Mistress On Loan

‘You bought a house,’ she said. ‘I was not included in the price. Now, let me past.’

‘Only because Piers didn’t think of it.’ His voice was reflective, and he made no attempt to move. ‘But as you’ve raised the subject, Adrien, what value do you put on your services?’

She said slowly, hardly daring to hope, ‘Are you offering to pay for the work I’ve done?’

‘That would rather depend,’ he drawled. ‘You see, it occurs to me that this house lacks something. And so do I.’

She drew a deep breath. ‘You mean that it isn’t quite finished. But it wouldn’t take much…’

‘No,’ he said. ‘That isn’t what I mean at all.’

‘Then what?’ she asked defensively, hating the way his grey gaze held hers, yet somehow unable to look away. Or walk away.

‘It needs a mistress,’ he said softly. ‘And so do I. And you, my sweet Adrien, are the perfect candidate. So, maybe we can do a deal. What do you say?’

CHAPTER THREE

SHE said thickly, ‘Is this some kind of sick joke?’

‘Do you see me laughing?’

No, she thought, swallowing. The grey eyes meeting hers in challenge were cool, direct—even insolent. The firm mouth was equally unsmiling. No—it seemed he was shockingly—incredibly—serious.

‘So you’re just adding insult to injury.’ She tried to laugh, but the sound choked in her throat. ‘Time hasn’t mellowed you, Chay. You’re still a bastard.’

He smiled. “‘Now, gods, stand up for bastards!’” he quoted softly. ‘However, I see myself more as a white knight riding to your rescue.’

‘Very chivalrous.’ Her voice bit.

‘No,’ he said. ‘I’m a businessman. You claim to be a businesswoman, and you’re in financial trouble. I’m offering you a lifeline.’ His gaze touched her parted lips and travelled down to her breasts. ‘A very personal loan,’ he added softly.

Adrien bit her lip. She said savagely, ‘Mr Davidson needs to learn some discretion.’

‘Mr Davidson didn’t tell me a thing.’ Chay propped a shoulder against the doorframe. ‘He didn’t have to. I could sense the shock waves as soon as I arrived. And when I was here earlier today, a plasterer and an electrician turned up waving major bills which had been refused payment. I’d make an educated guess that they’re just the tip of the iceberg. That you’re facing serious trouble.’

Adrien lifted her chin. ‘And if I am,’ she said curtly, ‘I’ll manage. I can survive without your particular brand of knight errantry.’

‘Then I wish you luck,’ Chay said silkily. ‘But I hope you’re not counting on a bank draft arriving from Brazil. You’d do better to rely on the National Lottery.’

‘You utter swine,’ she said unevenly. ‘You’ve got everything you’ve wanted, haven’t you? How you must be enjoying your moment of triumph.’

‘I’ve had to wait long enough,’ he said. ‘But they say that revenge is a dish best eaten cold.’

‘I hope it poisons you,’ she flung at him. ‘Now let me out of here.’

He straightened. Moved out of the doorway. ‘You’re not a prisoner,’ he pointed out mildly.

‘No,’ she said. ‘Nor do I intend to be, either.’

‘Do you imagine I’m going to keep you chained up like some sort of sex slave?’ He had the gall to sound amused. ‘What a vivid imagination you have, darling.’

‘Don’t you dare laugh at me.’ Her voice shook. ‘You can’t pretend what you’re suggesting is a normal arrangement.’

‘On the contrary, very little in your life would change.’ He sounded the soul of reason, she thought incredulously.

‘After all, you’re already living here,’ he went on.

‘That,’ she said swiftly, ‘was just a temporary convenience.’

‘Which would become a permanent one.’ The return was incisive. ‘But you’d have your debts paid, plus a free hand to finish the house exactly as you want, and staff to manage it for you. You’d go on running your business quite independently. And when I have guests you’d act as my hostess.’

‘And that’s all there is to it?’ Adrien enquired ironically.

‘No,’ he said equably. ‘My work takes me abroad a great deal. I’d expect you to accompany me sometimes. But not always.’ He paused. ‘I take it your passport’s in order?’

‘Of course,’ she said, staring at him. ‘And this conversation is totally surreal.’

‘Before commencing any project I like to establish the ground rules,’ he said silkily. ‘When I’m away, you’ll be free to come and go as you please. Entertain your own friends. Live your life.’

‘It sounds too good to be true,’ she said. ‘Which of course it is. Because when these business trips were over, you’d come back.’

‘Naturally.’ He was smiling faintly.

‘Expecting precisely what?’

‘You’re no longer a child, Adrien.’ There was a sudden harshness in his voice. ‘Or a romantic teenager, dreaming of first love. I’d expect you to fulfil your side of the deal.’

‘Just the idea,’ she said, ‘makes me physically sick.’

‘Once,’ he said slowly, ‘you didn’t feel like that.’

‘What do you mean?’ She stiffened defensively.

‘It was your birthday,’ he said. ‘You were eighteen, and you looked as if someone had lit stars behind your eyes. I wished you many happy returns of the day, and you came flying across the room and offered me your mouth to kiss. Or had you forgotten?’

There was a brief, loaded pause. Then, ‘A moment of weakness,’ she said. ‘And a long time ago.’

‘Ah,’ he said softly. ‘So you do remember?’

His glance brushed her mouth in overt reminiscence, and she felt her skin warm suddenly.

She said between her teeth, ‘And before I discovered what a treacherous, money-grabbing sneak-thief you really were.’

‘Ouch,’ Chay said thoughtfully. ‘Well, at least neither of us will be embarking on this liaison with any illusions about each other. That bodes well for our future, don’t you think?’

‘You don’t want to know what I think. And, thanks to you, I don’t have a future.’

‘How do you reason that?’