‘Well,’ a deep voice sounded. ‘Looks like I finally get to meet him.’
Penny leapt a clear foot, or she would have if Carter hadn’t had such a grip on her—a grip that suddenly tightened.
‘Matt,’ she squeaked. Wide-eyed, she stared past Carter at the tall figure standing beside her desk.
‘I’ve heard so much about you but I didn’t think I’d get to meet you.’ Matt walked closer, his too-intelligent eyes nailing Carter and then flicking to her. ‘Penny, you didn’t tell us he actually worked with you.’
She was still trying to wriggle out of Carter’s grip but he’d tightened it even more to pinch-point. ‘Yes,’ she managed to say softly but Matt didn’t hear her.
‘You’re him, right?’ Matt asked Carter direct. ‘The “man” she keeps emailing about—the one who dines and dances and takes her away every weekend.’
Penny wanted the world to open up and suck her under right this second. Because what would Carter think about that lot of detail? What would Matt think when he found out the truth?
She looked into Carter’s eyes, saw the blues and greens and ice-cold anger out in equal doses. She pressed against him just that little more, softening herself in the hopes he’d also soften. Okay, she was pleading as she, oh, so slightly nodded her head at him, all but begging with her eyes.
But Carter felt as if he were made of rock as he rubbed one fist across his lips. He seemed to see into her soul with his bleak, penetrating glare. She waited for the axe to fall. Carter wanted her but he didn’t think much of her, she knew that. So he wasn’t about to come riding to her rescue now.
And Matt, impossibly tall and grown-up Matt, was waiting for an answer.
‘Yes,’ Carter finally said. ‘I’m that man.’
In shocked relief Penny softened against Carter completely, but felt every one of his muscles flinch.
‘I’m Matt Fairburn, Penny’s brother.’ Matt flashed one of his rare smiles and held out his hand.
An infinitesimal hesitation and Carter reached out too. ‘Carter Dodds, Penny’s man.’
It was a firm handshake, Penny could tell. It went on that half-second too long, as if they were testing each other’s muscles and manliness or something. Which was ridiculous, because last time she’d seen Matt he’d still been half-boy, half-man. The intense student too focused and serious for his own good. But now he was … different. Now he was assessing, and judging—just as he wanted to do in his career.
She took the opportunity of their formal introductions to extricate herself from the rock and the hard place she was literally squashed between. Emotionally, she was even more caught.
‘What are you doing here, Matt?’ She summoned a big smile as she asked, because she had a fictional happy life to live up to.
‘Coming to make sure you’ll be around to have dinner with me. Has to be tonight because I’ve got a conference for the next couple of days.’
She hadn’t known he was in town. Why hadn’t he emailed to tell her? ‘Of course I can do dinner,’ she said brightly.
‘No other plans?’ he asked.
‘None I can’t change.’
Matt’s brows lifted. ‘What about the man?’ He turned to Carter. ‘You’ll come too, right? I want to grill you. Being the only one in the family to meet you so far, I’ve got responsibilities to those back home. Namely Mum.’
He spoke casually but Penny understood the undertone. Her kid brother was checking up on her. She tried to make her muscles relax but her smile felt superglued on. ‘Carter has to work tonight. Sorry, Matt. He has a meeting.’
‘Actually, honey, that one got cancelled.’ Carter tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as if he had all the rights of such casual intimacy. ‘That’s what I was coming to tell you only I got … distracted.’ He looked from her eyes to her mouth in a blatant sensual stamp and then he turned. ‘I’d love to be there, Matt.’
All Penny’s internal organs shrank. ‘But—’
‘You can let me know for sure later,’ Matt broke in, his expression impassive. ‘I have to see your flat too, Penny. More of Mum’s orders.’
‘You should have warned me.’ Penny laughed. ‘I’d have tidied up.’
Matt answered with a quick rare smile again, but Carter wasn’t smiling at all.
‘I’ll walk you out,’ Penny said quickly, wanting to take charge of the plans without Carter listening in. She manufactured more brightness as she led him to the lift. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming sooner? I could have made some plans.’
‘Wanted to surprise you.’
Yeah, he was checking up. She hated that he felt he had to do that. Her little brother had had to grow up too soon and he’d got all paternal and protective on her. It was her fault. He should be out there having wild times of his own, not worrying about her or carrying the burden of their parents’ worry for her. And that was her fault too. She’d tried to ease it—hence her stupid, overly imaginative emails.
But now she smiled and gave him a hug. ‘It’s so awesome to see you. I’ll text you with details of where to meet, okay?’
‘You mean you actually have my number?’ Matt asked dryly. ‘I wondered.’
Yeah, it was only the occasional email that she sent. She rarely texted, and never talked. It was easier that way. She’d never said she was brave. And she was feeling beyond cowardly now. She went back into the lift and reluctantly pushed the button for the top. Droplets of discomfort sweat slicked her skin yet she felt chilled to the bone.
Carter stood by the windows in Mason’s office, looking down at the street scene below. She closed the door behind her and waited.
After a moment that made her nerves stretch past break point, he turned.
‘Just how many men have you got on the go, Penny?’
She shook her head. Glad his desk was between her and him. Because he was looking more than a little angry and she needed all four feet of solid wood between them.
‘Tell me about him.’ Carter’s voice lifted. ‘He’s some sugar daddy you spend the weekends with?’
Her flush deepened. ‘No.’
‘No?’
Penny swallowed the little pride she had left. ‘I made him up.’
Carter blinked. ‘Pardon?’
‘I made him up. In my emails home, I invented a relationship.’
For the first time she saw Carter at a loss for words—momentarily. His eyes narrowed and he took a couple of steps closer. ‘You’re telling me this “man” doesn’t exist? You don’t actually have a real boyfriend.’
‘No.’
‘And there’s no one you’re dating, or sleeping with, or friends with benefits or whatever you care to call it.’
She held his gaze. ‘I’m not seeing anyone at the moment. No.’
He nodded slowly. ‘When were you last seeing someone?’
‘It’s been a few months.’ She was flushed with heat—anger, embarrassment and the burning need for him to believe her. For some stupid reason it was important he understand. ‘I don’t remember exactly how long.’
‘But Aaron doesn’t count?’
She lifted her chin and answered pointedly. ‘A couple of kisses don’t