The Complete Red-Hot Collection. Kelly Hunter

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ him. Her hair was free flowing, the dark strands fading into a deep gold at their ends, bleached by hours in the sun.

      As if she could sense him she looked up sharply and caught his eye. Unfolding herself, she gave her limbs a shake and made her way over to him.

      ‘Enjoy the show?’ A smile twitched on her lips.

      ‘Always.’

      She leant forward and breathed in the billowing tendrils of steam from his coffee. ‘Got any more of that?’

      He motioned for her to follow him and they walked in silence into the cabin. She climbed up onto the chrome and white leather stool at the bench near the kitchenette, her long legs dangling, swinging slightly as she propped her elbows up on the polished benchtop.

      ‘What was that you were doing outside?’

      ‘Yoga,’ she said. ‘It’s part of my stretching routine—keeps me nice and limber.’

      ‘I could see that.’ And he had a feeling he would never unsee it.

      ‘It’s good for relaxation too—helps to quieten the mind.’ A flicker of emotion passed over her face, but it was gone as instantly as it had appeared. ‘Are we all set to sail back to Sydney soon?’

      ‘We sure are. Scott and Kate have plans this afternoon. I promised I’d get them back before lunchtime.’ Brodie filled another cup with coffee and handed it to Chantal. ‘Are you performing again tonight?’

      ‘No, I have an audition today.’ Her face brightened, a hopeful gleam washing over her eyes.

      ‘Oh, yeah. Amy said. In Sydney, right?’

      She nodded. ‘This is a big one.’

      ‘I’m sure you’ll ace it.’

      ‘Let’s hope so.’

      The doubt in her voice twisted in his chest. Someone with talent like hers should never be in a position to doubt herself, but she seemed less confident than he remembered. Even last night there had been a hesitancy about her that had felt new—as if she’d learned to fear in the eight years since he’d seen her last.

      ‘How come you’re not with a dance company at the moment?’

      Brodie studied her, and saw the exact moment her mask slid firmly into place as if she’d flicked a switch.

      ‘I’m waiting for the right opportunity. No sense in taking the first thing that comes along if it doesn’t tick all the boxes.’

      He chuckled. ‘You always were one of those girls.’

      ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

      ‘You’re a check boxes girl. Everything has to fit your criteria or it doesn’t even come up on your radar.’

      She tipped her nose up at him. ‘It’s called having standards.’

      ‘It’s narrow-minded.’ He sipped his coffee, watching as her cheeks coloured. Her lips pursed as she contemplated her response.

      ‘And I suppose you think it’s better to drift through life unanchored by responsibility or silly things such as priorities or commitments?’

      ‘You always thought I was such a layabout, didn’t you?’

      If only she knew what had brought him to the resort in the first place. Most of the kids working there had been on their gap year, looking for a little fun before hunkering down to study at university. He’d been there because he’d devoted himself entirely to taking care of his sister Lydia after a car accident had stolen her ability to walk.

      His mother had pushed him to go, and in truth he’d needed the break—needed some space for himself.

      ‘It wasn’t just my opinion, Brodie. That’s the kind of guy you are—fun-loving and carefree…’

      ‘You underestimate me.’ He narrowed his eyes.

      ‘I didn’t mean it as an insult.’ She sighed and squeezed his hand. ‘We’re different people, that’s all.’

      He swallowed. Whatever they had in common, beneath the surface she would never see him as anyone but Brodie the lazy, talk-his-way-into-anything kid at heart. Would she?

      ‘What are you doing for the rest of the weekend?’ he asked, an idea forming. ‘Do you have to go back to the bar?’

      ‘Not until Sunday. I think they save the Saturday spot for top-billing dancers.’ She rolled her eyes, as if trying to hide her embarrassment that he’d brought up her crappy job. ‘I was going to hang around in the accommodation there… work on a new routine. That kind of thing.’

      ‘Stay on the yacht with me. The gang will be back tonight and we can hang out some more.’ He smiled. ‘This would be better than the bar’s accommodation. And safer.’

      ‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea…’ She sucked on her lower lip, her eyes downcast. ‘I need to focus on dancing right now.’

      ‘Well, you hardly need practice in that department. I’ve seen you move.’ He reached out and grabbed her hand, wanting to soothe the doubt from her mind. ‘Stay tonight, and if you’re sick of me by the morning then I’ll take you back. No hard feelings.’

      ‘No hard feelings?’ She looked up at him through curling lashes.

      ‘None whatsoever.’

      ‘Okay.’ She nodded. ‘I’ll stay.’

       CHAPTER FOUR

      ONCE THEY WERE back in Sydney, and the rest of group had gone their separate ways, Chantal couldn’t help but notice how alone she and Brodie were. Nervous energy crackled through her body, lighting up all her senses as though she were experiencing adrenaline for the first time.

      It wasn’t good. She needed to be calm for her audition—she couldn’t stuff it up. If she did then she was fast running out of dance companies and productions to approach. What if she couldn’t find a real job? Would she be stuck working a pole like those other women at the bar? No, she wouldn’t let that happen.

      She needed to focus on herself—just herself—no messy emotional entanglements, no betrayal, no disappointment. Just her and the stage.

      Closing her eyes, she drew a long breath and held it for a moment before letting the air whoosh out. Breathe in, hold, breathe out. Repeat.

      Staying on the yacht with Brodie was a terrible idea—she needed all her focus right now. And Brodie was the kind of guy who could take a woman’s sanity and blow it to smithereens with a single look. He’d done it at Weeping Reef, he’d done it last night, and he would do it again.

      But that kiss…

      Chantal’s body tingled at the memory. СКАЧАТЬ