Tempestuous Affair

‘He doesn’t even know the meaning of the word,’ Lindsay dismissed with bitterness.

‘Don’t you believe it,’ the other woman said with certainty. ‘Just because he doesn’t show it it doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel it. He’s just adept at hiding what he really feels.’

Lindsay sighed. ‘I know you mean well, Cally,’ she said softly. ‘But it’s over between Joel and me. I think six months is long enough for anyone to realise they’re banging their head rather painfully against a brick wall. Right now I just want to get my life back in order, and then get on with it. And none of that involves Joel.’

‘I see,’ Cally sighed with regret. ‘It’s a shame—I really thought that with you he was getting it all together. He’s seemed more relaxed since you lived with him, less inclined to retreat inside his emotions. Still, if you say it’s over then it’s over,’ she shrugged.

‘It is,’ Lindsay nodded. ‘I’ve also given in my notice today.’

‘So he told me. Well, I’ll see you Saturday, then?’ Gaily quirked auburn brows.

‘I’m not sure——’

‘Oh, you have to come,’ the other woman encouraged. ‘Joel is sure to, and if you don’t turn up he’ll know it was because you couldn’t face him on a social level.’

‘I don’t think I can,’ Lindsay admitted huskily.

‘Of course you can,’ Cally told her firmly. ‘And bring along some handsome man just to prove it.’

Lindsay’s mouth twisted. ‘I don’t know any handsome men.’

‘What about Malcolm Reader?’

That idea had fleetingly entered her own mind, but she had as quickly dismissed it. He was a pleasant enough man, seemed very nice, was undoubtedly handsome, but he was also a very important client of Joel’s, convincing her that she shouldn’t become involved with him on a social level. Joel would certainly never forgive her if she upset the other man in any way!

‘He’s business,’ she shrugged. ‘So he doesn’t count.’

‘He looked as if he counted to me,’ Cally teased.

‘He’s probably married with half a dozen children!’

Cally shook her head. ‘He’s one of America’s most eligible bachelors.’

‘Then what is his problem?’ Lindsay frowned.

The other woman laughed. ‘He doesn’t have one, except maybe that he just hasn’t met the right woman yet. You could be her, Lindsay. Just think what a blow that would be to Joel’s pride!’

‘I’m not out to hurt anyone, Cally,’ Lindsay said wearily. ‘I just want to forget any of this ever happened.’

‘Do you think you can?’

‘No.’

‘I’m beginning to feel guilty because I’m so happy,’ Cally grimaced, kissing Lindsay on the cheek by way of departure. ‘You’ll never get over the selfish swine completely,’ she said huskily. ‘But once the love stops being so intense it doesn’t hurt so much. Take my word for it,’ she added ruefully.

Lindsay had always suspected the other woman’s feelings had been more deeply involved with Joel in the past than she had admitted to, and Cally had just confirmed it. But Cally had had four years to get over her love for him, while she only had as many days if she were to go to the other woman’s dinner party on Saturday and see him with another woman with any degree of confidence. The way her heart ached at the moment she didn’t think she was going to make it.

‘I’ll try,’ she nodded. ‘And I’ll call you about Saturday,’ she promised.

‘I really would like you to come,’ Cally encouraged before leaving to meet her husband.

Lindsay was engrossed in her work when Malcolm Reader left Joel’s studio an hour later, the older man coming over to talk to her as Joel took into his studio the model that had been waiting outside to begin her session with him.

‘Nice life if you can get it,’ Malcolm Reader mocked lightly, sitting on the edge of Lindsay’s desk.

‘I’ve heard that you have,’ she said dryly, looking up at him guilelessly.

He chuckled softly. ‘The beautiful Mrs Robin has heard of my reputation, hmm?’

Lindsay nodded. ‘And all of it exaggerated, no doubt,’ she mocked.

‘Very little, I’m afraid,’ he drawled derisively.

She had to laugh at his honesty, feeling humour when a few minutes ago she had thought she would never laugh again. ‘That’s interesting to know,’ she smiled.

‘Only interesting?’ He looked disappointed. ‘Most women are eager to find out the truth for themselves.’

‘I’ll be happy to take your word for it,’ she teased lightly, liking this man in spite of his outrageous sense of humour.

‘Pity,’ he drawled. ‘Did you give some thought to my dinner invitation?’ He quirked dark brows. ‘As I recall you hadn’t answered me when we were interrupted.’

Her amusement instantly faded. ‘It’s very nice of you to ask me, Mr Reader——’

‘When a beautiful woman calls me “Mr” then I know I’m going to be turned down!’ he grinned ruefully. ‘And I was hoping you would show me the highlights of London.’

‘I don’t know that many,’ she shrugged. ‘And I’m sure you’ve been to London before?’

‘Many times,’ he nodded. ‘It’s a fascinating place.’

‘Surely no more so than New York?’

‘In a different way,’ he replied thoughtfully. ‘And I find most of my enjoyment of London by seeing it through the eyes of other people.’

‘Women’s eyes,’ she teased.

‘Women’s eyes,’ he confirmed with a smile. ‘Have you ever been to New York?’

Lindsay shook her head. ‘I’ve never been out of England.’

‘Joel should have brought you with him, I would have enjoyed showing you my home town.’

If she had been invited by Joel to go on his business trip maybe she wouldn’t have left him. But although their last night together had been spent in a frenzy of lovemaking Joel hadn’t once suggested she accompany him. ‘Someone had to run the office while he was away,’ she said with forced brightness.

‘I guess so,’ Malcolm Reader conceded. ‘Although it seems a pity we couldn’t have met earlier.’

If they had met before he would now know her to be Joel’s ex-mistress. The two of them had never broadcast their living arrangements, but they had made no secret of it either, admitting it if asked directly. If they had gone to New York together then Malcolm Reader would know exactly what she was. And somehow she didn’t want him to know.

‘Is there already a man in your life?’ Malcom was asking her now.