AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It took a while for her eyesight to adjust from the bright evening sunlight outside to the dark period building, with its low beams and dark wood panelling. Ordering herself a white wine at the bar, she scanned the area, but couldn’t see either Zac or Matt. They must be in the garden.
Outside was a lot busier than inside, with an array of tables covering the expanse of lawn leading down to the Wey River, where large willow trees trailed seductively in the water. Shielding her eyes from the sun, her gaze settled on a man waving at her. Matt Hardy.
Ignoring the frisson of unease filling her belly, she made her way towards him, slaloming around the busy tables and wondering where Zac was.
As she neared him, Matt stood up, reaching for her as if he intended to kiss her.
She recoiled and extended a hand. ‘Good evening, Mr Hardy. I hope you’re well.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s how you want to play this?’ He accepted the offer of her hand and gently squeezed, sending a jolt of something hot and liquid racing up her arm. And she’d thought shaking hands would be less intimate?
‘It’s not like we know each other,’ she said, trying to regain her composure.
‘Maybe not, but this isn’t a business meeting,’ he said, his eyes travelling over her grey suit. ‘Even if you are dressed for one.’
‘I’ve come straight from work,’ she said, defensively. ‘I work very long hours.’
‘So you said.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning nothing. You just look like someone who’s very work-focused.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’
‘Nothing at all.’ He gestured to the bench seat. ‘Shall we sit down?’
Beth placed her wine glass on the table, and then realised she was going to have to lift her leg over the seat while wearing a tight skirt.
Matt offered her his hand. ‘Need help?’
‘I’m fine, thanks.’ She placed her laptop bag on the table, before discreetly easing her skirt up a few inches so she could straddle the bench seat. It wasn’t the most elegant of manoeuvres, and she had to hold on to the table to stop herself from toppling backwards.
Matt Hardy watched her with a bemused expression on his face, his gaze occasionally drifting to her exposed knees. He waited until she was seated, before sidling in next to her. ‘Did you receive the finalised guest list and budget okay?’
Why on earth hadn’t he sat opposite? There wasn’t enough room for them to sit side by side. And why did he have to be so large? But then she supposed Zac needed somewhere to sit, so she begrudgingly accepted his close proximity. ‘I did receive the information, yes.’
‘Thanks for setting up the gift list. It looks great.’
‘Don’t mention it.’
His smile made her instantly wary. ‘Knowing how busy you are, I wouldn’t want you to think I didn’t appreciate it.’
‘Er… thank you.’ She allowed her gaze to linger a little on his blue eyes, just in case he wasn’t being as sincere as he made out.
Unlike her, he was casually dressed. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a faded light blue denim short-sleeved shirt. The top three buttons were undone, revealing a glimpse of chest hair and a thin silver chain around his neck. As the breeze kicked up, it sent a waft of masculine scent in her direction and she experienced another jolt of unwelcome heat.
Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze and unzipped her laptop bag. ‘Has Zac been delayed?’
‘Zac’s in Greece,’ he replied, as nonchalantly as if he’d said, ‘Zac’s at the bar getting a drink.’
She turned to him. ‘Greece? As in… the country Greece?’
He gave her a quizzical look. ‘Is there another kind of Greece?’
‘Well, no… but what’s he doing in Greece?’
‘Visiting Megan.’
