Читать книгу Brand Of Possession - Кэрол Мортимер, Кэрол Мортимер - Страница 6

SHE shook her head disbelievingly. ‘I don't understand. Mr Payne sacked me.’

‘And now he's changed his mind.’

Stacy gave him a sharp look. ‘This is your doing, isn't it? You got him to change his mind.’

He gave a soft laugh. ‘How could I get him to do that? I don't have that sort of influence.’

‘You spoke to Mr Weston, then.’

‘And if I did?’ he watched her through narrowed eyes. ‘You're making it sound as if you'd rather be out of a job.’

‘No, I—— But what about Paul Forbes? He isn't going to like it.’

‘No one's asking him to. Just leave Forbes to me.’

‘But I——’

‘Forget about him, Stacy,’ he ordered abruptly. ‘Just concentrate on playing Kate.’

‘You know my name, but I don't know yours,’ she said almost shyly.

‘It's Jake.’

She frowned. ‘Don't you find that rather confusing?’

‘Not at all. Does my name bother you, because if it does you could always change it. What would you like my name to be?’

Stacy gave a nervous laugh. ‘Stop teasing me!’

‘So who's teasing? What's in a name anyway? My mother named me and you were given yours by some stranger at the orphanage, but who's to say either of us have the right name for us? You can have whatever name you choose. Do you like the name Stacy?’

‘Yes, yes, I do.’

‘So do I,’ he nodded agreement. ‘But I'm not that worried whether I'm called Jake or Harry, or any other name for that matter. You choose.’

She laughed shakily. ‘You're mad! There's nothing wrong with your name, I was just surprised that it was the same as your employer.’

He shrugged. ‘That's something that can't be helped. I'm sure there must be thousands of Jakes in the world, I was bound to meet a few of them.’

‘Okay, okay,’ she laughed, feeling as if they were going round and round in circles. ‘I give in—Jake.’

The intimacy of his gaze deepened. ‘I wish all my women conceded defeat that easily,’ he said softly, almost caressingly.

‘I'm not conceding defeat, and I'm certainly not one of your women!’ she snapped.

‘How old are you, Stacy?’

‘What does that have to do with anything?’

‘Just answer the question.’

‘I'm nineteen,’ she told him resentfully.

‘And I'm exactly twice that,’ he mused. ‘And yet I want you to know that I find you very attractive, very desirable.’

‘You——’ she gulped. ‘You do?’

‘I do,’ he confirmed. ‘Has anyone told you that you look beautiful tonight?’

She was becoming increasingly embarrassed, finding his sudden compliments a little too sudden. ‘It has been mentioned,’ she was deliberately blasé about it.

‘By Matthew Day?’ he probed harshly.

‘How did you——’

‘I'm paid to know things,’ he interrupted. ‘Have you been dating him long?’

‘Didn't your informant tell you that?’ she enquired sweetly.

‘I didn't ask them, I'm asking you.’

‘I've known Matthew for three years.’

‘That doesn't exactly answer my question,’ he said dryly.

‘No,’ she agreed.

‘By that I take it you aren't going to answer it.’

‘You take it right,’ she imitated his American drawl. ‘I don't consider it any of your business.’

‘Not even if I wanted to date you myself?’

‘And do you?’ she challenged.

He let his gaze wander slowly over her body. ‘Oh yes, I think so.’

Stacy blushed scarlet. She had told Juliet that she thought he could have charm, but nothing had prepared her for this blatant approach. ‘I'm very flattered, Jake, but I——’

‘Don't refuse me yet,’ he cut in. ‘Leave it until the end of the evening and see how you feel about me then.’

‘That almost sounds like a warning of intent.’

He raised one dark eyebrow. ‘Only almost?’

She moved nervously, feeling way out of her depth with this man. ‘I—er—I think I should go and find Matthew.’

He took the empty glass out of her hand, those long tapered fingers brushing gently against her skin. ‘No need, I'll go and get you another drink.’

‘That wasn't the reason I wanted him.’

‘Wait there,’ Jake ordered. ‘I won't be long.’

Stacy watched him stride away, aware of a feeling of pride as the female heads turned to watch his progress over to the bar. He was definitely a handsome specimen, and for some unexplainable reason he seemed to have chosen to spend the rest of the evening with her. She should feel flattered, but fear was one of her predominant emotions, fear of the mesmerising effect he had on her.

She looked up warily as Martin Payne came towards her, the jovial smile on his face nothing like his anger with her earlier today. ‘Ah, Miss Adams,’ he beamed, ‘I trust Jake has told you that our little misunderstanding is to be forgotten?’

‘He did mention it.’

‘Such a silly misunderstanding,’ he continued. ‘You only had to tell me that you'd already agreed to come to the party with Jake and all of that unpleasantness could have been avoided.’

So that was how he had done it! ‘I don't think——’

‘I felt slightly ridiculous when he explained the circumstances behind your refusal.’ He smiled as he realised he was allowing anger to enter his voice. ‘I hope you'll be able to forget any unpleasantness that may have occurred between us. It was all a complete mistake.’

‘Yes,’ she agreed uncertainly, not at all sure of his sudden changes of mood. And she was a little curious as to why Jake had told this man she was spending the evening with him, although she realised this was probably what had saved her job; Martin Payne wouldn't want to antagonise anyone close to Jake Weston.

‘Of course I don't know how you managed it,’ he added curtly, obviously not completely cowed.

Stacy stiffened. ‘Don't you?’ she queried softly, looking past him to the tall imposing figure of Jake as he made his way back to her side, a drink in each hand.

Martin Payne flushed as he followed her line of vision. ‘Mm—well, perhaps I do,’ he muttered. ‘But for your sake I hope you never anger him as you did me this afternoon. He would make a much more formidable adversary that I ever would.’

She already knew that! She smiled at the director. ‘I don't envisage anything like that happening.’

‘I wouldn't count on it. People like Jake can be very temperamental.’

Jake arrived at her side, smiling down at her as he handed her her drink, a completely charming smile directed at her, only at her. And it had the desired effect; she felt as if her legs were turning to jelly and there was a strange butterfly sensation in the pit of her stomach.

He turned to look at the director, his smile fading. ‘Martin,’ he nodded curtly.

‘I—er—I just came over to tell Miss Adams that it will no longer be necessary for her to leave tomorrow.’ Martin Payne was obviously just as overwhelmed by this man as she was. ‘And to apologise for the misunderstanding.’

Jake nodded. ‘I had already told her, but I'm sure she appreciated your telling her personally.’ Stacy felt herself stiffen as he put an arm possessively about her waist. ‘Stacy was rather upset about it all,’ he added.

‘I'm sure she was,’ the older man looked uncomfortable. ‘Would you like me to introduce you to some of the other people here now?’

‘I don't think so,’ Jake refused, his hand on her waist seeming to burn where it touched. ‘Stacy and I can manage just fine on our own.’

‘But, Jake, this is all——’

‘I said we can manage,’ Jake cut in. ‘Stacy can introduce me to anyone I care to meet, can't you, honey?’

‘Er—yes, I suppose so.’

The director shrugged. ‘Okay then,’ he accepted defeat in the face of such obstinacy. ‘But I think Paul would like to meet you again.’

‘I'm sure he would,’ Jake snapped, his mouth a thin straight line. ‘But that's the one person I don't think Stacy would like to introduce me to. And I certainly don't appreciate men of his type trying to force young girls into going out with him.’

‘I'll—er—I'll see you later, then.’

Jake was looking down at Stacy. ‘Perhaps, Martin. Perhaps.’

It was a disgruntled Martin Payne who finally left them, and Stacy wondered at Jake for daring to talk to him in that way. After all, he was one of the leading directors in the world, and Jake had more or less dismissed him.

She looked up at Jake, moving out of the hold he had about her waist. ‘That isn't going to make you very popular,’ she warned.

He looked unperturbed. ‘I'm not out to win any popularity contests.’

‘Perhaps that's as well,’ she sipped her drink. ‘Mm, my favourite drink, Martini and lemonade. Did your informant tell you that too?’

He grinned at her, his eyes deeply blue. ‘I don't have an informant. I guessed about your drink, and as for the other—well, I just asked Payne why he'd dismissed you.’

She looked surprised. ‘And he told you about Paul Forbes?’

‘Not exactly.’

‘But you worked it out,’ she said knowingly.

‘Knowing Paul as I do, yes.’

Her eyes widened. ‘You know him?’ she asked almost accusingly.

‘Slightly.’

Her mouth compressed. ‘I see.’

‘I don't think you do. Let's sit down and we'll talk about it.’ Without waiting for her answer he led her over to a secluded table, well away from everyone else and in the dimmer lighting. He pulled out a chair for her to sit down and then sat at her side, his arm resting along the back of her chair.

Stacy was very aware of the warmth of his arm against her bare skin, the velvet material of his jacket pleasurably caressing her back. She sat forward to avoid the intimacy of that touch. ‘You were saying you know Paul Forbes.’ She couldn't even bring herself to look at him, she was so aware of him.

Why should he be interested in her anyway? There were plenty of much more beautiful women here tonight who would be only too pleased to be with such a distinguished, attractive man. And yet he had chosen her.

He gently pushed her back in the seat, leaning forward himself to prevent her moving again. Now Stacy felt hemmed in by him, unable to look anywhere else but at his dark compelling face, the expression in his eyes not one she cared to analyse.

‘I did say I know Paul, but not in the way you mean. I know him slightly, but I know of him better. His reputation for liking young girls is well known. Although in your case I can't exactly blame him.’

‘Well, I can,’ she said angrily. ‘He's disgusting!’

‘I agree,’ he drawled. ‘But then you shouldn't be so damned beautiful.’

She blushed fiery red. ‘He didn't want me because of my looks, he wanted me because I don't want him.’

Jake sat back, crossing one leather-clad foot over the other. ‘Feminine logic?’

‘If you like,’ she said stiffly. ‘If I showed an interest in him he wouldn't want me. I have a friend who thinks he's fantastic, but adoration isn't what he wants. Oh no, Paul Forbes likes his women unwilling.’

‘Really?’ He sounded amused.

‘Yes, really!’ she snapped. ‘And it isn't in the least funny!’

‘I couldn't agree more,’ he said grimly.

‘You—you couldn't?’

‘I wouldn't like to think that you could be attracted to someone like him.’

Stacy looked puzzled. ‘He's a very attractive man, a lot of women would feel honoured to go out with him. He's tall, very good-looking, has lovely styled blond hair, and the most twinkling blue eyes I've ever seen. He's very young-looking for his age too.’

‘Does that mean you find him attractive?’ he asked harshly.

She couldn't repress her shudder of disgust. ‘No!’

‘Good. Because besides those obvious attributes he's nothing but a bastard. If I thought you could go out with him I wouldn't be sitting here.’

‘No one's asking you to stay,’ she said in a stilted voice. ‘You seem to have invited yourself to sit with me.’

He restrained her from moving by the tight hold he had of her wrist. ‘Stay here, Stacy. Don't be so sensitive. It's just that I consider Paul Forbes to be the lowest form of life, a man who trades on his wealth and fame.’

‘Any man in his position would do the same.’

‘Jake Weston hasn't.’

Stacy looked with amusement at the author as he chatted amiably with a group of people on the other side of the room. She turned to her companion, her green eyes twinkling merrily. ‘I hope you'll excuse my saying so, but he doesn't really have a lot going for him.’

‘No, I don't suppose he does. Tell me about yourself, Stacy,’ he commanded abruptly.

‘Have you finished questioning me about Paul Forbes?’ she asked tartly.

Jake sat forward, running a caressing finger down her cheek. ‘I was just curious as to why you refused his invitation.’

‘And now you're satisfied?’

His blue eyes mocked her. ‘Hardly. But that can come later, when you know me a little better.’

‘You mean——’ she broke off in confusion.

‘I mean exactly what you think I mean. But don't worry, I'll give you time to get to know me first.’

She gave an incredulous laugh. ‘Are you honestly trying to tell me——’

‘I believe in being honest about these things,’ he interrupted. ‘I want to go to bed with you, I want to put my brand of possession on you as soon as possible, so there's no point in trying to hide it. I told you earlier that I find you desirable.’

‘Yes, but——’

‘I know, I know, you take things a little slower over here. I've lived in the States so long I've forgotten I'm supposed to be one of the reserved English.’

Stacy gave him a curious look. ‘You aren't American?’

‘As good as—I left England when I was five years old. I was born not far from here. I guess I'll have to try and get a little of this reserve you all seem to have. But like I said, I'm not going to rush you into anything. If you find you don't feel the same way about me after a couple of dates then we'll forget the whole thing. I don't like my women unwilling.’

She swallowed hard, aware of the sensuous allure of his body as he sat beside her. Any woman could be seduced by such virility as he displayed, and she wasn't immune to him, far from it. She could easily find herself falling for him.

‘And I don't go in for casual affairs,’ she told him softly.

He looked at her with brooding eyes, their colour very blue. ‘I didn't say there was going to be anything casual about it.’

‘And I don't intend to be your bed companion for the short time you'll be in this country either.’

‘What makes you think I'm only going to be here a short time?’

She shrugged. ‘As far as I know Mr Weston is only here for the last couple of weeks of filming. As his employee you'll leave when he does.’

‘Then I'll just have to make sure he enjoys his stay enough to want to stay longer.’

‘I shouldn't bother on my account.’ She put her empty glass down on the table. ‘I think I should go and find Matthew.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘You never did tell me how friendly you are with him.’

‘Very friendly.’ She deliberately gave the wrong impression of that friendship.

Those long fingers clamped about her wrist once again. ‘Is that the truth, Stacy?’

She faced him defiantly. ‘Why should I lie?’

‘Fear. Nervousness. There could be any number of reasons.’

It was both of those, and a lot more. The trouble with this man was that he was too attractive for any woman to resist for long. Not that it made him conceited, he had merely seen something he wanted and wasn't afraid to say so. But his age and experience made her nervous, gave her the feeling that this was a battle she was going to lose, which was why she had to stop it now.

‘Matthew and I are very good friends. We even lived together for a time.’ Which they had, on a purely platonic basis. Matthew had been thrown out of his digs and she had let him sleep on her sofa for a while.

‘But not now?’ Jake persisted.

‘Not now.’

The tension seemed to leave his body. ‘Then it couldn't have worked out between the two of you, which means there's nothing between you now. I'm not asking for virginity from you, Stacy.’

‘I don't think you have the right to ask anything of me.’ She gave him a searching look. ‘I hardly know you, but I can tell you're no novice when it comes to making love.’

‘At thirty-eight, no.’

‘Not even at my age,’ she rebuked.

‘Probably not,’ he acknowledged mildly.

‘I would say definitely not.’

He laughed softly. ‘I think you're right.’ He stood up. ‘Let's go for a walk in the garden.’

She looked up at him, wrenching her eyes away from his muscular thighs only inches in front of her. ‘It's after ten o'clock at night, it's dark out there.’

Jake pulled her effortlessly to her feet, retaining a hold on one of her hands as she would have pulled away. ‘The garden is illuminated at night,’ he said tolerantly.

‘Yes, but I——’

‘Come on, Stacy. It's too noisy in here, we can't talk properly.’

‘I think we've talked enough for one day.’

‘About certain things, perhaps, but I have other things to say to you.’ His voice lowered. ‘Things I would rather say when we're completely alone.’

That was what she was afraid of! ‘No, I don't think——’

‘I'm not asking you to think. Don't be such a baby, Stacy. Is there no adventure in your soul, no craving for danger?’

Not when she knew she had a good chance of losing to him. ‘No,’ she said huskily.

‘I don't believe you.’

He pulled her along behind him and Stacy had no choice but to follow him. She was conscious of many people curiously watching their exit, and this didn't improve her mood.

She pulled away from him once they were outside, glaring at him resentfully, her colour heightened. ‘It's cold out here,’ she lied. ‘I want to go back inside.’

His answer was to put an arm about her shoulders and pull her hard against the side of his firm muscular body. ‘It isn't cold, Stacy,’ he contradicted. ‘But if you are just stay close to me, I'll keep you warm.’

‘Perhaps that's what I'm afraid of.’

‘That's what I thought.’ He turned to face her, his arms about her waist as he moulded her thighs to his. ‘I can't do much to you in a garden, now can I?’

She gulped. ‘I suppose not.’

‘Besides, I like the comfort of a bed when I make those sort of advances. I've gone past the impetuous youth bit where I can make love anywhere. Also, I want things to be right between us the first time.’

She gulped again. This man was unlike anyone else she had ever known, said things no one else would dare to say on such short acquaintance. ‘The——’ she licked her dry lips. ‘The first time?’

‘The first time we make love,’ he told her calmly.

She gave a short breathless laugh. ‘I can't decide whether you're conceited or I've just gone mad,’ she said dazedly.

‘Neither of those things,’ Jake murmured huskily, his eyes never leaving her parted lips. ‘Your mouth was made for kissing. I've wanted to kiss you ever since I saw you in the lift this evening.’

‘But you—you were so distant.’

His dark eyebrows rose. ‘I could hardly make love to you in a lift, and I don't think you would have let me on such short acquaintance. Besides, I knew you were going to be here this evening. It was the only thing that persuaded me to be here at all.’

All the time they were talking she was aware of the hardness of his body curved into her own, her hands crushed against his chest. ‘But surely you had to be here, to protect your employer?’

‘Does it look as if I'm doing much protecting?’

‘No,’ she admitted.

‘That's because I'm not. I abhor parties and I dislike crowds. I'm only here to see you.’

‘You flatter me!’

‘Maybe, but I don't usually put myself out for other people.’

He was very arrogant, considering he was only a lowly employee like herself. ‘You're very lucky if you don't have to, some of us aren't so privileged.’

‘You don't seem to have made any concessions in your argument with Payne this afternoon,’ he taunted.

She blushed. ‘That was different.’

‘Not at all. You make your own set of rules and you have to live by them.’ His hold about her waist tightened. ‘And I'm very glad you kept to yours today. It could have caused quite a scene if I'd had to fight Forbes to get you.’

Her eyes widened. ‘You would have done that?’

‘Oh yes, Stacy, I would have done that.’

‘You make it very hard for a girl to refuse you,’ she admitted.

His head bent slightly, his face only inches away from her own. ‘That's because I don't intend to have you refuse me. I'm patient, I can wait for the right moment.’

‘And if there isn't one?’ she murmured.

‘Then I'll make one.’

His dark head lowered slowly and his lips took possession of hers in a kiss of languorous passion, a deliberate onslaught to break down any barriers she might have against him. He needn't have worried, his charm had seduced her into submission long ago.

But this was wrong! She had known this man only a matter of hours. And yet she couldn't hold back her response, couldn't deny the effect he was having on her, his mouth making slow leisurely love to her, his hands gently caressing her back.

Finally she pulled away from him, her head dizzy with the emotions he had aroused in her, emotions that had lain dormant until his mouth had touched hers. This couldn't be happening to her, it must be his experience that was making her melt against him like this; people didn't fall in love so easily.

She licked her lips, tasting the whisky Jake had been drinking earlier, her whole body shaking. ‘I——’ she cursed herself for letting her voice shake like this. ‘I want to go back inside,’ she said more strongly.

‘Why?’ he asked huskily, not releasing his hold on her.

‘I think you know why.’

‘Because I kissed you?’

And because of her reaction to that kiss! ‘Well, I—Yes! I hardly know you,’ she added, as if that explained everything.

‘Mm, perhaps you're right.’ Jake moved away from her. ‘My mother always told me you should never kiss a girl on your first date.’ He smiled. ‘I never did listen to my mother.’

Stacy smoothed down her skirt. ‘Then perhaps you should have done.’

‘Perhaps,’ but he didn't sound as if he should. ‘I'll take you back to the party now.’

‘I think I would rather go to my room.’

‘So would I,’ he agreed throatily.

‘Alone,’ she said sharply.

‘But of course. I promise to leave you at your door.’

‘I can find my own way,’ she refused.

He took hold of her elbow. ‘I'm sure you can, but I've always believed in seeing a lady to her home—and as this place is temporarily your home …’

‘Oh, all right,’ she accepted with ill-grace.

Jake grinned down at her as they walked back to the entrance. ‘I wish I could have seen your argument with Payne. I bet it was something to watch!’

Stacy gave a wan smile. ‘He didn't seem to think so.’

‘So he told me. I believe you implied he was past it.’

She blushed painfully as she remembered the rude things she had said to the director.

‘Something about us being past the age of the studio couch,’ he added teasingly.

‘Oh—oh yes,’ she blushed even more. ‘I—I lost my temper.’

Jake laughed softly. ‘So I gathered.’ He picked up a strand of her glorious red hair. ‘So this hair really does denote the fiery nature reputed to go with it.’

‘In my case, yes,’ she admitted almost guiltily.

Jake tilted her chin. ‘I like the temper. It adds to your attraction.’

‘It does?’

‘I like a woman who can stand up for herself.’

‘Oh.’

‘You aren't sure that's a good thing, are you?’

‘No,’ she answered truthfully. She held back as he opened the door for her. ‘Could we go in another way?’

‘Why?’ He looked at her suspiciously.

‘Well, because I—I——’

His teeth gleamed whitely in the darkness. ‘Your lipstick isn't smudged, if that's what you're worried about.’ He gently touched her lips as if to emphasise the point.

Her breath caught in her throat. ‘It isn't that.’

‘Then what is it?’ His hand dropped away from her mouth.

She gave an impatient sigh. ‘I don't want to simply walk through the room and us to go upstairs together. I know exactly what conclusion the people in there would come to.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes,’ she snapped. ‘And don't pretend you don't too.’

He shut the door with a shrug. ‘Okay, we'll sneak in the back way.’

‘I didn't mean——’

‘Grow up, Stacy!’ He was angry now. ‘Do you think the fact that we just disappear is going to give them any less food for thought? I would have thought it would have given them even more to get their teeth into.’

‘Damn you!’ Her eyes blazed angrily. ‘Damn you, damn you!’ She flung open the door and marched into the room, uncaring about whether or not he followed her in.

She walked gracefully across the room with unhurried steps, looking to neither left nor right, a defiant look to her mouth and an angry glitter to her eyes. As she reached the reception area the anger started to leave her tensed body. After all, she shouldn't let a comparative stranger annoy her like this.

It wasn't until she put her hand out to press the lift button and a long tanned muscular hand beat her to it that she realised Jake was standing beside her. She stubbornly refused to look at him, although all her senses told her it was him, from the pleasant aroma of his aftershave to the much more potent male smell that belonged exclusively to him. He had done nothing but anger or excite her since the moment they had met, and she would no longer give him that satisfaction.

Once inside the lift she still kept her eyes averted, although it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so. Finally she just had to look at him, the silence between them oppressive, only to find his caressing gaze fixed on her face.

‘Oh!’ she gasped, looking hurriedly away again.

He moved to stand in front of her, a hand on the wall either side of her head, his body only just separate from her own. He looked at her beneath lowered lids. ‘I told you I like the tempter. You won't get rid of me that way.’

‘I wasn't trying——’

‘Oh yes, you were, and we both know why. If what I said earlier bothers you that much just forget I said it.’

‘It isn't the sort of thing you can forget,’ she retorted. ‘It isn't every day a man tells me he'd like to go to bed with me.’

‘Maybe other men don't tell you, but they think it.’ He lifted her chin so that she had no choice but to look at him. ‘Is it because I'm so much older than you that you find the prospect so daunting? Or is it that you think I only want you for one night and then I'll pass on to another conquest?’

‘Both of those things,’ she croaked. And more, much more!

‘I can't refute the latter, I have no idea how a relationship between us would turn out, and I've never considered my age a barrier before. Or is it the experience that goes with the age that bothers you, the other women I've known and left?’

‘Yes! And—and we've known each other such a short time.’

Suddenly he had moved away and was standing on the other side of the lift, extracting a long thin cheroot from a gold case before lighting it. ‘I wouldn't insult you by asking you to go to bed right now,’ he said. ‘All the best things in life are worth waiting for—and you're one of them. It will happen in your time, not mine. Will you go swimming with me in the morning?’

She should be perfectly safe with him in the hotel swimming pool, and she would like to see him again. ‘What time?’ she asked.

‘Ten o'clock?’

She could be making a mistake, and yet she wanted to see him. ‘Fine. I'll meet you in the reception area.’

Jake held the doors open so that the lift couldn't move. ‘Off you go to your room—I won't come any further and frighten you any more. Ten o'clock downstairs,’ he reminded her as she hurried to her room.

As she let herself in with her key Stacy had a last impression of him leaning against one of the lift doors, watching her progress with dark brooding eyes.

She heaved a sigh of relief as she leant back against the door. These sort of things didn't happen in real life, being pursued by tall, dark, handsome men with a stated intent on her virtue. But it was happening to her.

She was in bed pretending to be asleep when Juliet came up to bed. She had no wish to answer questions about Jake, especially questions she had no answer to. It was for this reason that she also pretended to be asleep the next morning as Juliet got ready to go down to breakfast. Once her friend had left Stacy got up and ordered herself some coffee. She didn't intend seeing anyone who could ask embarrassing questions.

Jake was already waiting for her when she arrived downstairs at ten past ten, looking at her impatiently as she moved to the desk to leave a message for Matthew telling him she wouldn't be needing transport into London after all.

‘Good morning,’ Jake greeted softly. He was dressed in cream slacks and a matching short-sleeved shirt opened almost to his waist in the heat of the day. He looked very attractive, his skin appearing very dark against his cream clothing.

Stacy eyes alighted on the picnic basket at his side. ‘What's in the basket?’ she asked lightly.

‘Our lunch.’

‘Lunch?’ she frowned. ‘Surely we won't need that by the pool.’

‘We aren't going to the pool.’

She looked up at him. ‘We—we aren't?’

He shook his head. ‘I've borrowed Payne's motor launch. We're going for a ride along the coast to find a secluded beach where I can seduce you in private.’