Again (Time for Love Book 3) (5 page)

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Brenna’s gorging herself with olives already,” Ash said. “She loves them.”

“So I gathered,” he said.

“She’s probably more looking forward to tasting your olive products than your mum’s dinner.”

Connor glanced at Ash. Did he detect some affection there? “You seem close to your sister’s best friends.”

Ash smiled lopsidedly. “Yup. When we were kids, they used to hang out a lot at our place because we had the bigger house. They loved to have sleepovers in Amanda’s room. It used to annoy the shit out of me, having five noisy girls taking over everything. One day they wanted to play outside, but a neighbour’s dog had escaped out onto the street and was growling at them. I chased the dog away and from then on, the other four adopted me as their big brother.”

Connor chuckled. “Did Jeff tell you how he got jealous because he thought you were Sarah’s date at last night’s party? He obviously mistook brotherly actions for something else.”

Ash laughed. “No, he didn’t tell me, but it was easy to see. He had this deadly look on his face when he saw Sarah clinging on my arm. I’m glad those two finally sorted things out.”

“Yeah. Hey, did Amanda tell you that we already met in Melbourne last month? The day after the Formula One Grand Prix?” he asked casually.

“Did you?” Ash said in surprise. “No, she didn’t tell me that. Where? How?”

“Oh, we were in the same hotel,” he said nonchalantly, not wanting to give away too much. “We were having a farewell party for my last day with the team, and Amanda and your cousin Lori joined us.”

“Right. I flew back to Sydney straight after the race because of work, and Amanda stayed for another two nights. So you know Lori?”

“Not before that night,” he said with a laugh.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, they crashed the party. I think it was Lori who instigated it. Not that we minded.”

“Lori
and
Amanda crashed your party?”

“Lori and Amanda
and
Lori’s friends.”

Ash stopped in his tracks and stared at him in disbelief. “Amanda was out with Lori and her friends?”

“Yes,” he answered, perplexed at Ash’s reaction.

“How wild were they?” Ash asked, his eyes squinting.

“Uh. Quite wild,” he answered warily. “But Amanda was the quietest among them,” he added hastily, feeling the need to protect her.

“Wow,” Ash said as they resumed walking. “Lori has a reputation, as I’m sure you’ve discovered for yourself. I’ve heard of some of the things she and her girlfriends have been up to. I can’t believe Amanda was out with Lori and her friends. And she didn’t tell me!”

Connor remained silent. Silly of him to have opened up a can of worms. From Ash’s reaction, Connor didn’t think he’d be happy to hear that his sister had a one-night stand with a stranger—even if that man happened to be him. What was more, Amanda might have done it again the next day—with Lucas. Or had she?

His forehead creased. He was thoroughly disconcerted.

Ash started laughing softly. “Amanda must have felt like a fish out of water that night. If Lori was a ten out of ten when it comes to outrageous flirting in parties like yours, my sister is a one—probably even a negative. You’d have to prod her with something sharp to get her to make the first move on a man.”

“Really?” he asked, more than curious.

“Yeah. Did you notice her that night? I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d just planted herself in a corner. Honestly, put Amanda in a professional environment and she’ll wow everyone. She’s even brilliant in speaking in front of a large group of people in suits. But place her in a man-meets-woman situation and she’ll bite your head off for putting her in an uncomfortable position.”

Connor frowned. That was interesting. Was that the real Amanda? Or perhaps Amanda simply didn’t want Ash knowing about her one-night stands. That made sense too.

Darn, he simply had to know the truth. And it would have to come from her.

Ash snickered, startling him.

“From your expression, I’d say you’re trying very hard to remember what Amanda did that night,” Ash said. “Did you even see her chat with a guy?”

He smiled. “Well, she was standing there. Just standing there. So I said hi.”

“Yup, sounds like my sister. So, did
you
end up with somebody from Lori’s group that night?” Ash asked, grinning.

He smirked. “Bro, do you think I’d tell you? What if it was with your cousin... or your sister?” he added bravely.

“I’d die in surprise if it was with Amanda. She’s not that type of girl. So who was it?” Ash prodded, elbowing him.

“No one you know,” he said with a suppressed sigh. Lying seemed to be the best option for now.

*****

C
onnor and Ash joined the crowd congregated around Charlie Reid, who was in his element discussing the step-by-step process to making olive oil.

Connor smiled, warmth enveloping him. Watching his dad entertain people with something technical, he knew he’d made the right decision in giving up his old job. He’d missed his family. And even though he wouldn’t be living in the Hunter Valley, Sydney was only two-and-a-bit-hours’ drive away.

His mum was right by his dad’s side, smiling up at her husband as he spoke. Even after thirty-three years of marriage, they still adored each other.

That was what he'd grown up with. Two people who believed they were soulmates.

Hmm. Perhaps the seven years of being ‘forced’ by his career to not have a long-term relationship made his yearning for it all the stronger. If his former workmates knew this particular motivation for quitting his job, they’d have the shock of their lives. A few of them had told him often enough how envious they were that he could pick up a woman at short notice if he wanted sex—that he could have any girl he wanted.

But they’d been wrong. He didn’t get to keep the women he wanted—because the ones he’d had feelings for hadn’t stayed with him. His constant travelling and the shadow cast by the Mr. Fuck King title had got to them.

Well, he was staying put in one place now. It should be much easier to develop a long-term relationship since he didn’t need to be away all the time, shouldn’t it? And since he would no longer be around the people who knew about his title, its stain should eventually fade away, too? He hoped so.

He still didn’t know what had come over him, but he was ready to find his own soulmate.

It was funny, really. He didn’t realise that men could suffer greatly from this kind of desire.

His gaze travelled to the right, stopping as it landed on Amanda. He forced himself to look away, only to keep glancing back at her.

He sighed. His body hadn’t caught up with his new goal. It was still hankering for immediate gratification—and it had its sights set on Amanda.

So what should he do about it?

*****

C
onnor followed everyone to the shop, situated next door to the processing facility. Or rather, he followed Amanda.

“Hey, Amanda,” he said close to her ear.

She looked up from the brochure she was reading and smiled. “Hi.”

His lips curved. He loved it when she smiled—at him, in particular. “I need to talk to you about something,” he said.

“Now?”

“Yes, please. It’s important.”

“Okay,” she said tentatively.

He led her down a corridor and into an empty office. He shut the door and stared at her.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” she asked—rather breathlessly, he thought.

“Um, I mentioned to Ash that we already met in Melbourne last month,” he said, bracing himself for her reaction.

Amanda’s eyes widened in horror.

“I didn’t tell him that we slept together,” he hastened to add. “I just said that I met you at my farewell party when you guys crashed it.”

“What did he say?”

He chuckled. “He couldn’t believe that you were out with your cousin and her friends. Seems like Lori’s reputation runs far and wide. Aren’t families usually the last to know about that kind of behaviour?”

Amanda smirked. “Lori doesn’t hide who she is. Her parents don’t like it, of course, but she’s an adult.”

“Well, I thought I’d let you know. Ash is bound to mention it to you.”

“Thank you. And thanks for keeping some of the details to yourself,” Amanda said, blushing prettily.

He smiled, enjoying her discomfiture. It meant she was remembering what they did that night.
Spectacular.

He took four steps until he was in front of her. Amanda’s eyes darkened and her breathing shallowed—a mirroring of his reaction to their close proximity.

“That was one hot night, wasn’t it?” he murmured, running a knuckle on her cheek.

She nodded, gulping, but holding his gaze. More importantly, she hadn’t moved away.

His heart thudded hard as he warred with himself whether to kiss her or not. He knew—
he knew
—that as soon as his lips touched hers, he’d want far, far more than just a kiss. And they weren’t in the right time and place for that.

God, what was it about this woman that pulled him like a moth to a flame?

His phone vibrating silently in his pocket startled him out of his mesmerised state. Reluctantly, he pulled it out and answered.

“Connor, where are you?” his mum said. “I need to go back home to finish preparing dinner. Could you give your dad and brother a hand with giving these guys some product tasting?”

“Sure. I’ll be right there.”

“We better go back to the shop, huh?” Amanda said when he hung up, already heading for the door.

“Amanda,” he said softly, halting her with a hand on her arm. “I know we’ve agreed to just forget about last month. But would it be okay if I ask a couple of questions?”

Amanda gave him a startled glance. “Why? And what kind of questions?”

He shrugged. “When we didn’t meet up for dinner that night, I made certain assumptions. I just want to make sure they were the right ones.”

Amanda looked away, clearly undecided. He waited. And waited.

“Okay,” she said. “I guess it’s better to set the record straight once and for all. But is this a good time? Aren’t you expected back in the shop?”

“Yes, I am,” he said reluctantly. “If we don’t get the chance to talk tonight, could we catch up in Sydney?”

To his relief, she nodded. He hastened to open the door for her and stood aside so she could exit first.

Amanda cautiously poked her head out, checking the corridor, before stepping out.

He chuckled. “Anyone out there?”

“No,” she said with an embarrassed smile.

“No one could possibly think we’ve had sex in that short amount of time, you know,” he teased. “Unless it was an extra-quick quickie.”

“Shush,” she said, frowning at him.

He smothered his laughter. “Okay,” he whispered theatrically. She was so cute. Why didn’t he see this before? This Amanda who was almost... shy.

But she wasn’t shy in bed.

Argh! Not a good time to remind himself of that. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her.

The sooner they had that talk, the better.

A
manda struggled not to glare at Brenna as her friend dipped her fingers in another bowl that Connor offered her. For heaven’s sake, how many more olives could Brenna stuff in her face? Amanda liked olives too, but she’d had enough. As for Brenna, she was like a kid in a chocolate factory as Connor tempted her with more olives to try.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have anymore,” Brenna said. “I’ll spoil my appetite for dinner.”

“Or have a tummy ache,” Amanda said, trying hard to keep an impassive face.

“I must ask my mum if she indulged herself in olives when she was pregnant with me,” Brenna said, popping yet another one into her mouth. “There must be a reason why I love them so much.”

“You can take some home and gorge on them as much as you want,” Connor said.

“Oh, Connor, you’re my new hero,” Brenna said, grinning widely. “I’ll pay for them, thank you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Connor replied. “Now, could you tell me which one is your favourite, and why?”

Amanda pretended to inspect the table next to her. There was nothing particularly interesting about the furniture, but watching Brenna occupy Connor’s attention had started to irk her. A lot.

“You do know Bren’s not flirting with him, don’t you?” Gemma whispered. “She’s just addicted to olives.”

Amanda blushed, embarrassed at being caught jealous of her own best friend. “Am I that obvious?” she asked.

“You’re looking at Bren like you want to throttle her,” Gemma said with a chuckle.

“Only because... only because...” Amanda searched her brain for a good enough excuse, but none came to mind. The truth was she wanted Connor’s attention all to herself.

Oh God. What the hell was wrong with her? Just a few hours ago she didn’t even want to spend a single second with the man. Did this have to do with her anger dissipating?

She heaved a sigh of relief as Ash joined Brenna and Connor. Good. Ash had always had a crush on Brenna. None of them had openly talked about it though, since no one wanted to endanger the closeness between the two. Brenna only saw Ash as a friend—a big brother even—and Ash had never seemed to want to upset that. But still, Amanda hoped that Ash planned to break up the little party happening between Brenna and Connor.

“Oh, God. I’ve lost the plot,” she muttered, disgusted at the direction of her thoughts.

“Why?” Rebecca asked from behind her.

She shook her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

“She’s jealous,” Gemma whispered.

They heard Brenna gush at something Connor handed her.

“Oh, I can see why,” Rebecca said.

Amanda huffed and walked to the other end of the shop. Would Connor prefer Brenna now? Just a while ago he seemed keen to kiss her in the office. Now he was flirting with someone else—one of her ‘sisters’, even.

For heaven’s sake, get a grip, Amanda!

“Hey, are you okay?” Rebecca asked softly.

“Sure. I shouldn’t be liking him anyway. He’s a jerk.”

“Zach told me something interesting that Connor said to him a few days ago.”