Web of Deception

chapter Seven



Daniel wondered what Kate had been thinking when she’d suggested a walk along the beach before lunch. She’d said it would help give them an appetite but it was such an unlikely morning. Sydney had wonderful weather, often even in the middle of winter, however this certainly wasn’t one of those days.

There was a front coming across the ocean so the sky, sea and sand were varying shades of grey. The darkest hue was high above them as black clouds moved quickly overhead.

In a bright red sweater, a smile on her face, Kate looked like a colourful beacon that had been dropped into the greyness. She’d taken off her shoes and rolled up her jeans, though the sand must be cold beneath her feet. Her hair was flying across her face.

“You chose an odd day for a walk along the beach,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows quizzically. “Afraid of a bit of wind, Mr Webb?”

“Not at all. I just didn’t think you were much of an outdoors person.”

Kate shrugged. “I’m not really. I just think there’s more than one way of seeing things.”

“What does that mean?”

“Everyone knows we have beautiful beaches here, all the way along the coast. Crisp blue skies, clear water, white beaches. Whichever way you turn, it looks like a postcard. But this is beautiful too. In its own way.” She pointed out to the ocean. “You wouldn’t see a picture like this in any tourist brochure even though it’s striking. It’s not what most people would consider attractive.”

Above all, Kate was practical, yet she saw things in a different light from other people. Most would see only a miserable, grey sky but she looked around and saw beauty.

Perhaps she wasn’t as conventional as Daniel had first thought. Perhaps she’d be interested in doing things a different way. He hadn’t thought of it before but she might be more accommodating than he’d guessed.

She’d been clear about what she wanted. A husband. A family. Daniel wasn’t planning on being anyone’s husband but if he handled it right, she might alter her goals just slightly. She might come round to a different way of thinking, a different way of looking at things. A way where she might see beauty where others didn’t.

“It’s going to start pouring soon,” he said.

“Not yet. We’ve got a bit of time. We can enjoy it.”

Looking up, he said, “When it starts to rain, it’ll absolutely bucket it down.”

She shrugged. “Then we’ll get wet.”

He put his arm around her and pulled her close as they walked. “And when we’re both drenched?”

She slipped her arm around his waist. “You can keep me warm.”

“I might not want to hug you when you’re all wet and soggy,” he teased.

“But you’ll be wet too.”

Daniel shook his head. “No, I’m not going to get drenched. That front is coming in. It’s time to get going.” He stopped and faced her, his hands on her waist. Even through the bulk of her jumper, she felt small and shapely. “Come skiing with me next weekend.”

Kate slid her hands along his arms, resting them on his shoulders. “I wasn’t expecting that. Where did that come from?”

He knew exactly where that idea had come from. He loved to ski and had a suite booked for the season at the Lords Hotel in Falls Creek. His father had said he’d be there briefly and Daniel wanted to catch him. Quite simple, really.

But most of all, he wanted more time with Kate.

Alone.

Away from the city. Away from other people who might sway her opinion. Somewhere she could free her mind. He could start to put the seed of an idea into her head so she could consider a different way of doing things, a different way of living.

And he wanted her.

He didn’t need any more reason than that.

“My father will be there so it’s a good chance to catch him,” he said. “And I thought you must like the cold since you like it out here so much.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Don’t you like to ski?”

“I liked it when I was a teenager. It was great fun. My class went on a skiing trip in high school. That’s the only time I’ve been.”

“Then you’ll have to go again. I think you’ll like the hotel.”

She slid her arms more tightly around his neck but her gaze remained fixed on his collar, her expression more thoughtful. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Things are already going so fast. We’re spending so much time together.”

“That’s a good thing. I like your company and I’m sure you enjoy mine too. There’s a strong attraction between us. Why wouldn’t we want to spend time together?”

Kate still didn’t look up at him. “Things have already gone much faster than I would have liked. You know what I’m talking about. Last night. Sleeping together. I’ve only just broken up with Mark and suddenly you and I are together. It’s been very rushed.”

Mark was out of the way and out of her heart so Daniel knew there was nothing standing in his way. She wanted some reassurance. That was all.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.

Her eyes shot up at him. “I’m just wary. Meeting you. Sleeping with you. None of this was part of my plans.”

“Not everything goes to plan.” His lips curled to a suggestive smile. “It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves.”

“I didn’t want things to go so fast.”

“Don’t you trust yourself?”

“Of course I do.”

Daniel drew her closer. “There’s a strong pull between us. You can’t deny the chemistry.”

“I told you I don’t believe in that kind of thing.”

He knew he had her. “No. That’s the reason you’re reluctant. Because you know there’s something between us. Come away with me for the weekend and show me there’s nothing there. Prove to me you don’t feel anything.”

Kate looked flustered. “I don’t want to go away for some dirty weekend.”

Daniel took her hand and the two of them started walking away from the beach.

“It won’t be anything like that,” he said. “Was last night dirty? Certainly not. And I know you enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. Why are you so scared?”

“Just because I don’t want to go away with you doesn’t mean I’m scared.”

“But you are.”

She shook her head as she walked. “No, I’ve just made my share of mistakes and I don’t want to repeat them.”

“Last night was no mistake.”

“I meant before that. Before I met you.”

“Everyone makes mistakes. It’s a risk you take by living.”

The wind whipped her hair around her face. She pushed it back in vein. “But I kept making the same mistake over again and now I’m worried I’m doing it again. Falling for the wrong man. The one with all the glitz and glamour.”

“Kate, don’t be ridiculous. You’re not that shallow.”

She smiled wanly. “I was once. I was twenty-four at the time so I can’t even use my age as an excuse.”

Daniel tried to think back. She’d mentioned something about a high-flyer. That was what she’d called him.

“Was this the ad guy you talked about once?”

She nodded. “Craig Deal. I was smitten. Completely taken in by him. I thought we had so much in common because we both work in creative fields. He was a director at an ad agency, and he mixed with exciting people. Knew everyone in the industry. Very well-connected. He was always getting free VIP tickets to concerts. He had no problem getting a table at any restaurant, any time. I thought he was fabulous. Fell for him hook, line and sinker.”

“And you found out he wasn’t as wonderful as you thought?”

“We were together for about six months. It took me a while to work out that with Craig everything was to do with appearances and being cool. It was all about being seen at the right places with the right people. He knew hundreds of people and they all seemed to bend over backwards for him but I never saw him do the slightest favour for anyone. He never went out of his way to help anyone. Not even me.”

“Was he seeing someone else?”

“No, nothing like that. He just lived his life on the surface and as soon as I started to question that, he dumped me. I found out later that he liked blondes. That was his first criteria in selecting a girlfriend. It made me feel very insignificant. So, after me, it was a younger woman with bleached hair and a bigger bust than mine. I meant nothing to him.”

“You made a mistake. That doesn’t mean you’re shallow. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’m like that man.”

Kate squeezed his hand. “I’m attracted to you, Daniel. That’s what makes me so wary. You can buy whatever you want. I’m sure you only travel first class. You live a glamorous lifestyle. Maybe that’s the part of you I’m attracted to.”

“That’s not the case at all,” he said. “I’ve made my mistakes too but I know you’re not just attracted to money, to appearances. Believe me, I can spot a gold-digger a mile away and that’s the one thing you’re not. You don’t have to be quite so cautious. I’ve been up front with you all along.”

“Yes, you have.”

“I’m not going to marry you and carry you off into the sunset. But we can still enjoy ourselves. We can have a good time. You know we’re good together. Why on earth wouldn’t you come to the mountains with me?”

Kate hesitated and Daniel knew she was considering his offer. “I guess it’d be silly to turn you down because I was afraid of enjoying myself too much. That wouldn’t really make sense.”

He stopped and cupped her face in his hands. “It doesn’t have to be the way it was with any other man that came before me. We can set our own standards. Do it our way. Do what works for us. Because, so far, this is working nicely. I know you’ll enjoy our weekend away.”

She smiled. “I will.”

He covered her mouth with his, sliding the fingers of one hand into her hair until he cradled the back of her head in his hand. She was so soft and responsive, her mouth so pliant, that it felt right. Like this was meant to be. Then she pulled back and giggled.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“A drop of rain. A big one.”

Daniel felt something cold and wet on his cheek. Enormous drops of rain were falling around them and onto them.

He grabbed her hand and pointed towards the buildings away from the beach. “I’ll race you.”

Before he had a chance to move, Kate pushed his hand away as she ran towards shelter. Glancing back, she turned to check he was following.

He had to admit it was a pleasure to admire her from behind, especially in those jeans that cupped her shapely bottom. Still, despite that and despite the head start, he wasn’t going to let her win. He thrived on competition too much. He thrived on a lot of things.

The more he found out about her, the more he thought she would be his perfect match.

Just right for what he had in mind.

* * *

As Kate Henry unpacked the last items from her suitcase, she looked around Daniel’s suite at the Lords Hotel. Though recently refurbished, the timber ceiling looked original and remained a feature. Made of cedar, it filled the room with a sense of old-world warmth, a striking contrast to the modern décor.

The bed was decked out in pale linen, scattered with cushions in shades of mocha, in front of a feature wall in a rich chocolate tone. At the far end of the room was a sitting area with two long leather sofas.

Two walls were lined with windows that looked out to the ski slopes onto what would have been a spectacular view except combination of fog and falling snow meant only a wall of white was visible.

Kate had been involved in a couple of hotel refurbishment projects and kept up with trends through the latest architecture and design magazines. The chic contemporary design came as no surprise to her and, in fact, wasn’t dissimilar to the interior of her own bedroom though that was on a much smaller scale.

Yet though she may have designed buildings like this one, she’d never stayed anywhere so luxurious and expensive before.

“Did you say you’ve booked this for the season?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“If that’s the case, I’m surprised you ever leave.”

Daniel shrugged. “I have to work occasionally too, you know.”

She walked over to one of the windows and looked out even though she couldn’t see a thing. Not that she cared.

Kate heard his footsteps behind her and felt Daniel’s breath on her neck as he came nearer. “I’d rather have room service.”

She turned to face him. “Is that what you had in mind for the rest of the afternoon?”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Actually, as much as I’d like to do that, I had other plans. We’re meeting my father. He’s not here for long and I wanted to spend some time with him. It’s time to get dressed for cocktails at the bar.”

Kate pursed her lips. She didn’t like being told what to do. This was her holiday as much as his.

“We only just got here,” she said.

“There’s time.”

She looked Daniel in the eye. “Perhaps your father will have to wait.”

“He’s a difficult man to catch.”

That wasn’t her problem. She stopped short of saying it.

“I’m getting dressed, all right.” She wandered over to the wardrobe where she’d hung her clothes. “For tobogganing.”

Daniel sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her, clearly exasperated. “But you saw the toboggan run. It was full of kids. Little kids at that. With their parents.”

She pulled off her polo neck jumper and the tee shirt she wore under it. “Then it’ll be full of children. And me. Because I’m going tobogganing.”

His lips curled to a smile. “In your bra?”

Kate glanced down at her chest, then back at Daniel. “It’s a bit fresh out for that.”

She reached across for her candy striped thermal shirt and quickly put it on, then pulled her jumper over it. Daniel had provided most of the snow and ski gear but she’d brought along thermal underwear and her favourite beanie.

She reached across the bed for the ski jacket. “You’re welcome to join me. I’d love the company.”

“I’ve already said I’d meet my father. I said we’d meet him.”

“You should have checked with me first. I’d love to meet your father. But not right now. I came here for the snow.”

“And me?”

“I came here for you, too,” she said.

Kate gave him a quick peck on the lips.

Then she left.

* * *

Daniel looked out onto the toboggan run outside the hotel. The weather had fined up slightly so he could make out the figures on the snow. It was still full of children accompanied by a few parents.

And Kate.

Though hazy, the air had cleared enough for him to see her at the top of the run. Three small children were sitting on a toboggan and Kate pushed it hard, running down the slope a few steps until the toboggan took off. Even from the distance, Daniel heard the kids’ shrieks of glee.

Seconds later Kate, too, was sliding down the hill and as she came closer there was no mistaking that smile on her face. She hadn’t seen him yet. Her eyes were on the children ahead of her, one of whom had fallen off and was crying.

She steered her toboggan closer to them, slowed to a stop and jumped off to help the small child. Then she pointed up the hill and the children scampered away.

Standing with her hands on her hips in her snow gear, she looked cute as hell. Daniel figured perhaps this had been a good idea after all.

“Kate,” he called out.

She ran towards him, leaving her toboggan behind.

“You decided to come?” she asked, momentarily short of breath.

“I called my father,” Daniel said. “Told him we’d meet him later.”

He’d chosen the perfect colour for her jacket. The burnt orange went well with the dark brown pants and showed off the colour in her face. It also matched her crimson beanie with its snowflake pattern.

Daniel pointed in the direction of the children she’d just helped. “Do you like kids?”

She nodded. “Nothing wrong with that.”

“Not at all. It’s a side to you that I haven’t seen before. You’ve talked about work and relationships and lots of other things. But never children.”

“Obviously, you hadn’t raised the subject before.”

“So you want children of your own one day?”

“Of course I do. I’ve got a career but that doesn’t mean I can’t have children too. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

He turned towards the toboggan she’d abandoned and the two of them walked towards it.

He’d hoped she was keen on having children of her own. His plans for them depended on it. Not that he’d spent much time thinking about what he’d do if she didn’t want children. He’d assumed she wanted the same thing as him.

“You’re not worried about the biological clock ticking away?” He asked the question in a light-hearted tone, hoping she wouldn’t be offended.

“I’m only thirty. I’m not over the hill yet.” She looked up at him, then straight ahead. “Things just haven’t worked out that way for me. I haven’t been in the right position. I haven’t had the right man in my life and it’s not something I plan to do on my own.”

“No, you’d need a man to contribute a little something,” he teased.

She whacked him gently on the shoulder. “I know that.”

Kate might not be worried about her biological clock. That didn’t stop Daniel having his own concerns. He was only thirty-five and as a man he could father children at any time, but he wanted to have a family while he was still young.

He wanted to be out there taking the kids to swimming lessons, teaching them how to throw and catch, kicking a football with his son. He didn’t want to be a tired old man resting on the couch while his kids played on their own. Or worse, with the nanny.

“You don’t feel time is running out?” he asked.

“I’m not going to leave it to the last minute and wait until I’m forty, if that’s what you mean. I’m not waiting until it’s too late. But I still have some time left on the meter.”

“What if you don’t find the right man?”

Kate leaned over and picked up the rope handle of the toboggan. “Don’t worry. I’m not putting any pressure on you. I don’t want to have your babies. We’re just here to have a good time.”

That’s what she thought.

Daniel took the toboggan handle from her, taking Kate’s gloved hand in his other hand as together they made their way up the hill.

He’d wanted to sleep with her since the moment he’d first laid eyes on her and now his plans had expanded somewhat. Marriage had been the last thing on his mind whereas a family was something he’d always wanted. He’d pushed it to the back of his mind for so long, largely because that was the one thing in his life that he couldn’t do alone.

Kate had been clear that she wanted marriage. Just not to him. That was fine. He didn’t want her to be married to him.

It fell in with his plans perfectly.