Page 58 of Do Opposites Attract?

‘I’ve never understood the fascination for grown men, or women for that matter, to adorn their bodies with ink.’ Simon spoke the words casually, but Brianna heard the edge behind them. He’d set his feet firmly in Henry’s camp.

‘I agree,’ Mitch replied, his voice equally light. ‘I wasn’t a grown man when I had it done.’

‘I bet you were a man when you received those scars.’ Sophie nodded to where her eyes were seemingly transfixed on the long scar that ran jaggedly across his side.

‘For some,’ Mitch replied tersely.

Brianna clutched at Mitch’s hand, noting how tensely he was holding himself. Not surprising, as they were eyeing him up like an animal at the zoo. Tattoos and scars weren’t seen very often in the circles these people moved in. They all had perfect bodies. If they weren’t born with them, they paid a fortune to have them created through personal trainers and clever plastic surgeons. She felt a roll of shame wash over her. These shallow people had been her friends.

‘Come on, Mitch,’ Melanie spoke, thankfully breaking the tension. ‘You, me, Camilla and Hugo. We’ll be unbeatable.’ Reaching out her hand, she tugged a slightly unwilling Mitch towards the pool.

Brianna was left standing and wondering why it felt like she’d just allowed her lover to be fed to the lions.

* * *

The action in the pool kept everyone entertained for the rest of the afternoon. Brianna realised she needn’t have worried about Mitch. He was more than capable of looking after himself. Though he clearly hadn’t played the game before, his swimming prowess and natural athleticism more than made up for his lack of experience at water polo.

‘What are you doing with him, Brianna?’

With a start, she turned to find Henry standing next to her, his eyes fixed on Mitch who was still in the pool.

‘I’m having a great time,’ she replied coolly, ‘despite your determination to ruin it with your little stunts.’

‘I made a significant contribution to your precious charity,’ he countered sulkily. ‘You should be pleased.’

‘I would have been if your motivation had been altruism, not humiliation.’

Henry snorted contemptuously. ‘The man’s an easy target. Look at him. What type of man has a panther on his arm and scars on his chest?’

‘The sort that’s had a tougher life than you,’ she spat back. God, had she once been that judgemental too? She shivered.

Henry stared at her for a moment and then obviously decided to change tactics. He draped a friendly arm around her shoulders, pulling her so she was forced to face him. ‘Come on, Brie. You and me, we go back a long time. We’re friends. In factI had thought we were going to become more than that, right up until you lost your senses and started dating that loser.’

Something in Brianna snapped. She shoved at Henry, pushing him away from her. ‘How dare you call him that? He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.’

‘Problem?’

She hadn’t seen Mitch come up behind her, but was grateful to feel the strength of his arm as it circled her waist.

‘Nothing I can’t handle,’ she replied, looking pointedly at Henry.

Mitch glowered, beads of water trickling over his powerful chest. ‘If you’ve got something to say, Henry, you need to say it directly to me.’ The words he uttered were calm enough, but the fire in his eyes betrayed his anger.

Henry smirked. ‘I think I will. You see I’m trying to work out what on earth Brianna sees in you and I find myself totally stumped. Of course, when I look at what you see in her, it’s blindingly obvious. She’s beautiful, but that’s not the real attraction for you, is it?’

Henry was clearly enjoying himself, playing to the crowd that had started to gather, sensing trouble. The hairs on the back of Brianna’s neck tingled and she clutched the arm that still circled her waist. She didn’t know where Henry was going with this, but wherever it was, it wasn’t going to end well.

‘No,’ Henry continued, staring contemptuously at Mitch. ‘Looking back at your history, it would seem a woman doesn’t have to be beautiful to get your attention. She doesn’t even have to be young. She just has to be filthy rich.’

Brianna turned sharply to Mitch. ‘What’s he talking about?’ she pleaded, wanting to understand.

But Mitch’s rigid profile wasn’t looking at her. ‘Spit it out, Henry. You think I’m only with Brianna for her money, is thatit?’ She felt his arm tighten around her. ‘Not a particularly flattering assessment of Brianna’s attributes.’

‘It’s not my assessment,’ Henry thundered, on a roll now, veins pulsing on the side of his neck. ‘It’s yours. You’re quite good at this game now, aren’t you? Targeting wealthy, vulnerable ladies. But then you’ve been practising for a long time. You started off with the older women, didn’t you?’

When Mitch remained silent, Henry continued. ‘Does the name Catherine ring any bells with you, or have you forgotten all about her?’

Mitch’s fingers dug into her waist and Brianna had to stifle a yelp. ‘You bastard,’ he uttered under his breath.

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