Miranda Lee - Not a Marrying Man (Modern Romance)

MIRANDA LEE

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Excerpts from Amber Robertss diary during September of her twenty-fifth year.

Tuesday

What a tiresome day! Arrived at work to find that the hotel had been sold and the new owner would be visiting the premises mid-morning. Hes a British businessman called Warwick Kincaid. According to Jill, hes a rather infamous entrepreneur with fingers in lots of pies and a reputation for not holding on to anything for longhis girlfriends as well as his many and varied commercial ventures. How she knew all that I have no idea. But then Im not addicted to gossip mags the way Jill is. Naturally, everyone went into a flap, wondering if their jobs were safe. Not me so much since Im not all that wrapped in mine. Though I dont want to lose it just at the moment. Hard to save up a deposit on a house without a salary. Anyway, Warwick Kincaid never showed up in the end. Too busy, we were eventually told. Not sure if thats good news or bad news. Hes supposed to reschedule for tomorrow.

Wednesday

Well, he showed up this time. Seriously wish he hadnt. What can I say? Hes as up himself as I imagined. But younger. Late thirties, maybe forty. Hes also the best-looking man Ive ever met. I couldnt stop staring at him. He noticed of course. And he stared right back. Ive never blushed so much in all my life. He didnt stay all that long but hes coming back tomorrow to talk to all the staff, one at a time, on a mission to find out why a stylish boutique hotel situated in one of the best areas of Sydney isnt turning over a profit. His words, not mine. Jill said afterwards that he fancied me and that I should watch myself. I laughed and told her not to be so silly, that I was in love with Cory and no man, no matter how tall, dark and handsomeor richwould get to even first base with me. But you know what? When Cory picked me up tonight, I looked at him and didnt feel anything like the buzz I felt today when I looked at Warwick Kincaid. Later, I was relieved when Cory said he wanted an early night. It sounds crazy, but meeting Warwick Kincaid has made me wonder if Im really in love with Cory. Maybe Im just in love with the idea of getting married and having the house and family of my own that Ive always wanted. Its a worry all right. Sos the way Ive been fussing over what Ill wear tomorrow. I have a feeling Im not going to sleep too well tonight. But I have to if I want to look beautiful in the morning. Oh, goodness, did I just think that? Maybe it would be better if I didnt sleep. Must go now. Have to do my nails and put a treatment in my hair.

Thursday

Im almost afraid to write down what happened today. Because if I do, it will become more real, more powerful, and even more disturbing. Not that anything really happened. I mean, he didnt make a pass at me or anything like that. He just talked to me about the hotel, the same way he talked to everyone else. Seemed happy with my suggestion that the hotel needed some more in-house facilities like a gym and a restaurant. At least a lounge bar where guests could relax and have a drink. On the surface our conversation was strictly business, but all the while those piercing blue eyes of his never left mine. Not for a second. And it wasnt just the way he stared at me. There was something else. I know it wasnt just me. It wasnt my imagination. Something was there, zapping back and forth across the desk that separated us. An electric charge that was both exciting and enervating. When our discussion was over and I had to stand up, I found that my legs had almost gone to jelly. Somehow I made it out of the office and back to the front desk where I slumped down into my chair. I felt faint. I still feel faint thinking about it. And all Ive done this evening is think about it. My whole world has been tilted on its axis. How can I get engaged to Cory now when I know that I dont love him? I mean, how could I love him but want to sleep with another man? And I do. I want to have sex with Warwick Kincaid. I cant believe I just admitted that, but whats the point of keeping a diary if you lie to it? So, yes, I want to sleep with Warwick Kincaid. But that isnt love, is it? Thats just lust. Can you be in love with one man and in lust with another? Maybe you can. What do I know? Ive never felt anything like this before. What I need is to talk to someone about it. Not with my girlfriends, though. Theyre all silly as wet hens when it comes to the opposite sex. Not Mum, either. Shed be dead shocked. She thinks Im a good girl. Which I thought I was too, till today. Maybe Aunt Kate. Shes seen a lot of life. Ill ring Aunt Kate tomorrow and ask her. Shell tell me how it is, warts and all. Yes, thats what Ill do.

Friday

Well, Warwick Kincaid came back again first thing this morning and totally ignored me, which I found to my disgust upset me terribly. I should have been grateful. Anyway, I was so annoyed with myself that by lunchtime I made the decision to resign. I knew I couldnt work for that man a minute longer. I waited till he was heading for home at the end of the day before I handed him the letter of resignation that Id typed up during my lunch hour. He read it straight away, then gave me the longest, most intense look. Of course I blushed again. Then he said fine, he accepted my resignation, after which he shocked me rigid by asking me out to dinner tonight. I know I should have said no. I know hes the kind of man who wants pretty young girls like me for one thing, and one thing only. But I didnt say no. I said yes. Because the shocking truth is that I want him for the same thing. Im not in love with him. Heavens, Im not sure I even like him. But Im going to end up in bed with him tonight. Id be a fool to think hes going to feed me then bring me straight home. On top of that, I have an awful feeling that going to bed with Warwick Kincaid is going to change my life in ways that I cant as yet imagine. Theres no point in ringing Aunt Kate now. She cant help me. No one can. I feel like crying. This is not what I want but I cant seem to help myself. Mum thinks Im going out with Cory tonight so she wont be worried if I dont come home. I always stay at Corys place on a Friday night. At least I did the right thing by ringing Cory and breaking up with him. I told him that Id met someone else and that I was sorry. He took the news rather well, I thought, which was of some comfort. But theres no going back now. Ive made my bed, so speak, and Ill just have to lie in it