believe it? I actually won!”

Realisation and all its implications hit like a freight train. Matchmaker had won the DATY.

“That’s fantastic. Congratulations, Sal. I knew you could do it.” Kara hugged Sal, amazed the first seed of doubt sprouted in the midst of her happiness. If the DATY was Sal’s, she had no reason to pose as Matt’s girlfriend anymore. Not on her part, anyway.

“Thanks, sweetie. If it weren’t for you, none of this would’ve happened. The judges said matching my 1000th couple swayed their decision. Speaking of which, I’ll need you and Matt to do some publicity stuff.”

Dread stole into her heart. “What sort of stuff?” If she was going to come clean with Matt, how could she expect him to take part in publicity?

Sally shrugged. “I’m not sure yet, though the judges will let me know. See, everything turned out for the best. I won the award, the agency is saved with the prize-money and you got your man. Matchmaker to the rescue again.” She licked her finger and chalked one up in the air.

You got your man.

Sal’s words stung. If only they were true. Instead, she now had to call the whole deal off and he would find some other woman to take her place, probably in the blink of an eye. Sure, he’d be annoyed the charade would start all over again but he would eventually get the partnership he longed for. She was the one who’d come off second best. In helping save Sal’s business, she’d lost her heart. Again. To the same man. How on earth would she recover from that? There was only one thing to do and she wasn’t looking forward to it. Not one bit.

Thankfully, Sal didn’t stay long, giving Kara a chance to do some serious thinking before she approached Matt with the news their deal was off. Heck, she’d miss him. Worse, how would she cope seeing him with another woman now she’d completely lost her mind and fallen in love with him all over again?

She’d known getting physical would solidify her feelings yet she’d thrown caution to the wind and done it anyway. So much for erecting barriers. So much for pushing him away. Instead, she’d followed her heart, about to get its comeuppance. She’d definitely come off second best when this deal ended: no more dinners, no more phone calls, no more shared intimacy where Matt’s skill and attention made her body sing.

A smidgen of an idea insinuated its way into her thoughts. If she had to tell him the truth, why not take one last chance at grabbing happiness? If she could make him want her more than anything and let him have a final taste of what he’d be missing out on if they broke up, maybe, just maybe, they could have their fairy-tale ending after all?

She bit back a grin as the idea solidified, modified and finally took flight. Yeah, she could pull this off and she knew just what she needed to put her plan into action.

* * *

Matt signed the last contract, added it to the pile and leaned back in his chair. It had been a gruelling fortnight with several key negotiations drawing to a close almost simultaneously. He was tired but invigorated at the same time, the thrill of success as sweet now as it had been when he’d done his