The New Year Resolution (13 page)

Nicole wasn’t so sure. The only reason Vincent had given Ryan the financing was because of her. Vincent thought Ryan was a changed man. That he was able to love and commit to something other than his work. But he was wrong. Ryan hadn’t changed. He was indeed a selfish workaholic at heart. As Ryan had explained to her before, his work came first. No one compared to that. Not her. Not his obligation to his mentor. Nothing.

Anyway, it was none of her business now. Her affair with Ryan was over.  Over as if it had never begun. Ryan was already planning his wind farm on the west coast, already working out schematics and resources in his head. He was lost to her now.

Nicole stood up. “I hope so, for your sake. I’m going back to the room to pack. I’ll meet you at the airstrip at eleven.”

With that she walked away, head held high, fighting not to let tears of disappointment cloud her vision.

Ryan didn’t glance up. He knew Nicole was disappointed but he couldn’t be the type of man she wanted him to be, or any of them wanted him to be. Once again he’d had to have
that
conversation. It was the same one he’d had time and time again with the other women in his life.

But what we had together was special.

Yes, it was.

So what is your problem?

My work comes first. It always has and it always will. I don’t have time to focus on a relationship.

Or something to that effect. At which point his girlfriend would get up and storm off. Just like Nicole had.

He didn’t want her getting any ideas about a future together, or even just dating. That wasn’t part of the agenda. They’d achieved their goal. Vincent had coughed up and now Ryan could go ahead with his West Coast project. Nicole had done her job, admirably.

Sure, they’d mixed it up a bit with some real sex and it had been fun. But it was over now and he needed to concentrate on the project. There was a lot to do before he could build and launch his test centre.

Ryan stared disconsolately at the sea. Perhaps he’d been a bit harsh this morning. Nicole was a great girl and he had enjoyed their time together. She didn’t deserve his indifference. Except that’s the way he was. A lifetime of disappointment had taught him how to move on without any lingering emotions. Good times came to an end, there was no point in prolonging the agony. It was easier to focus on what lay ahead, even if it meant turning your back on the present.

A relationship with Nicole wouldn’t last. It couldn’t. They each had their own lives, their own agendas and neither fit into the other’s, except perhaps for this brief week in Mozambique.

It was important Nicole didn’t get any ideas about their future. As much as he didn’t want to be a bastard, especially to her, he didn’t know how else to get his point across. He couldn’t risk getting involved with her. She was too much of a distraction. Look how much time he’d spent with her this last week – and he couldn’t seem to help it. While she was living with him he’d wanted her almost every moment of the day. As soon as he saw her he felt the urge to touch her, or to taste her. She was intoxicating. If he let their relationship, he feared where it would lead, and what he’d sacrifice along the way.

No. It had to end here. A clean break, then back to the real world.

Plus, she’d made it clear there was no room for him in her life, either. Nicole had her daughter, and felt the same way about Olivia as he did his business. They simply did not have the time for each other.

It had been fun. Ryan sighed. More than fun. But now he had to focus on his work.

Playtime was over.

A hotel staff member approached him.

“There’s a call for you at the front desk, sir.”

Ryan got to his feet. It was probably his PR agent. No one else had this number. Not even his office. He’d been corresponding with them via email all week.

With no cell phone reception on the island, all calls had to be made via the landline. He hoped the media hadn’t got wind of him again. The last thing he needed was for them to see him with a strange woman.

By ending their affair now, before they got back to Johannesburg, Nicole wouldn’t get dragged through the media shambles which was his life.

Yet another sign he was doing the right thing.

Stupid... arrogant...workaholic...single-minded... emotionally stunted....

The adjectives stormed through Nicole’s brain as she stomped up the beach toward the chalet.

She got it. It wasn’t rocket science. Ryan didn’t want to get involved. Didn’t want the complications. Didn’t have time for a relationship.

Fine. Neither did she, but he didn’t have to be so goddamned cold about it.

Okay, so he’d had a bad childhood and a father who didn’t care about him. She could understand how that would cause someone to learn from an early age how to mask their emotions, but he’d applied the brakes so swiftly Nicole was still reeling from the whiplash.

It had only been a couple of hours since they’d had sex.

Breath
e. Calm down.

Nicole forced herself to relax. What did it matter whether they had this conversation now or when they landed? It was always going to have the same result. As a scientist she knew that. In their case X times Y was never going to equal XY. 

So why was she so uptight about it?

Because this has been the most incredible week of your life.

It had. She’d been surrounded by the kind of luxury people like her only dream of. First-class travel... a stunning private island resort... interesting company...  plus, of course, Ryan. The man of her dreams. Wealthy, handsome, sexy, intelligent.... What woman wouldn’t have a hard time letting him go?

It was completely normal, she mused as she flung all her clothes into her suitcase, not caring whether they got creased. The man was a god. It was understandable she was a little uptight at his cold dismissal. Her pride was hurt, that was all. She’d get over it as soon as he was out of her sight.

Finally, packed and ready, Nicole placed her luggage at the front door and took a much-needed stroll around the island to clear her head.

She was passing an isolated section of beach when she heard a voice calling to her. She looked up. It was Dominic. He was strolling up the beach in shorts and a T-shirt, with his sunglasses, on looking suave and handsome.

“I’m glad I caught you.” He was slightly breathless from his fast walk. “Don’t you leave today?”

“Good memory.” Nicole smiled. “We leave in an hour.”

Dominic lifted his glasses to his forehead, displaying his startlingly blue eyes.

“I wanted to say goodbye. I know we didn’t really have a chance to get know each other but I was hoping maybe we could have dinner or something back in Johannesburg?”

Nicole was flattered. She had to give Dominic credit for his persistence. He certainly wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

“I don’t know,” she murmured, then blinked. What was she doing? Dominic was a sweet guy, and he was interested in her.

Unlike Ryan.

Suddenly Nicole was filled with anger. How dare Ryan dismiss her so coldly at breakfast – after all she’d done for him? He owed his bloody contract to her.

Dominic looked at her expectantly.

Nicole wrestled with her conscience. Sure, Dominic was a womanising playboy, but what harm would a date do? It might even be fun. Considering the number of times she actually went out in Pretoria, an evening with an attractive lawyer would be very nice indeed.

Mistaking her hesitation for indecision, Dominic said, “I’m not sure what you’ve got going on with Ryan, but I’d still like to take you out.” He winked. “I think we’d have a lot of fun together.”

Now
what girl can refuse an offer like that?

“Don’t you ever take no for an answer?”

Dominic grinned. “Never.”

Nicole threw her hands in the air. “Okay, you win.”

Gratified, Dominic reached into his pocket and handed her his business card. “I’ll be waiting for your call,” he told her.

Nicole acknowledged his invitation with a little tilt of her head. Under normal circumstances she’d be delighted at his proposition. He was a rich lawyer with an undeniable naughty side, just what she liked in a man. Going on a date with him would be fun and exciting and make a nice change from her mummy persona, and that of scientific lab rat.

Yet she struggled to muster up much enthusiasm.

As if sensing her disquiet he added wickedly, “I promise to get you over Mr Jackson. One date with me and, I swear, you’ll never think of him again.”

That did make Nicole laugh. Really, the man was too arrogant for his own good.

“I may have to hold you to that,” she teased, not entirely joking.

Dominic looked pleased. “Great.”

Then he surprised her by leaning forward and kissing her right on the lips. Nicole reeled back with shock.

“Sorry,” he said, completely unperturbed. “I couldn’t resist. I’ve wanted to do that ever since I met you.”

At her stunned look he squeezed her arm. “Take care of yourself. I’ll see you in Johannesburg.” Then he strolled off, in the direction of the marina. 

It was only when she turned to walk back to the chalet Nicole heard a rustle behind her. Turning, she saw a flash of colour, before whoever was watching disappeared into the bushes.

Nicole didn’t mention her meeting with Dominic to Ryan. The man had enough on his plate. But she did worry someone had seen Dominic give her his card, then kiss her. She only hoped it wasn’t anyone connected with Vincent. After all, Dominic had taken her by surprise with his kiss. It meant nothing and she didn’t want to jeopardise Ryan’s project at this late date.

But nothing out of the ordinary occurred and soon they were packed and waiting to board the light airplane which would take them back to Pemba in Mozambique, where they would board a Boeing back to Johannesburg. First class, of course, as on the way there.

The Mahlers were there to wave them off. Nicole felt really rotten as she smiled and hugged them goodbye, and promised to keep in touch. Damn Ryan for putting her into this position. Although, Nicole supposed she had only herself to blame. She had agreed to this charade after all.

It was time.

Nicole climbed the steps to the airplane and turned at the top to take one last look at the private island resort that had brought her so much pleasure in the last week. It lay as still and peaceful as it had when they’d arrived. The sky was as blue, the sand as dazzling white, and the palm trees were still dancing their lazy dance in the breeze. The island was unchanged.

Unlike her.

Blinking back tears at the sudden realisation, Nicole turned and stepped across the gangway into the plane. Somehow Ryan had weaselled his way into her heart and now she was going to have to make a mammoth effort to get over him.

It was for the best, this way. Ryan was right about that. There was no room in his life for her, with his work and the project, and she had no space in her life for him. Olivia took preference and Nicole’s work took up the rest of her time. When would she fit in Ryan? It would never work. But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

Nicole tried not to look at Ryan as they flew back to the mainland. After they changed flights, she buried her nose in her book, concentrating on the complicated plot rather than the way Ryan’s nose tilted up ever so slightly at the end, or the way his long fingers danced over his laptop keyboard.

She resisted the urge to place her hand on his firm thigh, only inches from hers, or lie her head on his broad shoulder as she had so many times over the last few days.

Finally the tyres screeched down at OR Tambo International airport. Nicole heaved a sigh of relief. The torture was over.

Nothing could have prepared Nicole for the media frenzy which greeted them when they emerged from the baggage collection. A myriad of flashing cameras and journalists with microphones descended on them like a swarm of bees.

“Did you expect this?” Nicole shouted to Ryan over the crowd that had surrounded them.

“I did get a tip-off,” Ryan admitted. “But I hoped it was nothing.”

This certainly wasn’t nothing. A crowd of onlookers had joined the mêlée, curious to see if they were anyone famous.

“Are you Ryan Jackson’s latest girlfriend?” a journalist from the British
Sun
asked.

“Where have you been on holiday?” asked the
Mirror
.

“Who is she, Ryan?” called a pretty brunette from the
Daily Mail
.

“No comment!” Ryan grabbed Nicole’s hand and pulled her through the chaos. “The British press must have got wind of it. I don’t see any local newspapers here.”

“Oh, that’s comforting,” replied Nicole, with a hefty dose of sarcasm.

Hopefully her colleagues at the
NRI wouldn’t see any of this. She wasn’t sure how her bosses would feel about her being linked to an international playboy.