THE clinic was under siege. Two or three photographers camped out permanently in the park across the road, their telephoto lenses trained on the comings and goings through the main entrance. The phone rang constantly and Madge, the receptionist, had given up being polite to the journalists that called. I’d had to run for the staff entrance from the car park this morning, pursued by Dale from the Queenstown Gazette who was chasing an exclusive.
It wasn’t the first time I’d been hounded by journalists, and at least I didn’t have a distressed Matty with me to protect. I sighed. My life had come full circle.
I stared at the screen in front of me, bringing the ghostly outline of a hand back into sharp focus. The white skeleton stood in stark relief against the grey soft tissues, the fracture a curved black line across one of the bones. This was the third fracture of the day and the latest victim of the ski slopes.
I double-checked my diagnosis, frustrated with my wandering mind, which was determined to dwell on the Nathan Banks debacle despite my efforts to block it out.
‘Jess, the man in bay three needs a buddy strap.’ I handed her the notes.
‘Sure. Mark wants to see you.’
‘Oh?’ My heart plummeted. I could guess what was coming.
She touched my arm. ‘How you holding up?’
I’d told Jess all about the meeting with Nathan, omitting the kiss, of course. I wasn’t sure how I’d explain my participation in that madness—I couldn’t even decipher it myself.
‘I’ll survive. I’m more worried about Mum, Dad and Matty.’ I’d spoken to my parents last night and whilst they’d reassured me all was well, tension had laced their voices. If the story of Nathan and I gained any more traction, it was only a matter of time before someone connected the dots to re-open my family’s old wounds.
Jess nodded, sympathy and understanding sparkling from her pretty eyes.
‘I’ll go see what the boss wants. Hopefully it’s not another house call for a mega celebrity.’ I pulled a mock grimace, hoping to ease her worry. ‘See you lunchtime.’
I located Mark in the treatment room just finishing up with a patient. ‘Let’s grab a coffee, Soph.’
We made polite, superficial conversation while we waited for our drinks to brew and then carried them to his office. When I was seated opposite him, blowing across the surface of my tea, Mark declared his hand.
‘I checked with Madge. You’ve got some unused holiday leave. Do you have plans to take it?’
My stomach churned. ‘Not all of it. I was going to ask to take my last two weeks off. Jess and I were thinking of having a stopover in LA on the way home.’
‘Great idea.’ He rubbed at his bottom lip with his thumb. ‘Look, Soph. You’re a great doctor. We’ve loved having you here, but I think maybe you should take all of your leave.’ He looked away, finding his desk calendar fascinating.
‘Are you firing me?’ My chest was so tight I had to put my tea down in case I passed out and scalded my own lap.
‘No. Of course not. You know the score. The clinic is inundated with calls from papers and journalists. Patients have been approached leaving, asked if they were treated by you and could they confirm if you were engaged to Mr Banks.’
My blood ran cold. ‘I know and I’m sorry, Mark. There’s no truth to those stories and I’ve discussed this with Mr Banks.’
‘I know, I know. I feel responsible. I sent you out to the lodge, after all. It should have been me who treated him. You know, if it hadn’t been parents’ evening at school, I’d have gone myself.’
‘I didn’t mind going. I wish I could do something about the stupid story. But I can’t. Mr Banks says the more we deny it, the more believable it seems.’ I dropped my head to stare at my lap.
His silence was ominous. ‘Well, there is something you can do. Use up your leave. Travel. Go home early. Spend time with your family. We’ll miss you, of course, but I think it’s for the best.’
This couldn’t be happening. ‘But you’ll be understaffed. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch.’
He shook his head, dismissing my concern. ‘Soph. I can’t force you. But please think about it.’ He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. ‘We’ll manage. And we won’t have to deal with complaints and journalists and the police.’
I bit down on my lip, tasting blood. My voice cracked with the burden of responsibility. ‘I’m so sorry, Mark.’
‘No apologies necessary. I sent you there. I feel responsible.’ The comforting hand he laid on my shoulder did little to quell the devastation ripping me apart. With the exception of my family, my job meant everything to me. It was all I had. This was the second time in my life I found myself at the mercy of the world’s media and neither time had been from any wrongdoing on my part.
‘Take the rest of the day off. Go home. Book a holiday or an early flight back to the UK. Put this behind you and move on to your new job with a clean slate.’ Mark’s sympathetic eyes crushed me.
I took his advice, gathering my belongings and leaving the clinic. When I spotted the photographer lurking in the park across the road, I feared it wouldn’t be quite so easy to achieve the clean slate Mark advised.
***
I was trapped. A caged animal pacing the enclosure I’d been forced into and hissing at anyone who came too close to the bars of my prison.
The doorbell rang with monotonous regularity throughout the following day. When Jess arrived home from work she’d found me buried under my duvet wearing headphones. Unable to take any more of my ranting and obsessive checking of the street for photographers, Jess had insisted we get out of the house for a few hours.
We’d bundled up, pulling hats low over our heads, and made a dash for Jess’s car. After driving around for an hour to ensure we weren’t being followed we circled back to Jess’s favourite Japanese restaurant, where she promised me warm sake and some peace from the hounds hunting us.
‘So, What’ll you do?’ Jess sipped her sake, her cheeks pink from the kick of alcohol.
I sighed. ‘What choice do I have? I can’t work here. I can’t sit around imprisoned in the apartment. I’ll go mad.’ I shuddered. Today had been one of the longest days of my life. No amount of exercise or housework could distract me from my lack of options. ‘This was what my teenage years were like. I hate it.’
Jess tilted her head to the side, flashing me a weak smile and urging me to continue.
‘Matty and I were just kids. We didn’t know anything. But it didn’t stop them chasing us, asking if we’d known our father had stolen that money. Sticking cameras in our faces as we struggled to get on the school bus.’
Jess knew my situation. I’d once told her I was the daughter of Paul King, disgraced politician and cheating love-rat. ‘I couldn’t protect Matty. He’d get upset. In the end, my parents moved him to a special school two hours away from home.’
‘I’m sorry, Soph. It must have been hard on you. But you know it wasn’t your job to protect Matty—you were just a kid, too.’ She’d remembered the stories from the news at the time—how my father had started an affair with a woman who’d gone on to embezzle money from the party coffers.
I shrugged. ‘Helps you find out who your real friends are. I didn’t have that many, as it turned out.’ I tore at a paper napkin, my mind drifting back to the years of loneliness, bullying and name-calling.
Jess reached for my hand, stilling my restless fingers. ‘How are things at home?’
‘Pretty bad.’ I winced. My father had never quite forgiven himself for the indiscretion he’d committed, which had thrown our family into turmoil. This latest reminder, all these years later, weighed heavily on him. ‘I’m worried about his angina but Mum tried to reassure me.’
‘Did you look at flights back?’
‘Yes. The earliest one available is Sunday. I’m on the cancellation list, but everything is full until then.’
What a mess. Jess and I had come here for a life experience—a chance to live and work in this beautiful part of the world. Now I was leaving my friend and my job. All because of Nathan Banks.
I followed Jess’s gaze to the pile of shredded paper napkin in front of me and shrugged, pushing the pieces aside. ‘We could still go to LA if you want? I’ll meet you there.’ Guilt forced my thumbnail between my teeth.
‘Yeah, great. Listen, fuck Nathan Banks! Let’s enjoy your last few days in New Zealand.’ She topped up my sake and raised a toast. ‘To us. To new adventures and holidays in LA.’
‘Cheers!’
By the time our food arrived, we were giggly drunk and Jess flirted shamelessly with the waiter. With a full stomach and nice little buzz running through me, I sat back and glanced out at the lights twinkling on the water’s edge. For the first time in days I felt relaxed, hopeful even. With any luck, this time next week I’d be back home, all of the drama would be over and stitching up Nathan Banks would be a vague memory.
The buzz of moments ago fizzled out only to return again like a forest fire as I recalled the angry kiss we’d shared at the lodge. I longed to blame him—to claim I was a victim of his arrogant belief that all women wanted him. But my fingers remembered the grasp they’d had on the silky strands of his hair, and I could still feel the imprint of his rigid flank muscles on my inner thighs where I’d locked my legs around his hips.
When I peeked at Jess, she grinned at me. ‘You’ve got to admit though, he’s seriously hot.’
I busied myself with straightening my chopsticks to hide the flush creeping up my neck. ‘Who?’
‘Nathan Banks. I mean, if you’re going to be falsely associated with a celebrity, he’s the ultimate prize, isn’t he?’
I pushed my plate aside. ‘Jess …’
‘Too soon to joke about it?’
How could I deny her? My lips twitched. She was right—Nathan was the ultimate. The memory of him shirtless and sweat-slicked from running would live with me forever.
‘Did you see him in his last movie? Wow, that body.’ She rolled her eyes, her dreamy expression revealing the track her thoughts took. ‘What a shame you’re being accused but you’ve never even sampled the goods.’
If not for the sake, I’d have kept my mouth shut, but the memory of his lips ravaging mine as he took his revenge was so fresh, I blurted the words before I could screen them. ‘Well, actually …’
‘What?’ Jess sat upright, knocking the table and rattling the glassware. ‘Are you kidding me?’ She reached for my hand, squeezing my fingers with bruising force. ‘When?’
I was such a lightweight when it came to alcohol—two drinks and I’d blab anything to my inquisitive friend. ‘Don’t get excited.’ I leaned forward. ‘It was just a kiss.’
My mind rebelled at the tame words—there’d been no ‘just’ about it. I’d never been kissed like that before and, even more depressing, I doubted I would again. I fully understood his appeal as the rom-com hero—who wouldn’t want to be treated to a Nathan Banks special? But there had been nothing staged or rehearsed about his performance. He’d pressed me to the wall with angry possession. There was no finesse, no camera angles or lighting checks. And, my wayward body had revelled in it, loving every second until intellect intruded, dousing the whole electrifying event in the ice-cold common sense I usually perfected.
Jess’s eyes assumed saucer proportions, growing admiration in her stare. ‘Sophia King, I want all the details. Now.’ She topped up our glasses with sake and clinked them together before knocking hers back in one swallow. Jess pressed my glass into my hand and I followed suit, the burn in my throat stealing my breath.
‘It was nothing.’ The lie rolled from my tongue, even as the heat from the memory flooded my girly parts.
‘Bollocks! Snogging Nathan Banks is not “nothing”.’
I flushed, remembering the way I’d clung to him. I didn’t need to close my eyes to relive it—his scent, the firm swipe of his lips on mine and the needy whimper I couldn’t hold in were all indelibly etched into my long-term memory.
‘It was an angry kiss. He’d accused me of selling the story and said if I’d wanted a sample all I had to do was ask. Arrogant tosser.’ My heated blood surged through me, delivering sake to my brain, adding increased arousal to the memories.
‘Bloody hell. Who’d say no to that? I’d happily sample the goods.’ She sniggered.
Through the alcohol fog, I recognised the need to stop talking, but my mouth was slow to receive the signals from my brain. ‘He didn’t give me chance to say no. Before I knew it I was pinned to the wall.’
‘Wow, Soph.’ She flapped her hand in front of her face as she exhaled a prolonged breath. ‘How could you keep this from me?’
I shrugged, rubbing at a stain on the tablecloth with my thumb and avoiding her accusing glower. It wasn’t one of my proudest moments. I’d gone to the lodge to lay into him, not get under him, and the willingness with which my body had responded to his terrified me.
When the silence had stretched beyond comfort, I looked up. Jess was staring over my shoulder, her mouth agape. ‘Oh fuck,’ she muttered, inspecting her lap.
I leaned closer, trying to catch her eye. She reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers, her blue eyes conveying alarm and excitement in equal measure.
‘What?’ I swivelled my head to where she’d been staring to see Nathan, Claudia and an older man I didn’t recognise make their way to a table in the corner.
My head swam and the sake swirled in my stomach with a sickening lurch. I snapped my head back to Jess, shrinking lower into my seat. But it was too late. He’d already seen us, his glance faltering on me before he controlled his surprise and focused on his party.
I swallowed, certain the Sake was going to make a reappearance. ‘Time to go I think.’
Jess nodded, picking up her cell phone from the table and feeling the seat behind her for her coat. Then I remembered we’d driven here. We were both over the limit, but we only lived a short walk away. ‘You pay the bill.’ I opened my bag and thrust a handful of notes at her across the table. ‘I’ll wait for you outside.’
As I made for the exit, I had to pass Nathan’s table, but I clutched my coat to my chest like a shield and held my head high. I almost made it, but he called my name, rising and catching up with me to touch my elbow.
‘Dr King. Can we talk?’ He wore a dark shirt and worn jeans, and I was instantly hit with a blast of his tantalising scent. Forcing air out through my nose so I wouldn’t be distracted, I schooled my features into neutrality and glanced at the table he’d vacated. I’d forgotten all about Claudia. What a prick. Even if he had been teaching me a lesson, she deserved better than a boyfriend who’d revenge-kissed me.
She barely glanced over, engrossed in her conversation with the older man.
I battled the buzz of alcohol and deployed my frostiest tone. ‘I’m not sure this is the place.’
The hard emerald chips of his gaze brooked no argument as he ushered me through the door leading to the restrooms and into a small corridor.
I tugged my elbow free of his warm hand. ‘What do you want?’ I glanced to the closed bathroom doors wondering how long we had. The last thing we needed was another scene.
His handsome features formed a harsh mask of determination. My insides quivered and I straightened, forcing my body to its full height.
‘I hear your position at the clinic has become insupportable? I wanted to apologise.’
I gasped, my humiliation complete. ‘Who told you that?’ Indignation propelled me back half a step, until I hit the wall. He followed me, his bulk closing the space between us as he filled my vision.
‘I spoke to Dr Sargent, to apologise for the disruption caused.’ His gaze dipped to my mouth before settling once more on my eyes. ‘I understand you’re leaving for the UK earlier than you’d planned?’
Shame turned to anger. I wanted to take him down with me, to ensure the mess he’d created hurt him as much as it hurt me. To punish him for kissing me and giving me a taste of what I could never have nor ever wanted. ‘My, how very well informed you are. Do you know what colour underwear I’m wearing too?’ My face flamed and I covered my mouth, hoping to stuff the stupid words back inside. With all the venom expanding inside me, that was the best I could come up with?
His lips twitched. ‘My intelligence doesn’t stretch quite that far.’ The amusement cleared from his eyes as he continued with what he wanted to say. ‘Look, I’m leaving for London myself the day after tomorrow. It’s the least I can do for my part in all this, to offer you a ride home.’
I doubted my hearing, certain the sake had pickled my brain. ‘Are you insane? Why would I do that? My travelling with you on your private jet is likely to add fuel to the fire, and I’ve already been burned, thanks.’ I moved to bypass him, intent on the door back into the restaurant.
‘Sophia.’ His hand gripped my arm, staying me. His jaw was rigid as he drew in a breath, no doubt gathering his patience. ‘I don’t want you to be hounded by paparazzi at the airport, and it may be a lot worse once you get to Heathrow. My way, you can leave and arrive inconspicuously.’ His hand left my arm, finding its way into the front pocket of his jeans. The hint of amusement was back, twisting his mouth and flashing his dimple. ‘And the plane isn’t mine. It belongs to the studio.’
I scoffed, hurling his generosity back in his face. ‘You’ve helped enough, Mr Banks. Thanks to you, I have no job and a family to console and protect from gossip. I don’t need your charity.’ I reached for the door handle.
‘Sophia.’ He sighed, but I was too drunk and too belligerent to register the flash of regret in his eyes.
I grabbed for another weapon to hurl at him, spinning back to hiss, ‘Does Claudia know you kissed me?’
He didn’t budge, didn’t even flinch. ‘It’s nothing to do with her.’ His voice was low and his eyes hard with a warning I chose to ignore. He invaded my personal space until the door handle dug into my back and my arm twisted behind me, still clutching at my means of escape. ‘As I recall, you kissed me back.’ He lowered his head, his heated stare settling on my parted lips as I fought for oxygen.
My instinct to breathe kicked in and my breasts brushed against the hardness of his chest. My anger was dissipating, my voice wavering. ‘Maybe I did.’ Who was I kidding? The imprint of his mouth was etched onto mine and my fingers itched for another chance to tangle in his hair. I was pinned again, an insect on a display board, at his mercy.
His face lowered closer still and I stopped breathing altogether. When he spoke, his voice a husky growl, his breath fluttered over my tingling lips. ‘I can still taste you—still feel you.’
My eyes were riveted to his tongue as it swiped across his bottom lip. He lifted his hand, bracing it on the door above my head. I clung to my sanity, clawing at the last of my rational thoughts. ‘But I was free to kiss you. I’m not in a relationship.’
His smirk neither confirmed nor denied my accusation. I waited, my breath trapped in my lungs as his features hardened to stone. ‘So, you think I’m the clichéd bad boy? And yet, you kissed me back anyway?’
I had no explanation for my enthusiastic part in the madness that had passed between us and the flush that spread up my neck was a neon sign advertising the fact.
The push of the door at my back saved me, shoving me off balance so I stumbled into him with a whoosh of air from my bursting lungs. His hands clasped my upper arms, holding me steady while I righted my feet.
Jess’s red curls popped into view, her gape widening at the sight of me chest to chest with Nathan. ‘Umm. I thought you must have passed out? Sorry.’ She began to retreat.
‘No. Mr Banks and I are done.’ I shook his hands from me and pulled the door open to follow my friend.
His words halted my retreat. ‘Sophia. Think about my offer. I think you’ll find it’s the most convenient way to travel with the minimal amount of fuss.’
Mortified at the speed and ease with which I’d almost slipped under his spell once more, I deployed my coldest glare. ‘I’d rather swim the whole way there. And I’d be less likely to fall victim to a shark attack.’
I stalked back through the restaurant, an impressed-looking Jess in my wake.