by Kay Thorpe
‘These days I have an electronic alarm clock.’ Smooth, very smooth. And before her first dose of caffeine, too.
The edge of his mouth curved. ‘There’s extra bacon and eggs.’
Lianne met his gaze with equanimity. ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
He replaced his cutlery and pushed his plate to one side. ‘Because you’ve switched to fruit and yoghurt?’
Because I’m not taking anything from you. ‘Charm isn’t going to work.’
Tyler picked up his cup, drained the contents and stood up. ‘I need to get to the airport.’
She watched idly as he fixed the top button of his shirt, added his tie, then caught up his jacket and shrugged it on with a lithe grace she’d always admired in him.
He had the co-ordinated movements of a man at the peak of physical fitness, fluid, with enviable muscle flex and total balance. Controlled strength, she added, aware of its gentleness…as well as its power. Knowing she’d experienced both.
There had been a time when he’d have closed the distance and pulled her in, lowered his head and taken possession of her mouth in memory of the night they’d shared…and anticipation of the night ahead.
Now he simply collected his briefcase from the foot of the table and offered her a piercing glance. ‘Have a good day.’
She had a need for retaliation. ‘I’d rather not see you again.’
One eyebrow slanted. ‘Difficult, while Michael Sloane handles my file.’
‘Something you deliberately set up in order to bug me?’
The edge of his mouth twitched a little. ‘Is it working?’
‘Not a snowflake’s chance in Hades,’ she managed with succinct cynicism.
His soft laughter almost unleashed the anger simmering beneath the surface of her control, and she held on to it…just, watching as he turned and walked from the apartment.
Lianne felt the need to throw something…anything, just to have the satisfaction of hearing it shatter. Except then she’d have to clean up the mess, she’d be down a plate, cup…and besides, she didn’t have the time.
Instead she filled a cup with coffee, added sugar, and sipped it contemplatively as she tried to ignore the plate of bacon and eggs warming in the oven.
Hunger won out. Although she only ate one piece of bacon and forked two mouthfuls of egg before reluctantly dispensing the rest down the food disposal unit. It was the principle of the thing, she assured herself silently. And being unwilling to allow Tyler to win at anything over which she had some control.
Minutes later she consigned china and cutlery into the dishwasher, then she collected her briefcase and took the lift down to the underground car park and slid into her Mini Cooper.
Traffic was heavy, providing delays at various intersections en route into the city. It gave Lianne time to lapse into reflective thought. Until a horn blast alerted her to a change in the lights, a moving line of cars, thus galvanising her into action…only to have the car engine stall and suffer annoyed embarrassment at holding up traffic until it kicked into life again.
Dammit, she silently berated herself. Focus!
Something she forced herself to do throughout the day. Although it was difficult to dispense Tyler from her mind when most of her work centred around his business interests.
Word of Lianne’s promotion had swiftly circulated and with such a large compilation of staff undercurrents were inevitable, together with conflicting personality traits well-hidden beneath the surface of polite civility.
While Lianne knew she was good at her job, she was all too aware there was speculation as to why her over and above anyone else?
What would happen if she set the cat among the pigeons and owned up to being the wife of Sloane, Everton, Shell and Associates’ new influential client? Worse, that it had been Tyler Benedict who’d used his manipulative skills to this effect?
Although wife was a mere legal technicality soon to be remedied.
Lianne was in the midst of keying data into a laptop when there was a tap at her open door, and she glanced up to see Michael Sloane junior walk into her office.
‘Genuinely busy, or merely making it look as if you are?’
The boss’s son, who could, if he tried, be quite a pleasant young man. Except he had delusions of grandeur about his own worth, his position as a senior partner’s son, delighted in innuendo and his ability to charm the opposite sex.
The fact he’d been trying to charm her from day one merely whetted his determination to succeed. Except she wasn’t willing to play…with him, or any man.
‘A workload I need to finish before the day’s close,’ Lianne offered matter-of-factly. ‘Is there something I can help you with?’
He moved into the room and slid into a chair opposite her desk. ‘Yes.’
‘Spit it out. I don’t have time to play twenty questions.’
‘I love it when you talk tough.’
Please, she offered silently. I don’t need this.
A quiet steadying breath did little to soothe her impatience. ‘Be specific, Michael.’
‘As specific as you like. For starters, you can—’
‘Want me to spell out the definition of harassment in the workplace?’
‘You malign me.’ He looked suitably hurt. ‘I was going to ask you to join me for dinner tonight.’
She took a moment to observe him, the playboy good looks, the manner that came from being the only child of wealthy, highly eminent professional parents who’d obviously over-indulged him from birth. Something he’d used and abused through his scholastic years into adulthood if his level of self-assurance was any indication. Women fawned over him because of who he was, his connections, and what he could do for them.
‘Michael.’ Her voice sounded vaguely weary, even to her own ears. Too much stress and not enough sleep, she reasoned as she aimed for politeness. ‘When are you going to get it that I’m not interested?’
His smile held smug certainty. ‘Persistence, Lianne. It’s my forte.’
Patience. She needed it, like right now. ‘I’m a lost cause,’ she managed evenly. ‘Go find someone else to play with.’
‘Why, when you present such a challenge?’
‘You’re wasting your time.’
‘Maybe I should be the judge of that.’
‘Go take a hike…please,’ she added.
He inclined his head in a gesture of mockery and rose to his feet. ‘I give in…for now. Tune in, same time, same place, for the next scintillating episode in this ongoing drama.’
She almost laughed.
‘Gotcha.’
His soft taunt had Lianne pointing a hand in the direction of the door. ‘Go.’
He went. And only dedicated application ensured she completed the day’s quota of work on time.
It was good to close down her laptop, collect her briefcase and head for the lift.
A workout in the apartment building’s gymnasium, followed by a swim in the adjoining pool, would ease the kinks in her shoulders, her neck. After which she’d fix herself an omelette, research a law study project, and aim for an early night.
Tyler’s overnight stay had been a one-off. Consequently there was no reason for the faint edge of nervous tension that increased with every kilometre traversed en route to suburban Brighton.
Get a grip, she chastised silently as she swept her car down beneath her apartment building and slid into her designated parking bay.
The thought that Tyler could have returned to her apartment caused her to jab the lift call-button with unnecessary force, and she silently plotted dire consequences, only to discard them as blissful quietness greeted her, followed by relief.
The tension eased and Lianne worked at dispensing it altogether as she completed a punishing gym workout. Then she took advantage of the heated indoor pool before drying off and pulling on sweats.
A shower, she mused as she re-entered her apartment, and took her time over it, luxuriating in the warm pulsing water, the deli
cately scented shampoo and soap.
Comfort determined her choice of apparel, and she stepped into thong briefs, added shorts, dispensed with a bra and pulled on a skinny-knit top, then she twisted her damp hair into a loose knot.
Food, she decided as she exited her bedroom…and bumped into a solid male frame.
‘What in hell…?’
Strong hands closed over her shoulders, steadying her as she automatically began to struggle.
‘It’s OK. Relax.’
The New York drawl was all too familiar, so too was the sight, sense and smell of him. The slight woodsy tone of his cologne, fresh clothing and…dear God, the way her senses flew on to full alert at his presence.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘We’ve already been there, done that.’ Tyler’s voice held wry amusement and he saw, felt the anger rise up and consume her.
‘So?’ Lianne demanded as she tried to step back from him and failed miserably. ‘We’ll do it again. You’re not supposed to be here!’
He’d discarded his suit jacket and his arms felt warm and muscularly hard beneath her hands. In a flash she discarded her grip as if burnt by flame.
‘I don’t recall stating I wouldn’t be back,’ he declared with indolent ease.
No, she reflected hollowly. He hadn’t. ‘I assumed—’
‘I’d observe your request and retreat?’
Oh, hell. ‘Yes.’
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Not in this lifetime.’
‘Why?’ Angry frustration clouded her features. ‘Why can’t you move on and leave me alone?’ she demanded.
‘As you have?’
Had she? Dammit, she’d moved a continent away from him in order to survive…emotionally, mentally. But she wasn’t alive. Not in the way she’d been when she was with him.
Then, he’d been her true love. Her soul mate. The other half of her whole. She’d lived for his smile, his touch, the magic that had been theirs alone.
He knew her…how she thought, what she felt, everything about her. And all it took was a look. Extra sensory perception at its zenith. Or two souls so in tune with each other there was no need for words.
Now, they each wore a protective shield, and what had been was well hidden.
‘I walked out of your life,’ Lianne managed quietly. ‘Is it too much to ask you to stay out of mine?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’ She closed her eyes, then opened them again to see his head descend.
Her lips parted in protest, except no words emerged as his head descended and he took possession of her mouth in a kiss that wreaked havoc with her defences.
It was heat and light, all sensual warmth and passion as it shattered the tenuous hold of her control.
She could close her eyes and imagine the last few months had never been, and the temptation to give herself up to sensation was almost more than she could bear.
Worse, because she wanted to…desperately. Just hold on, and go wherever he chose to take her.
What are you thinking? an inner voice screeched silently. To travel that path was madness. A madness she could ill afford, for it would return her to a time and place in her life she’d spent long months trying so hard to forget.
Tyler sensed the moment she tried to gain control, and it behoved his strength of will that he let her. He could, he knew, use subtle persuasion to his advantage, trail his mouth to the sensitive curve of her neck and savour the rapidly beating pulse, nip it with the edge of his teeth, and slide his hands beneath the skinny top she was wearing.
Seek the firm roundness of her breasts and skim his fingers back and forth over their taut peaks. Take first one, then the other into his mouth and feel her tremble.
Instead, he softened the kiss, slowly withdrawing until his mouth brushed hers, gently, back and forth, before raising his head to look at her.
She appeared slightly dazed, her mouth faintly swollen, and her eyes were dark with passion.
For a moment he almost tossed caution aside, except she possessed an air of fragility that touched him deep inside.
‘That’s why,’ Tyler said gently, releasing her.
Lianne felt her body sway for an instant before she straightened and took a backward step.
Dear Lord in heaven.
She lifted shaky fingers to her mouth, unable to tear her gaze away from his, and for a few long seconds neither moved.
‘I think you’d better leave,’ she managed quietly and almost flinched as he reached out and cupped her chin.
‘Have you eaten?’
Food? He was talking about food?
‘Tyler—’
He pressed a thumb over her lips. ‘Order in, or go out. Your choice.’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t think—’
‘The simple sharing of a meal.’ He traced the curve of her lower lip. ‘We can do that, surely?’
She drew in a breath, then let it go in an attempt to regain her composure. Minutes ago…it was only minutes, wasn’t it?…she’d been ready to rage at him. What had happened to that?
‘I have plans.’ She could invent some.
‘To wash your hair?’ Tyler queried, straight-faced.
Lianne doubted any woman had used an excuse not to date him. ‘Zoe. We’re going to take in a movie.’
‘Zoe rang while you were in the shower. Your movie date with her is tomorrow night.’
Damn. She’d been found out. ‘I don’t want to go anywhere with you.’
‘We both need to eat. Why not together in pleasant surroundings?’
‘A little wine, candlelight…and a seduction attempt?’ she countered with a tinge of mockery and saw his slow smile.
‘I haven’t come close to seducing you…yet.’
‘And you won’t.’
Tyler traced an idle finger down the slope of her nose. ‘Not tonight.’
‘Not any night.’
‘Go change,’ he bade easily.
‘If I do, will you agree to book into a hotel?’
He was unable to resist the temptation to tease. ‘With you?’
Lianne felt like screaming with vexation. ‘Dammit, no.’
He regarded her carefully. ‘No.’
‘I don’t want you here.’ She hated the slight desperation in her voice.
‘Too bad.’
‘I could phone the police and have them evict you.’
‘Make the call.’
‘Whereupon you’ll explain you own the apartment, a marriage exists between us, there’s been a domestic misunderstanding which is in the process of being settled?’
His eyes gleamed with wry humour. ‘That’s about the sum of it.’
‘You make it easy for me to hate you.’
‘I’ll take an honest emotion over indifference.’
Indifference was the last thing she felt for him, and she hated that he knew it.
As much as she wanted to scream and rage against him, she aimed for icy cynicism. ‘Really?’ She raised one eyebrow and regarded him steadily. ‘Dinner.’ She could do dinner and feign indifference. Just for the hell of it and to prove to herself that she could.
‘There’s a restaurant in Toorak.’ She named it, adding, ‘If they’re booked, just mention my name.’ She waited a beat. ‘Lianne Marshall.’ It gave her immense satisfaction to see his eyes harden, and she added, ‘Half an hour?’
He resisted the temptation to crush that soft mouth with his own. Instead, he let her walk away. There was time, and he intended to take it slow.
Tyler lifted a hand and raked fingers through his hair as he made for the guest bedroom, where he took a shower and dressed in dark trousers, blue shirt and silk tie, then added a jacket.
Lianne was waiting for him when he emerged into the lounge, and his senses quickened as he took in her sleek upswept hair, the exquisite make-up.
Stunning, he accorded silently, admiring the black silk evening trousers and camisole, killer heels, the silver cobwebby shawl dra
ped low over her shoulders.
Her jewellery was limited to a watch and a slender diamond drop pendant. Neither of which had been gifts from him.
She could easily afford both items. She didn’t lack money, he’d seen to it that a generous personal allowance was paid into her bank account each month. There was also her salary package.
Lianne collected her keys and queried briskly, ‘Do you want to drive, or shall I?’
‘I’ll drive, you navigate.’
CHAPTER FOUR
THEY took his car, a sleek black Porsche he’d bought the previous day. It was like the man, Lianne accorded silently. Dark, fast and dangerous.
The restaurant was well-known for its fine cuisine, excellent service and expensive wines. Situated in a small one-way street, accessed through a plate glass door, the interior held an ambience all its own.
Seated, Tyler deferred to her choice of wine, and perused the menu before selecting a starter and main course, while Lianne settled for a starter.
‘Not hungry?’
‘No.’ She was battening down nerves, hating the emotions tangling themselves into an impossible mess.
It was crazy. Being here was crazy. What on earth had possessed her to agree to share dinner with him?
Manipulative tactics on his part, and determination on hers to prove she could play him at his own game and win.
The waiter presented the wine, poured a sample, then, gaining approval, he part-filled both goblets.
‘What now, Tyler?’ Lianne took a sip of wine. ‘Polite conversation? How was your day?’ Her voice held a tinge of mockery. ‘Meaningless words to fill a void?’
‘Why not meaningful?’
‘There’s the thing.’ She leaned back in her chair and pretended speculative contemplation. ‘So many choices.’ Her eyes held his with unblinking solemnity. ‘Shall I begin, or will you?’
Tyler inclined his head. ‘By all means…you.’
‘Ah, is this wise, do you think?’
‘Wisdom isn’t an issue.’
She toyed with the stem of her goblet. ‘What is the issue, Tyler?’
‘Reconciliation,’ he drawled. ‘Ours.’
Oh, my. Such succinct honesty captured her breath and held it hostage for several long seconds. ‘That’s not going to happen.’
