The thought was tearing Melanie apart, and she ran from the shadows of the honeysuckle, dry-eyed and pale, only to collide seconds later with a stocky figure emerging from the shadows further along the terrace.
'Oh!' she gasped as hands steadied her, and then she saw who it was. 'I'm terribly sorry, Mr McAlister, I didn't see you in the darkness.'
'I came out for a breath of fresh air. That's what I hate about these parties, my dear, it's always so stuffy indoors,' he confided in her. 'I don't suppose you would consider keeping an old man company, would you?'
'I wouldn't mind at all,' she assured him, grateful suddenly that she would not be alone while Jason…!
She pulled herself up smartly, making a violent effort to control her thoughts as she joined Mr McAlister on a wooden bench nearby.
'You know, that husband of yours drives a very hard bargain,' he said eventually, the aroma of his cigar floating about her.
'Does he?' she asked stiffly, reluctant to speak of the one person who had it in his power to hurt her more than anyone else on earth.
'Do you know about the new steel plant we want to erect on the East Rand?' Mr McAlister questioned her.
'I've heard of it, yes.'
'Steel Incorporated has been taking a look at tenders from engineering firms all over the country, and we've eliminated all but two companies; Cyma, which is your husband's, and Reef Engineering. It's a very difficult decision to make.'
Melanie had no idea why he should be discussing this subject with her, but it was at least helping her to shake off the misery she felt.
'Which are the most important factors when it comes to a selection such as this?' she questioned him a little absently.
'Well, there are the plans put forward by the firms, and the quality of their workmanship.'
'Does the cost of such a scheme have anything to do with your decision?'
'Very much indeed, and that's what makes it so difficult. I like what Jason is offering us, for instance, but his price is a little high.' He puffed agitatedly at his cigar for a few seconds, then glanced at her speculatively through a haze of smoke. 'What would you do if you were in my position?'
'I'm afraid I don't know enough about my husband's business to comment on that, and I wouldn't want to influence you one way or the other,' she replied, a little startled that he should ask for her meagre opinion.
Mr McAlister removed his cigar from his mouth and nodded his grey head thoughtfully. 'A very sensible answer, and one which has put you way up in my estimation, but off the record, what would you do?' He touched her arm as she hesitated and said: 'Go ahead. Don't be afraid to give your opinion.'
Reassured, she said: 'Speaking from personal experience only, when I've wanted anything of value I've always ended up paying more for it, but I've never regretted it afterwards.'
Mr McAlister was silent for several alarming seconds, his cigar forgotten between his fingers, then he turned to her and smiled. 'You know, my dear, you've certainly given me something to think about.'
Melanie was not quite sure what to make of that remark, but Mr McAlister gave her no opportunity to ponder over it for too long. He chatted amicably for a while longer, then took her inside with him to introduce her to his wife, a small, pleasant-looking woman whom Melanie liked instantly. They both displayed a great deal of tact, Melanie thought afterwards, by not remarking on Jason's noticeable absence and, when he calmly put in an appearance later, she felt mentally and physically strengthened to cope with the immediate situation.
The evening dragged on endlessly, and she was immeasurably relieved when Jason finally suggested that it was time to go. The McAlisters were leaving as well and, as they parted company on the way to their respective cars, Mr McAlister said:
'I'll see you at your office on Monday morning, Jason, then we can put the deal through.'
Melanie held her breath as Jason demanded calmly, 'Does this mean you've made up your mind to accept my tender, Mac?'
'It does,' McAlister assured him, 'and you can thank your lovely wife for that.'
The McAlisters' car sped down the driveway, and its occupants were quite unaware of the explosive situation which had developed as a result of that innocent, light-hearted remark. Melanie could feel Jason's eyes boring through her in the darkness. She tried to say something, but couldn't, and relinquished the effort eventually, deciding that it could wait until Jason had cooled off sufficiently.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The atmosphere in the car had been tense, but Melanie shrank inwardly from the cold fury in Jason's pale grey eyes as he closed the penthouse door behind him with a decisive click and followed her through to the living-room.
'Would you kindly explain to me what McAlister meant by that parting shot of his?' His deep voice vibrated with anger, but she was almost relieved that the storm was about to erupt. Anything was preferable to his stony silence, she decided as he snapped, 'I'm waiting!'
She gathered the remnants of her courage about her and explained, as calmly as she could, what had occurred between Mr McAlister and herself. Jason heard her out in silence, but a cynical smile curved his lips.
'It seems that having a wife can be an asset after all.'
Stung by his remark, she said sarcastically, 'Does it hurt your pride to think that, inadvertently, I accomplished something in a short space of time which might have taken you longer?'
Jason went white about the mouth and for a moment she thought he would strike her, but he controlled himself with a visible effort and said cuttingly, 'When it comes to business, 'Melanie, I prefer doing things my way, and not from behind a woman's skirts.'
'I had no intention of influencing him, Jason,, and Mr McAlister was well aware of that,' she told him quietly. 'He insisted on hearing my opinion and, for what it was worth, I gave it to him. If the results don't please you, then I'm terribly sorry, but I honestly had no intention of swaying his decision in your favour.'
'Didn't you?' he demanded derisively, his glance insulting as it swept over her. 'You didn't perhaps think that, since you've failed to fulfil your obligations as a wife, you might try and make up for it in this way?'
She drew a sharp breath, controlling the tremor of pain and anger that shook through her. 'I'm afraid that my conscience did not dictate my actions, just as yours seemed not to have dictated your actions this evening.'
'And what's that supposed to mean?'
Melanie backed away involuntarily as he took a threatening step towards her. 'When you slipped away into the garden with Delia this evening, you were seen.'
'Ah!… so that's it!' he smiled, but the smile did not reach his cold eyes.
'You at least have the decency not to deny it,' she stormed at him.
'Why should I deny it?'
'I don't suppose you stopped to consider that I might have been humiliated in front of everyone, and that they must have found it strange to think that, after being married only two weeks, you couldn't wait to be alone with your… your…'
'Mistress?' he filled in cynically. 'Is that the word you're looking for?'
'Yes,' she snapped, wincing inwardly as she recalled the conversation she had overheard on the terrace.
'You don't deserve any consideration from me, Melanie. You haven't earned it, and until you do…' he hesitated, his expression hardening considerably, 'you'll just have to accept the situation as it is.'
'I won't be blackmailed into bed with you, Jason,' she remarked tritely after a reflective pause.
'Would you allow me to use other methods of persuasion?'
His eyes glittered dangerously as he reached for her, but she stepped back swiftly. 'Don't touch me!'
'Afraid I might succeed?' he mocked her ruthlessly, and the colour surged into her cheeks as she recalled how easily she had succumbed to his lovemaking before.
'Isn't one conquest in an evening enough for you?' she spat out in self-defence, but she could have bitten off her tongue the next instant when the air between them posit
ively crackled electrifyingly.
'Don't push your luck too far, Melanie. I've been very patient with you, but I have my limits,' he said menacingly, the muscles in his jaw bulging with the obvious effort to control himself. 'Goodnight!'
Melanie was angry, and had been hurt too deeply to pay much heed to Jason's warning that night, but she had cause, a few days later, to recall it with more than a little alarm.
'I'm so glad you could make it,' Adrian said as they sat facing each other over a cup of tea at the Carlton the Tuesday afternoon. His glance slid over her pale pink suit, and he smiled warmly. 'You look lovely.'
'Thank you,' she replied coldly, determined not to be sidetracked from the purpose of this meeting. 'There's something I want to discuss with you.'
'You look terribly serious, my sweet.'
'It's a serious matter,' she told him firmly. 'It's about your meeting with Barnaby Finch.'
Adrian paled visibly, his freckles standing out like beacons on his lean face. 'You know?'
Melanie nodded. 'It was a despicable thing to do, Adrian, and I shudder to think what will happen if Jason ever finds out that the one person he's always been able to entrust with confidential matters has let him down.'
'I'm sorry about that, but I couldn't help feeling that you'd been forced into marrying Jason Kerr,' he explained apologetically, 'and I considered I was acting in your own interests.' 'Well, I wish you hadn't.'
Adrian frowned down at his tea for a moment before meeting her direct gaze once more. 'How did you find out?'
'Barnaby confessed. He's that kind of person, and it troubled him to know that he'd been disloyal. I just hope he has the good sense not to confess to Jason as well.'
'Melanie, I'm sorry—I really am.'
'You ought to be!'
His hand touched her across the table. 'Am I not going to be forgiven?'
His expression was rueful, like a small boy who had been caught stealing biscuits, and her anger melted away.
'I've always valued your friendship, Adrian, but there's a limit to what one will tolerate from one's friends,' she reprimanded him gently.
'It won't happen again, Melanie, I promise.' His hand gripped hers firmly. 'Just look at me and tell me honestly—do you love your husband?'
Melanie hesitated momentarily, searching her own heart for the answer, but, despite everything she knew about Jason, her feelings still remained the same. Her love was strong enough to overcome whatever obstacles there might be, she realised as she sustained Adrian's glance and said quite calmly, 'You have no right to ask me something so personal, but if it will make you cease your senseless prying then, yes… I do love Jason. Very much,' she added convincingly.
Adrian went curiously pale as he saw the truth in her eyes, and his lips tightened. 'I envy him.'
'Adrian!'
He shook his head and looked away. 'I'm sorry, but it's the truth.'
Melanie's heart twisted. She hated having to hurt him, but there was nothing she could do about it, except perhaps not see him again and, making up her mind, she pushed back her chair and picked up her handbag.
'Thank you for the tea, Adrian.'
'Don't go yet,' he protested, gripping her wrist.
'I must.'
'What time does Jason get home?'
'He…' She bit her lip and relented. 'Well, he won't be home for dinner this evening. He's working late.'
'Have dinner with me?'
'I can't.'
'Just to show there are no hard feelings,' he persisted, and after a moment of thought she found herself agreeing to his suggestion.
'I would like to have dinner with you, Adrian, but I must be home before seven-thirty.'
'Whatever you say,' he smiled agreeably.
He drove her to a small restaurant he knew of, where they served meals throughout the day and night and, despite her misgivings, she enjoyed his company. It was quite like old times, having dinner with Adrian, and she was reminded of the many occasions they had been out together before Jason Kerr had walked into her life, disrupting her peaceful existence, and plunging her into a marriage that could only end in heartbreak.
She shook off her thoughts and tried to concentrate on Adrian, but Jason's hard features intervened, his steel-grey eyes accusing her, and filling her with guilt. There was no earthly reason for her to feel guilty about anything, she told herself, but she was more than just ordinarily relieved when Adrian eventually drove her home.
'When do I see you again?' he wanted to know when he unlocked the penthouse door for her and followed her in.
'I don't think it's wise for us to meet too often,' she tried to put him off gently.
'Melanie—'
'You've always been a dear friend, Adrian,' she intervened swiftly, 'but our friendship must end now that I'm married.'
'You're right, of course,' he admitted readily with a hint of sadness in his eyes as he framed her face with his hands. 'Take care of yourself, my sweet.'
He kissed her gently on the lips, and not for one moment did she think of resisting him. It was a kiss without passion; a kiss between friends who knew the time for parting had come.
'Am I interrupting?'
Startled, Melanie thrust Adrian from her, and she went cold with fright as she stared at her husband's thunderous expression.
'Jason!' His name passed her lips as she searched frantically for something to say, but Adrian was the first to recover from the shock.
'Good evening, Mr Kerr,' he said calmly, extending his hand towards Jason. 'I'm Adrian Louw, an old friend of Melanie's.'
'Indeed?' Jason remarked coldly as if he had never heard of him before and, ignoring Adrian's hand, he asked, 'Were you on your way out?'
'Well… yes,' Adrian replied hesitatingly, dropping his hand self-consciously to his side.
'Then don't let us detain you.'
There was uncertainty in Adrian's glance as it met Melanie's but, sensing the suppressed violence in Jason, she said quickly, 'Goodbye, Adrian.'
Adrian hesitated only briefly before turning and striding towards the lift, but Jason did not wait to see him enter it before closing the door and locking it firmly. The entrance hall was suddenly too small to accommodate both Jason and herself, and Melanie turned towards the living-room, entering it on shaky legs, with Jason following close behind her.
The silence between them was deadly, and fear knotted her stomach as she stood watching him remove his jacket and tie, and flinging them on to a chair with an impatient, jerky movement before he approached her with a look in his eyes that chilled the blood in her veins.
'I could strangle you,' he muttered through clenched teeth, and his voice grated along her nerves.
'Jason, I can explain,' she began, backing away from him.
'I'm sure you can,' he laughed, but his laughter was more frightening than anything she had experienced before.
'That kiss didn't mean anything,' she protested, her heart leaping into her throat as he reached her with one lithe movement.
His arm imprisoned her against the hardness of his body, while his free hand gripped her hair, jerking her head back painfully as he forced her face into the open, and her eyes smarted as she looked up into his dark, angry face. There was no sign of mercy or leniency in the harsh contours of his features, and she knew somehow that it would be hopeless trying to reason with him while fury raged through him like a violent storm.
'I don't take kindly to someone trespassing on my property, and that freckle-faced youth was doing exactly that,' he spat out the words.
'I'm not your property,' she argued hotly, struggling against him, but her efforts merely served to make her more aware of him, of his strength, his muscular thighs against her own, and the roughness of the hair on his chest where his shirt had somehow come undone.
'You're mine, Melanie, whether you like it or not,' he said thickly, pinning her hands behind her back while he undid the buttons of her jacket and slipped it off her shoulders despite her frantic
struggle to restrain him. 'I've taken about as much as I can stand from you,' he added, his mouth hot and passionate against hers as he silenced her protests.
Her skirt slid to the floor, then, without taking his mouth from hers, he lifted her in his arms and carried her through to the darkened bedroom. She pummelled his chest with her fists, calling him all the names she could think of when he set her on her feet beside the bed, then a scream tore passed her bruised lips as the flimsy straps of her underwear gave way beneath his hands. With one swift movement she was stripped completely, her skin gleaming white in the moonlight filtering through the window as Jason thrust her unceremoniously on to the bed and pinned her down with his body.
He was breathing heavily, his anger fanning his desire, and his hands moved roughly over her body, punishing her rather than caressing, but her limbs weakened against him treacherously even as her mind begged frantically, 'Not like this! Not in anger!'
'Jason, wait!' she pleaded, wrenching her mouth from his and gasping for breath.
'I've waited long enough,' he said hoarsely against her throat, foiling her attempts to escape from beneath him by pinning her arms at her sides.
'No! Don't!' she begged desperately, fear mingling with an intoxication she fought against as his mouth raked along her neck, leaving behind a trail of fire as he sought the fullness of her breast. A terrifying weakness invaded her body, bringing helpless tears to her eyes as she sobbed brokenly, 'Jason, please don't do this to me.'
'Shut up!' he grunted, silencing her eloquently with his mouth.
Tears poured unheeded down her cheeks until she could taste their saltiness in her mouth. Every part of her being rejected his brutality. She could not deny that she loved him and wanted him, but not like this— not in anger—and not with the sole purpose to punish.
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