Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Read online

  “Bye, Dad.”

  Jacob looked over to his daughter. “Drive safely, won’t you?”

  “You know I do,” she commented and came over to kiss him on the cheek.

  “Good girl.”

  “Hey, I want to come,” Emma said over the many scattered papers and science books on the dining table. Her dark curls were in a wild mess, and her brown eyes were sparkling with hope as she looked at Alex.

  “No, you may not. They only invited me. There will not be enough food for everyone if you come along.” Alex teased.

  Tim, his eyes narrowed as he glanced at his younger sister, said, “Get back to your homework, missy. Otherwise, you won’t get into Uni with your laziness. All you think about is food.”

  Emma poked her tongue at her brother, telling him to bugger off. Then turning back to Alex, she said, “I don’t eat that much. I’ve been told I’m too thin anyway.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Alex mumbled. She turned to her mom and gave the woman a peck on the cheek. “Love you.”

  “Love you, sweetheart,” Mali said.

  Ten minutes later, Alex parked her Toyota Corolla in front of the Thompsons’ house and got out. She rushed to the door and rang the bell. As she waited, she gazed at the beautiful view before her.

  The Thompsons’ house sat on top of a great hill that overlooked the harbor and the city below. On days like this one, though slightly breezy and cold, the view was spectacular. There was the turquoise blue of the glistening water, the dark blue of the clear sky above with the occasional clouds scattering here and there, and the stunning green of the hills with dots of houses on the other side.

  The door opened. Alex glanced up, smiling and expecting to greet one of the Thompsons. But it was not any of the Thompsons who stood there at the door, grinning down at her. It was Jayden.

  Her heart missed a beat.

  “Hey there,” she said cheerfully. “What are ya doing here?”

  Jay, with his greeting smile still fixed on his face, said, “I’m staying here for a little while. Love the view.”

  Alex nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Waverly’s great.”

  She waited for him to take a step back to let her through the door, but he didn’t budge. He just stood there looking down at her from his great height. She made an attempt to enter through anyway and ended up squeezing herself between him and the side of the door.

  She glanced up at him as she passed, her face red because he was so close to her that she could feel him. She could feel his warm breath on her skin and his muscular chest brushing against the side of her arm. Once she passed the threshold of the house, she bent down to take off her shoes.

  “Alex, that you?” Margaret’s loud voice came from the living room.

  “Yes. Hi, Margaret,” Alex said, shooting up as she did so.

  Bam! She collided with Jay.

  “Sorry,” he said, grinning at her, and his face seemed to be moving closer to her.

  Alex smiled apologetically and stroked her fingers through her hair. “That’s okay,” she managed to say, avoiding his eyes as she walked into the living area, with Jay following close behind her.

  “Oh, my dear, I haven’t seen you for such a long time,” Margaret said as she came around the bench, her arms wide open. She hugged Alex, patting the girl’s back as she did so.

  “Sorry, I was quite busy with work and all,” Alex explained, moving back. “Here, it’s from Mum.” She handed Margaret the bag filled with lettuces and silver beets. “Mum said hi.”

  “Well, she doesn’t have to do that. Tell her I say hi back and thank you for these.” She gestured to the bag in her hand. “What would you like to drink, honey?” she asked as they both walk into the kitchen.

  “Ribena would be good, thanks,” Alex replied, watching Jay, who was now on the other side of the spacious, modern living room, picking up his bottle of beer.

  “Ribena? You got it,” Margaret said, opening her large stainless steel fridge door.

  That was better—seeing him sitting on the other side of the room made her feel better. Space. She needed space. She needed to breathe properly.

  She left her satchel on the bar and then took off her jacket. Margaret handed her a glass of Ribena.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking the cool glass in her hands. “How come Jay’s staying here?”

  Margaret glanced up with raised brows. “You know each other, huh?”

  “I met him at the hospital. Peter was there with him.”

  “Peter thought Jay needed company and a change,” Margaret said as she took out the roasted pork and vegetables from the oven. She grunted as she carried the hot, heavy tray across the small space and placed it on the chopping block. “Why don’t you set the table, dear?” She started picking out the roasted potatoes, kumara, and carrots, and put them into a large serving bowl.

  “Sure,” Alex replied, put down her drink on the bench, and proceed to roll up her sleeves. “Smells delicious,” she commented. Then she shook her hair and tucked the strands behind her ear so they were out of her face. “Where are the plates?”

  “Behind you,” Margaret replied without looking up from her pork.

  Alex nodded and turned. “Shoot!” She gasped as she felt a hard body against her.

  Jayden caught her arm with one hand to steady her. He placed the now-empty bottle onto the benchtop as he searched her face.

  She glanced up, and her heart started to beat faster. Oh, God, he was touching her. Then she felt something wet about her breasts. She glanced down and saw her jersey was soaked with a dark liquid.

  “You all right?” Jay asked in concern, still searching her face, his body way too close for her comfort.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see you behind me.”

  Margaret looked up from her pork. “Just an accident. Why don’t you clean up before dinner, Alex?”

  Alex turned to smile at Margaret. “Yeah, I’ll do that. Excuse me.” Then she squeezed herself between Jay, who didn’t seem to notice she needed some room and wouldn’t move an inch, and the bench.

  Once Alex left, Jay said, “I think she’s upset with me.”

  “Oh?” Margaret looked at him.

  “I better go and see how she’s doing since I’m the culprit.” Jay grinned gingerly and left the kitchen.

  Margaret smiled and went about preparing their dinner, humming to herself.

  * * * * *

  Jayden wandered along the hallway, cursing himself. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he showing so much interest toward Alex? And why did he have to stand so close to her just then?

  No, wait. Pause right there, hot shot!

  He knew why. It was because she smelled great, like spring or something. He wasn’t able to help himself because he wanted to smell her again after she had squeezed past him through the entrance door into the hallway. It wasn’t a strong, perfumery smell like most of the women used back in New York, but rather a subtle scent, just a hint of lovely floral that pricked his interest, just a hint that made him want to inhale more.

  He reached the bathroom door, put one hand on the knob, and knocked lightly a couple of times with the other. When he didn’t hear any reply, he opened the door slightly and popped his head in.

  He saw her busy cleaning herself with some Kleenex. She had her jersey off, which was lying on the floor. She was wearing only her white singlet and her skinny jeans. He cleared his throat. No response. He knew she probably didn’t hear him because she was too busy frowning at her stained singlet. Jay had no doubt she didn’t like the look of the dark stain on the white fabric. The singlet looked new. Maybe that was why she was upset. Then she yanked the material to her nose and sniffed. She made a face as though she were disgusted. Jay guessed she didn’t like the smell of that beer either. Then she started pulling the hem of the singlet from her waist, ready to take it off.

  Shoot!

  Not wanting to be seen peeking in on her while she was undressing, he said loudly, “Alex, you all right
?”

  She had gotten half her singlet up and covered her face when he said that. Holy Mother of God! He could see the lace of her bra coiling with her singlet, and it was going up.

  Alex turned around as she yanked the singlet all the way off her body. She blinked once it was off her person.

  “Jay!” she gasped.

  “Holy shit!” Jay swore under his breath, staring at her, the top half of her body naked. She had beautiful breasts. They were milky white, full, and round with light pink nipples.

  Alex glanced down and her face went bright red. She quickly covered herself and started mumbling something that Jay couldn’t hear.

  Jay said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “No, no, no. It’s my fault. I didn’t lock the door. But that’s okay because you’re gay.” The moment she said that, Alex wanted to die.

  Where did that come from? You stupid girl! What have you done? You’ve hurt Jay’s tender feelings. You know very well that gay people are very sensitive, not only about this subject, but in everything else as well.

  Jay cocked his head to one side, studying her. She was staring at the floor, completely mortified. Okay. He was supposed to be gay. This should come in useful. So instead of saying sorry to her, shutting the door, and leaving her alone like a real bloke would do, he came into the bathroom and closed the door. He glanced at her chest; the milky white flesh of her breasts was barely concealed from his prying eyes, what with her slender arms and the little material of the wet singlet.

  “Hey,” he finally said. “It’s okay.”

  Alex looked up at him. “I really didn’t mean that, Jay. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I can’t help the way I am,” he said, his gut wrenching in disgust.

  You’re damn right, you rascal. You can’t help the way you are. You’re a male who’s about to take advantage of an innocent young woman.

  He came to stand in front of her and touched her arms. He said gently, “It’s all right, Alex.”

  Alex hugged herself harder, as though she were withdrawing from him because he was touching her. And in doing so, she was squeezing her breasts together. His mind started reeling with sinful images.

  He quickly looked away before his imagination got any wilder. He stared at the wall instead and thought, You rascal, you’re turned on. Shit! You’re turned on. You’re in deep shit.

  Think of something to say! Think of a joke! Make a joke!

  Nothing.

  Alex looked up at him. “Jay?” she whispered, her eyes large beneath her glasses as she gazed up at him.

  “Hmm?” he responded, finally looking down at her face that didn’t seem so plain anymore.

  “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. Peter told me. I’m sorry. I should have kept it a secret. I mean, not mentioning it to you. But Peter told me, and—oh, damn—I’m so lousy at this. But I was just wondering, so you like men?”

  God, she was so cute trying to apologize. She didn’t even know how to go about this so she wouldn’t hurt his so-called feelings even more. As an answer to her question about him being gay, he swallowed and managed to nod.

  “So it’s okay, then,” she said quietly.

  “What’s okay?”

  “Me half-dressed in front of you. I’m shy. But since you’re gay and all, I think it’s okay. I heard people say gay friends are genuinely nice, like they’re not—you know—maybe it’s good to have you as a friend. I think you’re a good man, Jay. I think that’s why Peter is helping you out. And like can we not talk about this, you know, to anyone? Can we, like, keep it a secret?”

  Jay wanted to laugh. She was drawing all the wrong conclusions about him. She considered herself safe in his presence when she was half-naked? And she thought he was a good man?

  “All right, then. That’ll fix it.”

  “What’ll fix it?” Alex asked, looking up at him.

  “I’ll get one of my shirts for you since I’m the one who spilled beer on you,” he said and reluctantly took a few steps back. “And yeah, we’ll keep it a secret.”

  “Thanks. Can you, like, hurry ‘cause I’m hungry.”

  Jay nodded. “Right,” he said and opened the door. “Back in a sec.”

  Alex grinned. Jay closed the door. Alone, she turned and glared accusingly at her old bra. It was the bra’s fault, of course. She couldn’t believe the stupid thing coiled with her singlet and came off. Gosh, she needed to buy a new one.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 6

  In the dimly lit dining room, Jayden watched Alex from across the table. She had on his dark-grey jumper. It was way too big for her person, but she managed to make it look as though it fit her perfectly, with the sleeves rolled up to her slim forearms.

  “So how’s the house renovation going, Pete?” Alex asked, glancing up from her plate of roasted pork and various veggies.

  “Not too well,” Peter said. “Did I tell you about that mold?”

  Alex shook her head as she popped some pork into her mouth.

  “We have to take down the walls. God, more labor costs and more materials needed now,” he mumbled. “And Tracy is not very happy.”

  “I’m sure I wouldn’t be happy either,” Alex commented, thinking about the amount of money needed for a house renovation.

  “So, Alex,” Mr. Thompson said from across the table, sipping his glass of white wine.

  Alex looked over at Dr. Mark Thompson, who had only arrived five minutes before dinner. He had been busy at the Dunedin Public Hospital and at the lab. Well, as a head consultant hematologist, he was expected to be busy and he was expected to be called in at any time.

  “How’s Dad?” he asked.

  “He’s not doing too well,” Alex said, wondering if she should tell Mark her dad was getting worse day by day.

  Jay popped a piece of the roast meat into his mouth and chewed as he listened to their conversation. He wondered what was wrong with Alex’s dad. Was that why she had been reluctant to talk about her family back at SAN?

  “He’s still having those fainting spells now and again.”

  “I suggest surgery if it gets worse,” Mark said.

  “Likewise,” Peter agreed.

  Alex could only nod in agreement, as she didn’t know what else to say. She turned her attention to Jayden and saw him watching her. Her stomach fluttered oddly as his gaze seemed to be drawing her deeper into some kind of spell. Then he looked away and popped another piece of sweet potato into his mouth.

  “You do like kumara?” she asked, watching him.

  Jay looked up at her. “Kumara?”

  “Yeah, kumara,” Alex said, nodding her head. “You’ve had three big pieces already.”

  “I have? I don’t remember eating them.”

  Peter and Margaret laughed. Peter said, “She means sweet potatoes.”

  “Yeah, we call them kumara. It’s a Maori word for sweet potatoes,” Alex said.

  “Kumara,” Jay tried out the word. “I like the name.”

  After a good, hearty dinner and then dessert of ice cream and fruits, Alex said good night to the Thompsons and left. It was cold and dark outside as she rushed to her car. She was about to get in when Jay called out to her. “Hey, sorry to bother you.”

  “That’s okay,” she said, shivering and hugging herself against the cold wind. “Oh, yeah, totally forgot. Your jersey.”

  “No worries. You can give it back to me tomorrow.” A good excuse indeed to see her again.

  “Tomorrow? What’s happening tomorrow?” Alex asked, confused.

  “We have a lunch date,” he said.

  “We do?” she asked. Her brows rose, her heart beating just a little faster than usual.

  “Yeah.” He came closer to her. He could smell a hint of that lovely floral scent of her hair, and he wanted to get closer. He also wanted to keep her out of the cold wind.

  “Peter told me you said yes. I thought we should meet tomorrow for lunch and arrange everything. How long do you have
for lunch?”

  “An hour.”

  “Only an hour, huh?” He sounded disappointed. “That’s too short. How about we change to dinner?”

  “Okay,” she said, nodding her head and rubbing her hands about her cold arms to get some warmth. “Dinner it is, then. What time?”

  “How about straight after work? What time do you finish?”

  “I finish at five,” she said, inserting the key to start the engine.

  “How about six thirty? Gives you time to go home and change.”

  “Why can’t we just meet at like a quarter past five or something? I don’t need to change.” She looked up at him in the dimness of the night.

  Doesn’t she need to change? Now that was new to Jay. He thought every woman wanted to shower and change into something nice before they go out for a dinner date. Apparently not this one. Maybe she didn’t think this was supposed to be a date.

  “That’s cool. It’s up to you. Five fifteen it is, then.”

  “Can we go to SAN? I missed my salmon. You’re paying, right?”

  “Yeah, it’s on me. SAN it is. Good night.”

  “Night, Mr. McCartney,” she said and shut the door.

  Jayden watched as she drove away into the darkness. “Mr. McCartney, huh?” he mumbled as he made his way back into the house.

  He found Peter by himself in the living room. He joined his friend on the couch and watched the sports news Peter currently had on TV. The Kiwis loved their rugby, and he found himself falling in love with the sport too—what with the kicking, tackling, and vigorous running. But he wasn’t a fan of that Dan Carter guy who did ads for all kinds of things, especially for Jockey. Apparently, all the girls adored him because of his good looks. He wondered if Alex was one of them.

  A moment later, when the ads began, Jayden said, “What’s wrong with Alex’s dad?”

  Peter glanced sideways at his friend. “Interested, are you?”

  Jay grinned. “If she’s going to be my girlfriend, I have to know what’s going on in her life.”

  Peter chuckled. “You mean your fake girlfriend?”

  “Nobody is supposed to know except you, me, and Alex. Got that?”