Read Hen Party 1 (Hen Party #1) for Free Online

between the goal posts. The Henrietta Hockey Team are premiership players.” Over the years, she’d watched enough of Elin’s games to know the Henriettas were a formidable force, on and off the field.
    His eyes danced over her face. “Do you play hockey?”
    She hesitated to answer while his gaze skimmed over her figure in a discreet way that didn’t cause offense. “No, I watch from the sidelines,” she said. Up close, his trim body quickened her pulse, but she was determined not to give into the tug of physical chemistry.
    He smoothed down his neat crop of dark brown hair. “I flew in from Sydney this afternoon, and I’m slowly adjusting to being on the other side of the country.”
    “You’re a long way from home.” She didn’t expect to see the unruffled look on his face as an answer. Was he travelling alone? “Did you come to Perth for a holiday?”
    He clenched his white teeth in a fake smile. “I’m not a holiday sort of person.” He drank more of his whiskey. “After a sleepless night, I decided early this morning to fly west, catch up with family and check on a business venture.”
    “Sounds like a full schedule to me,” she said, hoping he would tell her more about his business interests. They might have more in common than striking sparks off each other.
    “Yes, time often runs away from me, but this trip is different. I haven’t booked my return flight to Sydney. I’m not giving myself a deadline to tie up loose ends.” He spoke like it was hard for him to get the words out. “I’ll stay here as long as I need to. My father and sister are taking care of things while I’m away.” Something old and tired crept into his eyes before it was replaced with a brooding look.
    “I might just spend the weekend in Perth.” He looked straight through her. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.” His voice faded.
    Something was troubling this guy. He sounded vague about his plans despite giving the impression that he had a laid-back attitude to his holiday. She sipped her cocktail, waiting for his focus to return.
    He blinked and let out a mighty sigh. “I’m sorry for staring at you.”
    “That’s okay,” she said slowly.
    This guy was an enigma. He didn’t look poor. He carried himself with city sophistication, unlike the guys she’d come across in the sportsmen bar. With his striking TDH looks and magnetic aura, he should have his world how he wanted it to be.
    She suspected he wasn’t a guy used to losing control. What had caused him to get out of bed early and fly across the country without thinking about his return? Now he was in Perth, he seemed a little bit lost, and she was going to guess that this was also out of character for him.
    “Cheers to a change of scenery.” He reached across to clink his glass against hers.
    “Sooner or later, we all need some time away from our routine to just live a little,” she said softly. Breaking out of a rut was at the center of her thoughts, even if she didn’t know how to do it…yet.
    “When I was driving through the traffic this morning to reach the airport, I would have agreed with you one hundred percent.” He patted a hand on his chest to quieten his chuckle.
    She smiled at his subtle humor.
    “Perth’s sunny sky and beach air is a welcome break away from my city office, and also an excuse to unwind a little.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “I hope you enjoy the slower pace of your working holiday.”
    He swallowed a mouthful of whiskey, leaving a wet sheen glistening on his shapely lips. “I’ll see how I go tackling a few complicated issues I haven’t been able to get my head around.”
    He sounded genuine, and she believed him.
    “I didn’t expect to meet an interesting woman like you so quickly.”
    Why did his flattery sound contrived while the sexy heat in his eyes looked real?
    “Will you have dinner with me?” A charming smile spread over his face, making him appear even more enticing.
    She resisted the ego boost from