THE treadmill sounded an electronic beep to mark the end of my warm-up, and I began my forty-minute run in earnest. Jess and I shared an apartment that overlooked the lake and we’d set up the treadmill to take advantage of the spectacular views.
I used running for both the cardio workout and to clear my head. Usually, the music carried me away and the views and the endorphins did the rest. But today, Nathan Banks forced his way into my head uninvited.
The man pushed all my buttons and there was only so much arrogance I could ignore for a glimpse of his appealing face and taut backside.
Jake’s stunt with the photo had unsettled me, resurrecting old memories and intense emotions from my past. I increased the volume of my favourite playlist, my legs pounding to outrun the twinge of humiliation that snapped at my heels.
I rolled my shoulders to ease the sudden tension there. Sweat trickled from my hairline, stinging my eyes like tears. I focused on the view, but the pool of turquoise nestled amongst the snow-capped peaks did little to banish the demons I’d fought hard to overcome. Rumours, gossip and cruel words from classmates I’d considered friends. The despair and anguish etched into my mother’s face as she’d valiantly tried to maintain the loving sanctuary our home had once been. The regret and defeat in my father’s eyes as he’d toppled from the girlish pedestal I’d placed him on.
I steepened the treadmill’s incline and pumped my legs harder, punishing myself.
‘Soph, I’m home.’
I wiped at my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt. ‘Running.’
Jess appeared from the hallway and tossed her coat onto the sofa. I’d had the day off today but Jess still wore her uniform after working the early shift. She followed my progress from her place by the door, worrying at her lip.
‘What’s wrong?’ I punched a finger at the electronic keypad, slowing my run to a walk, and reached for a towel to wipe my face and neck.
Her silence was starting to freak me out. I stopped the machine and grabbed my water bottle, chugging a large swallow as I approached my friend. ‘Did you have a bad day?’
She shook her head, her eyebrows pinched together. ‘Dale, that journalist from the Queenstown Gazette, came in to work. Looking for you.’ She reached for my hand, her grip a foreboding squeeze.
My mouth dried. ‘What did he want?’
‘Have you been online today?’ She led me to the sofa, her caring expression forcing my heart to pound harder than the running had accomplished.
‘No, I did the laundry and groceries and—’
‘There’s a photo of you and Nathan Banks on all the celebrity gossip sites. Dale wanted to know how long you’ve been dating and if he’d come to work in NZ to be closer to you.’
I shook my head. ‘No! He took that photo down. He promised. He told Jake to remove it.’ My head swam as my brain was deprived of oxygen. The water in my stomach formed a sickening lump that forced its way into my throat. I dropped my head between my knees and scrunched my eyes shut.
Jess rubbed my back between my shoulder blades as I battled nausea. ‘It’s rubbish, Soph. We know that. I mean who makes up this shit?’
‘What did you say to him?’
‘Told him it wasn’t true and asked him to leave, of course. Then he showed me photos of Nathan leaving the clinic yesterday. Said the word was he was leaving his Hollywood womanising ways behind and asked me if there was any truth to the rumours he’d proposed to you.’
My head shot up to glare at my friend and the room spun. ‘Oh no.’
‘Lie down. You’re not a good colour.’ She stood and arranged me on the sofa, propping two cushions under my feet. ‘I’ll get you a glass of water.’
‘My phone. Pass me my phone.’
Returning with a glass of water and my phone, she sat on the floor next to me. ‘Don’t get upset, Soph. It’s all bullshit and it’ll soon blow over.’
My fingers trembled as I typed ‘Nathan Banks’, ‘news’ and ‘New Zealand’ into the search engine. A whole page of results popped up and the tagline of the first one turned my blood to ice.
Heartthrob swaps models for medic
The story had already progressed from the local rag to the national news site. Their entertainment section boasted not only the photo of Nathan and I in the clinic treatment room, but shots of Nathan leaving the clinic and ducking into a dark SUV, and shots of a younger Nathan with an array of beautiful women on his arm.
I groaned, thrusting the phone at Jess, and I dropped my head back down onto the sofa.
‘Bugger. That was quick.’
‘I don’t believe this.’ My mind raced, plucking at ramifications and solutions until my temples throbbed.
‘Don’t worry. You’ll just deny it and so will he, and they’ll move on to some actress or singer falling out of a limousine, off her face.’
I yearned to be able to brush this off with a witty one-liner. Most women, Jess included, would be thrilled to be linked with a gorgeous celebrity, embracing their fifteen minutes of fame and hoping for the stories to become reality. Jess was a carefree, take-life-by-the-horns kind of girl who’d have already enjoyed the earth-shattering pleasure of Nathan’s company and be permanently installed on his speed-dial list. I was cautious. Life had taught me to only rely on myself. It worked for me.
‘But what if they don’t, Jess? What if they dig around?’ The light-headedness was fading, replaced by white-hot rage. I struggled into a sitting position. ‘At the moment I’m some nobody at the bottom of the world who’s managed to snag herself one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors. But once someone decides to dig, they’ll drag up the past. That’s how this works.’
I stood, no longer able to contain the restless energy infecting my body, and began to pace. The humiliation was still there, lurking under the surface like a rash about to erupt on my skin for the entire world to see. I’d just about survived the scandal my politician father had plunged my mother, brother and I into during my teens. But our family was forever scarred, and I feared for the integrity of those wounds should we again be scrutinised.
Jess’s whisper dragged me from my past. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know.’ I glanced at the wall clock. ‘My parents and Matty will be asleep now, but I’ll have to warn them, just in case.’ The thought of my vulnerable family being thrust into the brutal glare of the limelight for the sake of a stupid celebrity snap made me murderous.
‘Well at least they’re not camped outside with telephoto lenses. The street is clear; that’s good news, right?’
I swallowed down the horror her image conjured and shot my friend a weak smile. ‘Yeah.’ I struggled to find anything good in this situation.
I snatched up my phone and searched for the number I wanted. Jess perched on the edge of a chair, her bewildered gaze following my jerky movements as I connected the call.
‘Fleece Bay Lodge.’ I recognised Ben’s voice from two nights ago.
‘Ben? It’s Sophia King. I was there two nights ago to treat Mr Banks.’
‘Hello, Dr King. What can I do for you, dear?’
‘I’d like to speak to Mr Banks, please.’ I held my breath.
‘Just a moment.’
Jess nibbled on a thumbnail, her brows pinched. I closed my eyes, formulating what I’d say into coherent and assertive arguments.
‘Hello, Dr King. May I ask what this is about?’
Jake.
‘I’d like to speak to Mr Banks.’
‘I’m afraid he’s busy. If you’d like me to pass on a message …’
‘No. I need to speak to him in person and you’ve helped enough, thanks.’
‘He’s given strict instructions he’s not to be disturbed. I’m afraid all I can offer is to pass on a message.’
My hand gripped my phone with crushing force. ‘I’m assuming you’ve seen the story, Jake.’
Silence.
‘Either you get him on the phone, or I will go straight to the highest bidder with my “I’m carrying the love-rat’s child” story.’
‘I’m sorry, Dr King. When I see him I’ll tell him you called.’ He disconnected, leaving me gaping at my phone.
‘No luck, eh?’
I shook my head and fought the temptation to throw the piece of technology at the wall.
Our living space was open-plan. Jess stood and moved to the kitchen to fill the kettle. ‘Shall I make us a nice supper?’
I shook my head as my thoughts tumbled over themselves. ‘I’m going to have a shower.’
‘Do you fancy pasta or stir-fry?’
‘I’m going out.’ I stalked to the bathroom, stripping off my shirt en route.
Jess trotted behind me down the hallway. ‘Where are you going?’
At the bathroom threshold, I spun to face her. Confusion and worry clouded my friend’s pale blue eyes.
Determination hardened my voice to a resolute promise. ‘I’m going to sort this out. I’m going to see Nathan Banks.’
***
The drive to the lodge took forty minutes along narrow gravel roads that hugged the edge of the lake, following every bay and inlet. By the time the two-storey stone building came into sight, dusk had fallen, silhouetting the secluded retreat against its mountain backdrop.
The gate was closed. I climbed from my car and pressed the intercom, shivering from the evening chill.
‘Fleece Bay Lodge.’
‘Ben? It’s Sophia King again.’
The sun was dropping fast behind the mountains, casting the entire lodge into shadow. I glanced at my idling car, wishing I’d put on the jacket that sat on the passenger seat. In my haste to berate Nathan Banks, I’d thrown on the first clothes I’d found and left the apartment with my hair still wet from the shower.
‘Is Mr Banks expecting you, dear?’
‘No.’ Why was I so honest? Surely this was the perfect time for a little white lie?
‘I see.’
‘Ben, I really need …’
The electronic whirr of the gates opening startled me. I dashed for my car, slamming it into gear before he could change his mind.
At the backdoor, a sheepish Ben greeted me. ‘Dr King, you look frozen.’ He urged me into the warm and fragrant kitchen where he introduced me to his wife and the lodge housekeeper, Emma.
‘Now, if they ask, you were given the code the other night when you came to provide medical care, okay?’ Ben’s weathered face was stern until he winked at me.
‘Thanks, Ben. I really appreciate this.’
‘You’ll find Mr Banks in the basement gym, I believe. He’s been a little … grumpy today, and gave instructions he wasn’t to be disturbed.’
He led me to the hallway and pushed open a door. ‘Take these stairs, turn left at the bottom and follow the sound of music.’
I shot Ben a grateful smile and let the door swing closed behind me. Filling my lungs with air, I rolled my shoulders and headed to the basement.
The soundproofing at the lodge was state-of-the-art. As soon as I pushed open the door at the foot of the stairs, a wall of sound blasted me, the heavy bass beat resonating through the floor and into my bones.
At the open door of the room I paused. The lights were dimmed so the view of the lake foreshore and mountains was still visible through the expanse of glass that formed the far wall of the well-equipped gym.
Nathan ran on a treadmill positioned to face the view. By the look of him, he’d been running for some time. Sweat glistened on every exposed inch of his golden skin and trickled down his shirtless back to disappear into the waistband of his shorts.
Frozen, I watched, unobserved from my place by the door as he pumped his arms and legs in time with the thump of the music. He was magnificent, his body a work of art like one of Leonardo’s anatomical drawings. My mouth dried.
His face, mirrored in the window, was a mask of grim single-mindedness with a hint of something less defined that looked a lot like sadness. I couldn’t be sure because as soon as I’d witnessed it, he turned his head to the side, spotting me reflected in the glass.
The gasp that escaped me was involuntary. I straightened my spine, determined to show no weakness.
Slowing the treadmill, he wiped the sweat from his face with a towel. My feet were glued to the floor, but my eyes followed him as he stalked towards me, unsmiling, his breathing laboured.
He pulled a remote from his pocket and adjusted the volume of the music. Coming to a stop in front of me, his intense gaze held mine, his chest heaving and heat radiating from him.
Mesmerised by his perfection, my thoughts went blank leaving me tongue-tied and wide-eyed, lost in the blaze of his green irises.
‘Well, well. You did a great job of tucking me up. I hope you got a good price?’ A sneer transformed his beautiful mouth into something ugly. It was almost a sacrilege.
My mind scrambled to make sense of his words. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Who’d have thought the prim little doctor would have had it in her?’
Hold on. He was accusing me?
‘You know …’ his icy stare dipped to my mouth, ‘if you wanted a quick sample, all you had to do was ask.’
Before I could utter a single word in comeback, I was pressed against the wall. His mouth crashed to mine, a tangle of lips, teeth and tongue that knocked the air from my lungs and the objections from my mind. His body pinned me to the wall and he cradled my face in his hands while he ravaged my mouth, exploring every inch with his tongue.
I was blindsided. Clinging desperately to his sweat-slicked shoulders, I welcomed the sensual assault with a whimper of acquiescence. My senses reeled, overwhelmed by him—the solid bulk of his shoulders under my hands, the rasp of his facial hair on my cheeks, chin and lips, and the heady scent of masculinity that rose from him on a cloud of heat.
Tugging my hair, he tipped my head back and deepened the kiss, a feral growl emanating from his throat. I moaned, running my fingers through his damp hair, and held on as he lifted my thighs, hoisting my feet from the ground to fix me to the wall with his hips.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, crossing my ankles, my stomach cushioning the prod of his erection.
Bracing one arm under me, he held me up and ground his pelvis into mine, creating a heady thrill of friction that left me gasping for more. Panting hard, he released my mouth and used his teeth on the fullness of my bottom lip before trailing open-mouthed kisses down my neck.
The ability to speak deserted me. I was suspended, breathless and so turned on, I’d forgotten my own name. All thoughts of why I’d come here had evaporated with the first shocking touch of his lips on mine.
Over his shoulder, I caught sight of us in the window reflected from the blackness outside. I didn’t recognise the woman I saw. Her hair was wild, her swollen lips parted on a gasp and desire weighed her eyelids to half-mast.
Nathan’s legs were spread wide as he held me imprisoned against the wall and the muscles of his back undulated as he moved his mouth over my throat. We made a captivating sight, and who knew how long we’d have continued the madness if he hadn’t spoken.
‘Is this what you wanted?’ He ground his erection into me once more, pulling back to mock me with the cold arrogance of his glare.
His words registered, dousing me like ice-cold water. I let my feet fall to the ground and shoved at his shoulders, my palms slipping on his still damp skin.
‘Fuck you!’ I twisted from his grasp, my face aflame and my throat tight.
He braced one arm on the wall over the space I’d vacated and followed my retreat with hooded eyes.
I ignored the hint of vulnerability clouding his expression, bolstering my anger for a counter attack. ‘What are you talking about? You said you’d remove the photo.’
‘I did. Obviously it was too late.’ He pushed away from the wall and stalked to a mini fridge across the room, retrieving a bottle of water and downing it in almost one swallow. ‘I have to say I’m impressed.’ He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and tipped the last of the water over his head.
The luckiest of the drops trailed down his throat and onto his chest. Desire still buzzed in my veins, but I clenched my jaw, biting it back.
‘You had me convinced with all that “professional integrity” crap. If ever you want a change of career, I’m sure your acting skills could land you any role you want in Hollywood.’
‘You think I did this?’
‘Didn’t you?’
Anger raised my voice to shrill. ‘You posted the photo.’
In two strides, he was inches from me. ‘Yes, but the rest of the story was all you.’
‘You’re crazy. Why would I do that? I was furious at the photo alone.’ My arms were rigid at my sides as if they held me together.
His sneer twisted his mouth. ‘Perhaps you thought better of it, saw a way to make a little cash?’ He was so close his breath gusted over my face and flecks of fire danced in his irises.
I widened my stance, my muscles tense and ready for a fight. ‘I don’t need cash. My privacy is more important to me than anything else. I would never flaunt myself publically.’
He backed away, shaking his head with his eyes closed, and gripping the back of his neck with one hand.
‘How do I know you didn’t circulate the story yourself? No publicity is bad publicity for people like you, right?’
His bulk filled my vision as he invaded my personal space again. ‘People like me?’ His eyes blazed, scorching my already heated face.
A wisp of fear joined the emotional cocktail swirling inside me. I’d pissed him off. ‘Yes. Image is everything, right? Chasing the success, the money, the adoring fans, the fame.’
‘You don’t know me at all.’ The muscles of his jaw bunched. ‘I don’t use people. I don’t need to.’
‘You used me. You took my photo without asking. You invaded my privacy. I don’t need this. I have people in my life who don’t need this. They’ve been through enough.’ I plunged my hands into my hair, ready to tear it out in great handfuls.
Turning away, he stalked to the sliding doors and pushed them open to let in the frigid night. He leaned one elbow on the doorframe, his hand clutching the hair at the back of his head as he stared into the blackness outside.
Some of the anger deflated from me with a rush of air from my lungs. ‘Why didn’t you deny it?’
He spoke without turning around, his voice flat. ‘I did. Lucy issued a press release as soon as she became aware of the story. Sometimes, all that does is add credibility to the lies.’ He shrugged.
A veil of red coloured my vision. ‘Don’t you get it? This is just more publicity for you, but for me, it’s devastating.’ I covered my mouth with one hand, holding in the maelstrom of emotions that threatened to spew out onto the gym’s hardwood flooring.
‘As I said, anything I do now is likely to make things worse. I’m sorry you’ve been inconvenienced, but—’
‘Inconvenienced? You don’t understand. My family is vulnerable.’ I was Jess’s fire-breathing Welsh dragon, seething in a mist of fury.
He turned, resignation dulling his eyes and weighing down his shoulders. ‘Let’s calm down. We know the truth.’ He snagged a T-shirt from the handrail of the running machine and pulled it over his head. ‘There’s nothing going on between us. What does it matter?’ He pulled the hem of the shirt down as he approached me once more.
My fingers touched my lips, which still tingled from the crush of his mouth, his beard, his teeth. No, there was nothing between us. ‘It matters to me, because I’ve lived through this shit before. The truth isn’t important. People believe the lies.’
He wrapped his hands around my upper arms, pulling me forward until I had to crane my neck back to maintain eye contact. ‘Explain that. What happened to you?’ His grip, like his tone, was firm, and there was no arguing with either.
‘You’ll find out soon enough. Just keep following the story.’ I pried one of his hands from my arm.
His eyes gleamed with determination. ‘Tell me. I want to hear it from you.’
I snorted. ‘Well, we can’t always have what we want, can we?’ Yanking my other arm free I barged passed him and headed for the sliding door.
I paused, turned back to him and said, ‘Ask your assistant to dig around, search my name. It may convince you to deny the link between us more vehemently.’
Leaving the door open, I stumbled out into the night.