High-Society Seduction

by Maxine Sullivan

  But in the cab home she suspected that somehow she’d just crossed her own personal line. Adam had chosen her because he’d trusted she wouldn’t get emotionally involved with him. Too late she realized she might already have done exactly that.

  Adam stood at Liam’s bedroom window at his parents’ mansion and looked down on the terrace below where his family sat around a poolside table after Sunday lunch. There was much teasing and joking today. It was so damn good hearing laughter in this house again.

  It was clear to everyone now that Dominic and Cassandra were meant to be together. Adam was convinced Liam had known it when he’d secretly asked Dominic to supply sperm to give her a baby. Poor Dominic had suffered a great deal because of that, knowing he had fathered a child he’d been unable to acknowledge until after Liam had died. But now everything was fine and out in the open, and Adam knew that Liam would be happy up there in heaven with the way things had turned out. For Dominic anyway. For himself, he was wondering what the hell Liam had dragged him into.

  “Adam, what are you doing in here?”

  Startled, he turned around, glad of a respite from his thoughts. “Nothing, Mum. I just had the urge to come up here, that’s all.”

  His mother’s face softened as she took a few steps inside the bedroom. “You miss your brother, don’t you? We all do, darling.”

  He searched her face. “Are you okay?” he asked with concern. “It hasn’t been that long. Not really.”

  “Three months. And I miss him with an ache that leaves a hole in my heart, but I think I’m finally accepting that he’s gone.” She eased into a smile. “I have so much to be thankful for.”

  He watched her. She was right, yet his heart still ached for her. To lose a child…

  “And you, darling?” she said gently. “This week is going to be hard on you.”

  His chest tightened. “You remembered.”

  “Of course. Maddie’s death left a big hole in all our hearts, but none more than yours. We wouldn’t forget her, not on the fifth anniversary of her passing, not even on the twenty-fifth anniversary. She’s in our hearts, darling.”

  “Thanks, Mum,” he said gruffly. He was aware his mother didn’t know the full story, and he was glad she’d been spared. For his mother to know she had lost an unborn grandchild as well as a beloved daughter-in-law wasn’t something he’d ever let her discover. He’d keep that from her forever.

  “And now you have Jenna,” she said gently.

  His head went back. “Why do you say that?”

  “I like this one. I think she’s a keeper.”

  He didn’t want to get into this discussion. He didn’t need this right now. Yet he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Why?”

  “She’s a brunette.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “So?”

  “You always go out with blondes.” She hesitated. “Ever since Maddie, that is.”

  He stiffened. He hadn’t realized. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking there’s more than there is. Jenna and I aren’t serious. Everything else is a mere coincidence.”

  “Darling, you—”

  “Mum, don’t try and marry me off,” he snapped, then saw her flinch. He winced. “Sorry, I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I don’t intend to marry again. Not for a long time, if ever. I’m happy with my life these days. I intend to keep it that way.”

  She stared then slowly nodded. “Whatever makes you happy makes me happy, Adam.”

  He cleared his throat. “I know.”

  There was a burst of laughter from downstairs and he was grateful for the interruption. He turned back to look out the window, seeing Dominic’s contented face as he chased his toddling daughter around on the lawn.

  Then his gaze slid over to where Jenna and Cassandra were laughing as they watched the little girl and her father, and something lurched against his ribs. He knew Jenna would keep her word and not say anything to his sister-in-law about the money, but it hit him then how hard it must be not to say anything. Jenna was as protective of her family as he was of his. He admired that in her.

  “I’d better get back downstairs,” his mother said behind him. There was a pause. “Are you coming?”

  “Give me a few more minutes. I won’t be long.”

  He heard his mother leave but he was more tuned in to Jenna right now. She was so beautiful it made him catch his breath.

  Yet it was more than that gorgeous smile and that tinkling laugh floating up to him. He’d been watching her over lunch and she seemed to fit right in with his family. She didn’t gush at anyone, like one or two of his women friends had when they’d run into members of his family while out on a date. Jenna had even been a little on the shy side with them at first, but his mother and Cassandra soon had her discussing jewelry designs and it was like a flower opening, the petals peeled back to reveal the warmth of the woman inside. A warmth that held a true sincerity as she in turn asked questions of them that indicated a real interest in others. Her warmth melted something hard inside him.

  Oh, hell.

  Mentally, he pulled himself back at the thought and reminded himself that as much as he was coming to admire Jenna…as much as he wanted to keep on spending time with her…their being together was mostly about Chelsea, and about the money. Everything else was a bonus.

  And that reminded him what his contact had said yesterday. So far there had been no hint of the money that Stewart Branson had said Liam had conned from him. It was still a mystery. And that meant no one could discount anything just yet. They had to continue trying other avenues. The money may well be tied up somewhere less obvious.

  Yet as he turned to go back downstairs, he found himself wishing that he and Jenna had some sort of future together. One that was longer than his usual relationships anyway. He’d be more than happy with that.

  Jenna was fully aware the moment Adam walked back out onto the terrace. He’d been quiet throughout the meal, his eyes shifting constantly to her, but not with desire or pleasure. Afterward, he’d gone inside on the pretext of getting something or other, but she had the feeling he’d needed to be alone. She hadn’t followed him for that very reason.

  His mother had slipped inside shortly after that, and Jenna had to wonder if Laura had gone looking for him. The other woman had only been away ten minutes or so, and on her return Laura had smiled at her, but there had been a suggestion of worry in her eyes. For Adam? And was she the problem? Or was she being too sensitive because Adam hadn’t wanted her here today? She had to admit that if her family was at risk of being thrown a bombshell, she’d be on edge, too.

  And yet it still hurt. Did he really think she would tackle Cassandra, his mother, or any of the other family members about Liam? She had as much to lose by doing that as he did. Besides, she’d taken a shine to Cassandra today, and would have to think hard before spoiling the other woman’s happiness. Cassandra wasn’t to blame for her late husband’s actions.

  Just then Adam came to sit beside her, and a new apprehension began to gnaw at her stomach. Surely this couldn’t only be about the money? He wouldn’t have left her alone with his family if that were the case. He’d have stayed by her side without fail, making sure she said nothing out of place.

  So what about her being here was troubling him? It didn’t take long to come to the conclusion that Adam didn’t like her keeping company with his family. She was his temporary mistress, after all. And his family was the highest echelon of Australian society.

  It made sense now. Hadn’t he been a little remote from the moment he’d collected her before lunch? His cousin had held the door open for her, but Adam hadn’t even kissed her hello when she’d slid onto the passenger seat. She’d put that down to Logan being with them. Logan Roth was another male in a family that seemed to produce men with extra good looks, charm and money, and she’d suspected his presence might have curbed Adam’s actions. At least, that’s what she’d told herself.

  As quickly as her thoughts rushed at her, they bounc
ed confusingly back in the other direction. She knew Adam fairly well by now. He was a man who wouldn’t let anyone stop him from doing what he wanted. If he’d wanted to kiss her in front of Logan, he would have. If he had minded her being here as his mistress, he’d have refused to let her come. No, there was something not quite right going on here.

  “And now I want you all to join us in a celebration,” Dominic Roth said, popping open a bottle of champagne, drawing Jenna from her thoughts.

  “This sounds interesting,” Michael Roth teased, smiling as his eldest son began filling some glasses on a tray and passing them around.

  “It’s more than interesting, Dad.”

  “The suspense is killing me, Dominic,” his mother said.

  “Hang on, Mum.” He finished pouring the last drink, snatched up his own glass and gently tugged a glowing Cassandra to her feet. He slipped his arm around his wife’s waist. “We’re going to have another baby.”

  It had been clear what the announcement would be, but there was still a moment’s delightful surprise. Much congratulations and lots of toasts followed. Jenna felt moved that she’d been here to see all this. For all their money and connections, Adam’s family was as close as her own family and with the same values. It was a comforting thought that no matter who you were, the old-fashioned ideals of love of family were still so important.

  And then Jenna glanced at Adam. He seemed as glad as everyone else, yet she got the strongest feeling he was off balance about the news. Why? He loved his family more than anything. She only had to see how instinctively he’d defended Liam, and how protective he was about them not knowing about the money.

  On the way back to her apartment a few hours later, he kept up an emotional distance. Logan had stayed behind, so it wasn’t that his cousin was in the way this time. She felt hurt that he was putting up walls. As far as she knew, nothing had changed between them. He’d seemed happy enough yesterday before his mother’s visit, but now it was like part of him wanted to keep her close, another part didn’t. As if something—she didn’t know what—was holding him back and it was so deep, so intense, he couldn’t let himself face it.

  In a way, she understood. There was something about Adam that touched an elemental piece of her, drawing emotions she didn’t want to acknowledge. Her feelings were strengthening for him and she’d crossed the line, but she wasn’t in love with him, thank heavens. Yet. It would be a blessing when this was finally over. Perhaps now was even the time to suggest that very thing….

  Back at her place, she started edging to what was on her mind. “I’m sorry, Adam. It might have helped the situation with Chelsea, but I shouldn’t have gone with you today. You didn’t want me there. I know it and so do you.”

  There was an interminable pause. “It’s not that. It’s…” The line of his jaw flexed.

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve got some stuff on my mind, that’s all.”

  “Maybe I can help?”

  He stood there a moment longer, then, “Come here,” he muttered, pulling her into his arms to hold her tight.

  “Adam, I—”

  He silenced her with a kiss.

  And she let him.

  They made love, but during it all he still kept up some sort of barrier between them. She tried to reach him on an emotional level, but he was in a place she couldn’t follow. He was satisfying her, no doubt about that, yet it was like he was being driven to take her, not driven to make them one, like the previous times they’d made love.

  Afterward he went into the bathroom and she tried not to think at all. She needed to regain her sense of balance, but she couldn’t do that when thoughts of Adam and this demon that suddenly seemed to be riding him were on her mind.

  When he came back out of the bathroom, his face was as white as the towel he’d wrapped around his hips.

  She sat up. “What’s the matter?”

  “The condom was broken.”

  “What! How?”

  “I’m not going into bloody detail. It broke.”

  “Oh, my God,” she whispered.

  He just stood there.

  Then it started to hit her. She was terrified and yet…she felt the tiniest of thrills. “I could be pregnant already.”

  “Don’t say that,” he grated harshly, throwing off the towel and reaching for his pants, bringing her back to reality. His movements were jerky. He was clearly upset.

  Jenna got off the bed and went to him. “Look, don’t worry about it,” she said, trying to stay calm herself. “It’ll be fine.” She put her hand on his arm.

  He tossed it off like he’d tossed away the towel a minute ago. “You know that, do you?”

  She was taken aback. “No, I don’t know that,” she said firmly, aware one of them had to keep their cool. “But I do know that panicking about it won’t help the situation.”

  He gave a hesitant pause that was so uncharacteristic of him. “You’re right, of course,” he muttered, then continued to finish dressing.

  Clearly he was going home and she had no problem with that. But was he going because he had something to do? Or because he wanted to get away from her? The latter filled her with dismay. Did he think so little of her that he’d hate her to have his baby? The reminder that she was only a warm body in his bed brought a hard lump to her throat. She’d been a fool to think it had been anything other than sex. God, she shouldn’t be surprised.

  “I’ll call you,” he said, giving her a brief, hard kiss with a slight lashing of gentleness, as if he just couldn’t quite let go of her…yet.

  After he left, she sat there and wondered if he really would call her this time. And would it be because he wanted to? Or because she could stir up trouble for his family?

  Driving home, Adam felt sick at the thought of the broken condom. Dammit, he should have taken more care, only he hadn’t really been concentrating on that. He’d just wanted Jenna and had been trying not to think about anything else. He’d wanted to bury himself in her body and forget that it was coming up to the fifth anniversary of losing his wife and child. He wanted to forget that Dominic and Cassandra were now having another child and that he really was very, very happy for them, but that it only served to remind him he’d lost so much himself.

  And now look what his lapse had done!

  Jenna could be pregnant.

  She could be carrying his child.

  He couldn’t go through that again. A loss like he’d had wasn’t something a person could overcome. He could still see Maddie’s ecstatic face telling him she was pregnant and the lump of emotion the thought of her carrying his child had brought. She’d been such a lovely person. She’d only wanted to be a good wife and a good mother. And she would have excelled at both.

  If she’d been given the chance.

  At the next intersection, he turned his car around and headed toward the cemetery.

  Nine

  Jenna went to work the next day but there were no calls from Adam. Her heart sank that evening when he didn’t drop by her apartment, either. He finally phoned her at home, but their conversation was stilted. He was distancing himself from her. Everything had been heading toward this, but clearly the broken condom had been the final straw for him. Whether he’d want to continue the facade for Todd and Chelsea’s sake, she wasn’t sure.

  And if she was pregnant?

  She fought not to stress about it. Maybe it was burying her head in the sand, but right now she had too much else to worry about. Nor would she let herself think about what Adam’s reaction would be if he were to become a father, though if it was anything like his reaction now she didn’t think he was going to like it. Nonetheless, she took comfort that Adam was the kind of man who took his responsibilities seriously. She would worry about it if it happened. Not before.

  Keeping busy after that was a necessity, especially when he didn’t call her at work the next day, or the next evening, nor were there any messages left on her cell phone. But on Wednesday evening her doorbell rang
and her heart jumped in her throat. Adam was here! She raced to answer it.

  She could feel her face fall with disappointment when she saw her sister-in-law at the door.

  Vicki wrinkled her nose. “You look like you were expecting someone else. Sorry, I should have called first.”

  Jenna summoned a smile. “You’re welcome here anytime, Vicki. Come on in.”

  “I won’t stay long if you’ve got someone else coming soon,” she said, stepping into the apartment.

  Jenna realized it was fortuitous that Adam wasn’t here. It was best to keep them all apart, not because she thought Adam might say something about the money, but because she didn’t want Vicki seeing how her relationship with him was falling apart. Right now it was just so personal.

  She shook her head and tried to appear unconcerned. “No, I’m not expecting anyone else.” She gestured for Vicki to take a seat on the couch. “So, what have you done with the children?”

  “I dropped them off at Mum and Dad’s place.” Vicki’s parents had died when she was a teenager, so she considered the older Bransons her parents now. “I told them I wanted to go to the library and get some books and that it was best if I didn’t take the kids.”

  Jenna had an uneasy feeling. “This all sounds rather mysterious.”

  “It is.”

  “Would you like a cup of coffee first?” She was starting to get heart palpitations that Adam might arrive now, but she couldn’t be impolite.

  “No, thanks.” Vicki took a letter out of her handbag. “You might be able to help me figure this out, Jenna. The quarterly bank statement came today for our mortgage and I’m confused. It says that we’re behind on payments. Worse, that we still owe three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” Her forehead creased. “Last year we only had fifty thousand dollars left on the loan, so I don’t know why this extra amount has been added. And such a large amount, too.”