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The rest of the staff still seated at the table seemed to take Steve’s departure as a signal to get up and leave, as well. Chairs scraped on the flagstone floor and the conversation got louder.
Bindi brushed by his chair and whispered, “We need to talk,” as she picked up his plate.
He’d almost forgotten about her in his excitement at perhaps getting a ride on his first bull since the accident.
“Let me give you a hand,” Mack said, loudly enough for everyone to hear. He stood and began collecting plates from the table.
“Thank you.” She picked up one last plate, and he trailed her toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was empty, as he followed Bindi’s lead and placed his stack of plates on the countertop.
Bindi rounded on him as soon as his hands were empty. “You can’t possibly be considering riding a bull at the moment.” She looked at him like he belonged in the loony bin. Which perhaps he did. But he wasn’t passing up this opportunity.
“Why not?” he asked nonchalantly.
“Because of what I witnessed in the tack room today. That’s why not.”
Mack waved his hand as if shooing away a pesky fly. “That? That was nothing. I’ll be fine. It was just a touch of jet lag.”
“You were not fine,” she said, hands going to her hips, eyes sparking fire. He liked her like this, all hot and volatile. The fire in her eyes was reflected in the sparkle of her cute nose ring. “And what if you get dizzy while you’re on top of the bull?” she continued, distracting him from staring at her face.
“It’s not going to happen. I am completely focussed when I’m riding a bull. Nothing gets to me.” It was true. It was almost like he went into a Zen state when he mounted a bull. Nothing around him mattered. His focus zeroed in until it was just him and the bull. Maybe it was the adrenaline, or the competitive edge, the need to win at all costs.
“You told me yourself that you can’t control this thing.” Her voice took on a high-pitched squeak, and Mack suddenly hoped no one else could hear them. “And you still haven’t told me exactly what’s wrong with you. You promised, remember? I know it’s not jet lag,” she growled.
“Yes, I remember. And I will. But I haven’t had a chance to get you alone since this afternoon.”
Her hands still rested on her luscious hips, but some of the heat seemed to go out of her eyes. “I can’t believe you can be so blasé about this whole thing. Your health could be at risk. What if something happened to you and you’re all alone in Cairns? With no one who knows what’s wrong with you?”
“Well, why don’t you come with me? If you’re so worried about my health.” The words were out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying.
“I’m not going to the rodeo with you,” she hissed. “You need to—”
“Why not?” Skylar rounded into the kitchen, carrying a handful of wine glasses. “You’re long overdue for a break, Bindi. I think that’s a great idea.”
Bindi spluttered, as if she couldn’t quite believe what Skylar was saying.
“It’s only two days. I can cope without you for that long. The resort is winding down now anyway, we’re not as full as we usually are, because we’re getting ready for the wedding,” Skylar continued.
“Thanks, Skylar, but…” Mack could see Bindi’s brain was spinning with excuses as to why she couldn’t go.
“Don’t you think it’d be a great idea for Bindi to go to the rodeo with Mack, Dad?” Skylar spoke over the top of Bindi’s head and Mack turned to see Steve enter the kitchen.
“I don’t see why not.” Steve sauntered into the kitchen, followed closely by Daniella. “I can’t remember the last time you took a break,” he added, frowning slightly at Bindi.
“Oh, that’s fine, I don’t need a break, really—”
“I agree,” Daniella stated, interrupting Bindi. “As long as you don’t mind, Mack?” She speared him with her perceptive gaze. If he didn’t know any better, he might think there was something else going on here.
Mack had been ambivalent at first, but the idea was growing on him. He didn’t need anyone to go with him, he’d always been quite capable of doing things on his own. But it sounded like Bindi hadn’t had a holiday in a long time, it might do her good to get out and about. If he won, well, then he’d have someone to celebrate with. And even though he hated to admit it, he liked Bindi. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know her better.
“Sure, I’d love for Bindi to come with me. She can show me the ropes,” Mack replied easily. They might think that an Aussie rodeo was different from what he was used to, but at the heart of it, most bull riding comps were the same. Well, the basics were, at least. You stuck on your allotted bull for the full eight seconds, and as long as you did it with style, you were a winner. But if Bindi was there to help him navigate the cultural differences, then that was fine by him, too.
Bindi still hadn’t closed her mouth since Daniella had interrupted her, and she looked from Mack, to Skylar, to Steve, bewilderment on her face.
“Good. Glad that’s decided,” Skylar said, giving Bindi’s shoulder a friendly pat as she walked past into the hallway. But the quick look Skylar shot at Mack from beneath lowered lashes made him sure she was up to something. Was she playing matchmaker? Well, he’d be damned if he was going to be a sucker for her plans.
Bindi glared at Skylar’s retreating back. Then she turned her irate gaze on him, and he got the distinct impression she wasn’t happy with the turn of events. He didn’t think she outright disliked him, but he was getting the vibe that she didn’t approve of him. Even though he was attracted to Bindi, and even though he liked a woman who provided a challenge, he didn’t need any complications in his life right now.
He let out a quiet sigh. What sort of mess had he got himself into?
