Catch Read online

  CONTENTS

  Catch

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  CATCH

  Tamsen Parsons is happy with her wacky world. So she leases fish to big business, her bedroom resembles a gypsy fortune-teller’s caravan and she’s got the roomie from hell. Still, the sun’s shining and she can smile.

  That is until uptight lawyer Matthew Solomon rolls in like a storm. He’s over the corporate climb, unsure what he wants in life anymore and the sexy and cheerful Tamsen is exactly the short-term tonic he needs.

  What Matt doesn’t count on is his interfering mother, Tamsen’s out-of-control best friend and falling in love.

  Can a gypsy fish-minder really bring this bad-boy to heel?

  Romance from Toni Kenyon - a fresh look at the world

  Published by:

  Apeople Publishing

  Copyright © 2012 Toni Kenyon

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN ePub: 978-0-9922518-0-2

  Learn about other works by Toni Kenyon at www.tonikenyon.com

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Catch is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  A Personal Message from Toni Kenyon:

  I love writing books! But even more than that I love hearing from my readers. If you've enjoyed this book, or any other of my books, please take a moment to email me and introduce yourself - I always respond personally to my readers.

  I would also love to put you on my mailing list to receiving notifications about future books, updates and contests. I promise you won't be inundated!

  Please visit www.tonikenyon.com/contact and introduce yourself so I can personally thank you for trying my books.

  Romance from Toni Kenyon - a fresh look at the world

  For Mum

  - I know Dad would have been proud of us both

  CHAPTER ONE

  "I wouldn’t give a damn if she was the Virgin-bloody-Mary. I told you I wasn't available and yet you put her through." Matthew Solomon's voice echoed ominously through the marble foyer of Harding & Kilpatrick, Barristers & Solicitors.

  "Poor man. Do you think he's having a bad day?" Tamsen Parsons spoke directly to the Golden Comet held captive in the small plastic bag in her hand and about to be introduced to the display aquarium she tended. She was beginning to have second thoughts about leaving one of her babies in this volatile environment. No wonder she struggled here with the mortality rate here. Fish were sensitive creatures: if things didn't rapidly improve, she'd have to consider removing the aquarium, regardless of the cost to her and her business.

  Tamsen's closest friend, Gina the recipient of his verbal barrage looked ready to burst into tears. "I'm really sorry, Matthew, but I was distracted and I-"

  "There's no excuse, Gina, it's been happening too often. You're just going to have to get your mind back on the job - I won't stand for this kind of unprofessional behavior. Do you understand?"

  Mr Wonderful-but-grumpy - who now stalked his way back down the hallway toward the rear of the building - did, Tamsen had to admit, have one tidy backside despite attempts to camouflage it in an Armani suit.

  She turned her attention back to the Comet captured in his carrier bag. "Hey, baby, calm down." Her voice was gentle and soothing, while the poor frightened fish continued to try and find a way out through the clear plastic. Tamsen lowered its wriggling form into the aquarium that had pride of place in the firm's reception area.

  Gina sidled up, having escaped the confines of the ostentatious reception desk. "You don't think you could whisper sweet nothings into that bastard's ear so he'd get off my case, do you?" Her tone was terse.

  "Unruffle those fine feathers, sister. His other half probably just didn't give him one this morning and he's taking it out on all and sundry."

  Gina giggled. "Tams, there isn't another half and I think it disturbs him his bits just don't appeal to me."

  Tamsen smiled at her friend. "So he makes Orlando Bloom look like the boy next door and he's got a body to die for. The man is spiritually bereft. Ghandi, he is not."

  Gina laughed again. "Are you sure you can't spend more time here? Calling in once a fortnight to check your babies over just isn't enough."

  Tamsen turned her attention back to the aquarium. "Sorry, sweetness and light. The babies only need to see me twice a month for a pep-talk and if the rest of the bods you work with are as charming as your friend back there - " she cast a hand in the direction Matthew had disappeared " - I'd die a thousand deaths if I came more often."

  She took another worried look at her charges who were nosing around their new tank-mate in the plastic bag. "Actually, I’m wondering if that might be why I'm losing so many of my babies here."

  They were interrupted by the shrill ringing of a phone.

  "Ah, filthy commerce calling" Gina scurried back behind the marble façade that served as a desk.

  "Better not let anyone else through or your friend-"

  "He's not my friend. He's my boss."

  "Well, your boss will string you up by the beautiful pearls that adorn your throat."

  "You attend to your fish, girlfriend, and leave the corporate heavyweights to me."

  Tamsen set to untying the plastic bag and scooping a good amount of the water from the aquarium into her newcomer's transparent environment. "There you go," she whispered. "Trauma reduction's my specialty. Don't want you dying of shock in the first hour or so, now do we?"

  "If I were a fish would I get that kind of TLC?" Matt asked.

  Tamsen looked up and found herself gazing straight into a pair of intense brown eyes. They were so dark she struggled with where the pupil ended and the iris began. She felt her stomach plummet, her hands became slick with sweat and she could barely think for a head full of cotton wool.

  "I...I'm sorry?" she stuttered.

  "The fish. I was wondering if you whispered sweet nothings into all their ears?"

  "Well..." Her brain had gone on strike.

  The man before her reeked of elegance. She noted fine features almost to the point of beauty, but in a masculine and testosterone-loaded manner. She could even find it in her heart to forgive him for his lousy outburst at Gina. In that moment she probably could forgive him for anything.

  "I suppose you're going to tell me that fish don't have ears, hmm?" He laughed quietly at his own joke. His laugh like liquid velvet running down her body, a perfect match for his lilting speech.

  "Well, technically fish don't have ears, but they do react to sound." She pointed at one of the Comets, a globular orange-and-black cutie with bulbous eyes that hung like two small orange grapes from the side of its head. "You see the thin line that runs along the side from the head to the tail?"

  Matt studied the fish. "Looks a bit like a shift in the scales?"

  "That's it. It measures vibration."

  "So I couldn't sneak up on them then?"

 
Tamsen poured another scoop of water into the Comet's bag. "No. In fact, they get to know the rhythmical footsteps of the person who feeds them."

  There was no automatic feeder on this aquarium; it encouraged a member of the staff to feed the fish every day, building a valuable emotional bond between the weaving fish and the staff on site. It was also a great way to start the day.

  "I wondered why they rush up to the glass when I walk out here."

  "You feed them?" She was astounded.

  Matt whispered. "At night. When no one's looking." He threw her a grin, so disarming she let go of the plastic bag and her new charge escaped into the aquarium. "Promise you won't tell anyone - it'd ruin my reputation. Office ogre and all."

  "Er, no. Not at all. You can trust me."

  "I thought I could. I haven't seen you around here before. I'm Matthew Solomon."

  He offered his hand. Tamsen's were wet and she searched frantically for something to dry them on. Nothing appeared like magic, so she hurried to wipe her hand on her jeans before proffering it. His felt strong and warm and he shook hers with authority and command.

  He smiled again, exposing perfect white teeth and a certain twinkle in those dark eyes. Another chill ran across her body.

  "No, I'm new. I took over the business a month or so ago, so this is only the third - or is it the fourth? - time I've been here."

  "Great, so we'll be seeing a lot more of you then. Hopefully you can keep a few more of our tank friends here - " he waved at the aquarium " - alive, yes?"

  Tamsen felt a moment of irritation. "The army have tanks, we have display aquariums."

  "Forgive me." Could that be a tinge of red on his cheeks, she wondered?

  Unsure of what to say, she continued busying herself with aquarium maintenance and hoped Mr Phantom-fish-lover would go away.

  He remained. Watching her work.

  Tamsen wasn't usually concerned about being watched. She visited a number of sites and there would always be someone on the staff lurking, either making snide remarks about the Goldfish Girl or asking her inane questions about fish. Almost everyone needed to share a childhood story about their favorite fish who died and the irreparable damage they suffered when parents replaced the offending fish with an impostor. The stories were part of the job she'd grown to love.

  She'd actually prefer it if he would tell her some story. But he continued to just stand there. Tamsen could sense him - or could she smell him? She didn't want to turn around, or further acknowledge his presence. She just wanted him to go away.

  The escalating tension seemed unbearable. All her nerve endings were strained and her body felt as if it were on alert for him, for any movement. The small reflection on the far side of the aquarium wasn't enough to confirm whether he still stood behind her. Torn between acknowledging his presence by turning around and asking him what he wanted, or pretending he wasn't there, Tamsen opted for continuing to feel stalked.

  Routine maintenance complete, the sense of uneasiness that had crept up on her like the resident fish sneaking up on their new companion began to ease.

  The little Comet seemed happy, and a small area where the weed had been eaten away by the other fish had been replanted. With nothing left to do, she'd have to turn around and ignore the fact he might have been standing there just watching her, or try and pretend he didn't exist - a ridiculous notion, since they'd struck up a conversation.

  As she stepped down from the ladder that allowed her access to the top of the aquarium, she took in her own reflection wondering what he might be thinking. Did he see a crimson-haired woman, struggling to keep unruly curls pulled back in a business-like fashion, the odd tendril making a dash for escape around her almond shaped eyes? Or nothing more than a young, inexperienced girl?

  Allowing herself to dream a moment, Tamsen saw a Wiccan woman wearing earthy, vibrant, lacy layers who wouldn't be moved on her opinions, a fatalist weaving around on impossibly high heels. Not a girl in jeans and sporting a work shirt.

  He had been there and now he came closer. No more time to wonder what he might be thinking; getting lost in her own thoughts sometimes wasn't a good idea.

  "I'd like to discuss the current contract with you. Is there any chance we could do it over a cup of coffee sometime?"

  Turning to face him, a familiar feeling came over her, a sense of mystery that caused a small rush of adrenaline. "I don't see why not."

  Where was this going? Not in the habit of accepting invitations for coffee from men who made her feel this uneasy, albeit an exciting type of unease, she couldn't be sure if this was good or bad. Save for something. Something she didn't quite understand pushing her to give this man a chance. Having learned a long time ago to ignore these kinds of feelings at her peril, she let her soul have its say.

  He looked quite delighted. His eyes lit up and a small smile erupted on his face. Tamsen decided that she quite liked the way his face changed when he smiled.

  "Great." He shuffled around in his pants pocket and took out his wallet. "Here's my card. It's got all my numbers on it. But what say we head to the coffee bar downstairs now? You look like you've finished here and I could help you with all your bits and pieces."

  Oh, he could help her with her bits and pieces all right. Mentally slapping herself, Tamsen dragged her thoughts back from the depths, where they were swimming with bottom-dwelling catfish. He was offering a cup of coffee and already she had mentally stripped him and was damn near trying him for size.

  "Actually there are a couple of things I have to do first." She was loath to let the invitation slide and that amused her. "But how about I meet you downstairs in, say, half an hour?"

  He looked at his watch; she couldn't help noticing it was Gucci.

  "Sounds fine, I'll see you then." With that, he turned on his heels and she was left gaping like one of her fish.

  Gina rushed over. "Have you just made a date or something with that jerk?"

  Tamsen was still stunned. "Yes, it appears I have. But it's just business."

  "Business!" Gina looked furious.

  "I know." Tamsen's voice sounded dreamy. Her eyes drifted from Gina to follow him up the corridor, his rhythmic movement adding to his allure.

  "Tammy. Look at me." Gina's abrupt tone brought Tamsen back to the here and now.

  "Sorry, what were you saying?"

  "I was saying, you saw him being the anti-Christ not less than twenty minutes ago. So what's up?"

  "Don't know. It just felt right." Tamsen shrugged. As far as she was concerned, the spirits knew something she and Gina did not and she wouldn't risk crossing them. "Look, Gina, don't sweat the small stuff."

  "You can leave the clichés out of this conversation. He's heavy-duty shit and you just don't want to go there."

  Tamsen packed the last of her equipment back into the small carrycase she’d brought with her and cast an eye around quickly to make sure nothing had been overlooked. "Relax, it's a just cup of coffee. How much trouble can I get into?"

  Gina cocked an eyebrow. "How much do you want?"

  "Give me a break. How long is it since I've been anywhere near a man, never mind one as mind-blowingly sexy as..." She fished around for the business card she'd put in her pocket. "Matthew Solomon, Partner, Harding & Kilpatrick, Barristers & Solicitors?" Tamsen giggled. "I mean, how much trouble can a little old anti-Christ be?"

  Gina sighed. "I don't think you want to know."

  "Maybe it’s time I found out." Tamsen turned in the direction of the lifts. "I'll see you at home tonight and fill you in on the whole thing." She blew Gina a kiss and headed out into the lobby.

  Matthew was baffled. Not the usual state for a successful corporate lawyer who prided himself on being skilled at logical thinking. He’d spent years being paid well to avoid trouble and confrontation, so why the hell had he just asked that enticing bundle of trouble at the fish tank out for coffee?

  Like he didn't have enough women problems. An ex on his back like a limpet. A mother who
refused to keep her nose out of his life and constantly demanded progress reports on the chances of her getting grandchildren in the near future. Russell Crowe he wasn't, so why head back into the arena?

  Yet something about her had “clicked” and that disturbed him. He'd never followed anything remotely like gut instinct before, but for some reason - one he was unable to explain - he didn't want to override his internal compass on this one.

  He seated himself at the large oak desk in his spartanly furnished office. His secretary, Danielle, often complained about the lack of anything personal surrounding him, but it gave him a sense of calm and control.

  Casting his eye across the desk, he noticed a new proposal had appeared in his absence. Another franchise agreement for one of his major clients - his area of expertise, but it seemed less exciting these days.

  "Danni!" He hated using the internal phone system and insisted on yelling through the office for his secretary, a constant irritation to his partners and the other staff.

  Danielle appeared at his door, looking as tempting as ever, a short white miniskirt exposing the length of her long brown legs. Her Spanish descent showed in her deep blue eyes and olive skin, and the thick, jet-black hair that hung to her shoulders. Her looks were one of the reasons he'd hired her: he’d figured if he was going to have to spend eight hours a day with this woman, she might as well be easy on the eye.

  "Yes, Matthew?"

  "When did this arrive?" He held the offending contract aloft; the sheer weight of the paper was enough to give him carpel syndrome.

  "It's been on your desk since this morning. I don't know how you could've missed it. Tim's been on the phone already wanting to know if you've looked it over and when he can come in and discuss it."

  Matt sighed heavily. "What's my day look like tomorrow?"