The door opened. A statuesque beauty with sandy hair smiled. “Hi, you must be Davina. I’m Miriam and was told to meet you and bring you inside.” The woman’s grip was lethal as she tugged Davina inside. “Micah hasn’t told us much about you, only that you’re taking meditation classes together. Dad would have had a cow, but we’re all individuals, you know. By the way, I’m a Doctor at Saint Frances’ Hospital and I think you’ve met Noah. Simeon will be here shortly, he’s got the service at the Church of Saint Helen to complete, which is a hoot because he was the least churchy of us as kids.” The rattle of Micah’s sister was settling, allowing her to slough off the nervousness.

  “So, you’re a doctor, Micah is an artist—”

  “Pastellist. Better get that terminology right,” giggled Miriam.

  “Sorry, Pastellist, Noah is a chauffeur and Simeon is a priest?”

  “Pastor. Thank God! Otherwise, no kids and he’s got two already with his wife, Fenella.”

  The crowd would be larger than she imagined. “O-kay.”

  “Don’t be too concerned. We’re a pretty wild bunch, but friendly enough. Unless you’re into paganism, then Simeon might have something interesting to say.”

  Micah stuck his head through a doorway. “Miriam, stop scaring the guest. Davina don’t worry. Simeon is a peaceable guy and won’t care what you believe so long as you’re nice to Fenella and the kids. Welcome.”

  The short wave of Davina’s arm felt ridiculous, but she didn’t feel comfortable wandering over and kissing him, even though he looked eminently tasty. Don’t go there! The caution was ignored, however, by her unruly body, as it heated.

  “Uh hi, Micah.” The word croaked out, and she wanted to groan at the give-away once she caught sight of Miriam’s hastily controlled grin.

  Micah winked as Miriam retreated and disappeared around a corner and he darted out, bussed her on the cheek before sliding away. “Glad you could make it. It’s just a family dinner, but we try to do this every week. Keeps us all in touch, you know. Now, if you follow Miriam, there’s wine, juice, soft drink and water laid out.”

  “You don’t need help in the kitchen?”

  His eyebrow raised. “I saw what’s in your freezer. Unless you have mad hidden skills, you go take a break.”

  Davina snickered, “No, sadly. I can boil water and cook toast. That’s about my limit.”

  When he smiled, her stomach melted like a pool of ice. “We’ll have to do something about that then, won’t we?”

  Micah trotted back to the kitchen, leaving her standing there watching him retreat.

  His body ached by the end of the meal. Not from food, but from his hunger of a different sort.

  Davina had joined the banter slowly, but his siblings clearly thought she was okay as they insisted that both he and Davina watch the sleeping children while they cleared up.

  “They’re great, your brothers and sister. Even Fenella.”

  He nodded slowly, understanding the Fenella comment, given she was pretty intense in the mothering department. “It’s great that we’re tight. I mean, we’d been like that before, but after Dad, then Mum… We kept up the routine and it feels right, you know?”

  Cocking her head to one side, Davina stared at him. “I guess.”

  Of course! You’re an idiot! “I mean for us...”

  The silence stretched for a long second. “It’s okay. I really don’t know my brothers and sisters. We live different lives, but that’s okay, right?” Davina’s voice echoed with forced surety.

  The thing was, he didn’t think she believed her words any more than he did. “I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s okay Micah. Every family is unique and mine is just… disjointed? Last time I saw Dad was about four, maybe five years ago, when he married Laura. He demanded I turn up to the ceremony and reception in the week before my bar exam. Before that, I hadn’t spoken to him in ages.”

  “And that’s why you… Never mind. Look, will you stay? Please?” He reached out for her hand.

  “I don’t know. I mean, I’ve got work tomorrow and I’m in court most of the day, so I need to make sure I’m ready, have my papers in order and—”

  “Davina?”

  “What?”

  “Please. Not for anything just so we can talk or…” Actually, he didn’t know why he’d asked her to stay. He wasn’t thinking of the sex, just he wanted to spend time with her.

  The panic on her face was met with, “I can’t. Not today. In fact, I should go.” She rose as the sound in the kitchen rose to a crescendo.

  “Wait. Maybe—”

  Wisps of hair escaped from her loose knot and fluttered as she shook her head. “Goodbye Micah.” Davina was down the hall before he could call her back, so he trotted after her, throwing an absent “back in a moment,” over his shoulder.

  Already reaching for her keys, Micah put on a spurt of power. “Wait!”

  Davina stilled, rigid enough that a gust of wind might shatter her.

  “I spoke without thinking. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He slid an arm around her waist. So their bodies touched.

  “It’s okay.”

  The thickness of her voice tore at his guts, flaying him from the inside. “It wasn’t. It’s just I have a close family and I don’t understand… But I want to, Davina. Let me in.”

  Her strangled inhalation spurred him to turn her. Her face, now pale with silvery tracks, made him stop. What? What is different this time? Why do I care?

  “Let me in Davina.”

  “I don’t want a relationship, Micah. That’s not what I came here for.” Her bottom lip quivered, and her voice cracked.

  “Maybe not, but both of us want more this time. I’m willing to try Davina, but are you?”

  She backed away; eyes wide open. “No.” Fear punctuated her words as she trembled. “Because that only leads to hurt. Been there, done that. No more.”

  Movement’s jerky. She shoved the key into the car door, ripped it open and climbed inside while he watched, tense and unsure what to do next.

  As she started the car, he tugged on the door. “I’m not giving up. Not on you and not on us.”

  With that, he slammed it shut, hoping he’d planted a seed of doubt and stalked back while she jerked the car forward, out of the driveway and onto the road.

  Tuesday morning passed in a blur for Davina. The day was eventful as usual, with a vitriolic attendance at court. Jane—her client—arrived on the arm of her brother. The bruises on her face testament to the ferocity of her soon-to-be ex-husband’s attack. The judge refused bail for him, and she and Jane both breathed deeply as they left the court precinct, satisfied that until the next attendance, she’d be safe. “You’re going home with your brother?”

  The woman merely nodded, her face downcast, and Davina as she entered the offices. Her new assistant met her at the door. “I’m not so sure this job and I are meant for each other. I’ve had six clients complain about restraining orders being ignored, two refusing to pay because they lost out in child support and another—”

  “Woah! Stop right there. Why are you taking calls about Child Support and…?”

  “Mr. Livingston said I was to help him out while you’re in court but—”

  Anger and understanding bloomed. “I’ll sort Jeffrey Livingston out. Your job is my aide and—”

  “I’ve only just started, and already my inbox is overflowing. I don’t think this is going to work. So, I’ll stay until the end of the week, but I’ve already been offered a job with shorter hours and bigger pay. I start on Monday.”

  Davina stared at the pocket-sized redhead; her mouth open. “Umm. Well, if you feel like that, maybe this isn’t the place for you. Grab your things and head on home. I’m sure a day and half ‘s pay is better than nothing.”

  Fury wound through her. How dare they? With enough work on her hands, the histrionics of a new hire and the machinations of a lazy associate were just a step too far.

  The woman gaped. “But what about the rest of the week? I was going to use that money for a cruise and—”

  “Then I’m sure as you reorganise your finances from your new high-paying job, you’ll be able to find the money. Please clear your desk and I’ll have someone grab your keys and delete any authorizations you may already have.” Davina took great delight in stalking away from the woman.

  At Jim’s door, she hesitated, firmed her shoulders, and marched into the executive office. Melony, his assistant, sat at the desk. “Something wrong, Davina?”

  “Lots, Mel. I need to speak to Jim, urgently.”

  Melony frowned, tapped at the computer. “He’s free for about ten minutes, but after that, he’s on the clock.”

  She reached for the door handle and turned it. Jim, her boss, had just turned sixty the week before. Slim and well groomed, glasses perched on his nose hide clear grey eyes which matched his suit.

  “Davina. Something wrong?”

  “Lots, Jim. Jeffrey Livingston grabbed my new assistant and made her take the calls from Child Support services and payments, and she only started yesterday and is overwhelmed enough with my work. That’s not her job, and he’s using this ploy to get out of his own work. Plus, she’s just informed me she’s accepted another job with ‘fewer hours and more pay’ starting on Monday. I told her that her services weren’t required. I’m going to ask Melony to delete her from the system and get her keys, but—”

  “Jeffrey is a tick.” His heavy huff of breath shared his frustration. “One I need to deal with, so leave that with me. Melony will chase the authorisations and keys, but you need an assistant. You almost drowned in paperwork when your last one left.” He stood, scratching his head, and turned to the window, looking out over the lane below. “You work too many hours as it is, Davina.”

  They’d had this argument in the past. It always ended up in a mad tangle, with no outcome. “I do what’s needed to complete my job, Jim. But there’s no place for people who aren’t committed to the job. We do too much Legal Aid work to have slackers.” She pointed in the general direction of Jeffrey’s office.

  He gave a weary nod and slumped into his seat. “I know. I’ve tried to avoid conflict, since most of us deal with it daily. But of course, you’re right. I’ll deal with Jeffrey today. That doesn’t fix your assistant or lack thereof, though.”

  Davina gave a careful shrug. “I can manage until we get the right person. Just make it quick, okay? Now will you ask Melony, or should I?”

  “You go, and I’ll talk to her immediately.” He shooed Davina from the office while lifting the phone to pass on instructions. As she moved by Melony’s desk, the woman gave her a thumbs up and mouthed, ‘sorting it now,’ to her.

  Leaving the executive offices, Davina palmed her phone and dialled Karly at the Meditation Haven to cancel her session. “Oh, that’s fine. I’ll let Micah know and we’ll simply reschedule since I wasn’t around last week, anyway.”

  Davina ground her teeth silently. Not at all what I wanted. No, truth be told, what she wanted was to miss the session and not have to deal with Micah, either. Going the Micah route led to quicksand. “And I’ve got enough of that already.”

  Frowning at the phone, Micah embraced the frustration that gnawed. “She’s dodging it.”

  “What?” called Karen from the front of the gallery.

  “Dammit.” He’d had no intentions of saying anything to the woman about Davina but knew that was a moot point the moment Karen stepped around the corner, her head cocked to one side.

  “So, who? What?”

  Trying to avoid Karen’s questions was something he knew from their long association wouldn’t achieve anything. Instead, he mentally girded himself. “Davina, the woman I’ve been…” What best would describe the situation? It wasn’t a relationship as far as she was concerned and wouldn’t be if he couldn’t encourage a change of mind. His own inability to encapsulate it in one word was part of his problem with their status. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog that clouded his thinking. “The woman I’ve been seeing. We were supposed to be meeting tonight at meditation—”

  Karen’s eyes glittered with interest. “You’ve said nothing about a woman or meditation. Do tell.” She leaned in closer, and he felt trapped.

  “I’m uh… I met Davina at meditation. After we…” He rolled both hands and Karen nodded her understanding, then tapped her full lips with scarlet tipped nails.

  “Yes, I get that we’re over and I’m past my hissy fit. But you’ve kept this silent.”

  “For a reason.”

  Her grin couldn’t zap his feelings of discomfort. I don’t want to talk to you about her. But she stood there, waiting.

  “Fine! She’s lovely, and I’m hoping she thinks I’m special, too. Now can we get on hanging these bloody works?”

  Heaven help me, let Karen take the hint and leave me alone! He turned back, creating a physical barrier, reinforcing that he didn’t want to discuss it.

  One moment, then another passed before he heard her mutter, “fine,” and retreat. It was all Micah could do to restrain the urge to sigh. He didn’t know how next to reach her. Instead, he vowed he’d give her a couple of days, then if he didn’t hear, he’d contact her by phone, see if there wasn’t some way he could connect on a more than physical level with her.

  * * *

  The door closed behind Davina with a whump that her head was sure sounded more like a slam. The horrendous week finally at an end, Melony assured her the replacement personal assistant was due to start on Monday. Jim had thrown the gauntlet down to Jeff that under no circumstances was he to palm off work to anyone else, and the tricky divorces she’d been overseeing for the last couple of months were concluded.

  With Elyse on a date with her “hottie healthy” and a glass of wine riding high on Davina’s agenda, she slumped into her seat.

  The peal of the doorbell had her eyes closing momentarily, but the trill continued and, unable to ignore it, she rose and answered the imperious sound. “Micah!”

  His eyes glinted in the doorstep's light, and she ushered him inside. “I was passing by and thought I’d drop in. Find out if you wanted to catch up for a wine some time tomorrow? I could pick you up?”

  Her gut constricted as the fear she’d been trying to ignore rose again. “I… uh, I’ve got a lot happening right now, Micah.”

  “I see.”

  His tone told her he probably did, and she winced, aware that he knew she knew. “Look, I’m not sure any of this was a great idea and allowing either of us to continue with this will only make the end worse.” She reached up and rubbed at her shoulder blade, then sighed and dropped the hand.

  His gaze followed her actions. “Rough day?”

  “Only usual for now. Look, I’m not sure that pursuing any kind of relationship would be wise.”

  “You think nothing could eventuate, then?”

  She blinked, unsure why he wanted to pursue her when, clearly, she was brushing him off. “I like you a lot, Micah. But my genetic makeup and relationships are clearly inconsistent with any kind of future relationship. I have no intentions of allowing myself to either be party to such an act or to —”

  He frowned, the lines of his forehead deep and slashing. Her fingers itched to rub them away. “Bullshit, Davina. You’re afraid. I get that, but don’t misunderstand me or think I’m some pussy.”

  Her mouth dropped open. No man had ever spoken to her like that before.

  “I… No, I don’t think you’re a pussy. I think you like some, and you probably range far and wide to get what you want.” Her waspish tone and the sour words hit.

  His jaw tightened, as did his gaze. “You think I’m just after sex?” The words erupted like a snarl.

  “Yes, I do.” This time it was her voice that faltered, because she’d not only said the wrong and hurtful things to Micah, and he took the meaning as an insult. One she hadn’t meant to be so blunt.

  “You think little of me, don’t you?” He shook his head, took a step back.

  “It’s not that. I don’t, but to be honest, everything is against us. Work is going to shit. My family life doesn’t exist, and I have no—”

  He swooped in, didn’t give her a chance to push him away. The lips that met hers were hard, cutting off her litany.

  Davina’s body turned traitor as his arms encircled her tight band that tugged her against him. They didn’t move. He didn’t rub or quest, simply held her in place while the heat of his flesh warmed the chill she hadn’t recognised invaded her frame.

  As she tugged away, he kept her close, even as she attempted to hold him at bay, her posture stiff and unresponsive.

  “This means something.” He rested his forehead against her. “Don’t just ignore it or refuse to accept it.”

  “I can’t.” Her voice broke. “I’m too scared.”

  The words hung between them, a warning that she was close to the edge and one he accepted. “I know you’re unsure. So am I, but both of us need whatever this promises.”

  A chink appeared in her psyche, tears welled, burning her eyes, and she slumped. “I don’t know how,” she wailed.

  “We’ll do it together.”

  He ushered her to the lounge, keeping her close; they slid to the padded seat.

  Silence stretched between them. Neither willing to break the quiet communion between them, Davina thought.

  Sometime around ten, Davina turned to Micah. “I haven’t done any practice this week. It’s been kind of a whirlwind.”

  “Maybe we should try, then. I’ve been working hard on my breathing, focus and everything.” He refused to push for the moment her harder. She’d taken an important step tonight. Instead, he’d give her time to re-balance herself.

  “I’ve, um… I set up my spare room as a meditation haven. Would you like to see it?” Her careful words sounded like the peal of bells. She was asking him to enter a place where she found herself.

  “Sure, I’d love to.”

  He followed her across the lounge room, to a door that he’d noticed earlier was closed. As she reached out, she glanced over her shoulder. “You’re the first person to see it.”