kicked in. And Zac couldnât because he simply wouldnât get the opportunity. Sheâd had her fingers burnt by one shallow egomaniac, and once bitten, twice shy. And who needed men anyway? Contrary to what Jennie might say, a girl could still havea fulfilling and happy life without a man in tow. Or this girl could, anyway.
The pep talk continued once she got home and had a quick shower before getting ready. Assuming the mode of dress would be warm casual in the day for outside pursuits and smart for evening, she packed accordingly, and had just closed the lid of the case when Zac knocked on the front door.
Her heart gave an almighty leap and then hammered away in her chest like a mad thing, and she took a few seconds to breathe deeply before walking through to the hall.
âHi.â Heâd taken a step back from the door and was standing on the pavement with his hands thrust in the pockets of his big charcoal overcoat, his black hair dusted with snow and his tawny eyes narrowed. Christmas come early.
Rachel swallowed hard. âHi.â Help!
âAll packed?â He still hadnât smiled.
She nodded, ridiculously flustered. âIâll just get my things and turn off the lights. I wonât be a moment.â
She felt rather than saw the big body relax and then he said softly, âI wondered if youâd change your mind.â
She swallowed again. âI said I would come, didnât I?â
âAnd your word is your bond?â
She didnât hesitate. âYes, it is.â The house phone began to ring and she turned, saying over her shoulder, âCome in a minute while I answer the phone.â
Immediately she picked up the receiver she knew it had been one of her more unwise decisions. Her motherâs voice was as cold and clipped as always: âIs Rachel there?â
âItâs me, Mum.â Every muscle had tightened at her motherâs tone.
âRachel? I havenât heard from you in over a month.â
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask whyâwhen her mother phoned Lisa and Claire dailyâshe always had to be the one to pick up the phone, but conscious of Zac feet away, she said carefully, âIâve been busy, a crisis at work.â
âI see.â The wire fairly froze over. âSo busy you couldnât talk to your own mother? You expect me to believe that?â
Donât react, keep calm. The normal mental drill when dealing with her mother was activated. âIâm sorry, Mum, but I canât really talk now. I was literally walking out of the door when you phoned,â she said woodenly. âIâm away for the weekend.â
âOh, yes?â Her motherâs voice was full of disbelief. âWhere are you off to and with whom?â
âIâm going to a weekend house party at Guildford with a friend,â she said stiffly, hating the fact she couldnât handle her mother better. Two seconds of talking to her and she always felt guilty and wretchedly at fault.
âMale or female?â her mother sniffed frostily.
âIâm sorry?â
âI asked you if your friend ââ her motherâs voice was laced with scepticism ââis male or female. Surely thatâs simple enough to answer, girl?â
Rachel wasnât aware that Zac could hear both ends of the conversationâalthough her motherâs voice had always been as sharp and penetrating as a surgeonâs scalpelâuntil he whisked the receiver out of her hand. âMale, Mrs Ellington,â he said smoothly, âand we really do have to leave. Perhaps you would like to ring backnext week and have a word with Rachel? Have a good weekend and goodbye for now.â
When he replaced the receiver she was too shocked to do more than stare at him. She couldnât believe heâd just done that.
He raked a hand through his damp hair, the look on his face telling her he expected her wrath to