Chapter Twenty-One
As he sat on the back row of the cinema with Brianna, Mitch felt like a teenager again. Then again, he’d rarely gone to the cinema as a boy. And never made out with a girl as classy as Brianna.
‘Why don’t you follow me in your car,’ she suggested as they walked out into the night.
‘Follow you where?’
She looked at him as if he was stupid. ‘Back to mine.’
Slowly he shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘But why ever not? I thought from the way you were kissing me in the cinema . . .’ She flushed slightly. ‘Well, I guess I just assumed one thing would lead to another.’
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ‘You share your place with your parents, Brianna.’
She stopped walking. ‘So? I live in a floor of my parents’ house, one that has its own entrance so you won’t come across them. Anyway, even if you did, why would it matter?’
He felt the heavy weight of that damn chip on his shoulder again. ‘I’m hardly their idea of good boyfriend material,’ he muttered tightly, angry he cared what they’d think of him. He was a decent man, earning a decent living. He should be damn proud of himself. Usually he was. So why, when he was with Brianna, did his past keep creeping back?
‘Is that what you are, then? My boyfriend?’
And now she was teasing him. ‘I don’t know what the hell I am.’
‘You’re my lover, Mitch.’ She kissed him lightly on the lips. ‘So, are you following me home, or not?’
The moonlight made her green eyes shine. Her smile was provocative, promising a night of passion. He was a man. There was no choice. ‘I’ll follow you.’
He tried not to gawk too much when he parked his car. Tried not to let the magnificence of the town house, set in an exclusive residential area of London, bother him. It was only bricks and mortar, after all. But even as he undressed her in the bedroom, he couldn’t help but notice the sheer opulence. Where his house boasted comfort, hers was bespoke designer.
It shouldn’t matter that her apartment alone was worth many times more than his house by the sea. But it did.
Then Brianna’s hand reached for his belt, undoing it with deft, perfectly manicured fingers and he couldn’t think any more.
* * *
‘Mitch?’
‘Umm?’ He raised a sleepy eyelid, realising that once again he’d stayed the night at Brianna’s. Since their date at the cinema a few weeks ago, it had started to become a habit.
‘There’s a couple of things I need to talk to you about before I shoot off to the office. One involves work, and the other pleasure. Which do you want to start with?’
‘Pleasure is always a good place to end.’
She smiled. ‘We’ll start with work then. We’re holding a fund-raising ball next month and I’d like you to speak at it.’
He opened both eyes. ‘You want me to do what?’
‘You don’t really need me to repeat it, do you?’ He must still have looked stunned because she gave him a crikey I thought you were brighter than this roll of her eyes before explaining more fully. ‘The people who come to these charity balls have only two thoughts in their mind; having a great time and getting drunk. I know, because I’ve been one of them. And that’s fine, in a way, because as long as they buy the tickets and enjoy themselves, we’ve made money for Medic SOS. But I think we’re missing a trick. We could be showing them exactly what the money they’ve donated goes towards. Make them see how important, how vital the charity is. I can’t think of anybody who’d be better at getting that message across than you.’
Mitch sat up further in the bed and crossed his arms over his bare chest. ‘I’m not a public speaker, Brianna, I’m a doctor.’
‘Yes, and one who believes passionately in what he does. I watched you when you were explaining your role to me. This will be just the same, only a few more people will be listening.’ She smiled and kissed his furrowed brow.
‘I might not even be in the country when the event takes place.’
‘I know, but if you are, will you do it. Please?’
‘Why do I feel like I’ve been manoeuvred into this by a master in the art of persuasion?’ He eyed her suspiciously, his voice resigned. He didn’t like the idea much, but if she thought it could help the charity he didn’t see how he could reasonably refuse.
She gave him a smug grin. ‘Because you have.’
‘I think we should focus on pleasure, now.’ He started to move his fingers lightly over her breasts, smiling when she lay back against him and moaned softly.
‘I’ve been invited to a party this weekend,’ she murmured, her eyes glazing over. ‘It’s at a friend’s house in the country. We’ve all been asked to stay over. Would you come with me?’
His fingers stilled. ‘I thought we were taking this slow, Brianna.’
‘We are, but this will be fun.’ She turned and rained feathery kisses on his chest, obviously designed to soften him up, to placate him. ‘They’re a good crowd, you’ll like them. Please?’
Mitch lay back against the headboard, his body for once not distracted by Brianna’s touch. This was not his idea of one step at a time. He had deep reservations about meeting her friends. Fathoms deep. It was hard enough being with Brianna, but to mix with a crowd of wealthy Hooray Henries? For a man who didn’t do small talk, and was very much aware of the shortcomings in his own background, fun definitely wasn’t the word he would use to describe it. ‘We’ll see.’
* * *
He’d gone all quiet on her again. Taking one look at the stiff set of Mitch’s jaw, Brianna figured now was the time to take a shower. Maybe when she’d finished, he’d have loosened up again.
However, when she came back out he was putting away his phone and looking very serious.
‘What’s up?’ she asked, drying her hair with the towel.
‘There’s been a monsoon in the Philippines. We’ve been called in. I’ve got to go.’ He started to put on his jeans.
‘Oh,’ was all she could manage. Crestfallen that he’d be going away she said the first thing that came into her head. ‘Do you have to go today?’
He stared at her pointedly. ‘What do you think?’
‘Well you’re not the only doctor who works for the charity. Maybe you could catch up with them later. After the weekend.’
It was the wrong thing to say. She knew as soon as she saw him yank on his shirt with barely controlled fury. ‘People are dying, for God’s sake. I think it’s a little bit more important than going to a party, don’t you?’
Ouch. He was so good at making her sound like a selfish bitch. ‘Thank you, Mitch. I don’t need to be reminded of that. But would it kill you to show a hint of regret? I was looking forward to spending the weekend with you.’
‘This is who I am, Brianna,’ he replied brusquely. ‘This is what I do. If you don’t like it, tough. I won’t change.’
Her temper, always quick to flare, boiled over. ‘How dare you twist my words. I’m not asking you to change. Just show a bit of disappointment that you can’t be with me this weekend.’
‘Honestly?’ He looked directly into her eyes. ‘I’m not sure I am disappointed. If I’d gone, it would have been for your sake, not my own. Maybe it’s better this way. You’ll have more fun without me.’
‘I won’t.’ She slumped onto the bed, aware she was pouting, being melodramatic, but unable to stop herself. ‘How can I? I love being with you. Besides, you won’t just miss the weekend. You’ll be gone for weeks.’ A sob caught in her throat.
‘I know.’ Finally he stopped dressing and sat next to her on the bed. ‘Brianna,’ he began more gently. ‘When I said I didn’t think I could do relationships, I wasn’t joking. God knows, as a person I’m difficult enough to get on with.’ His lips crooked into a small smile. ‘But it’s not just me, it’s also my job. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to say goodbye. It was fun while it lasted.’
An agonised sound exploded from her throat but he ignored it, tucking a hand under her chin so her eyes were forced to meet his. ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ he continued in a tone she imagined he’d use with a confused patient, ‘but if we carry on like this, I will. I live for my job. Mentally I’m already packing my bags. I don’t have the time or energy for any of the emotional baggage having a woman in my life will inevitably cause. I’m sorry.’
Brianna ignored her breaking heart and buried all of her pride. ‘No, Mitch. You’re not ending this. I won’t let you.’
His dark eyes looked almost kind. ‘Think on it while I’m gone. Go to your party. Mix with your friends. In a few weeks you’ll feel differently.’
He kissed her on the lips; a quick, rough kiss. Then he left.
* * *
When the weekend arrived and Brianna met up with Melanie at the country mansion in the Cotswolds, she’d managed to shift her crushing disappointment into a more healthy anger. How dare Mitch talk about ending their relationship? Men didn’t finish with her. She was the one who did the finishing, when she grew bored. And she wasn’t bored yet.
Unwillingly her mind flashed back over her past relationships. The men she’d turned down. She liked to think she’d let them down gently, but had their hearts bruised as badly as hers was doing right now? God, she hoped not, because this really hurt.
Sadly she trailed her fingers over the slinky red party dress she was about to change into. She’d bought it with Mitch in mind, looking forward to seeing the expression on his face when she sidled up to him in it. She’d had visions of him ripping it off her and dragging her to bed. No chance of that happening now.
‘Brie, are you all right? You look a bit down.’ Melanie, getting changed in the same room as her, had just struggled into a tight midnight-blue number.
‘Hey, never mind me, you look fabulous. How did you manage to wriggle into it? With a shoehorn?’
Melanie huffed. ‘Please don’t make me laugh. I’ll bust the seams. And don’t change the subject. What’s up?’
‘Nothing really. I’m just a bit upset Mitch can’t be here.’ She left it at that, not prepared to admit to herself, never mind her best friend, that what she’d shared with him was over.
‘I guess that’s the trouble with men who work for a living.’ Melanie grinned impishly. ‘You know, it might not be a bad thing, Mitch not being here.’
‘Oh?’
‘I happen to know that Frederick, the son of the Earl of Lincolnshire, has been invited tonight. Trust me, Brianna, he’s just your type. Tall, dark, handsome and richer than you are.’
Determinedly Brianna thrust aside the image of a tall, fair, rugged doctor. It was time she went back to her own world. And her more usual type. Glancing down at her dress, she slipped her friend a wry smile. ‘Well, it seems the dress might not be wasted, after all.’
An hour, and a few glasses of champagne later, Brianna started to feel a bit happier. Her old friend Henry had been attentive, complimenting her on her dress, begging for the first dance. Last time they’d met, she’d escaped him at the ball. This time she allowed him to lead her onto the floor. It did a woman good to be fawned over once in a while, she reminded herself. Mitch had hardly bothered to pay her any attention in that respect.
As a passing waiter refilled her glass for the third time, Melanie came into view, a startlingly handsome man in tow. ‘Brianna, let me introduce you to Frederick.’
Frederick took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Wow. When Melanie told me she wanted to introduce me to the most beautiful girl in the room, she wasn’t joking.’
Light-headed from champagne, her heart and ego bruised, Brianna beamed at his compliment. Maybe Melanie was right. Frederick was just the tonic she needed. ‘Pleased to meet you, too.’
They talked, they danced, they flirted. It turned out that Frederick lived in London too, and was currently contemplating dabbling in politics. He knew many of the people she knew, so many it was a wonder they hadn’t met before. They compared favourite haunts, agreeing that Mahiki was the best place for a champagne cocktail. They discussed countries they’d holidayed in, the finest mountains to ski down, and the most perfect beaches. It was the easy conversation of two people from similar backgrounds. When the band played a slow waltz, it seemed natural that they walked back onto the dance floor, gliding across it like two seasoned professionals.
Brianna kept telling herself this was much more like it. Even if he could, which she doubted, Mitch would never have waltzed with her. He’d have hung at the back of the room, brooding. She hadn’t discussed ski slopes or night clubs with him, but she knew he wouldn’t have an opinion on either. Perhaps her mother was right. Mitch had been something different. A passing fancy, but nothing lasting.
‘Will you come out onto the veranda and look at the stars with me, Brianna?’ Frederick whispered into her ear.
How charming, how romantic. And how unlike anything Mitch would ever say to her. Brianna smiled brightly and allowed herself to be led outside. Once there, in a slick move, Frederick twirled her gracefully into his arms.
‘That dress has been driving me crazy all night. You have been driving me crazy all night. Do you mind if I kiss you?’
Brianna looked into the deep blue eyes of the handsome Frederick. Before she’d visited the Medic SOS camp, before she’d met Mitch, this was exactly the type of evening she would have craved, and Frederick exactly the type of man.
But not now. Something had changed inside her. Even as his lips descended onto hers, she knew she wouldn’t feel the jolt of desire she should, that she wanted to. Her mind was with another man. One who kissed without asking, who was rough, not gentle. Passionate, not sensitive. Strong and proud, but not rich. She wanted to forget him, to lose her mind in the moment, but she couldn’t.
Damn Mitch McBride. Even when he wasn’t with her, he was invading her senses. He’d not only ruined her weekend, it seemed he’d ruined her taste for other men.
Angry with herself, Brianna drew away. ‘I’m sorry, Frederick. It’s been a wonderful evening and you have been a charming escort, but I’m afraid I can’t do this.’ Placing a kiss on Frederick’s cheek, she started to move away.
He stopped her with a gentle hand on her elbow, giving her an ironic smile. ‘Just my luck. I meet a beautiful woman, but she doesn’t share the attraction.’
‘No, it isn’t that,’ Brianna replied sadly. ‘Believe me, you’re every woman’s dream man. Handsome, charming and a true gentleman. It’s just that . . . there is someone else. He couldn’t be here tonight, but it hasn’t stopped him being in my thoughts. I’m sorry.’
She left him standing on the veranda and went to find her bedroom. The party was over for her. It seemed nothing in her life would ever be quite the same again.