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‘Excuse me. Is this seat taken?’ A deep voice intruded on her memories.
‘Actually, I’m waiting for…’ Kara stared, momentarily speechless.
‘This must be my lucky day. Seeing you twice in the space of a few hours…What are the odds of that happening?’
She looked at Matt’s striking face, drinking in every detail: the laughter-lines at the outer corners of his eyes, the creases around his mouth, the dark shadow of stubble along his jaw line. Lord, he looked good. Her heart galloped, desire snaking through her body.
She clenched her hands under the table, willing her mind and mouth to work in synchronisation. ‘I don’t know, Matt. You tell me—you’re the gambling man…if your reported jaunts to Randwick Racecourse are anything to go by.’
He smiled, appearing undaunted by her jibe. ‘Odds of a million to one, I’d say, but then we were always drawn together. By the way, nice to know you’ve kept such a close eye on me via the newspapers. Miss me?’
She didn’t have a chance to answer. To her amazement, he sat down, folding his long legs under the poky table. In doing so, their knees brushed, sending shock waves shooting up her legs.
‘Why don’t we have that drink I mentioned this afternoon?’ He leaned towards her, creating an intimacy that drew her like a magnet.
‘As I recall, I said no to your offer.’
His hypnotic stare bored right through to her soul.
‘I know you didn’t mean it. Anyway, let’s just call this fate. We were destined to meet again and, now that we’re both here, what’s the harm in two old friends sharing a drink?’
Kara was lost in the liquid blue pools of his eyes, helpless to resist. She’d always been like this around him. Floundering. Lost. Yearning.
‘Um, I’m actually meeting some people here shortly. Why don’t we have that drink some other time?’
She had to fob him off before he discovered the real reason she was here and agreeing to a drink with him was a small price to pay.
‘Actually, I’m one of those people you’re waiting for.’ He grinned, his confident smile revealing a row of even teeth that gleamed unnaturally white in the fluorescent lighting of the bar.
His answer floored her as realisation dawned. Matt, entering the agency this afternoon, Sal saying she had one more male applicant to screen, the coincidental meeting at the bar tonight. No way! He’d been at Sal’s on other business, surely?
‘You’re kidding? The great Matt Byrne, all-round party guy, can’t get a date? Tell me the real reason you’re here. Did Sal put you up to this?’ She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice and failed.
He crossed his arms and leaned back, looking every inch the cool lawyer under interrogation. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I found Sal’s agency by chance. As for my being here tonight, I signed up this afternoon. I don’t owe you any explanations, Kara. My life isn’t an open book, so don’t jump to conclusions.’
She persisted. ‘But a dating agency? Why would a guy like you need help in getting a date?’
The words were out before she could think. Damn, now she would have to justify what she meant.
‘A guy like me?’ His voice dropped low, as tingles of excitement skittered down her spine.
‘You know. Successful. Rich.’ She glanced away, unable to match his stare.
‘You forgot good-looking,’ he teased.
Her cheeks warmed as she was forced to admit to the understatement of the year. ‘Yeah, that too. So, what’s your story?’ She kept her tone flippant, hoping he was fooled. By the smug expression on his face, he wasn’t.
‘Not so fast. How about we enjoy our seven minutes together and if you want to know more, you’ll have to choose me as your prospective date?’
She laughed. ‘You’re some piece of work! Blackmail will get you nowhere.’
He leaned forward. ‘How about flattery? Will that get me anywhere?’
Suddenly eager to match wits with this intoxicating man, she batted her mascaraed eyelashes. ‘You’ll just have to try it and find out.’
His lips curved in a slow, seductive smile that melted any lingering resistance. ‘You’ve got a deal.’
She leaned back and crossed her legs, giving Matt a tantalising glimpse of sheer stockings. He yearned to stroke every inch of her smooth flesh, caressing till she begged for more. Ever since he’d walked into the room, he could barely keep his eyes off her. Now he just had to convince his hands to do the same.
‘So, do you know how tonight works?’
Even her rich voice seemed laden with sexy promise. He would have a hard time concentrating on anything she said over the next seven minutes if his thoughts persisted down this track. With an effort, he wrenched them back to the present.
‘Yeah, Sally explained the routine to me. I spend seven minutes with seven gorgeous women, then choose my perfect match at the end. No laborious blind dates, no wasted small talk, no mindless chatter over dinners that seem to last an eternity. Just the way I wanted it.’
Kara glared at him. ‘There’s something you’re not telling me. From all reports, you love dating. The more the merrier seems to be your motto. So why resort to this? I thought you were the type of guy who loves the thrill of the chase.’
‘Sure, I love the chase as much as the next guy, but my priorities are changing.’
He hoped the answer would satisfy her. He wasn’t ready to tell her the truth. He could barely face it himself.
She held her hands up in apparent surrender. He watched the long, elegant tapering of her fingers, imagining them stroking his body. Sitting here trying to look cool was becoming more difficult by the minute.
‘Fine, whatever you say, Matt, though I still think you’re up to something.’ She laughed, a sweet, tinkling sound that revived memories of hot summer afternoons when they’d shared confidences and dreams. ‘I’m looking forward to dragging your secrets from you, whether you like it or not.’
He reached across the table and captured her hand in his, sliding his thumb around her palm. ‘I’m much more open to cajoling. Care to try?’
Kara swallowed, desperate to ease the sudden dryness in her throat. Matt’s thumb created havoc with her senses, its swirling, concentric circles sending waves of pleasure through her body. She savoured his caress, all logic driven from her mind.
As she stared into his eyes, her stomach somersaulted. She wanted him. More than she had ever wanted anything in her life. Thank goodness tonight was a one-off. Matt Byrne was dangerous. In one day, he’d managed to revive feelings that she’d buried for years. He was far too much man for her to handle. Unfortunately, the thought of handling him conjured up more vivid images, flashing across her mind in an erotic kaleidoscope.
She pulled her hand away, needing to re-establish boundaries between them.
‘I’m not here to cajole anything out of you. You’ll tell me what’s bugging you eventually. If not, I don’t give a damn. Our friendship ended a long time ago, so why don’t we get on with tonight’s business and go our separate ways?’
He leaned back, crossed his arms and fixed her with a glare, leaving her feeling like a bug under a microscope. ‘What makes you think that tonight will be the end of it?’
He smiled. Damn, she’d always had a hard time resisting that grin. She schooled her face into what she hoped was a mask of indifference. ‘I’m not the one who quit our friendship, Matt. As I recall, it was all your decision when you pushed me away.’
The memory of his rejection still rankled. Pain like that lasted a lifetime. He’d been her first love. Her only love, if she was completely honest. And here he was after all this time, pretending that nothing had happened. She wouldn’t make it easy for him.
‘Can’t we let bygones be bygones and move forward? Besides, you were just a kid back then. What did you expect me to do?’
To her annoyance, tears welled in her eyes. Tears of anger, shame and unmistakable regret.
‘A kid? I was eighteen. Old enough to know what I wanted. Not that you cared. Apparently I was a pain in the ass, a little girl clinging to you, playing at being a vamp, with a hell of a lot of growing up to do. Do those words ring any bells?’ She blinked furiously, wishing the tears away.
He ran his hand through his hair, a tell-tale sign he was rattled.
‘I’m sorry, Kara. I’d just finished law school and was doing my articles. I had a lot on my mind and didn’t need the attentions of a schoolgirl, hell-bent on experimentation…’ He trailed off as she leaped to her feet.
‘Who the hell do you think you are? I wasn’t experimenting, I was in—’
‘Hey, you two. We’re about to start. What’s with the fireworks?’ Sally materialised at their table, hands on hips, a frown marring her forehead.
‘Sal, I need to talk to you.’ Kara grabbed her arm and dragged Sally away from the table.
‘I can’t do this,’ she hissed. ‘Matt is driving me insane. You can’t expect me to spend another second with him, let alone the next seven minutes.’
Sally smiled, her calmness doing little to soothe Kara’s frazzled nerves. ‘Calm down, dear. I know tonight is an ordeal for you. Just do it for me. Please?’
Kara took a deep breath and exhaled. There was no way she could resist the beseeching look in Sal’s eyes.
‘OK. I’ll do this for you. But I swear, as soon as I’ve spoken to the last moronic man, I’m out of here!’
‘That’s my girl. Now, take a seat, smile at Matt, make small talk and the torture will be over before you know it.’
Kara turned to face Matt. He hadn’t moved an inch, and by the amused look on his face he’d heard every word of their conversation.
‘All sorted out?’ he enquired softly.
‘Mmm,’ she mumbled. ‘We’re about to get started. Good luck, Matt. I hope you find what, or should I say who, you’re looking for tonight.’
‘What if I’ve already found her?’
‘I’d say good luck to her. She’s going to need it. Thank goodness we’ve established I’m not your type.’
A hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes. ‘Lucky, huh? Who knows what would’ve happened if I hadn’t pushed you away all those years ago?’
Kara had a fair idea and she didn’t feel lucky at all.
About an hour later, the ordeal was over. She could hardly remember speaking to the various men as only one man’s words echoed in her mind. Matt had held her enthralled for their seven minutes together, flirting with the practice of a man seasoned to the art.
Sure, she’d resisted. However, it had been like holding back a flood with a few sandbags. No chance. Despite their earlier confrontation, all accusations had been put aside as he’d focused his attention solely and squarely on her.
No woman could resist Matt Byrne at his best: flashing smile, mesmerising eyes, animated conversation. He’d drawn her in like a spider coaxed a fly into its web. Trapping her, whether she liked it or not. Seven minutes had passed in an instant. That was his power. He could make time seem insignificant, his voice wrapping its seductive tones around her, holding her spellbound.
The rest of the men had paled in comparison. She couldn’t recall one word of the other conversations, though each man had been polite and a good conversationalist. Kara knew that her poor recollection had everything to do with her wandering attention as she’d watched Matt ensnare the other women with his charm.
A tight coil of tension had wound deep in her belly as she watched each and every woman fall under his spell. Who could blame them? She’d done the same thing, despite her vow of playing it cool. Who would be the lucky lady? she wondered. Her bets were on the busty brunette who had hung on his every word, patting him on the arm at regular intervals.
Kara had wanted to tear her eyes out. The brunette was just his type, all silicone and pouty lips. She’d seen enough similar women draped over him in the newspapers, annoyed at her irrational jealousy over each and every one. Men were so predictable.
Kara stared at the form lying on the table. Even though it was a formality, her hand shook as she ticked the ‘yes’ box next to Matt’s name. After their earlier verbal sparring, there was no way he would choose her so she was safe in marking his name. It would be just her luck to mark some other random guy and end up matched with him. No way, no how. Sal’s computer could work its magic on some other sucker. There was only so far she would go to help Sal out.
The brunette would select Matt and vice versa. The sooner the thousandth couple matched was announced, the sooner she could escape. Matt and the brunette. Her gut clenched at the thought.
Sally whisked her form away, adding it to the pile in her hand. She winked. ‘Not long now, possum, and you can head home. Thanks a million. Love you.’
‘Love you too,’ Kara murmured, scanning the room for signs of Matt. He was deep in conversation with the brunette. Still. Hadn’t anyone told them that their seven minutes were up?
She turned away, wishing the evening would end. In a way, seeing Matt had been a nice surprise. Seeing him all over other women was not so nice. Seeing him matched with a dark version of Pamela Anderson would be too much.
‘Can I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen? Matchmaker has successfully matched nine hundred and ninety-nine couples over the last few years. Speed dating is the exciting, quick, non-pressured way to meet singles with similar interests, so if you haven’t met your match tonight, please come back again.’
Sally paused, nodding and smiling at the applauding crowd. ‘Now, without further ado, Matchmaker is proud to announce its thousandth couple matched.’
A strange churning started deep in Kara’s gut. She couldn’t watch the elation on the lucky woman’s face, for she had no doubt that Matt would be the man chosen tonight.
‘Would Matt Byrne and Kara Roberts please come up here?’
Kara sat riveted to her seat, stunned. She could have sworn that Sal had just announced her name. There had to be a mistake. The churning increased tenfold as she watched Matt stalk towards her.
‘Kara, I think they want us.’
She stared at his outstretched hand as if it were a cobra. If she placed her hand in his, she’d be lost. Her lips moved, the stiffness in her facial muscles easing into the semblance of a smile. She could do this. She had to.
‘That’s my girl,’ he whispered as he squeezed her hand and guided her towards the stage.
She moved mechanically, placing one foot in front of the other, oblivious to the hoots and congratulations coming from all directions.
Sally patted her arm as she reached the stage and whispered in her ear. ‘Sorry, love. You and Matt were the only two that matched. I couldn’t fudge the results. The agency board checks into details like that, not to mention the fact that several of the award judges are here. Forgive me?’
With the blood pounding in her head, Kara stared at Sally. Strangely, she didn’t look at all remorseful. In fact, she looked downright happy! However, there was little time to argue the point now. There were more important things to worry about, like how she could end this farce without jeopardising Sal’s business in the process. And how she could deflect Matt’s attentions when he’d just chosen her as his most desirable partner.
As if reading her mind, Matt murmured, ‘Just go with the flow for now.’
Kara stared, the intensity of his gaze doing little to calm her.
Easier said than done.
CHAPTER THREE
THE bar cleared once the formalities were over. Kara smiled and accepted the congratulations of the other participants with Matt hanging on to her hand the entire time. By the time the last person had left, her face ached with the effort of maintaining a look of happiness. Happiness? Nothing could be further from the truth. It was time to sort this mess out, once and for all.
‘Matt, could we talk? By the way, you can let go of my hand now. The charade’s over.’
She watched the warmth in his eyes fade as he dropped her hand. ‘Would you like a drink? By the look on your face, I think I’m going to need one.’
She didn’t like the hardened edge in his voice, though she could cope with it more easily than his friendliness. This was going to be difficult enough.
‘A small white wine, please. I’ll meet you at the corner table.’
‘Choosing the most secluded table in the place? Either you’re going to tell me how thrilled you are to be my chosen date or you’re planning to ditch me. Which one is it?’
She stiffened, once again startled at his apparent ability to read her mind.
‘Yeah, I thought as much. Going to make me pay for what happened nine years ago, aren’t you?’ He turned towards the waiting barman. ‘A white wine and an orange juice for me, please. On second thoughts, make mine a scotch.’
