Irresistible Temptation

by Sara Craven

  Olivia flushed. 'You think I'm prying, but I just want to make sure she's not missing out by keeping me here.'

  'You don't need to worry,' he said laconically. 'And, after all, it won't be for long—win it?' The cool eyes flashed silver at her.

  Olivia's throat felt suddenly constricted. 'No—I hope not,' she muttered, hating his derisive smile. She frowned slightly. 'But I still don't understand your involvement.'

  'You don't have to. Let's just say I'm an old friend.'

  'She's very lucky.' The words were spoken before she knew it The colour in her face deepened uncontrollably. 'I mean, you lead such a busy life. It's surprising you have the time.'

  'I can always make time for people I love.' He spoke quietly.

  Their eyes met, and held. Olivia felt her breathing shorten as her whole body tensed in sudden, inexplicable excitement.

  Such a brief distance between them in physical terms, she thought, swallowing. Yet in reality they stood on either side of an uncrossable abyss.

  She wondered crazily what would happen if she took a step towards him—and another…

  Her lips parted to speak, although she had no idea what she was going to say. Then the heated silence was pierced—destroyed by the shrilling of her mobile phone.

  'Oh.' She dived for it Pressed the answer button.

  'Darling.' It was Jeremy's voice. 'I've just realised I'm free tonight Why don't we have dinner?'

  She could think of a whole number of reasons, not the least being her casserole, which was filling the fiat with its beguiling aroma. And not being taken so completely for granted featured prominently too.

  She paused her eyes going again to Declan, who had risen from his seat He looked back at her, brows lifting, mouth twisting scornfully.

  It was that look which did it Which decided her to ignore the fact that she was obviously an afterthought and take Jeremy up on his invitation after all.

  To hell with Declan Malone. Let him think what he wanted.

  'That would be wonderful.' Deliberately, she let her voice caress the words, her answering glance defiant 'I can hardly wait'

  She heard Declan make a small, angry sound in his throat, then he turned sharply and went to the door, slamming it behind him.

  'What was that?' Jeremy demanded.

  'Nothing.' Olivia said, crossing her fingers. 'Nothing at all. Oh, darling, I'm so glad to hear from you.

  And that, she thought, was at least the truth.

  But she didn't want to examine too closely why she felt that Jeremy's call could have been a lifeline, thrown at exactly the right moment.

  Because she didn't need saving, she told herself resolutely. She was fine, and well in control of the situation— wasn't she?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Jeremy took her to a restaurant on the King's Road—much patronised by young trendies, he informed her, with a trace of patronage himself.

  Olivia, who'd rapidly changed into a shift dress the colour of wheat, topping it with a dark brown and white striped jacket, felt seriously overdressed amongst the grungy colours favoured by the rest of the clientele.

  Again, it wasn't the most romantic rendezvous he could have chosen either, she thought rather sadly. It was brightly lit, noisy and overcrowded, and the food was ordinary in the extreme.

  But then, as he said, it was the kind of place where you came to be seen, she rationalised, as she dutifully ate her burger and the rather stingy portion of fries which accompanied it.

  While they drank their coffee, Olivia handed over the details of the flats she'd picked up that day, and Jeremy received them with raised eyebrows.

  'You don't waste much time,' he commented in a slightly aggrieved tone. 'I was going to start looking next week.'

  It just seemed such a splendid opportunity.' Olivia heard and despised the placatory note in her voice.

  'Hmm.' He scanned the sheets rapidly. 'Actually, I've heard of these people. They've a good reputation. I'll bear them in mind.' He folded the papers and put them into an inside pocket of his jacket 'But don't you think you should find a permanent job before we go any further? I mean, temping isn't the most stable of livings.'

  'I've already thought of that.' Olivia smiled at him.

  'I don't see why I shouldn't continue what I was doing in Bristol—training people in computer systems.'

  Jeremy gave her a pitying loot 'I doubt you'd find much call for that in London. People are pretty clued up here, not like the provinces.'

  That's what you think, thought Olivia, remembering Colin Sutton's anguished expression.

  'Although you might find something in office administration, when you've a little more experience,' he added kindly. 'Don't try to run before you can walk, Livvy.'

  Thanks for the encouragement, Olivia thought forlornly.

  She said, 'You're probably right' Then, to the hovering waitress, 'No more coffee, thanks.'

  Olivia had hoped they'd walk along the King's Road for a while, talk, recapture some of the old magic, but Jeremy immediately hailed a taxi.

  'You can show me this flat of yours,' he whispered ardently, his lips brushing her ear as the cab drew away.

  'You said it wouldn't be safe,' Olivia reminded him, very conscious of the driver's presence.

  'To hell with that.' His voice thickened. 'I'm not waiting any longer. Oh, God, Livvy…' He took her into his arms, kissing her passionately, while one hand stole beneath her jacket to stroke her breasts.

  She was passive in his arms, neither resisting his advances nor particularly welcoming them either, wishing with all her heart that he'd waited until they were alone. Especially when his fingers slid under the edge of her skirt.

  'Jeremy.' She pushed away the exploring hand. 'He'll see.'

  'Don't be such a prude,' he teased. 'Cab drivers see this every day.'

  'Not from me they don't,' Olivia told him with hauteur.

  'Have it your own way,' he said with a touch of impatience. 'But you'd better loosen up a little when we get back.'

  She flinched inwardly. This was going to be their first time together. She wanted it to mean as much to him as it did to her. Not just some graceless coupling as thanks for an indifferent meal.

  Slowly, she unlocked her door, while Jeremy paid off the cab.

  'Well, this is it.' There was a nervous tremor in her voice as he followed her in. She moved towards the kitchen, trying not to hurry. 'Would you like some more coffee?'

  'There's only one thing I want,' he said softly, his smiling glance traversing her body, stripping her naked. 'Don't play hard to get, Livvy. Not now we're finally together.'

  'We've been apart for several months,' she reminded him, her throat tightening. 'Maybe we should get to know each other again first'

  'The best way to renew acquaintance is in bed,' he told her throatily. He pulled her towards him, slipping her jacket off her shoulders and tugging down the zip of her dress almost with the same practised movement 'X want to look at you, darling, every sweet, desirable inch of you,' he muttered huskily.

  She backed away, holding on to her dress, trying to laugh. 'Now wait a minute...'

  'That's all I've ever done—from the moment we met' He sounded petulant, even angry. 'But enough's enough. Tonight you're going to come through, Livvy.'

  She'd reached the wall. Her back was against it There was nowhere else to retreat to. And Jeremy had reached her, fumbling with his clothing.

  'As there doesn't seem to be a bed,' he said, grinning wolfishly. 'This will have to do, my love.'

  'No,' Olivia twisted under his grasp. He was, she realised, totally aroused—and determined. Whereas she…

  My God, she thought Surely I'm worth more than this— a quickie up against a wall.

  The sudden knocking at the door was like the answer to a prayer.

  She found herself thinking, Declan?

  Then heard Sasha's voice. 'Olivia, are you all right? Humph has been barking—as if there's a prowler. May I come in?'

&
nbsp; 'Just a minute.' Olivia ducked under Jeremy's arm, feverishly rezipping her dress.

  It's my landlady. You'd better go in the bathroom,' she whispered to him.

  'Get rid of her,' he mouthed savagely back at her as he obeyed.

  Olivia went to the door, combing her fingers through her hair.

  'Dear girl,' Sasha said as she came in. 'Humph is making such a fuss, I thought I'd better check on you. Have you seen or heard anything peculiar? Have any strangers been hanging around?

  She was looking her usual exotic self, in slim-fitting black trousers and a tunic top embroidered with poppies, with a black bandanna tied round her hair. She glanced around as she spoke, the bright eyes missing nothing.

  'Everything's fine,' said Olivia, torn between conflicting emotions of annoyance and amusement, commingled with relief. She didn't believe there was a possible prowler for one moment Sasha, she had no doubt, was acting on Declan's instructions. 'Humph just heard me come home, I expect.'

  'Oh, he's used to you,' Sasha said dismissively. 'He only sounds off if he hears a footstep—or a voice—-he doesn't recognise.'

  She gave Olivia a searching look. 'You seem rather flushed, darling. Are you running a temperature? Of course, it has been warm for the time of year.'

  'That must be it,' Olivia agreed gravely.

  'It's so nerve-racking living on your own,' Sasha went on, with a sigh. 'Declan says I should install panic buttons down here, and in my own part of the house, in case of problems, and I'm sure he's right.' She gave Olivia one of her blinding smiles. 'But you've got your little mobile phone, haven't you, darling? So if you get nervous at any time you can always call me.

  'I'll bear that in mind,' Olivia promised as Sasha flitted to the door and, with one last smile over her shoulder, vanished.

  'What was that all about?' Jeremy demanded sourly, emerging from the bathroom.

  Olivia sighed. 'I think she was telling me she knew you were here.

  Jeremy muttered an obscenity. 'I knew she'd be spying for bloody Declan,' he said vengefully. He gave his surroundings a cursory look. 'Well, this is clearly a non-starter as a love-nest I'll have to think of something else. See if I can borrow a key from someone who's going on holiday.'

  Olivia bit her lip. 'I don't think I'd be very happy with that'

  'What's the matter with you?' He stared at her. 'You come all this way to be with me, and now you're backing off.'

  'I came all this way so that we could live together, openly and permanently.' Olivia lifted her chin. 'Not to have a squalid secret affair in other people's beds.'

  There was a taut silence, then Jeremy pursed his lips in resignation.

  'You're quite right, of course,' he said repentantly. 'I'm sorry, darling, I've been thinking and acting like a sex-starved lout It's just that I want you so much, yet I still have to go on waiting. It's like a life sentence.'

  He held out his arms, and Olivia went into them.

  'It's frustrating for me too,' she reminded him softly. 'But we do have the rest of our lives to get it right'

  'Yes, I know.' His kiss was gentle this time, but brief. 'Now I'd better go, before Mata Hari pays us another visit' He gave a boyish laugh. 'We'll just have to content ourselves with an old-fashioned courtship—walks in the park, trips to the zoo — the whole bit.'

  'Sounds good to me,' she assured him tenderly.

  He lifted her hand to his lips. 'I'll call you,' he said, and left.

  Olivia stood for a moment, looking at the closed door and listening to the silence.

  It had not been the easiest evening of her life, she acknowledged ruefully. For a while she'd been shocked— even repelled—by Jeremy's behaviour. He seemed to have turned into a coarse, unpleasant stranger.

  But the present circumstances were difficult for them both, she thought, as she began the nightly ritual of locking up. And maybe this bad beginning would have a good ending if it prompted Jeremy to find a fiat of his own. That would be the answer to everything.

  Declan could interfere as much as he chose, she told herself defiantly, but everything was going to be all right. She knew it.

  Wednesday began with another busy morning at Personal Property. However, Olivia came back from her lunch-break to the news that Vicky Sutton could manage to hobble on her damaged ankle, and would be returning the following day.

  'She thinks the place falls apart without her,' Colin confided with obvious affection. 'And she could be right' He paused. 'I've told your agency, and they have another job for you to go to. Call them when you have a moment'

  Olivia, whose heart had begun to sink, revived at these words.

  Sandra Wilton didn't beat about the bush when she contacted her.

  'I'm sending you to Academy Productions tomorrow,' she said. 'We already have one of our older temps working there, someone who retrained after having a family, and I think she's struggling a bit'

  She paused. 'They've asked for a PA, because theirs is off sick, but I suspect you'll be answering phones, doing reception, making coffee, and fetching the sandwiches.'

  'Oh,' said Olivia, and Sandra chuckled.

  'Not your scene, I know, but the money's good, and they use us regularly, so something better might come your way if you hang in there.' She hesitated. 'And I'd be glad if you'd keep an eye on Barbara—give her back-up if she needs it I think her confidence has taken a bit of a battering over the past couple of days.'

  'What kind of company is it?'

  'An independent outfit, making drama and documentaries for the major television networks. They've won awards, so they're good, and most of the girls like going there. It's casual dress and plenty of buzz.'

  Academy Productions was housed in a small square just off Marylebone, occupying the first and second floor of a block which had been formed originally by knocking several old houses together.

  The ground floor itself was occupied by an antiques shop, a florist's, and a second-hand bookshop, and there was a glass door at the side protected by a buzzer system with the name of the production company blazoned upon it.

  Olivia duly announced herself, and went up a narrow flight of stairs to yet another door, where a small dark-haired girl was waiting.

  'Hi,' she said unsmilingly. 'I'm Carol from Admin and I'm here to show you round and get you started.' She paused. 'I hope you do better than your colleague.'

  Not a promising start, Olivia reflected, as she obediently hung her jacket on one of the pegs in the women's rest-room.

  It was a large open-plan office, well-lit and comfortable with plenty of greenery around, but, rather than the 'buzz' Sandra had referred to, there was an atmosphere of tension you could cut with a knife, Olivia thought as she followed Carol to the front desk, where she'd be starting the day.

  'Do you know how this kind of switchboard works?' Carol asked, and appeared marginally reassured by Olivia's nod. 'All the extension numbers are listed here, and if you get into difficulties, scream for help. Don't pretend you can cope. Mimi, one of our part-timers, will be in later to give you a hand.

  She paused 'We get a lot of calls from wannabes, so anyone who can't give you a contact name is always shunted to Extension 39 for sorting. And absolutely everyone who asks for J.L. must be routed through Paula, his secretary. She knows who he'll want to talk to.'

  Olivia made a quick note on the pad in front of her. 'Right'

  'The main door is deliveries, which you check on this screen, and appointments only. You'll find them all listed on the computer.

  'And don't worry too much about getting outside numbers for people,' Carol went on. 'Most of them will ask for a line and make their own calls.' She frowned. 'Having said that, will you get on to Hogarth Systems—you'll find their number in the Rolodex—and ask them to send a technician? I've been calling since I got in and their number seems permanently engaged.'

  She added a wintry smile, and disappeared.

  Well, at least she didn't mention making coffee, Olivia thought, as the telephon
e began to ring. But if they were all like her, it was no wonder the place seemed fraught.

  She felt absurdly nervous, as if everyone was expecting her to fail, but there were no glitches. Whenever she was free, she dialled the number that Carol had requested, but when she eventually got through she found she was connected to an answering machine. She left the company name and number and asked them to make contact urgently.

  Mimi arrived at ten-thirty, a tall slim girl with skin like ebony. She wore her hair in dozens of tiny beaded braids, and her skirt skimmed her thighs.

  'I'll cover for you,' she said. 'Did Caring Carol show you where to take a break? No? What a bloody surprise.' She pointed. 'Go to the end of that aisle, and there's a door on the left. That's the kitchen. There's coffee, tea, soft drinks in the fridge. Help yourself, and can you bring me a coffee back—white no sugar?

  'Thanks.' Olivia hesitated. 'There's another girl from the agency here. Do you know where she works so I can say hello? Her name's Barbara.'

  Mimi pulled a face. 'You might find her in the kitchen, weeping into a hot chocolate, or in the restroom using up a week's supply of tissues. She's not flavour of the month just now.'

  'What did she do?'

  Mimi rolled expressive eyes to heaven. 'Oh, not much. Just lost two draft scripts and the notes for an entire series last night She was supposed to be using Scriptec, and she's only learned Word for Windows—result, disaster. Now someone's had to explain to one of our star performers that several weeks' work has gone down the tubes and he has to start all over again.' She shook her head 'I don't think he'll be pleased.'

  'My God,' said Olivia.

  Barbara was indeed in the kitchen, a pleasant-faced woman in her early forties, clutching a mug of cold tea as if it was her sole hold on reality.

  Olivia checked in the doorway. 'Hi,' she said. 'I work for Service Group too. Is there anything I can do to help?'

  The other shook her head. 'It's too late for that I feel terrible. This is my first job, and I did so want it to go well.' There was a little sob in her voice.