No Cure for Love

By Sandy Curtis

He’s back in her life. But she can’t let him back in her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 30, 2001
• ISBN: 9781925337013

Sandy Curtis

Sandy Curtis writes contemporary romance for Ormiston Press’s Lavish Novels line, and is also the author of seven romantic thrillers published in Australia and Germany, two of which have been finalists in the Romantic Book of the Year Award. Sandy has presented many writing workshops including 10 days teaching creative writing at the University of Southern Queensland McGregor Summer Schools, given library talks, and been a panellist at writers’ festivals. She is a member of many writing organisations, and has organised the Bundaberg writers festival, WriteFest, since its inception in 2005. In 2010 she was awarded the Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Award for Sustained Contribution to the arts in regional Queensland, and in December 2012 she was selected by the Queensland Writers Centre to receive the Johnno Award for outstanding contributions to writing in Queensland.

Book preview

FIFTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

A soft voice, a woman’s voice, penetrated the swirling mists of her mind.

Lani kept her eyes closed, knowing if she opened them the room would spin, her stomach churn, and the panic fill her throat and threaten to choke her.

Her hands clenched into fists, the short nails making indents in her soft palms. A cool, moist cloth passed over her forehead and pushed the silky hair back from her face.

Lani? Can you hear me?

Yes, Kay, I can hear you. Her mind formed the words her lips were unable to speak, but her chin dipped a slight assent.

The cloth wiped around the back of her neck, then her wrists. The whirlpool in her stomach settled into a slow eddy.

She uncurled her fingers and spread them over smooth leather as though searching for a solid grip, her eyelids flickering in tentative, hesitant attempts to open. The ceiling lines tilted at crazy angles and the nausea returned. She closed her eyes. A hand held her head and she felt glass against her lips.

Drink this, Lani. It will help.

With the conscious effort needed to gulp the cold water she felt reality return. She opened her eyes again. This time the ceiling stayed at right angles to the walls. Her stomach fluttered, then was still. She looked up at the frown creasing Kay’s forehead and felt a stab of guilt and shame. She struggled to sit up.

As she gazed across the room a cry tore from her lips and she fell back against the pillow.

She watched the tall figure standing with fists thrust into trouser pockets flinch slightly, saw his dark eyes only momentarily betray the knowledge that he was the cause of the pain in her cry. Pinned against the cold leather by the intensity of his gaze, she watched as long strides carried him swiftly across the room towards her.

Lani barely felt the coolness as Kay once again brushed her hair back, her concentration centred on dark eyes framed by thick lashes. Her pulse accelerated as she gazed into a face too strongly chiselled to be called handsome, but so potently masculine her breath caught in her lungs.

Suddenly his lips thinned into a grim line. Too late Lani realized Kay’s tender ministrations had revealed the fine scar running from just above her ear, down her pale cheek, and under her jaw. A scar which would normally be concealed by her wavy shoulder-length hair.

She jerked back, reaching instinctively to draw her hair forward to cover her jawline.

What are you doing here? The words rasped from her constricted throat.

Luke is the owner of the computer company we have the contract with, Lani. Kay's neutral tone belied the questions in her eyes as she looked from Lani to the man at her side. He carried you in here when you fainted.

Lani sucked air deep into her lungs in an effort to calm her racing heartbeat.

You … you didn't mention his name.

Luke's assistant was flying up to Brisbane to do the software programs but he took ill and Luke had to fill in at the last minute. I didn't know until he arrived.

I'm sorry my appearance was such a shock to you, Lei.

The rich tones rolled over Lani, sending little quivers through her veins. The voice was deeper, more mature than she remembered. She dared to look at him again, willing her body not to react, but unable to suppress a small shiver as memories splintered through her mind - her fingers running through his thick brown hair as his lips and body took her to the pinnacle of pleasure; his dark eyes shining with love and laughter as …

She shook her head. She had to regain control.

It was a surprise, she muttered.

It's been a long time. Eleven years.

Not long enough, Luke.

She swung her legs off the couch. Her skirt caught on the edge and rode up her thighs. Her cheeks flamed as she saw the appreciative glint in Luke's eyes, and she jumped to her feet, swaying slightly. His hand was on her arm in an instant but she pulled away.

The last thing she needed was for him to touch her. She was shredded, raw, her emotions a tangled mess, and the feel of his skin on hers was so disturbing it was more than she could cope with.

Lani. Kay put out a restraining hand as Lani went to walk towards the door. I'm going to take you home. You're extremely pale. Now, don't argue. As your friend, and your boss, I'm giving you an order.

Lani opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. When Kay Wagner made her mind up, nothing, except perhaps her husband Colin, could dissuade her. Lani nodded. At least she would get away from Luke's disturbing presence.

Without looking back to see if they were following, Lani walked swiftly from the First Aid room. It was only twenty metres back to her office but by the time she arrived she felt as though she'd run a marathon. She'd forgotten how terrible she always felt after she had one of her blackouts. The last one had been over six years ago and she'd hoped it had been the last. But then she hadn't thought Luke would ever come back into her life.

She sagged against the cupboard as she reached in for her coat and handbag. No, he wasn't back in her life. He was just passing through. Within a week he would be gone, back to Sydney, back to his life, back to his family, maybe a wife and children.

Why did that thought have the capacity to hurt her? For eleven years she had tried to wipe him from her heart, her memory. And she thought she'd succeeded. Until today. Until he'd walked into her office and called her by the name only he had ever used.

At a sound behind her she straightened and turned. Luke was standing just inside the doorway. Lani's office was small, and Luke's height and broad shoulders seemed to make it shrink even more. Again she was thrown off balance, the sight of those deep brown eyes boring into hers tilted her perception, shattered her fragile composure.

Where's Kay? Her voice sounded harsh but she didn't care. She had to get away. Now.

He stepped into the room. She backed up against the cupboard. She saw his frown, the puzzlement in his eyes. Then she sighed with relief as Kay walked in.

Lani, I'm sorry, Colin's just phoned. He needs me at the bank to sign some paperwork. I'll call a taxi to take you home.

I'll be fine, Kay. I can drive.

No way, sweetie. You look like death warmed up and I don't want you passing out at the wheel of your car.

I can take Lei home. My car is out the front and I won't be able to start work until she can show me over the office and factory anyway.

Both women turned to Luke, Kay smiling, Lani appalled, then mutinous. But before she could speak Kay had turned back to her. One look at the determination in Kay's steel grey eyes and Lani knew any protest would be useless.

Perhaps it will be a good opportunity for you to give Luke a run-down on how we operate here, Lani. After all, you're the one who'll be having more to do with him than I will.

Lani acknowledged temporary defeat. Kay's fluffy blonde curls and delicate features belied the iron will and tenacity which had enabled her to take over her father's fledgling company twenty years ago and build it into one of the leading natural health products suppliers in Australia. Once she had gone Lani would set Luke straight that he wasn't driving her home.

The three of them walked to the main entrance to the building. Winter sunshine shone warmth over green lawn, raised garden beds blazing with colour, and a large carpark. Lani waited until Kay started towards her car before she swung around to Luke.

Save yourself the bother, Luke, I'll be driving myself home. And tomorrow I'm going to tell Kay somebody else will have to show you around. I want nothing to do with you. Ever again. Do you understand?

A lazy smile parted lips which were too sensuous for Lani's peace of mind.

"You're the one who doesn't understand, Lei. The contract specifies you as the company representative who'll be supplying the information I'll need to write up the software programs."

Then Kay will have to tear up the contract, because I won't do it.

The contract is water-tight. Both Kay and Colin have signed it. His voice was soft but Lani felt the implied threat behind the words. They've borrowed heavily to modernise the factory and the office. Up-grading their antiquated computer systems and specific software are part of that. If they tear up the contract I'll sue them, and they don't have the capital to fight me. But I have the capital to push them to the wall if I have to.

You wouldn't …

Try me.

Lani felt the ground sink beneath her. With an effort she pulled her mind back from a deep, dark pit. Her face crumpled in disbelief, and tears filmed her eyes.

You are like him after all.

The words, barely whispered, snapped Luke's head back. Like who?

Your father. She turned and stumbled blindly away.

Luke grabbed her arm before she had gone more than five steps. Anger vibrated through him; he looked like he wanted to shake her.

"No, Lei. Never like my father."

She stared at him, not believing, but in the end too exhausted to argue. It was too much to cope with. The one ghost from her past she'd told herself she hoped never to see again; the only man she'd ever loved; the man who was now acting like the only man she'd ever hated.

She sagged in defeat. Luke took her firmly by the elbow and walked her towards a white Commodore parked close by, unlocked the passenger side door and settled her inside.

They drove for fifteen minutes in silence. Luke glanced across at Lani. She sat like a rag doll, devoid of any emotion or movement. It scared the hell out of him.

In the calm, dispassionate atmosphere of his office in Sydney he'd envisaged how Lani would react when she first saw him. Surprised, yes, shocked, maybe, but nothing had prepared him for the look of horror and fear which swept across her face before she collapsed to the floor, his own surprise at her reaction so great he wasn't swift enough to catch her before she fell. He had scooped her up with arms that shook in disbelief at what had happened.

As he’d followed Kay to the First Aid Room he'd trembled for a different reason.

He'd moved Lani closer against his chest and his hand had brushed her breast. Through the soft pink blouse he could feel the smooth satin of her bra. And through that the gentle thump of her heart. It had felt so right, holding her in his arms, touching the breast he'd once kissed and caressed, that his own heartbeat had raced.

Her hair, so close to his face, smelled of the same shampoo she'd used so many years ago, like fresh green apples after rain. He remembered how well her body curved into his when they'd made love; how they'd showered together, the suds sliding over her breasts and travelling down her slim body.

When she’d regained consciousness and cried out at the sight of him he was bewildered. Why was she so afraid of him? She was the one who'd left him. He'd been the one nursing a broken heart while she'd gone overseas.

Something wasn't right. He'd thought she might be cool, aloof, refuse to go out with him, or perhaps she might even have welcomed him back into her life, hoping to regain the relationship they'd once shared. But her physical reaction and her vehemence she would have nothing to do with him was puzzling.

It had seemed so simple before. A chance to see the woman he'd loved so many years ago. The woman on whom he'd sworn he would have his revenge. For years it had eaten at him, the need to make her suffer like he had. But with maturity had come a little wisdom, the understanding she had only been seventeen at the time. When the opportunity had presented itself, he'd thought he was still looking for revenge, but now he realised a burning need to see her again had been the predominating factor.

The strained silence suddenly seemed intolerable. He looked at her pale face, startled by the twist of caring and concern in his chest.

How are you feeling now?

Her hands twitched in her lap at the sound of his voice, but she answered without emotion, Fine.

Annoyance flooded through him. You don't look fine, Lei. Hell, why wouldn't she look at him! He might have planned to surprise her, but he certainly hadn't wanted to cause her the distress he obviously had.

How do you know where I live? She didn't look at him as she spoke, but the question sparked a debate in Luke's mind. Finally he decided to tell her the truth.

I had you investigated.

She jerked upright in the seat. He looked over quickly enough to catch a glimpse of the anger which darkened the violet of her eyes.

How dare you! What gave you the right -

I only wanted to check if you were the same Leilani Campbell.

And what did you find out?

He frowned at the tight, strained tone of her voice. Damn! Whatever notion he may have had about revenge was quickly being replaced by a desire to erase the fear and pain he appeared to have brought into her life.

That you've worked for Kay and Colin Wagner for the past six and a half years. Prior to that you worked for Highgate Research for eighteen months. You live with your widowed aunt in Stafford on Brisbane's north side and you drive a Mitsubishi Magna VR-X sedan. You graduated with honours in botany from the University of Queensland, then did external study and gained your degree in chemistry. And you've never been engaged or married.

He sensed rather than heard her sigh of relief. It puzzled him. What had she been afraid he would find out? He made a mental note to get the investigator to delve more deeply into the past eleven years.

As he got closer to her aunt's house Lani gave brief directions and soon he pulled into the driveway of a single-storey suburban brick home.

She muttered a brief Thank you and jumped from the car as soon as it stopped. But Luke was just as quick. As she pushed her key into the lock and turned it