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

always made her maudlin and combined with her current frame of mind, it would be disastrous. Though getting blotto might erase the pain.

“Kara.”

Though she couldn’t see who spoke close behind her, she knew him with every fibre of her being: the deep voice, the signature aftershave, the heat radiating off him like a roaring bonfire. Her stomach dropped away and her pulse raced. Why was it that even now, after all they’d been through, she still responded to him in such a visceral way?

She carefully blanked her expression before turning. “What are you doing here?”

A small part of her hoped he’d say ‘looking for you’. He didn’t and stupidly, she was devastated all over again.

“Sally asked me to help out. She needed some shots done for the award.”

He looked amazing in his tux. Why couldn’t he look drab for once in his life? It would make it easier to hate him. She knew hate was too strong, maybe not love him as much?

“I’m surprised you came.”

He raised an eyebrow and it lent a rakish quality to his handsome face. “Why?”

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance she didn’t feel. “We didn’t exactly part on the best of terms yesterday. I thought you wouldn’t want to be seen dead with me.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

He took a step closer and their arms brushed, the impersonal touch sending her body into overdrive. All she could do was stare as he continued.

“I needed to see you. To set the record straight.”

Her heart thudded painfully. This was it. He’d thank her for being a good friend, for the ‘good times’ they’d shared and he’d walk away. Hell, if she was lucky, he might even offer her the money again, to really rub salt into an open wound.

“There’s nothing left to say, Matt. Let’s just do this for Sal, okay?” She kept her voice steady when all she felt like doing was crying. It was his fault, staring at her with that look she knew so well, the one he’d given her after they’d made love, tender and romantic. It hadn’t lost its potency one iota. If anything, the thought they’d never share that incredible experience again threatened to set her bawling.

“I think there’s plenty to say, but I agree now probably isn’t the best time. How about we go for a stroll after the ceremony and you hear me out?”

“Why should I?” Damn, she sounded like a petulant child. She’d never stamped her feet in anger, but right now, that was exactly what she felt like doing. However, it wasn’t anger making her sound irrational. Raw pain simmered below the surface, dredging up memories of their time together.

He tipped her chin and gazed directly into her eyes, as if he was trying to see all the way into her soul. “Because we owe it to ourselves.”

She shivered in anticipation, yearning to lean forward the last few inches and feel his lips on hers one last time.

“There you two are. Come on, no time for dilly-dallying. They’re about to get underway.” Sal appeared out of nowhere, placing an arm around each of them, drawing them towards the open doors.

“I hope you’re not up to something?” she whispered in Sal’s ear.

“Who? Me?” Sal wore a decided sheepish look. “Never. Hurry up, we’ll miss the start.”

The next two hours were the longest of Kara’s life. Sal ushered them into their seats, almost shoving her next to Matt. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the chairs had been spaced apart like normal theatres. Instead, in their effort to cram as many people as possible into the room, the organisers had squashed the seats together, bringing her thigh into contact with Matt’s.

Every time he moved an inch, she felt it. The more she tried to ignore it, the worse it got, until she almost jumped out of her seat in relief when the presentation ended. Sal’s acceptance speech had hardly registered, she’d been so preoccupied with her irrational physical response to the man she’d vowed to forget.

“Time for photos.” He placed a guiding hand under her elbow and led her to the foyer where the photographer waited. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak and grateful for his supporting hand. Her legs trembled and it had nothing to do with sitting in one seat for too long.

Kara smiled, held Matt’s hand and even accepted his kiss on the cheek, all in the name of helping Sal put the finishing touches on her award win and ultimately, in saving Matchmaker. Finally, the photographer laid down his camera and they were free to go.

“Thank you, my darlings. You’ve saved my hide.” Sal enveloped them in a group hug.

Kara stifled a laugh. The older woman couldn’t push them together any harder if she tried.

“Now why don’t you two young people run along and have some fun?”

Before she had a chance to respond, Matt stepped in. “Great idea, Sal. Sure you don’t want to join us?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Off you go.” She shooed them towards the door and turned away to greet an acquaintance.

“I guess it’s time for that stroll.” He held out his hand to her, that familiar sexy smile doing crazy things to her heartbeat yet again.

Kara had been cautious her whole life. And it had got her nowhere, at least in the love stakes. Caution was for business, for choosing friends, for purchasing cars. Right now, with the man she loved possibly offering her one, last fleeting taste of happiness, she decided to throw caution to the wind.

She placed her hand in his, savouring the thrill of his long fingers intertwining with hers. “I guess it is.”

They walked down the Opera House steps