Do Opposites Attract? (12 page)

‘I didn’t have a stepfather, no.’

Brianna fought to keep the impatience from her voice. ‘So who took care of you? Relatives? Foster parents?’ When he simply gave a slight shake of his head, Brianna’s heart crumpled. ‘Oh, Mitch, you didn’t go into care, did you?’

‘No.’ He paused, his expression so guarded she thought that was all he was going to say on the matter. It was a surprise when he spoke again into the silence. ‘I was lucky to find a woman prepared to take me in. She looked after me for a while. Put me on the straight and narrow. She even paid for me to go to university.’

Briefly his eyes flickered, giving her a sense that this person was important to him. ‘She sounds like one special lady. Are you still in touch with her?’

Instantly the shutter came down again. ‘No, I’m not. She broke the contact.’

He stared broodingly into the fire, his face set back into hard lines and Brianna kicked herself. Why had she spoilt the mood by insisting on finding out more about him? She wanted the relaxed man back, the one she’d been with all day. Slowly she uncurled from the sofa and went to sit on his lap. ‘I think that’s enough questions for now, don’t you?’ she asked, smoothing his hair from his brow.

With a groan, he settled his arms around her and sought out her mouth. ‘Come to bed.’

She laughed. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’

It seemed natural they spend Sunday together. At least it did to Brianna, who’d shown no signs of heading home after breakfast. Mitch was surprised to find he had no desire to push her out. It was the first time he’d spent a weekend with a woman yet so far he’d had no urge to reclaim his space. He hadn’t felt irritated when she’d perched where he usually sat on the sofa, and had even enjoyed her commentary on the newspaper she’d been reading. As they strolled back from a relaxing pub lunch, he wondered what it was about her that made her such good, easy company.

‘Come on, show me your stone skimming skills. I’ll wager ten pounds I can do more skips than you.’ Brianna bounded down to the sea, her hair flowing in the wind, cheeks flushed and face alive with laughter.

There was his answer. She was such good company because she was fun. He’d never met anyone so full of life. She made him feel young. He bent down to snatch up a flat stone. ‘You’re on.’

The contest was hard fought and Mitch was more than a little surprised she was so good at skimming stones. ‘Where did you hone your skills then?’ he asked after one particularly good throw had bounced off the sea six times.

‘My parents have a house by a lake in Italy. We used to go there a lot when I was a child, usually with a group of friends who also had children. I was the only girl, so I was determined to beat the boys.’ She eyed up his stone. ‘Go on then, see if you’re man enough to beat a girl.’

Mitch grinned, put his arm back and produced a beauty. They watched it skip ten times before it sunk into the sea. ‘Ten pounds I believe?’

‘Damn you. I bet you wouldn’t have done that if I hadn’t riled you.’ Just then her mobile phone rang. ‘Hello? Hi Melanie … I’m with Mitch.’ She cast a furtive look at him. ‘Umm, yes, very well. Details later.’ She giggled, blushing slightly, and he had no doubt what was being discussed. Before he had a chance to be put out, she was laughing. ‘Very funny. As it happens we’re not in bed, but it would take us too long to get there so we’ll have to pass. Thanks for asking though. Bye.’

Mitch quirked an eyebrow at her.

‘My friend, Melanie. A crowd of them are going to watch a polo game this afternoon. She was asking if I wanted to go along.’ She grinned. ‘Providing we’d made it out of bed.’

He chose to ignore the fact that these two women were discussing his sex life. ‘Polo?’ he asked instead. ‘Is that really what you do on a Sunday?’

Brianna sighed.
Here we go again
. Mitch was wearing that look. The one that said she was rich, and he wasn’t. Would he ever forget about her damn money? ‘No, of course it isn’t,’ she retorted sharply.

‘Never?’

She squirmed slightly. ‘Okay, yes we go to polo sometimes. Satisfied?’

‘What do you do when you’re not at polo?’

Relieved they were back onto more neutral ground, Brianna threaded her arm through his. ‘There’s a crowd of us that tend to go round together. Sometimes we go to each other’s houses, sometimes to a party or club.’ When he asked, she named a high profile club in London. ‘What about you?’

‘Very similar,’ he replied dryly.

She elbowed him sharply in the ribs. ‘Come on. This is called conversation. I tell you a bit about me, you tell me a bit about you. You’ll get the hang of it in time.’

He shook his head, laughing softly. ‘I’m not sure I will, but okay. I run along the beach, windsurf, read the newspapers, relax.’

‘That sounds a bit lonely,’ she remarked quietly.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. ‘I’m not lonely. I enjoy my own company. When I’m working, I’m surrounded by people all of the time. When I come home, it’s nice to chill.’

But even when you’re on camp you don’t socialise, Brianna wanted to retort, but she thought better of it.

It was a lazy Sunday and Brianna was amazed to find it after six o’clock when she finally looked at the time. They were snoozing together on the sofa, having spent most of the afternoon making love. When it came to sex, Mitch had both stamina and a voracious appetite, a very welcome combination in her book.

‘I guess it’s time I hit the road.’ She sat up slowly, uncaring that she was naked. He loved her body. She knew by the way his eyes darkened when he looked at her. It felt incredible to know she had that power over him, physically at least.

‘Have I tired you out?’ He stretched his tall frame across the sofa, arms folded behind his head, his hair flopping messily over his forehead.

God he was beautiful. Not conventionally of course. His face was too rugged for that. But there was so much coiled strength, both in his mind and his body. She hadn’t realised what an aphrodisiac that was. Cocking him a grin, she reached over to run her fingers over the hard planes of his chest. As his taut abdominal muscles quivered, she felt another stirring of desire.

‘Brianna, you need to stop that now, or you won’t be going anywhere.’

Pouting provocatively, she bent to pick up her clothes. Suddenly she was grabbed from behind.

‘Damn you woman, why can’t I get enough of you?’ His voice was harsh, almost angry.

Brianna turned to say something, but her mouth was captured by his and once more she was lost.

‘I really have to go now,’ she said a little while later as she finally moved off the sofa and started to get dressed.

For a moment his eyes rested heatedly on her chest. ‘I’ll be sorry to see those breasts tucked away, but it’s probably for the best. If we carry on like this I’ll end up hospitalised with clinical exhaustion.’

She was thrilled she had that effect on him but much as she loved the sex, she wanted more. Would he let her in? ‘When was the last time you went to the cinema?’ she asked, shrugging on her shirt.

‘Cinema?’ He’d hauled himself off the sofa and was tugging on his jeans, concentrating on the buttons of the fly. ‘I can’t remember. Probably to see
The Guns of Navarone
.’

Brianna widened her eyes in shock, then threw a sock at him. ‘Very funny, though knowing you it won’t be too wide off the mark. Why don’t you come up during the week and I can show you what normal people do on a night out?’

Her invitation was met with a wall of silence. She couldn’t read his expression, his head was bent, but she saw his fingers falter on the buttons. Damn, she’d pushed him too far.

Wordlessly they finished dressing. Then he walked over to the patio doors and looked out at the rolling waves. ‘Brianna, I just want to get one thing clear. I don’t do relationships. If you want cosy dates, followed by hearts and flowers, you need to go and find somebody else.’

Her heart plummeted and her hands shook slightly as she wrestled the remaining boot onto her foot. ‘Well, you’re certainly honest.’ When she’d finished she stared up at his profile, so aloof, so distant again. What was he so bloody afraid of?

‘I believe in total honesty,’ he replied, turning slightly so she could see his full face. Not that it helped, he was so flaming unreadable. ‘That way nobody gets hurt.’

It’s too late for that
. ‘So, if I don’t get hearts and flowers and protestations of love, what do I get?’

‘Heat, passion. You and me, in bed.’

He wasn’t wrong there, but she was starting to wonder if that was enough. Her feelings were running beyond simple lust and into something … more. He wasn’t immune to her, she could see that, but he had this big wall around him he didn’t seem to let anyone through. Would he let her in, given time?

‘Mitch, have you ever had a proper relationship with a woman?’

He looked slightly taken aback. ‘Define proper.’

‘You know, a commitment between two people that you’re not going to see anybody else. A relationship where you make plans to see each other again, go on dates, enjoy weekends away.’

He looked back at her through narrowed eyes. ‘No, not in those terms.’

‘Why not? What are you scared of?’ she asked softly, walking up to him and putting her arms around his rigidly set shoulders.

Impatiently he shrugged her off. ‘I’m not scared of anything. I learnt long ago not to rely on anybody else. It’s a philosophy that’s stood me in good stead and I’m not about to start changing it now.’

Hurt that he wouldn’t let her close, Brianna had half a mind to tell him to bugger off. But then she caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes and her heart melted. There was a reason for his aloof nature, his determination not to let anybody into his life. ‘Who hurt you, Mitch?’

He gave her a long, cool stare. ‘Why do you assume somebody has?’

‘Because the man I’ve seen hold a child’s hand as he died, the man who gives up most of his life to care for others, the man I’ve just spent the weekend with, he’s different to the man who’s standing in front of me now. When you’re not consciously thinking about blocking people out, you’re a wonderful, warm person. So something happened in your past that’s made you wary of letting anybody get close to you.’

His eyes were flat, unmoved by her speech. ‘Or maybe I’m just a selfish person who prefers his own company and has no desire to ever share his life with anybody else.’

Exasperated, angry with him for being so cold and herself for caring too much, she bent to pick up her overnight bag. ‘Message received, loud and clear. I’ll let myself out.’

Mitch watched as Brianna opened the door and slammed it firmly behind her. The sound of finality echoed around him. What was wrong with him that he was pushing this beautiful, vivacious woman out of his house? She’d wanted to go to the cinema with him. Was that such a major crime? Hadn’t he just had one of the most relaxing, most enjoyable weekends he could remember? And hadn’t that been mostly down to her? Before he could think about what he was doing, Mitch thrust open the door and ran down to where Brianna was starting the engine.

‘Brianna, wait.’ As he reached her, the Jaguar purred into life. Cocooned inside, she couldn’t hear him, so he tapped on the driver’s window.

Her head twisted towards him and he received an icy stare.

Undaunted, he tapped again.

Glowering at him, she finally lowered the window. ‘Did I forget something? I’d hate you to be left with a reminder of the weekend you were forced to share your precious company with another person.’

He winced. ‘I guess I deserved that. Look, I’m sorry. I enjoyed this weekend. More than I thought,’ he added wryly. ‘I’m not used to spending time with a woman and still wanting to see her again. You’re a first.’

Brianna rested her hands on the wheel and stared straight ahead.

He ducked down so he could look her in the eye – if she ever bothered to face him. ‘I’m not sure I’m capable of a relationship,’ he told her gruffly. ‘But I can’t stand the thought of not seeing you again.’

Time seemed to stand still as he waited for her reply. He was aware of the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands fisted at his side. Of how much her answer mattered to him.

Magically, she tilted her face towards him and curved her lips into a smile. To his astonishment, she then reached up and placed a hand on either side of his face and gave him a long, drugging kiss, which had the tension washing straight out of him.

‘Okay, Mitch, we’ll take it slow. Wednesday night. Meet me after work. We’ll go to the cinema and share a bag of popcorn. Not too scary for you?’

He grinned a touch sheepishly. ‘I guess it’s a date.’

‘I guess it is.’

As he sat on the back row of the cinema with Brianna, Mitch felt like a teenager again. Then again, he’d rarely gone to the cinema as a boy. And never made out with a girl as classy as Brianna.

‘Why don’t you follow me in your car,’ she suggested as they walked out into the night.

‘Follow you where?’

She looked at him as if he was stupid. ‘Back to mine.’

Slowly he shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘But why ever not? I thought from the way you were kissing me in the cinema …’ She flushed slightly. ‘Well, I guess I just assumed one thing would lead to another.’

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ‘You share your place with your parents, Brianna.’

She stopped walking. ‘So? I live in a floor of my parents’ house, one that has its own entrance so you won’t come across them. Anyway, even if you did, why would it matter?’

He felt the heavy weight of that damn chip on his shoulder again. ‘I’m hardly their idea of good boyfriend material,’ he muttered tightly, angry he cared what they’d think of him. He was a decent man, earning a decent living. He should be damn proud of himself. Usually he was. So why, when he was with Brianna, did his past keep creeping back?

‘Is that what you are, then? My boyfriend?’

And now she was teasing him. ‘I don’t know what the hell I am.’

‘You’re my lover, Mitch.’ She kissed him lightly on the lips. ‘So, are you following me home, or not?’

The moonlight made her green eyes shine. Her smile was provocative, promising a night of passion. He was a man. There was no choice. ‘I’ll follow you.’

He tried not to gawk too much when he parked his car. Tried not to let the magnificence of the town house, set in an exclusive residential area of London, bother him. It was only bricks and mortar, after all. But even as he undressed her in the bedroom, he couldn’t help but notice the sheer opulence. Where his house boasted comfort, hers was bespoke designer.

It shouldn’t matter that her apartment alone was worth many times more than his house by the sea. But it did.

Then Brianna’s hand reached for his belt, undoing it with deft, perfectly manicured fingers and he couldn’t think any more.

‘Mitch?’

‘Umm?’ He raised a sleepy eyelid, realising that once again he’d stayed the night at Brianna’s. Since their date at the cinema a few weeks ago, it had started to become a habit.

‘There’s a couple of things I need to talk to you about before I shoot off to the office. One involves work, and the other pleasure. Which do you want to start with?’

‘Pleasure is always a good place to end.’

She smiled. ‘We’ll start with work then. We’re holding a fund-raising ball next month and I’d like you to speak at it.’

He opened both eyes. ‘You want me to do what?’

‘You don’t really need me to repeat it, do you?’ He must still have looked stunned because she gave him a
crikey I thought you were brighter than this
roll of her eyes before explaining more fully. ‘The people who come to these charity balls have only two thoughts in their mind; having a great time and getting drunk. I know, because I’ve been one of them. And that’s fine, in a way, because as long as they buy the tickets and enjoy themselves, we’ve made money for Medic SOS. But I think we’re missing a trick. We could be showing them exactly what the money they’ve donated goes towards. Make them see how important, how vital the charity is. I can’t think of anybody who’d be better at getting that message across than you.’

Mitch sat up further in the bed and crossed his arms over his bare chest. ‘I’m not a public speaker, Brianna, I’m a doctor.’

‘Yes, and one who believes passionately in what he does. I watched you when you were explaining your role to me. This will be just the same, only a few more people will be listening.’ She smiled and kissed his furrowed brow.

‘I might not even be in the country when the event takes place.’

‘I know, but if you are, will you do it. Please?’

‘Why do I feel like I’ve been manoeuvred into this by a master in the art of persuasion?’ He eyed her suspiciously, his voice resigned. He didn’t like the idea much, but if she thought it could help the charity he didn’t see how he could reasonably refuse.

She gave him a smug grin. ‘Because you have.’

‘I think we should focus on pleasure, now.’ He started to move his fingers lightly over her breasts, smiling when she lay back against him and moaned softly.

‘I’ve been invited to a party this weekend,’ she murmured, her eyes glazing over. ‘It’s at a friend’s house in the country. We’ve all been asked to stay over. Would you come with me?’

His fingers stilled. ‘I thought we were taking this slow, Brianna.’

‘We are, but this will be fun.’ She turned and rained feathery kisses on his chest, obviously designed to soften him up, to placate him. ‘They’re a good crowd, you’ll like them. Please?’

Mitch lay back against the headboard, his body for once not distracted by Brianna’s touch. This was not his idea of one step at a time. He had deep reservations about meeting her friends. Fathoms deep. It was hard enough being with Brianna, but to mix with a crowd of wealthy Hooray Henries? For a man who didn’t do small talk, and was very much aware of the shortcomings in his own background, fun definitely wasn’t the word he would use to describe it. ‘We’ll see.’

He’d gone all quiet on her again. Taking one look at the stiff set of Mitch’s jaw, Brianna figured now was the time to take a shower. Maybe when she’d finished, he’d have loosened up again.

However, when she came back out he was putting away his phone and looking very serious.

‘What’s up?’ she asked, drying her hair with the towel.

‘There’s been a monsoon in the Philippines. We’ve been called in. I’ve got to go.’ He started to put on his jeans.

‘Oh,’ was all she could manage. Crestfallen that he’d be going away she said the first thing that came into her head. ‘Do you have to go today?’

He stared at her pointedly. ‘What do you think?’

‘Well you’re not the only doctor who works for the charity. Maybe you could catch up with them later. After the weekend.’

It was the wrong thing to say. She knew as soon as she saw him yank on his shirt with barely controlled fury. ‘People are dying, for God’s sake. I think it’s a little bit more important than going to a party, don’t you?’

Ouch. He was so good at making her sound like a selfish bitch. ‘Thank you, Mitch. I don’t need to be reminded of that. But would it kill you to show a hint of regret? I was looking forward to spending the weekend with you.’

‘This is who I am, Brianna,’ he replied brusquely. ‘This is what I do. If you don’t like it, tough. I won’t change.’

Her temper, always quick to flare, boiled over. ‘How dare you twist my words. I’m not asking you to change. Just show a bit of disappointment that you can’t be with me this weekend.’

‘Honestly?’ He looked directly into her eyes. ‘I’m not sure I am disappointed. If I’d gone, it would have been for your sake, not my own. Maybe it’s better this way. You’ll have more fun without me.’

‘I won’t.’ She slumped onto the bed, aware she was pouting, being melodramatic, but unable to stop herself. ‘How can I? I love being with you. Besides, you won’t just miss the weekend. You’ll be gone for weeks.’ A sob caught in her throat.

‘I know.’ Finally he stopped dressing and sat next to her on the bed. ‘Brianna,’ he began more gently. ‘When I said I didn’t think I could do relationships, I wasn’t joking. God knows, as a person I’m difficult enough to get on with.’ His lips crooked into a small smile. ‘But it’s not just me, it’s also my job. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to say goodbye. It was fun while it lasted.’

An agonised sound exploded from her throat but he ignored it, tucking a hand under her chin so her eyes were forced to meet his. ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ he continued in a tone she imagined he’d use with a confused patient, ‘but if we carry on like this, I will. I live for my job. Mentally I’m already packing my bags. I don’t have the time or energy for any of the emotional baggage having a woman in my life will inevitably cause. I’m sorry.’

Brianna ignored her breaking heart and buried all of her pride. ‘No, Mitch. You’re not ending this. I won’t let you.’

His dark eyes looked almost kind. ‘Think on it while I’m gone. Go to your party. Mix with your friends. In a few weeks you’ll feel differently.’

He kissed her on the lips; a quick, rough kiss. Then he left.

When the weekend arrived and Brianna met up with Melanie at the country mansion in the Cotswolds, she’d managed to shift her crushing disappointment into a more healthy anger. How dare Mitch talk about ending their relationship? Men didn’t finish with her. She was the one who did the finishing, when she grew bored. And she wasn’t bored yet.

Unwillingly her mind flashed back over her past relationships. The men she’d turned down. She liked to think she’d let them down gently, but had their hearts bruised as badly as hers was doing right now? God, she hoped not, because this really hurt.

Sadly she trailed her fingers over the slinky red party dress she was about to change into. She’d bought it with Mitch in mind, looking forward to seeing the expression on his face when she sidled up to him in it. She’d had visions of him ripping it off her and dragging her to bed. No chance of that happening now.

‘Brie, are you all right? You look a bit down.’ Melanie, getting changed in the same room as her, had just struggled into a tight midnight-blue number.

‘Hey, never mind me, you look fabulous. How did you manage to wriggle into it? With a shoehorn?’

Melanie huffed. ‘Please don’t make me laugh. I’ll bust the seams. And don’t change the subject. What’s up?’

‘Nothing really. I’m just a bit upset Mitch can’t be here.’ She left it at that, not prepared to admit to herself, never mind her best friend, that what she’d shared with him was over.

‘I guess that’s the trouble with men who work for a living.’ Melanie grinned impishly. ‘You know, it might not be a bad thing, Mitch not being here.’

‘Oh?’

‘I happen to know that Frederick, the son of the Earl of Lincolnshire, has been invited tonight. Trust me, Brianna, he’s just your type. Tall, dark, handsome and richer than you are.’

Determinedly Brianna thrust aside the image of a tall, fair, rugged doctor. It was time she went back to her own world. And her more usual type. Glancing down at her dress, she slipped her friend a wry smile. ‘Well, it seems the dress might not be wasted, after all.’

An hour, and a few glasses of champagne later, Brianna started to feel a bit happier. Her old friend Henry had been attentive, complimenting her on her dress, begging for the first dance. Last time they’d met, she’d escaped him at the ball. This time she allowed him to lead her onto the floor. It did a woman good to be fawned over once in a while, she reminded herself. Mitch had hardly bothered to pay her any attention in that respect.

As a passing waiter refilled her glass for the third time, Melanie came into view, a startlingly handsome man in tow. ‘Brianna, let me introduce you to Frederick.’

Frederick took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Wow. When Melanie told me she wanted to introduce me to the most beautiful girl in the room, she wasn’t joking.’

Light-headed from champagne, her heart and ego bruised, Brianna beamed at his compliment. Maybe Melanie was right. Frederick was just the tonic she needed. ‘Pleased to meet you, too.’

They talked, they danced, they flirted. It turned out that Frederick lived in London too, and was currently contemplating dabbling in politics. He knew many of the people she knew, so many it was a wonder they hadn’t met before. They compared favourite haunts, agreeing that Mahiki was the best place for a champagne cocktail. They discussed countries they’d holidayed in, the finest mountains to ski down, and the most perfect beaches. It was the easy conversation of two people from similar backgrounds. When the band played a slow waltz, it seemed natural that they walked back onto the dance floor, gliding across it like two seasoned professionals.

Brianna kept telling herself this was much more like it. Even if he could, which she doubted, Mitch would never have waltzed with her. He’d have hung at the back of the room, brooding. She hadn’t discussed ski slopes or night clubs with him, but she knew he wouldn’t have an opinion on either. Perhaps her mother was right. Mitch had been something different. A passing fancy, but nothing lasting.

‘Will you come out onto the veranda and look at the stars with me, Brianna?’ Frederick whispered into her ear.

How charming, how romantic.
And how unlike anything Mitch would ever say to her.
Brianna smiled brightly and allowed herself to be led outside. Once there, in a slick move, Frederick twirled her gracefully into his arms.

‘That dress has been driving me crazy all night. You have been driving me crazy all night. Do you mind if I kiss you?’

Brianna looked into the deep blue eyes of the handsome Frederick. Before she’d visited the Medic SOS camp, before she’d met Mitch, this was exactly the type of evening she would have craved, and Frederick exactly the type of man.

But not now. Something had changed inside her. Even as his lips descended onto hers, she knew she wouldn’t feel the jolt of desire she should, that she wanted to. Her mind was with another man. One who kissed without asking, who was rough, not gentle. Passionate, not sensitive. Strong and proud, but not rich. She wanted to forget him, to lose her mind in the moment, but she couldn’t.

Damn Mitch McBride. Even when he wasn’t with her, he was invading her senses. He’d not only ruined her weekend, it seemed he’d ruined her taste for other men.

Angry with herself, Brianna drew away. ‘I’m sorry, Frederick. It’s been a wonderful evening and you have been a charming escort, but I’m afraid I can’t do this.’ Placing a kiss on Frederick’s cheek, she started to move away.

He stopped her with a gentle hand on her elbow, giving her an ironic smile. ‘Just my luck. I meet a beautiful woman, but she doesn’t share the attraction.’

‘No, it isn’t that,’ Brianna replied sadly. ‘Believe me, you’re every woman’s dream man. Handsome, charming and a true gentleman. It’s just that … there is someone else. He couldn’t be here tonight, but it hasn’t stopped him being in my thoughts. I’m sorry.’