Chapter 22
Brodie
Brodie saw the effect of Jess’s arrival on the faces of his colleagues before he saw her and, when he turned around, his expression probably went a little stunned too.
She was standing hesitantly on the edge of the terrace, wearing a strapless dress in a dark cream/gold colour.
It fell below her knee. It was covered in some sort of glittering brocade detail.
Gold high-heeled sandals. Hair down. Minimal make-up and gold hoop earrings. She instantly stood out and yet managed to make others look like they’d tried too hard.
Their eyes met. Without even thinking he went over to her and took her hand. ‘Hey.’ He felt a burst of gratitude that she was here.
Because you coerced and bribed her, pointed out a small voice. Yeah, and she negotiated a better deal, he argued back. He was losing it.
She looked up at him and for a second he couldn’t breathe. There was some kind of glittery eyeshadow on her eyelids and it brought out the golden brown in her eyes. She smelled amazing.
He tugged her back to where he’d been and snagged a glass of champagne en route, handing it to her. She took a sip.
He introduced her to some of the team and she conversed as easily as she’d done with his boss and Cecily – the woman hadn’t come near him since they’d arrived.
Brodie noticed how Jess put people at ease with a disarming friendliness and deflected attention from herself by asking questions. It was a quality he wasn’t used to seeing and only made him more conscious of the fast paced and somewhat cutthroat environment he’d taken for granted for so long.
A low melodic gong sounded and staff started to gently move them inside for dinner. It was a long table and Brodie was glad to see they were seated away from Gordon and Cecily.
‘You enjoyed the pool?’ Brodie asked as they were served starters.
Jess glanced at him. ‘You saw me?’
Brodie nodded, heat sizzling along his veins again when he thought of that swimsuit. ‘Nice suit.’
She went pink. ‘You noticed.’
Brodie shifted in his seat as her blush directly affected him. ‘You could say that. You distracted me.’
‘This weekend isn’t about that,’ she said primly.
‘So the other night was just a one-off...’
‘It should have been.’
‘If I hadn’t been...me, would you have wanted more?’
She shook her head quickly. ‘No, because that was out of character and I’ve already been burnt in the past with a guy like—’ She stopped abruptly and looked at Brodie. He was shocked to realise he was feeling hurt.
‘I’m not that guy. I’ve never used a woman like that. I’m always up front and I don’t make promises.’
She bit her lip. ‘That wasn’t fair. It’s just...we’re very different people.’
‘I’m not so sure we are all that different. We seemed pretty in sync the other evening.’
Now she looked as if she was squirming a little. Brodie took pity on her. ‘I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m happy to have a little fun. If you are. I still want you, Jess.’
She looked around and then whispered, ‘I’m not just an easy shag because I’m here and it’s convenient, and there’s only one bed. I saw the condoms in your washbag.’
He sighed. ‘Jess, for what it’s worth, I haven’t been with anyone in months. Those condoms might not even be in date any more.’
No one had interested him. Until now.
Jess gave him a look. ‘Yeah, and I saw a pig falling out of the sky into the pool earlier.’
But she didn’t sound so sure.
‘You have a very low opinion of me.’
‘I think you’ll live.’
Brodie realised he really liked this with her. The way she sparked back at him.
He put an arm across the back of her seat and saw how the little hairs went up on her arms. He felt a jolt of electricity. She wanted him. Waiters were starting to bring out starters. They barely noticed.
‘Why fight it, Jess? If we both want it. We’re adults. We’re not playing games. We both know what this is.’
‘What’s that?’
‘A fling.’
He noticed her breathing was shallower, her breasts moving up and down under the bodice of her dress. He realised it was stretchy. He wondered if it would just peel down.
His gaze drifted up to her jaw, and up to her profile. She looked regal in that moment. And then she turned to look at him and he braced himself for her to tell him to stop flirting with her. ‘Look, Jess, I’m sorry, I—’
‘OK.’
‘OK, what?’
‘I want you too.’ Her gaze was so direct. Her eyes dark brown in this light. Green flecks.
A surge of lust mixed with something that felt like relief rushed through him. ‘Are you hungry?’
She shook her head. ‘Not for food.’
‘Want to get out of here?’
She nodded.