The theme for this week is dating or rather is this a date? I’ve picked an excerpt from Playing to Win, a romantic suspense. Kate, the heroine, is going to stay with the hero Lane Gerrard for safety reasons. After their initial misunderstand, she’s come to like him far more than she should….
Playing to Win by Shelley Munro
When Lane arrived to pick her up, three reporters still loitered in front of her house. Kate stepped away from the window with a sigh. At least he’d followed her orders and arrived via the rear entrance.
“We’ll have to sneak out the back way.”
“Yes.” Gleeful devilry laced Lane’s smile. To Kate’s bemusement, he seemed to enjoy the idea of a stealthy retreat. What was it about a hint of danger that turned a normal, sensible man into a swaggering daredevil? Personally, she could do without the excitement. She hadn’t lied to Lane when she said she enjoyed her boring, predictable life.
Lane grabbed her overnight bag, and they left via the back door. Kate locked it and peeked around the corner of a large leafy bush with orange flowers.
“All clear.” She swallowed the lump of unease in her throat. Nerves. That was all. Nothing to do with the fact she’d be alone with Lane.
Kate crept from tree to tree, half expecting a reporter to tap her on the shoulder at any moment. But all went according to plan and five minutes later, she slumped against the car while Lane laughed at her.
With much production, he unlocked the car and opened the door for her. “Here we are, my lady. I expected I’d need to slay reporters for you, but here we are safe and sound, nary a dragon in sight.”
Kate rolled her eyes and slid into the car. Only when she was inside did she realize this wasn’t his usual car. It was a classic E-type Jag, painted a dark forest green with soft buttery-colored upholstery.
“You expect to go unnoticed in this?” she demanded when he climbed in the driver’s seat. “Where’s your Falcon?”
Lane laughed, his profile softened in amusement. “This is my grandfather’s car. He’s not well at the moment, and I promised him I’d take it out for a run. Relax. No one will see us,” he declared, and he accelerated smoothly away from the curb. “The reporters expect to see me in my Falcon.”
Lane lived in an Epsom apartment, only a short drive from Kate’s house in Newmarket. But it might as well have been half a world away. The complex shouted of wealth and Kate was hard-pressed not to stare at the obvious luxury.
Set within seven acres of native trees and landscaped gardens, the buildings blended perfectly with the lush backdrop, looking as though they had always been there. Walking tracks meandered through mature trees, beckoning exploration. After driving through the security gate, they passed a tennis court. An energetic foursome lobbed tennis balls back and forth in a doubles game under lights. Other tenants watched lazily from the spa and heated swimming pool.
“What a lovely setting,” Kate said. A tinge of envy raced through her when she viewed the gardens. They were lush and tropical, judicial use of native plants giving the whole complex a uniquely New Zealand atmosphere. Jamie would love it here.
“Safe as well,” Lane added, almost as if he could read her thoughts. “I was lucky to get this apartment. My agent heard it was for sale when I’d decided to return home from England. She viewed the apartment for me, and I bought it on her recommendation. I’ve never regretted the purchase.”
Lane left the car parked in a visitor’s parking space right near the front door. They climbed two steps, went through double wooden doors decorated with ornate brass handles and panels of glass into a marble foyer. Kate gaped, trying hard to hide her awe and ignore the comparisons between this luxury and her more modest home. The place looked like a hotel. Her shoes clicked on the marble floor as they stepped over to a lift. The silence reminded her of a hotel too. Lane used a swipe card to operate the lift. The doors swished closed and they whisked up to Lane’s apartment before Kate could blink. She patted her middle region and wondered if she had time to retrieve her stomach, but as soon as the doors sprang open directly into Lane’s apartment, she forgot her discomfort. Designer décor snagged her attention before Lane led her down a carpeted passage and stopped at the first door on the right.
“This is your room.” He flicked on the light and stepped aside to allow her to enter.
A teal-and-cream-colored duvet covered the bed. The color combination repeated in the drapes and scatter cushions. Kate slowly released her breath. Lane had promised they’d have separate rooms but the reality was a relief—and a letdown. Go figure. She surreptitiously checked the door and noted the sturdy lock. Her gaze darted back to Lane when she heard his loud, put-upon sigh.
“Kate, Kate.” He shook his head in mock sadness.
“What?” Lane could tease all he wanted, but her bad experience with Steve made her slow to trust. Actions spoke far more loudly than all the words in the dictionary.
“Contrary to your beliefs, I don’t have to force myself on anyone.” Humor lit his gray eyes.
The smirk made her cheeks flame. Kate averted her gaze to stare at a small oil painting of a golden retriever. With his public persona and good looks, women probably threw themselves at him all the time. The heat in her cheeks worked down her neck as ego took a tumble. He’d never look at a single mother like her. Kate wondered about the woman in his life. He’d never mentioned a girlfriend. A soft sound jerked her gaze back to him. His grin spread from one side of his face to the other. “Big head,” she muttered, a snap in her voice.
Still smirking, Lane checked his watch. “I’ll have to go. I have training in half an hour then a meeting with my agent and a prospective sponsor later on. I’m afraid you’re on your own for the evening, but there’s loads of food in the kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you want. I’ll be back late so I won’t see you until the morning. What time is your first appointment tomorrow?”
“Ah, eleven.”
“Okay. Sleep well.” With that, he backed from the bedroom and shut the door with a firm click, leaving her to survey the neutral paintwork. Kate grimaced at the pique she felt. After all her worrying, he’d left her to her own devices. Lane couldn’t wait to leave. That really put her in place.
Purchase Playing to Win from Cerridwen Press or Amazon Kindle
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To read more Snippet Saturday excerpts follow the trail below:
Mari Carr
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
Vivian Arend
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Ashley Ladd
Jody Wallace
TJ Michaels
Emma Petersen
I’ve discovered a new meme called Weekend Cooking. It’s hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Since I often post recipes, this is a happy find for me. Follow the link above to Beth’s blog for further info on the meme.
Issy’s Infatuation by Shelley Munro
