The Candidate (20 page)

‘Will you be okay?’

Ginny glared at him. ‘Yes. Dad. I’m fine, okay? Now bugger off and let me finish up for the year.’ She went up on her toes, gave him a quick — and, considering the state of her lip, careful — kiss. ‘Thanks for everything.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Have a good Christmas, Mac.’

‘You too, Ginn.’

They stood looking at one another, unsure of the protocol. The last twenty-four hours had shifted something, and neither knew quite where it had left them. It was one thing, Ginny thought, to sleep next to him after a bout of extremely good sex. It was quite another to share a bed when she felt sore and bruised, and a little scared — especially when she found herself reaching for him in the night, seeking his warmth and comfort.

Ginny turned first, and went upstairs. Mac watched her go.

From a distance, hidden in a doorway up the laneway from Ginny’s building, a figure watched their stilted farewell and hoped he had played a part in the discomfort he observed. He watched Ginny shut the door behind her, and laughed to himself seeing the look on Mac’s face as he walked away. He could go after her now — nothing was stopping him — and he had to admit the thought was not unpleasant.

But he held back; it wasn’t part of the plan. He reached into his pocket and ran her keys through his fingers. It had been easier than he’d expected. She’d looked anxious and drawn just now, and he felt a surge of pleasure knowing he’d achieved that.

Toying with the keys, he wondered if she’d go as far as changing the locks. He assumed not, but you never could tell. A plan started to form, and he smiled as he walked off to set things in motion.

Chapter 24

Matamata had been nice, Ginny thought, as she walked up the stairs to her flat the following Friday, but it was good to be home. Her mother and brother had protested when she told them she wanted to come back early, but her sister-in-law had stood in her corner. She understood that Ginny needed to get back to Auckland and get on with things.

She hesitated briefly at her door, then pushed it open, revelling in the stillness and space of her home. The sun cast big squares of light across her beautiful floorboards and seeing them she couldn’t help but think of Mac. They’d spoken a couple of times but he’d left on Boxing Day and wasn’t due back until New Year’s Eve. She didn’t know if he had phone reception, but she hadn’t heard from him and wasn’t sure whether she welcomed the distance or not.

Ginny sighed happily as she stepped inside. Dumping her bags, she put on some music and lazily unpacked. She didn’t have plans other than hanging out at home, although at some stage she’d check in with work; she’d been worse than useless that last day before she left for Christmas. Despite her assurances to Mac, she’d been anything but fine. Robert had been gracious, concerned, and accommodating when she told him, briefly, what had happened. He insisted she mustn’t even think about work, let alone call him about where Daniel was up to with his second referee.

He’d told her to look after herself. Which she had done, but it seemed time to crack on again. Just as soon as she’d done some washing … and — Ginny looked ruefully at the dust that had accumulated — some cleaning up.

By New Year’s Eve Ginny was well and truly back in her own skin. A few days at home on her own had done her the world of good. Mads’ and Paul’s barbecue was not until late afternoon, so she had plenty of time to get a head start on the new year and reluctantly, to see where she was at with the sodding RK Investments and Strategy role.

She had planned to do some work before now but as the weekend rolled over, Ginny had taken it easy instead. She had even taken the momentous step of keeping her work email turned-off on her phone. Today was Monday though, and Monday was a work day, even when it was the last day of the year.

Pushing into her office, Ginny frowned slightly at her desk. She couldn’t be sure after a week away, but things looked just a little out of place. Despite the haphazard appearance of her desk she had a strict filing system and she was sure she’d left the uni stuff … Ginny flicked through a couple of piles, but couldn’t see it. She turned to look for the RK file, and couldn’t see that either.

It had been the same upstairs. Nothing obvious, but she’d had the impression that things had shifted — just subtly. But it was impossible; no one had been there and she knew for a fact she’d left the place safe and secure. She turned back to her desk and kept looking. It had to be here somewhere.

After twenty minutes and a more-than-thorough search, she still couldn’t find either file. She had most of it on her computer, but still — both folders had handwritten notes she wanted to refer to. Maybe Ange had put them somewhere. Deciding she’d spent enough time on it, she settled down at her computer and opened her email.

There wasn’t much, although she grimaced at one from Miles passing on his condolences for her mishap. ‘Hope it doesn’t interrupt your flourishing success,’ he’d ended. She deleted it. Although relieved to know he hadn’t been her attacker, she had no interest in anything he had to say and wished he would leave her the hell alone.

The email from Vanessa Masters made her smile. She had just about given up on her. Mark Hutchinson had apparently relocated to Edinburgh. Vanessa didn’t know where he worked now, but she had got hold of an email address that might still be current.

Ginny shot off an email to Mark and saw her duty as done. And now the uni role. She had thought of several names to start the search work with. Today she’d research them a bit more so she’d be well and truly ready to push the button on the assignment in a few days’ time. Thankfully, she’d transcribed those notes to her computer. Opening the file, she set to work.

Later that afternoon Ginny settled in for a proper getting-ready session. It might be only a backyard barbecue but it was New Year’s Eve, she told herself, trying to ignore the thought that perhaps she was putting in the effort because it was a while since she’d seen Mac.

She was in her usual jeans, she rationalised, and the top was only slightly dressier than usual — and, anyway, she liked the soft feel of the silk, and with the weather still blisteringly hot, spaghetti straps and scooped back and front were sensible, not saucy. Heels, well, everyone knew she had a thing for heels and so what if she wore her hair out for once, and put on a bit more make-up than usual? It was a party, wasn’t it? She pulled out her hair dryer and set to work.

She arrived early to help Mads get ready and ignored Paul’s whistle as she walked inside.

‘Really, Ginny, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble for me.’ He gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Happy New Year.’

‘You too,’ she grinned at him. ‘What can I do?’

By eight the backyard was busy with people, but no Mac. Seeing Mads come out after putting the kids down, Ginny excused herself from the group she was chatting with and joined her friend at the edge of the party. They sat on a low wall that separated the large sunken patio full of guests with the garden and lawns beyond.

‘Cheers.’ Ginny tapped Mads’ glass.

‘You too, love.’ Mads looked at Ginny doing another scan of the crowd. ‘No sign of Mac then?’

‘Bugger off.’ Ginny smiled. She hesitated before asking: ‘He’s still coming?’

‘I guess so. I haven’t heard otherwise. I thought you’d know. You’re the one shagging him.’

Ginny laughed. ‘Nice, Madeleine, very classy. That may be the case but it doesn’t mean I have him in my pocket.’

‘Whatever. So it’s still on then?’

‘Yeah, well, I guess so.’ Recalling the weirdness that had sprung up between them before Christmas, Ginny studied her shoes.

Mads looked across at her. ‘And how are you?’ she asked gently. ‘After everything that happened? I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.’

‘I’m fine. It wasn’t nice at the time, but I’m fine.’ Ginny patted her friend’s knee. ‘I may not look it, but I’m pretty tough. And anyway, the MacNamaras did a pretty good job of … um … looking after me.’

Mads laughed at her expression. ‘What’s wrong with that? Isn’t it a good thing — being looked after when something like that happens? It was horrible, Ginny. I’m certainly glad that he was around. And his family, for that matter. You don’t want to handle that sort of thing on your own.’

‘Well, yeah, of course.’ But it had added a weight to what was going on between her and Mac, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. Andrew and Jen had been nothing but kind. And welcoming, she thought, frowning again. She generally avoided parents when she had a ‘thing’ with a guy; her usual MO was to start making excuses and break things off pretty damn quick if a man she was sleeping with made noises about introducing her to family. She sure as hell wouldn’t let herself be tucked into a spare bed and brought tea and sandwiches, and — she grimaced at the memory — a change of clothes. But it wasn’t that straightforward with Mac. She’d known him for years, and she had her own — albeit tentative and sporadic — relationship with his stepmother.

‘I just don’t want … wouldn’t want … to depend on him. On anyone.’

‘Depend on him? But isn’t that what you do with friends? I certainly depend on you. You are such a funny thing, Ginn. He would have done the same thing if you weren’t jumping one another. He’s your mate, right? As you keep telling me.’

‘Of course I depend on my friends. I just don’t like to depend on whoever I’m sleeping with. It’s never a good idea.’

‘Good luck trying to figure that one out,’ Mads muttered, taking another drink.

‘Sorry?’ Ginny asked.

‘Nothing.’ Mads looked up. ‘Well, speak of the devil. Here comes the man himself.’

Mac had obviously just arrived and was standing at the edge of the party, greeting a group of friends. Ginny felt her stomach do a gentle turn as she caught sight of him.

He shook a hand, kissed a cheek and, moving away, looked over the crowd until their eyes met. He smiled and she took a long drink as he made his way toward her.

‘My, oh my,’ Mads said, watching the advance. ‘Hope you’re ready. He looks as if he’s going to throw you over his shoulder and take you back to his cave.’

I bloody well hope so, Ginny found herself thinking, and the swing in her stomach quickly built. Suddenly the breathless dizziness she’d felt at his place came rushing up again.

‘I’ll leave you to it.’ Mads went to stand up.

‘No — don’t!’ Ginny snatched Mads’ arm, pulling her back down. ‘Just stay a bit, please?’ She didn’t know what to make of this fluttery feeling that had assaulted her; she certainly wasn’t ready to be left alone with him.

‘Sure.’ Mads watched her with interest. Looking up, she greeted Mac with a smile. ‘Hi there — Happy New Year.’

‘Happy New Year to you, too.’

He turned to Ginny. ‘Hi.’

‘Hi.’ She stood up and, hesitating briefly, leant in to kiss his cheek. She was feeling unsteady, and not sure why, and didn’t want what was happening between them to be on display for all their friends.

Moving quickly, Mac caught her mouth instead and without thinking, she stepped into him and placed her hand on his face, keeping the kiss going as his hands took her hips and pulled her gently in to him. Eventually stepping back, Ginny looked at him with wide eyes. Before she could over-think her wanton behaviour in such a public setting, Mac leant forward and his voice sent a warm shiver down her spine.

‘Breathtaking, Ginny. Spectacular. Dazzling.’ He pulled back with a small smile. ‘Beautiful.’ He hadn’t quite counted the hours since he’d last seen her, but not being in the same city for those few days over Christmas had been … uncomfortable. I like her close, he realised. I need her to be, and he reached for her hand.

Jeepers, Ginny thought, the man was combustible. Words like that, moves like that weren’t uncommon — she’d received her fair share of wooing. However, the look on his face suggested he was doing more than just lining up a bit of action after a week off. Rather than cooling things down, time apart had brought about the opposite effect. Brakes, she thought desperately. Where the hell are the brakes on this thing?

Giving Ginny a knowing look, Mads made her excuses and left to re-join the party.

‘Here.’ Mac pulled something out of his pocket. ‘It’s a bit late but, well, Merry Christmas.’

Feeling strangely shy, Ginny sat back down to open the small gift. He sat beside her, and smiled when she saw what was inside.

‘A runner’s alarm. Perfect. Thank you, Mac.’

‘It was that or a dog, and I wasn’t sure how much you’d appreciate a pet. And I didn’t think telling you to stop running by yourself at the crack of dawn would go down well either.’

Ginny looked up and met his eyes. ‘No, I’m not about to stop doing that.’

‘I know. Just be careful, okay?’

‘Of course.’ Feeling self-conscious as he studied her, she raised a hand to her face where make-up hid the worst of the fading bruises.

‘You’re on the mend then?’ he asked.

‘Yes — I’m fine.’ And then, wanting to change the subject, ‘How was the boat?’

‘Good, thanks. How about you? Did you enjoy the rest of your time away? You got back alright yesterday?’

‘No. I came back earlier. On Friday.’

‘Friday?! You’ve been there by yourself since Friday?’

She lifted her chin defiantly. ‘Yes. It’s my home and anyway, my keys got handed in. The police called me the day you left. Someone found them near St Heliers.’

‘No funny business since?’

‘Nothing at all. Everything’s fine.’

Hearing her tone, and deciding it wasn’t worth getting her offside — she looked too damn gorgeous to piss off — he smiled. ‘Need a top-up?’

‘Sure,’ she smiled back.

As the New Year approached the party intensified. Ginny was happily buzzed after a few glasses of champagne and was having a great night. There were a lot of people that she knew; it was a good time of year to catch up with old friends. Mac seemed to be enjoying himself too, she thought, looking across at him as he laughed at something that had been said.

She went inside to the bathroom and when she returned, scanned the crowd for him. With no sign, she started down the stairs off the patio when she heard him call her name. He was sitting on the low wall that bordered the garden. Waiting for her.

‘Hiya,’ she said, slightly tipsy.

‘Come here, you.’ He grabbed her around the waist, spun her around and pulled her onto his knee.

‘Mac … I don’t think …’

‘Shhh.’ He wrapped his arms around her. ‘Just relax, Ginn, no one cares — and neither should you.’

Ginny looked around. He was right. By this time of the night most people were far too preoccupied to notice what anyone else was up to. Anyway, maybe he had a point — who gave a shit? Turning to face him, she kissed him, closing her eyes and losing herself in it.

‘I missed you,’ she murmured, pulling away.

‘Did you? That’s nice to hear. I missed you too.’

She stood and swung a leg over his knees, straddling him. ‘What are you doing later?’ she asked, lowering her lashes.

‘I don’t know, Ginny,’ he deadpanned. ‘What am I doing later?’

‘Come back to mine?’

‘Sure. I’ll do you a trade, though. What are you doing tomorrow?’

‘No plans. Why?’

‘I thought it might be nice if we went out on the boat together. We could park up somewhere, make out. Go skinny-dipping.’

‘Your dad and Jen …?’

‘Are going to the races,’ he finished. ‘I’ll even pack a picnic.’

‘Sounds a bit like a date, Mac.’

‘So?’

‘I didn’t think we did things like that — date.’

‘Probably a good time to start then.’

Ginny hesitated before she said, ‘Are you trying to romance me?’

‘Maybe.’