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‘I didn’t think our memories were that funny.’ He rubbed her upper arms, running his hands under the sleeves of her T-shirt. It was an intimate caress, one that frightened her with its power to arouse.
She pulled back before she did something really stupid, like stand there helpless and let him kiss her. Which was what he looked like doing, though she couldn’t fathom why.
‘All ancient history. I hear you’ve moved on to bigger and better things. Your life as the corporate-lawyer-cum-playboy must be filled with more excitement than old memories.’
His eyes narrowed, some of the light vanishing. ‘Don’t believe everything you read. The media thrive on gossip to sell their print.’
‘Well, you must have shares, because your reported behaviour could sell a million copies alone.’
She sounded catty but couldn’t help the annoyance at some of his antics, if the newspapers were correct.
Matt featured in the gossip columns on a weekly basis, an endless supply of beautiful, silicone-enhanced women draped over his arm. And other parts, no doubt. His reputation as a playboy was plastered all over the Sydney papers. She’d had a lucky escape. So why did she always screw up the newspaper in a tight ball and fling it across the room every time Matt Byrne and his latest acquisition were mentioned?
‘Speaking of reputations, what are you doing here? You’re the last man I’d expect to see waltzing into a dating agency. Problem with your charm?’
Though her teasing was light-hearted, she noticed his smile waned. Matt wasn’t as cool as he pretended. She had struck a nerve.
His laugh sounded forced. ‘Nothing wrong with my charm, Kara. You should know that.’
She could hardly disagree when he was standing right in front of her, resurrecting provocative memories that she’d successfully suppressed. Until now. ‘So, why are you here?’
His reply was short, sharp and ominous. ‘Business.’ Damn, Sally must be in more trouble than she thought if lawyers were already on her tail.
‘Go easy on her, won’t you?’ she said, wishing once again there was something else she could do for Sally.
She didn’t understand the look that flashed across his face momentarily. His face was an intriguing combination of angles: smooth yet hard, straight yet curved. A faint stubble darkened his jaw, typical of his end-of-day growth. Lord, she’d give anything to feel that stubble rubbed along any part of her body. Or all of it for that matter!
‘Kara? Are you OK? You look kind of flushed.’
Wrenching her attention back to the present, Kara knew she had to escape. Now. He still held a strange, hypnotic power over her. She’d always been prone to fantasies around him and it looked as though nothing had changed. In nine long years she hadn’t mastered her feelings where he was concerned. The knowledge was scary.
The years and countless dates since had done little to erase the image of this man from her mind. He was imprinted on her mind and soul, seemingly forever.
Definitely scary.
Given the fight or flight option, she chose the latter.
‘Yes, I’m fine, Matt. Great seeing you again. Hope whatever you’re here for works out.’
She hesitated, memorising every detail of his face.
Old habits die hard.
‘Thanks; nice seeing you too. Perhaps we’ll catch up for a drink one day soon?’
She ignored her thudding heart. ‘I don’t think so. Thanks anyway. Bye.’
She rushed out the door before he could respond.
Don’t look back. He’ll think you’re still hung up on him.
She’d never been any good at listening to reason and risked a quick glance over her shoulder. He stared at her through the window. Funnily enough, he stood directly under the sign ‘Matchmaker’, which was emblazoned on the glass in red lettering. No chance of that ever happening. Matt Byrne, playboy extraordinaire, finding his perfect match and settling down? Not a hope in hell.
Matt stared at Kara’s back and tried to ignore the erotic images that filtered through his brain. She’d grown up. And then some. The statuesque strawberry blonde was all hot curves and big green eyes now. Not to mention everything else. Wow!
He was used to beautiful women. His world was inundated with them. Intelligent, gorgeous women who were more than eager to spend some time with him: lawyers, accountants, stockbrokers. The list was endless. However, none had captured his attention in a long time. Until Kara. She was a stunner, from her cat-like eyes to her shiny, reddish-blonde hair that hung in a sleek curtain down her back.
She’d been a nice-looking kid who had blossomed around the age of sixteen. He still remembered their endless talks, the sharing of confidences, the easy friendship…then Kara had grown up. Almost overnight his hormones had shifted into overdrive and all he could think of every waking moment, and most dreaming ones too, was Kara.
He’d wanted her with a fierceness that had scared him. He should have known better, being older, wiser, like a big brother to her. Even now, years later, he couldn’t forget the innocent passion of her kiss as she had flung herself at him on her eighteenth birthday. For one brief moment Matt had lost himself, all his fantasies come true, until he realised who he was kissing. He’d overreacted, pushing her away with an icy, verbal barrage that would have doused the hottest flames.
After all, he hadn’t wanted history repeating itself. One cradle-snatching Byrne in the family was enough and look how that had turned out. He could kill his dad sometimes, he really could.
He’d done the only decent thing possible and avoided Kara like the plague. Until today. Damn, he still had it bad. She was hotter than hot. He thought she’d shown some interest in return, then she’d bolted.
No harm in catching up over drinks, surely?
Yeah, right. She probably remembered the way he’d treated her all those years ago. No wonder she wouldn’t have a drink with him.
And why the hell had she been in a dating agency? A woman like her wouldn’t be single for long. What he wouldn’t give to spend some time alone with her now.
Thrusting away his wayward thoughts, he rang the bell on the front counter.
‘Be with you in a minute,’ a voice shouted from the back office.
Matt glanced around, the ever-observant lawyer in him coming to the fore. The office was perfectly coordinated in black and chrome with the occasional splash of red to brighten it. No tacky hearts plastering the walls of this dating agency, just trendy stencilled prints by some artist he hadn’t heard of. Not that he was an expert on dating agencies. This was the first he had been to and he hoped to God it would be the last.
‘Sorry to keep you waiting.’
He turned, thinking the woman’s voice sounded strangely familiar.
‘Sally? Damn, this day just gets stranger and stranger. First Kara and now you.’
The older woman hugged him. ‘Great to see you, Matt. You’re as handsome as ever.’
She picked at imaginary loose threads on his suit jacket, bringing back treasured memories of his first ball, when Sally had stood proudly on his parent’s doorstep and waved him off as if he were her child. In fact, she’d been more of a parent to him than his own father.
‘You’re looking great too, Sally.’ He smiled, watching her already ruddy cheeks blush.
‘Get away with you!’ She slapped his arm playfully. ‘So what brings you to Matchmaker? I wouldn’t think you’d need much help in that department.’
‘You run this agency?’
Relief washed over him. If Sally ran the agency, Kara had been visiting her surrogate mum rather than organising a date.
She nodded. ‘Sure do. Opened it a few years ago, once Kara moved out and started her own business. I’d always had a smidgeon of an idea that I’d like to bring joy to lonely people, so after watching too much Oprah and reading too many romance novels, I decided to take the plunge.’
‘That’s great.’ He thought about asking Sally about Kara’s business but knew it was too obvious. Besides, he had plenty of time to do that. ‘I need your help.’
‘Come in, take a seat and tell old Sal all about it.’
He followed her into a small but equally appealing office. The tones were similar to the outer office, but lighter, giving the room an appearance of more space.
‘So, handsome? Spill the beans.’
He leaned back in the comfortable chair and crossed his legs at the ankles.
‘I need a change of image. My father thinks that my reputation is detrimental to the company.’
‘Yeah, I see your antics plastered over the newspapers on a regular basis. You’re quite the ladies’ man.’
He shook his head. ‘Don’t believe everything you read. My life isn’t half as exciting as the journalists make out. Anyway, Dad says I won’t get a look-in at a partnership till my behaviour improves.’
He ran his hand through his hair, a habit he’d tried to conquer but failed, except in the courtroom.
‘You know Dad. Byrne and Associates is his baby. I haven’t a hope in Hades of making partner until I show “a more responsible attitude in my personal life”, end of quote.’
Sally sighed. ‘I was your dad’s neighbour for a long time. He’s very proud of you. Aren’t you putting undue pressure on yourself here? He loves you, regardless of whether you make partner or not.’
Love? His father didn’t know the meaning of the word. He straightened the knife-edge crease on his trousers. ‘I need to prove to everyone at the firm that I’m a damn good lawyer who isn’t just hanging onto Daddy’s coat-tails. I want that partnership, the sooner the better.’
His blood pressure soared whenever he thought about the endless innuendos at the firm about his rising status in the company. He was a first-rate lawyer without the help of his father. Not that his dad had offered any.
‘So, how can I help?’
This was the tricky part. Matt was embarrassed at having to admit that he’d already dated most of the women in his circle and beyond, and had found them lacking.
‘Like I said, I need a change of image. I need to meet a woman, quickly, who is attuned to my way of thinking. I had a business arrangement in mind, where she would appear as my steady girlfriend for corporate events and the like. In return, she could name her price.’
Sally winced. ‘Ouch! You make it sound so cold and calculating. I’m in the romance business, not in dating contracts. Besides, aren’t you deceiving your father into offering you a partnership? Isn’t there another way?’
He shook his head. ‘I’ve done my research. Speed dating is the quickest and easiest way to meet a woman who matches my needs. I know the service is confidential so Dad won’t find out. Besides, who is he to judge? Look at his personal life.’
‘I still think it isn’t right, you not telling your dad.’
Sally had always stuck up for his dad, though he couldn’t for the life of him work out why. Jeff Byrne had been a cold-hearted father at times but Sally defended him, saying it was hard being a parent. Problem was, his dad wouldn’t know the first thing about being a parent, full stop.
‘I want to do this, Sally. ASAP.’
There, he’d laid his cards on the table and she hadn’t laughed at him.
A mischievous gleam shone from Sally’s dark eyes. ‘OK, enough of my lectures. Just fill out these forms and I’ll lodge your data into the computer in a jiffy. After that, it’s all systems go. You just turn up at the Blue Lounge tonight at eight and I’ll be there to explain how everything works. Any questions?’
He wondered what the funny look on Sal’s face was about. However, he’d come this far and decided to push his luck.
‘Yeah, I have one. How can I contact Kara?’
Sally laughed and waggled a plump finger at him.
‘That’s all taken care of, my boy, and it’s going to be sooner than you think.’
CHAPTER TWO
KARA strode into the Blue Lounge just before eight. A stickler for punctuality, she had deliberately driven a few laps around the block to kill time, not wanting to appear too eager. Thank goodness she was only doing this to help Sal and was not emotionally involved, unlike the rest of the patrons who were here to find their one true love. As far as she was concerned, she would do her duty, head home and leave the romance stuff to the lovelorn.
She scanned the dimly lit room, noting the intimate tables for two scattered around the perimeter. Her pulse quickened in apprehension at the thought of spending seven minutes with seven different men tonight. The tables were small enough to create a cosy ambience for their occupants. Rather than feigning indifference, she would be forced to make polite small talk before making a quick exit. Damn, she was anxious and hoped it didn’t show.
She’d dressed to kill tonight: little black dress, silky stockings, strappy sequinned sandals and matching handbag. With just a hint of make-up to emphasise her eyes and lips and her hair twisted in a stylish chignon, Kara knew she could pass any test. Pity the image hid a quivering mess of nerves inside.
She spotted Sally as soon as she sat down and smiled as Sally squeezed through the tables, beaming and waving at everyone like the Queen. Sally was a regular here, using this venue for her weekly gatherings.
‘Hi, sweetie. You look sensational!’
Kara shrugged. ‘What? This old thing?’
‘I know you, my dear. Glam outfit and make-up, too? Your nerves must be working overtime!’
‘Whatever gave you that idea?’
They laughed in unison. Sally knew Kara preferred understated elegance rather than knock ’em dead outfits, so it was obvious she was nervous as hell.
‘Never mind. You won’t have time to be worried once the action starts. Now, you remember the rules?’
‘Sal, don’t fuss. I’ve known the rules for years. Who else listened to your ramblings about the agency, huh?’
Sally tweaked her nose, a toothy grin on her face. ‘You encouraged me into this venture and don’t you forget it.’
‘Ow!’ Kara rubbed her nose in mock pain. ‘That was before I knew you’d turn your matchmaking skills on to me. Who knows what losers I’ll end up wasting my time with tonight?’
Sally’s grin widened. ‘Oh, I wouldn’t be too concerned if I were you. My computer has a happy knack of delivering just what a woman wants. It has a great track record, eight marriages in two years. Who knows, you might meet the man of your dreams? Then you’ll be thanking old Sal rather than berating her.’
‘Come off it. I don’t need a man. I’ve got my business to run. I don’t have time for anything or anyone else right now. And as for finding the man of my dreams, I’d have a better chance of winning the lottery.’
Sally’s dark eyes twinkled. ‘Oh, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Regardless of what happens tonight, thanks for helping me out, dear.’
Kara felt a twinge of guilt. The least she could do was act enthused. After all, the agency was Sal’s pride and joy. If anyone could understand, she should. Her own business was floundering and she would do anything to save it.
She hugged the older woman. ‘Everything will be fine, Sal. You’ll match your thousandth couple tonight and the agency will kick on for the next ten years. Just mark my words. I’m glad I could help. What else are daughters for?’
Sally touched her cheek and sashayed away, her ample bottom draped in gold crêpe.
Kara missed her parents, though the agonising pain of loss had dulled with time. Sally had seen to that, smothering her with love and attention, enveloping her in warmth and security. However, she would never forget those endless, empty nights, when she’d cried herself to sleep.
Matt had been supportive too. He’d listened to her tales of woe, teasing her, helping her with her homework. She’d been devastated when he’d left for university, only seeing him during the holidays.
However, when he returned home on holiday that first year, something had changed. Their open relationship became fraught with a tangible tension. She knew it had been her fault, as she’d developed a huge crush on Matt around this time. She’d tried to hide it but he obviously knew, because he’d treated her with kid gloves that summer and beyond. No more playful tickles or impulsive hugs. The object of her affection had kept his distance, driving her insane in the process.
Kara had followed suit until her eighteenth birthday. The memory of his rejection still turned her stomach. Yet today, when he’d appeared out of the blue, she’d almost swooned. No accounting for hormones.
