Carole Mortimer - A No Risk Affair

by Carole Mortimer

  The question took her offguard, and she almost choked on her food.

  'It's quite convenient for you him having the adjoining cottage,' Brad's brows rose challengingly.

  'He needed the privacy for his work!'

  'But does his bed there ever get used?' Brad drawled mockingly.

  'Don't attribute everyone with your own morals,' she snapped furiously.

  'You mean he doesn't sleep here?'

  'Of course not! Even supposing I were interested in that sort of relationship with him, which I'm not,' she added a little too vehemently, 'you don't seriously think I would risk the twins finding me in bed with him here, do you?'

  'No, I suppose not,' he conceded thoughtfully. 'But he is round here a lot, isn't he?'

  Once again her blushes gave her away. 'The twins like him.'

  'And they're in bed by seven-thirty.'

  'I like him too,' she stated challengingly, 'He's very stimulating company.'

  'I heard that,' Brad derided.

  Robyn stiffened at the amusement in his voice. 'What did you hear?'

  'When' Sin was still reporting it was reputed that he more than earned that shortened version of his name with the lathes. Love them and leave them doesn't begin to describe it,' Brad taunted dryly.

  'And now?'

  A MO RISK AFFAIR

  He shrugged. 'Who knows? But I doubt he's changed that much.'

  She doubted it too, knew from his own behaviour with her that Sin wanted to make love to her, that he may even be making love to Caroline tonight; she had heard him go out shortly before Brad arrived, and Caroline had gloatingly informed her earlier today that Sin was going up to the main house for dinner tonight. She hadn't seen him herself since last night, had no idea if they were still friends. She had a feeling it would be better for everyone if they weren't!

  'You know,' Brad said slowly, 'you look better than just good, there's something about you now that wasn't there when I was married to you,. I don't suppose, since you say you don't sleep with Thornton, that you would consider letting me share your bed tonight?'

  'No!' she told him in a bewildered voice. What was wrong with everyone all of a sudden? Four years she and Brad had been separated, and not once during that time had he shown the slightest attraction to her, let alone wanting to go to bed with her. She would have been stunned with surprise if she had known it was her own awakening sensuality that made everyone else's actions seem so out of character to her, that they were just reacting to her.

  'I thought not,' Brad didn't press the subject of staying with her, standing up to leave. 'I'd better be going, I should spend some time with Henry before I leave. How is the book going, do you know?'

  'Why should I?'

  'Don't be so aggressive, Robyn, it isn't attractive in a woman.' He tapped her cheek playfully, his smile becoming cruel as she flinched away from him. 'Henry mentioned you were helping Thornton with his research,' he answered her question in a hard voice.

  She nodded abruptly. 'As far as I know it's going well.'

  She was silent as she walked to the door with him, still shaken by his proposition, unaware of the changes in herself, of the needs of her body, of the slumbering passion in the depths of her eyes. But the man at her side was aware of it all, and he knew it wasn't for him, that whether she knew it or not it was Sin Thornton she wanted.

  'Robyn, I——' Brad broke off what he had been going to say as the sound of a powerful car approaching the cottages could be heard coming down the road, mocking satisfaction gleaming in cold grey eyes as he pulled Robyn into his arms, his mouth capturing hers.

  Robyn was too stunned by the unexpected action to offer more than a token protest, her mouth numb beneath Brad's as he continued to kiss her as the powerful headlights of the Porsche outlined them in the darkness and the car was turned into the neighbouring driveway, Sin behind the wheel.

  CHAPTER SIX

  As she pulled furiously out of Brad's arms she heard the powerful engine the away, immediately followed by the slamming of the car door. She turned back to Brad with blazing eyes. 'You did that deliberately!'

  'Yes.'

  'Why?'

  His expression was calmly thoughtful. 'To see how you would react,' he told her.

  'I've already said no,' she snapped, wiping the touch of his mouth from her lips with trembling fingertips.

  'Oh, not your reaction to that, Robyn,' he mocked hardly, his eyes taking on a dangerous glitter as he watched her action. 'I wanted to see how you would feel about Thornton seeing you kissing me.'

  The colour came and went in her face in rapid succession, leaving her deathly pale. 'I wasn't kissing you’

  Brad shrugged. 'He couldn't tell who was kissing who from that distance.'

  She felt sick at this cruel manipulation, although it was something she should have expected from Brad; at the end of their marriage he had taken fiendish delight in forcing her physically to his will when he knew the sexual act held no pleasure for her so soon after the twins were born. She had pleaded with him to be patient, had explained that many women felt the same way after giving birth, that with patience and gentleness she would once again be an active participant in their sex-life. Brad hadn't given her either, didn't have time for such things, and had demanded what he called his 'conjugal rights'. His abuse of her then made it impossible for her to feel anything but loathing for any physical contact between them now. And she despised him utterly for treating her that way in front of a man whose respect she valued.

  'Your face tells me a lot,' Brad taunted.

  'Does it tell you how much I dislike you?' she spat the words at him.

  His mouth twisted. 'I already knew that. I'm well aware of the fact that you only keep up appearances between us for the sake of the children.'

  'And what's your excuse?'

  'I don't have one,' he shook his head. 'I've always liked you, Robyn—I should just never have married you,' he added dryly.

  'Then why did you?'

  He shrugged. 'I wanted you. And maybe—just for a time—I thought it would be nice to have someone to come home to,' His mouth hardened. 'I never thought you would be stupid enough to get pregnant straight away!'

  She didn't even flinch at the accusation, had heard it too many times in the past to be affected by it; as if the twins' conception had somehow been achieved without his enthusiastic help!

  'I'm sure you aren't naive enough to make the same mistake with Thornton,' he added nastily.

  'I told you, we aren't sleeping together!'

  His smile mocked her. 'I didn't for one moment think you would be "sleeping"

  She gave a weary sigh. 'We aren't doing anything else either.'

  'Then why did you look so upset at the thought of him seeing us together just now?'

  It was useless to deny that she had been upset, but she could no more answer Brad than she could answer herself. It was no good telling herself she simply hadn't liked being made to look a liar, it wasn't that that made her feel so ashamed.

  'We're divorced——-'

  'We could have made a mistake.'

  'We didn't.'

  'No,' Brad acknowledged softly. 'You've matured, Robyn, but living with you would still drive me insane. The thought of going through that "domestic bliss" for a second time fills me with the shudders!'

  'Don't worry,' her mouth twisted. 'I doubt you'll ever have to suffer it again.'

  'You never know,' he shrugged. 'Stranger things have been known to happen.'

  'Not this time,' she scorned.

  Brad looked at her with admiring eyes. 'You know, if it wouldn't cause too many complications I really would have liked an affair with you.'

  'Then aren't I lucky those complications exist!'

  He was still chuckling as he strode over to his car, pausing after opening the door. 'Thanks for tonight, Robyn,' he called slightly louder than was necessary, glancing pointedly over at the blazing lights in every room in the adjoining cottage as he did so. 'I
enjoyed our time together—as usual,' he added huskily, his mocking humour increasing at her furiously angry expression.

  The innuendo behind his words couldn't be mistaken for anything else, and after watching him depart Robyn closed the door behind her with suppressed anger.

  But why should it matter so much what Sinclair Thornton thought of her? Why did she have this overwhelming urge to run over to the neighbouring cottage and explain exactly what he had seen and heard?

  It was a desire she resisted as confusion swept over her. Since last night, since Sin had threatened her so subtly she had tried not to think about him or her own feelings towards him. If she had any feelings towards him. Oh, he had the power to induce in her a desire long lain dormant, gave her pleasure where at the end Brad hadn't cared whether she had pleasure or not, had in fact seemed to enjoy punishing her for being his wife. Maybe it was just Sin's gentleness with her that made her want to defend what he had just seen, because it certainly wasn't love. She wasn't stupid enough to mistake desire and liking: for love a second time!

  And she couldn't just go over to Sin's .cottage at this time of night to tell him her husband's kiss and subsequent derisive comment had meant nothing to her. That would be assuming that Sin felt more for her than a fleeting attraction, and no matter how kind he was to her, or how good he was to the children, she daren't assume anything where he was concerned.

  She was only halfway up the stairs on her way to bed when she heard the sound of the powerful engine of the Porsche leap back into life once again, running the rest of the way to the top of the stairs to look out of the window there, just in time to see the car backing out of the driveway, the dark interior making it impossible for her to see Sin's face as he accelerated the car away with a screech of tires.

  She had no idea where he could be going this time of night, but she didn't think she was assuming anything by guessing the reason for his going; Brad's behaviour had had the desired effect. And "after she had told Sin she wasn't interested in her ex-husband! The thought of what Sin must now think of her made her feel sick, making her realise once again how much she had come to value his respect. And no matter how deeply she might respond to him, her surrender the previous evening total, she knew that until a few moments ago she had had Sin's respect.

  By the time she had washed and changed into her nightgown, tried to interest herself in a book that in her agitation made no sense to her, she still hadn't heard the Porsche return. Where could Sin have gone? The first thought that came to her mind was Caroline, but she quickly dismissed that; Sin could hardly spend the night with the younger woman under her father's roof!

  But he still hadn't returned to the cottage when she finally drifted off to sleep shortly after two, and when she awoke with a start just before six the first thing she did was get out of bed and go to the window; the neighbouring driveway was empty. Sin hadn't returned to the cottage all night!

  After her almost sleepless night the last tiling she felt in the mood for was Kim and Andy's exuberance over their visit to London, their excitement barely containable. By the time Brad arrived to collect them her head was pounding and she had managed to snap at both the children at least twice, an unusual occurrence at any time, let alone when they were going away from her for the first time in their young lives.

  'I'll take care of them,' Brad assured her mockingly as she kept glancing over to where the twins were already ensconced in the back of Brad's ear, the two of them talking on the pathway.

  'Kim has a slight cold so keep an eye on her, and Andy——-''

  'You've already told me about them a dozen times,' he interrupted wearily.

  'I know, but Kim likes to put a brave face on things when she feels ill, and——-'

  'Robyn!' Brad's impatience was barely contained. 'It's only overnight, I doubt she'll deteriorate to an asthmatic attack.'

  She was aware that she was panicking over what was merely a snuffly nose, but now that the time had come for Kim and Andy to leave she just wanted to snatch them back into the house and tell Brad he couldn't have them, not even for thirty-six hours. Which was completely selfish of her when the children couldn't wait to be on their way.

  'I'm sure you'll realise if she gets any worse,' she conceded quietly.

  'I'm sure,' he nodded, glancing over at the neighbouring cottage. 'Your neighbour is out bright and early this morning.'

  Robyn stiffened at his questioning tone. 'Yes.'

  'Argued, have you?' Brad mocked her sudden withdrawal-She met his gaze with unflinching brown eyes.

  ^Considering I haven't seen Sin since we saw him together last night that would be a little difficult.'

  His mouth quirked. 'Giving you the silent treatment, is he?' he mused.

  'Don't be ridiculous,' she snapped. 'Sin wouldn't stoop to such things.'

  'Beneath his dignity, is it?'

  'Yes!'

  'Don't be a fool, Robyn,' Brad derided. 'If it will get a woman into his bed a man, will use any ploy.'

  'Sin is merely out, Brad,' she told him curtly. 'Not playing stupid games.'

  'Talking of games,' he drawled, 'I don't think Caroline would be averse to playing a few games with him if you aren't interested.'

  Her mouth turned back with distaste for his crudeness. 'Caroline can do as she chooses.'

  'She usually does,' he said with amusement. 'She's gone off to London this morning and left Henry in the lurch with half-a-dozen planned tours. Perhaps you ought to go and help him out as you have nothing better to do now that the twins are going with me.'

  It wasn't his arrogant assumption that he could still tell her what to do and when to do it that shook her, it was the fact that Caroline had left so abruptly for London. London. Could that be where Sin had gone too, after all it was his home? Surely it had to be too much of a coincidence for them both to have taken off so suddenly. Perhaps the meeting had been pre-arranged, maybe she had been arrogant in assuming Sin had left so abruptly last night because he had seen her with Brad!

  'Robyn?' Brad prompted impatiently at her preoccupation.

  'I—Yes, I'll go up to the house later,' she only just managed to recall the last thing he had said to her, angry with herself for her erroneous assumption.

  'I should;' he nodded. 'After all, we mustn't upset old Henry, must we?'

  'Mustn't we?' she answered vaguely.

  'Not when I'm the only male heir he has,' Brad snapped, as if her stupidity in not realising that amazed him.

  Robyn looked at him with puzzled eyes. 'You surely aren't expecting anything from him when he dies?'

  'Why not?'

  'Because———'

  'Look, I have to go, Robyn,' he cut in abruptly. 'Before the twins wreck the inside of my car.' He glared over to where the two children were looking interestedly at the workings of the car.

  She stiffened at his criticism. 'They're just excited,' she defended.

  'Excited enough to crash the damn car into your wall if I don't get in there soon,' he nodded grimly. 'I'll see you tomorrow, Robyn,' he called over his shoulder as he strode to the car. 'And I have no idea what time it will be,' he derisively answered her next question before she asked it. 'I'll telephone you once we've arrived, if I think of it.'

  Robyn knew he wouldn't think of it, but as she had his telephone number she intended calling herself when a suitable time had elapsed for them to have arrived.

  She stood in the driveway and waved them off, standing there until she could no longer see the excited faces of the twins pressed against the back window, desolation sweeping over her as she turned to go back into the house. She was used to the twins being at school all day, had even allowed them to spend the-day. with friends at weekends in the past, but she had never before known this complete separation from them, a separation that stretched intolerably before her.

  Her whole life had revolved around Kim and Andy since the moment they were born, even more so after Brad had gone, and she simply didn't know how to fill her time
without them. Maybe she should go up to the main house and help the Colonel out after all; she had nothing else to do.

  She felt as if she were escaping when she hurried from the cottage fifteen minutes later, wearing one of the smart blouses and fitted skirts that was her usual uniform when she went to work. As Brad had predicted, Caroline had left behind her complete chaos, the rest of the morning and afternoon passing so quickly Robyn didn't have time to brood about the twins' absence, only just making time to call Brad's apartment later that morning, the conversation necessarily short as he was taking the children out shopping.

  Being so busy all day also stopped her thinking about Sin, and the fact that Caroline was probably in London with him right now. Although she didn't have the same success when she finally got back to the cottage after six to find the Porsche—and Sin—were still conspicuous in their absence. She felt more alone than ever knowing Sin wasn't there, and to think of him with Caroline…! It was useless to deny that that bothered her, because it bothered her a lot.

  The thought of sitting down to a solitary dinner suddenly brought the whole world crashing down around her, hating the fact that the twins were away, haling even more the fact that Sin was with Caroline when she needed him so much. She mentally recoiled from the admission even as she recognised it, feeling the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. She knew she was falling apart emotionally, and there was just nothing she could do to stop it.

  'What the———! Robyn, what's going on?'

  She looked up at the sound of that harshly grating voice, not caring how he came to be there as she stood up to run into Sin's waiting arms. 'Sin!' she sobbed her relief as she felt his strong arms move reassuringly about her.

  'What is it?' he demanded into her hair. 'Has someone hurt you?'

  She shook her head, feeling safe and secure with her face buried against his throat, intoxicated by the smell of his aftershave, and the much more basically male smell that was all Sin.

  'Your ex-husband…?'

  'He isn't here,' she shook her head again, her voice muffled. 'He's gone back to London.'