Do not screw up this speed date. This is your chance to find love. A husband. Everything you want for the future.
“No pressure,” Susan Webb whispered as she navigated the gravel path alongside the grapevines and went off-piste onto the freshly mown grass. Immediately, the heels of her black-and-red sandals sank halfway to China.
The cameraman following her snickered and kept filming while her arms windmilled wildly to maintain her balance. Thank goodness she’d donned a pair of sexy black briefs this morning. The thought raced through her mind as she teetered on the brink of flashing her bottom to the viewers of Farmer Seeks a Wife reality show.
“Here, let me help,” a husky voice said.
A muscular forearm curved around her waist, the man’s strength holding her upright. A hit of citrus and leather engulfed her while heat massed in her cheeks.
Slowly, Susan turned her head to study her savior. She recognized his chiseled features immediately. Her chosen farmer—Nolan Penrith—and he was even hotter in the flesh. His light brown sun-streaked hair was neatly trimmed but still flirted with the collar of his cream shirt. He wore jeans and a brown leather jacket. Her gaze skirted down past his hips, lingered on the bulge at his groin and moved lower until her stare hit his brown boots. A soft chuckle dragged her attention northward to meet a crooked smile and brown eyes full of amusement.
“Ah, sorry,” she said, fervently wishing she could have a do-over. She’d ogled his junk, for goodness sake, right after almost flashing the reality show viewers. Time to fix this situation. She had to create the right impression. Her future depended on her actions today. “I’m not usually this clumsy.”
“No problem,” he said. “Let’s get you safely to the meeting spot so we can have a chat.”
Susan nodded, embarrassment quashing her ability to format further sentences. Luckily, her mind was still in working order. She grasped one of his arms and attempted to jerk her right foot free, preferably with her sandal still in place so she didn’t wobble like an undignified stork.
“That’s not the way,” he said, a laugh in his voice, and he tugged her back then scooped her up into his arms, striding away and leaving her sandals embedded in the lawn.
Susan became aware of the breeze at her butt and started to struggle. No, no, no! This was not happening.
“Don’t worry, I won’t drop you. A little thing like you doesn’t weigh more than a bale of hay.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Susan said, the chill on her backside confirming her fears.
A bark of laughter escaped the cameraman. Susan froze. She was gonna commit murder—if she didn’t die of mortification first. She glared over Nolan’s shoulder at the man, but all she could see was the blink of light on the side of the camera that indicated everything—including her butt—was being faithfully recorded. Gah!
Nolan set her on her feet, and she instantly flicked the back of her red dress down over her panties.
“Oops. Sorry about that, darlin’,” Nolan said. “Would you like something to drink?” He gestured to a jug of water and another of juice.
Heck, yeah! A margarita would be good about now. “W-water will be f-fine.” At least it would be something to do with her hands. Nolan had apologized, so she couldn’t hit him. The cameraman, however, was riding a shaky line.
Aware of the camera, she resisted the urge to snap out an insult or roll the cool glass across her cheeks to dispel her embarrassment. Instead, she took a quick sip and fought to regain her equilibrium.
She needed to flirt, needed to speak intelligently, needed to show herself to best advantage.
She needed to excel.
Nolan helped himself to a glass of juice and gestured to the tartan blanket, spread on the ground not far from the table holding the refreshments.
Susan crouched and placed her glass within easy reach, then she gingerly knelt and curled her legs to the side, taking great care not to flash her panties. Again.
Nolan dropped to the blanket with casual ease. “So you’re looking for a husband?”
Straight away, her hackles rose and an indignant retort sped to her lips. In her peripheral vision, she noted the cameraman shift positions to get another angle for his shot. She bit back her grumpiness and strove for a witty comeback, something to wow.
“A-are you l-looking for a wife?” Better, but what was with the stuttering? She didn’t usually stammer. She managed to shape her lips into something resembling a smile. Her friends would see the jagged edges, but it was her best effort when all she could think of was her bottom broadcast on national television.
“It appears so.”
The weird inflection in his tone tugged at her curiosity, and she opened her mouth to ask a question.
Before she could speak, he said, “I’m Nolan, which I’m sure you already know, and you, according to my list, are Susan. Tell me a little about yourself. I believe you work in an office? What do you do in your spare time?”
Oh, heck. Minefield alert.
She hesitated, frantically wondering how to break the news of her career change. “I’m r-really excited to be here, N-Nolan, and it’s great to meet you. Um…I…ah…like to dance. I go out with my f-friends to clubs and r-r-rugby matches. Sometimes we go shopping or to m-movies.” Her heart hammered like the beat in a fast dance, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth before releasing it to force her features into a happy, confident mask.
“Not many shops out in the country.”
“No, I don’t suppose there are.” Her fixed smile wobbled and tried to slink away to hide. Was he trying to sabotage her? Had he taken an instant dislike to her?
Too bad.
If they were destined to be together, he needed to know she possessed a steel rod of determination in her spine. She added a touch of sweetness to her smile and hoped she didn’t look like a caricature. “The internet works well for shopping. You can buy just about anything online these days from farm equipment to dresses.” Yay! No stuttering this time.
His brown eyes glazed over and he sipped his orange juice.
Heck, she was losing him.
“Do you enjoy your job?” he asked. “If we hit it off with each other, would you miss not working?”
“I don’t work in an office anymore,” Susan blurted.
“Oh?” His dark brows rose to emphasize his surprise. “You gave up your job? You must be very certain of your future.”
“No, I have a new job. One of my friends owns a club, and I work for her now.”
“What sort of club?”
Susan’s heart skipped several beats, leaving her breathless, definitely anxious. “What qualities do you want in a wife?”
“One who answers questions. What sort of club?”
“A burlesque club,” she said in a low voice, mortified heat blooming fiery-hot again in her cheeks. She shot a glance at the camera, saw the man zoom in on her face, recording every bit of the unfolding drama.
“You like to dance.” It sounded like an accusation.
He was judging her, reading between the lines and making mistakes with his version of the facts.
Susan gave a clipped nod, unhappily aware of the camera. She refused to lie. That was no way to start a relationship. So she was going to crash at the first interview. Didn’t matter. She’d done her best, and if she was bowing out of the reality show straight away, she might as well give Maxwell’s a shout out and gain some exposure.
“I work at Maxwell’s, a burlesque club on K’ Road in Auckland,” Susan said. “I take care of the accounts and wages and dance on stage several nights a week.”
“You’re a stripper,” Nolan said, eyes narrowing into disparaging slits.
“You need to educate yourself about burlesque.” Susan kept an even tone, refusing to stoop to his level. “Burlesque is not the same as stripping.”
“But you do perform on stage.”
“Yes, and I’m rather good at it. Maxwell’s is a very busy place.” Nothing less than the truth, and even she heard her shimmering pride.
Nolan stared, and his intense gaze ricocheted through her body, frisking every pleasure point during the journey. A pity he’d set himself up as judge of her morals when he held so much sex appeal.
“I wonder if you’d find the countryside a little quiet,” he said. “We don’t have shops or movie theatres or clubs.”
“I’m open to trying new things,” Susan countered. “I’ve never lived in the country, but I’m sure I’ll keep myself amused.”
“I see.”
“What do you envision your wife doing?” Susan made a concerted effort to control the combative note in her voice. “Will she help you on the farm or stay home and bake cookies?”
Nolan flashed a wide grin, and her breath caught at the flash of dimples. A smile took him from handsome to plain stunning. He kept grinning instead of answering her questions, making for a long camera silence.
Susan rolled her eyes, feeling immeasurably older, even though he was two years her senior. “Well?”
“The other girls have flirted with me and fluttered their eyelashes. A couple of the women gave me good views of their best assets.” His gaze dropped to her chest. Tiny wrinkles fanned from the corners of his eyes in another display of humor.
“I flashed my butt at the viewing audience.” Susan shot a glare at the cameraman. “I think I’ve shown more than my fair share of assets.”
“I didn’t see,” he pointed out.
“Not my fault.”
“You have two more minutes,” the cameraman said.
“What do you expect from a wife?” Susan asked again.
“I want a woman who attracts me sexually, someone who enjoys sex. I’d expect my wife to work alongside me, taking an active part in running the farm and socializing within the community. I want someone to share my life. In return, I’ll do my best to make my wife happy too.”
His words were unexpected and warmed her heart. A partner. He wanted someone to stand alongside him. Be still my heart. That was exactly what she wanted from a man—someone to share good times and bad.
“I want a man who is attractive and attentive, one who will treat me as an equal and share life in all its different facets. Our needs are similar.”
He scratched his chin, the faint abrasion of fingertip and the beginnings of stubble a rasp in the expectant pause. “Maybe.”
“Time,” the cameraman said.
Nolan unfolded his long limbs and stood before extending his hand. “I’ll carry you to the gravel.”
“No, it’s fine,” she said hastily. “I’ll go barefoot.” She slid her hand free and offered him a dazzling smile. “Thank you for chatting with me. It was nice to meet you.”
“Don’t I get a goodbye kiss?”
“Sure. Why not?” At least she could tell her friends she’d scored a kiss from a sexy farmer. She lifted her head, expecting a quick, polite peck on the mouth.
Instead, he framed her face with his hands, holding her firmly. He grinned as he lowered his lips. Her heartbeat stalled on seeing his intent. Then he was kissing her, slowly. Thoroughly. Not exactly the kiss for a first meeting, but she guessed the circumstances warranted different. His scent wrapped through her senses, and her knees went weak, only his strength holding her upright.
“Ahem.”
The loud interruption came from behind Susan.
Nolan pulled back and grinned over her shoulder. “Yeah, I know. Time for the next prospective wife.” He glanced down at her, his expression softening and brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Beneath the quick mind and sass, you’re very sensual. I like it.”
He released her hand and stepped back, leaving her reeling. Only the chuckle of the cameraman—his face once again concealed by his camera—jerked back her composure.
“Goodbye, Susan,” Nolan said.
“Goodbye.” Susan paused to yank the spike heels from the ground and padded to the edge of the gravel before slipping them on her feet. She replayed their conversation and came up with the conclusion.
She’d blown her speed date.
Nolan watched Susan retreat, intrigue warring with his need for retribution. His mother had to accept he was capable of choosing a wife. A thirty-year-old man wasn’t a kid, damn it. Aware of his loosening grip on his temper, he sucked in a breath, let it ease out and scanned his list of dates.
The next woman was one of his choosing and satisfaction brought a grim smile. Judging by her photo, she was an attractive blonde and her hobbies shadowed his interests. And the bonus—she’d grown up on a farm, so she’d know the ins and outs better than most of the girls his mother had chosen for this debacle.
His grandfather had suggested he refuse to participate in the reality show, but his grandmother, in her wise way, searched for the profits. If he played things right, businesses in their community might benefit. The film crew and the people involved in the project would bring spending power and maybe a few nosy visitors. This promotion was good for the town of Clare, and his grandmother had pointed out, he might have fun and make new friends along the way.
He thought fleetingly of Yvonne and her two kids. He already knew how to have fun…
Yeah, mind on the job.
Whittling the group of twenty women down to eight wasn’t gonna be easy. Blast his mother for putting him in this position, entering him without seeking his permission.
“I know my son,” she’d said, her shoulders square and chin raised in the face of his fury. “You’ll make a good husband, but you won’t meet anyone if you insist on spending your time at the farm. You need to get out, meet suitable women.”
What she’d meant was she hadn’t approved of him spending time with a divorced woman, or another man’s children.
His mother had reached for the kettle and filled it with water to make a pot of tea while he’d stormed out and ended up at his grandparents’ house in nearby Napier. He and his grandparents had drunk cups of tea, eaten pieces of shortbread and discussed his objections.
They’d changed his mind, and while he didn’t agree with his mother’s skullduggery, he had to admit it was fun stepping out of routine. The visit to the big smoke to meet the show’s producer and the other farmers had sealed the deal. He wasn’t the only farmer here under duress.
“You ready to see the next woman?” the cameraman asked.
“Yeah.”
The cameraman contacted the producer and soon his next date walked toward him. She was stunning, and even better in person. Her clothes were smart but casual, and he noted she didn’t have trouble with her shoes. Her smile was wide and bright and she gave him a swift hug. Oh yeah. He liked this one.
Two hours later, the speed dates were done, and his head whirled with faces and impressions. Jennifer Williams, the producer, had suggested the men take brief notes, and he was glad he’d taken her advice.
“You ready?” the cameraman asked. “I’ll show you to the meeting room. They’ve organized drinks and something to eat while you farmers decide which chicks you’re going to pick for the next round.”
Nolan blew out a burst of air. “Easier said than done.”
“I’m glad it’s not me,” the cameraman said. “I bet some of those chicks will cry buckets.”
Hell. Nolan hadn’t thought of that. He’d worried more about trying to pick the right mix of eight women. Now he had to worry about women and tears? Bloody hell. As he followed the cameraman, he wondered if their drinks ran to alcohol.
Susan spotted Christina and sank onto the chair her friend had saved for her. “How did it go?”
Christina wrinkled her nose. Her bracelets jingled as she shunted a glass of wine toward Susan. “If your date went as badly as mine, you’ll need a drink.”
“I was craving a margarita before we even started talking.”
“That bad, huh?”
Susan’s tummy hollowed at the memories. “You go first. What was your farmer like?”
“He said—bluntly, I might add—that I was more bohemian than I appeared in my photo.”
Susan stared at her friend. “Bohemian?”
“Yeah. Evidently jewelry that clacks will scare his animals.”
Susan glanced down at Christina’s three golden bracelets and started laughing.
Christina’s lips twitched. “Your date can’t have been that bad.”
Susan laughed harder and nodded at the same time. Once she’d gathered herself, she said, “You were right to warn me about wearing my spike sandals. I wish I’d listened. I sank into the grass the second I stepped off the path and my farmer came to my rescue. He literally swept me off my feet and carried me to our meeting point—a picnic blanket.”
“That sounds romantic.”
“It was nice until I realized my skirt was tucked up and the cameraman was busy filming my butt.”
“At least you listened about the sexy lingerie.”
Susan snorted—a half laugh and half whimper. “If that’s meant to make me feel better it’s not working.” She flicked a lock of her straight hair out of her face. “And it got worse.” Words tumbled from her as she related details of her speed date.
“Oh well.” Christina lifted her glass of wine in salute. “At least we’ve had a nice outing to a vineyard. The wine is good. The food looks delicious.”
“And we can laugh about it together.”
“Exactly.” Christina clicked her glass against Susan’s. “To friends.”
“To friends,” Susan said and grinned as she thought of two of her other friends. “Maggie and Julia will get a good laugh.”
Two hours passed before the producer called the women to assemble. The tension in the meeting room was thick enough to slice with a knife. So many women who wanted the same things as she—a steady man to love and share their lives.
A secure future.
There was something wrong with society if this many personable single women couldn’t find a mate. Or maybe featuring on a television show attracted their participation. Susan didn’t know. There had to be a better way to meet a man.
Besides, the idea of leaving her job at Maxwell’s… She loved her new job, the dancing giving her a physical outlet and pleasure she hadn’t known she’d craved.
Nolan’s questions about living in the country had given her things to mull over. Leaving her friends and her job in exchange for a quiet life in the country would be a huge step. Maybe fluffing her speed date was a good thing. Two of her best friends had found husbands already. Maggie had married their mutual friend, Connor, while Julia had married Ryan. Both women were shiny examples of love, and Connor and Ryan were awesome.
No, she wouldn’t panic or settle for second best.
Almost twenty-nine wasn’t exactly ancient. The right man would come along, and if he didn’t, then she’d deal. She had a great group of friends, both male and female. Love and friendship. Yeah, she had that already.
“I want you to split into your groups again,” Jennifer Williams, the producer shouted above the din made by a room full of anxious women. She was a tall and very thin woman, dressed in tight black jeans and a body-fitting green T-shirt. A no-nonsense kind of woman, she wielded her power by sheer force of presence.
The women quieted, and Jennifer repeated her request. “Line up behind the signs for your farmers, please, then I’ll call groups one-by-one.”
“Good luck,” Susan said to Christina.
“What I’d need is a miracle,” Christina said. “It doesn’t matter. It’s been a fun day.”
“True. Tonight we can commiserate over margaritas. Julia and Maggie will want the deets.”
“Done deal.” Susan gave her friend a swift hug and headed for her group. Who wanted a judgmental man in their lives anyway?
Not her. She’d worked hard to scrub the trait from her personality. Seeing it from the other side, she understood how her friends felt when she’d passed sentence on their actions. If she’d learned anything in the past five years, it was that nothing was black and white. Shades of gray swirled everywhere, and there was nothing wrong with the color.
She took a seat. None of the other girls wanted to chat, so she sat quietly and pondered her next step. If she asked, Connor would probably set up a blind date for her with one of his rugby mates. The guys in Ryan’s band were cute. It wasn’t as if she lacked opportunities to meet men.
Perhaps she was setting her standards too high?
She considered that for about two seconds. No, she wanted a husband like Connor or Ryan and refused to settle for less.
Jennifer strode into the room, the heels of her boots making a snappy beat on the wooden floor. “Ladies, Nolan is ready to share his choices.”
“It makes us sound like items on a dinner menu,” Susan murmured.
A blonde woman beside her frowned. “That’s a perfect description. I wonder who gets to be dish of the day.”
Susan let out a chuckle, but none of the other women appreciated the humor. Their swift glances held panic and censure. Susan was still grinning when she entered the private room.
“Ladies, please stand behind the chalk line and smile at the camera,” Jennifer instructed in a firm voice.
The women shuffled into position, and the tension ramped up a couple of notches. Susan’s heart thumped extra loudly, then the drumming evened out as she realized she didn’t want to win a man in a competition.
No, she’d return to work and tonight, while they were at the pub and comfortably ensconced with margaritas, she’d ask for suggestions of ways to meet men.
“We’ll start filming in a few minutes. Hailee Raymond, our hostess will have a quick chat with Nolan, and then Nolan will announce his eight chosen women. Afterward, Hailee will interview each of the successful dates. Are there any questions?”
“Do you have some tissues handy?” one of the women asked.
“I have my assistant standing by,” Jennifer said in a brisk voice.
Susan didn’t care enough to cry when she received her rejection. That thought alone cheered her. She wasn’t invested and didn’t care about Nolan’s opinion of her personality.
“Anything else?” When no one replied, Jennifer said, “Quiet on the set.”
The silence grew deafening, and Susan had an awful urge to giggle. Determined not to create another spectacle, she bit her bottom lip.
The assistant darted forward. He lifted his board and clapped it down. “Action.”
Hailee, the gorgeous blonde hostess, took her cue with the smoothness of a professional. “Nolan, you’ve speed dated your ladies and spoken with them. Was it difficult to narrow down your choice to just eight?”
“Very difficult, Hailee,” Nolan said, appearing comfortable in front of the camera. “Each woman is beautiful and any man would be lucky to have them at their side.”
Hailee grinned, her teeth a flash of bright white. “Quite the smooth talker, aren’t you? So how did you pick your group of eight?”
“I took into account common interests, how I thought our personalities would mesh and my gut instincts. They never steer me wrong.”
Hailee nodded, then leaned toward Nolan in a confidential manner. “What about physical attraction? Does that come into your equation?”
“Of course,” Nolan said. “The woman I choose to take for my wife will be one who pushes my buttons. Physical attraction always plays a part in a relationship.”
“Well, I think it’s time to let these lovely ladies know your decision,” Hailee said. “Tell us who you have chosen.”
Nolan ran his gaze down the line of women, his expression suitably somber. “The ladies I’ve chosen for the next stage are Maxine, Elle, Tamara, Lucy, Anna, Cherry, Jasmine and Susan.”
“Ladies,” Hailee said in a bright tone. “Step forward.”
Shock made Susan slow to react. He’d called her name. While there was physical attraction, on her side at least, they were poles apart in the interest department.
Susan joined the other squealing women, her focus on Nolan’s handsome face. For an instant, their gazes connected, and she propelled a silent message his way. What on earth are you playing at?