Tempestuous Affair

by Carole Mortimer

  ‘Tell me, damn you!’

  She swallowed hard, knowing he wasn’t going to let her go until he had his answer. ‘In this way,’ she told him shakily. ‘I’ve never seen you enjoy hurting someone before.’

  ‘Damn!’ he swore with impatience, pushing her away from him as if she burnt him, thrusting his hands into the pockets of his dark trousers, the jacket to his suit discarded in the studio, his light blue shirt stretched tautly across his chest. ‘Why do I always find myself apologising to you lately?’ He looked at her with troubled eyes. ‘Have you found your replacement yet?’ he continued without waiting for an answer.

  Lindsay resisted the impulse she had to rub the area of her arm that throbbed beneath her black silky blouse. ‘I thought you would want to do that,’ she mumbled, looking down at her desk.

  ‘I don’t,’ he dismissed coldly. ‘Find her and train her. I don’t want to be bothered with it.’

  Lindsay blinked back the tears. ‘Very well.’

  ‘Have you found another job yourself yet?’ He lingered in the room.

  She hadn’t even looked! And she would have to if she wanted to continue paying the rent on her flat and not face the added humiliation of going home to live at her mother’s house. That was something she just couldn’t bear; relations between her mother and herself were still very strained the last time she had telephoned home.

  ‘Not yet,’ she told him brightly. ‘But I’m confident I’ll find something.’

  His eyes were glacial. ‘Roger’s still looking for someone,’ he revealed with reluctance.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ she refused softly. ‘I think I’ll look for something a little more—routine.’

  His mouth twisted. ‘You would be bored with that within a week!’

  Lindsay looked up at him unflinchingly. ‘Maybe boredom is what I want.’

  Joel looked as if she had physically hit him. ‘I’m glad I gave you some excitement in your life for a few months,’ he rasped.

  She sighed. ‘You’re deliberately misunderstanding me.’

  ‘Am I?’ he scowled. ‘I don’t—’ he broke off as the telephone began to ring. ‘You’d better answer that, I’d hate you to miss any of Reader’s calls,’ he added derisively.

  ‘So would I,’ she was goaded into retorting, as she picked up the receiver. ‘Joel Sutherland’s studio,’ she recited automatically.

  ‘It’s Cally, Lindsay,’ came the instant cheerful response. ‘You promised you would call me about Saturday, and you haven’t,’ she admonished.

  ‘Saturday?’ Lindsay echoed, looking up at Joel as he muttered something, putting her hand over the mouthpiece. ‘What did you say?’ she frowned.

  ‘I said I’ll leave you to your call,’ he said harshly.

  ‘Joel—’ Too late; he had already gone through to the studio, the scowl on his face telling her that he wasn’t pleased at the thought of Malcolm calling her here. Not that that meant he had to feel anything personal about it, he could just object as her employer; she shouldn’t be receiving personal calls at the office.

  ‘Am I interrupting something?’ Cally asked interestedly. ‘Not a thing.’ Lindsay turned her attention to the other woman. ‘I’m sorry about Saturday—’

  ‘You’ve decided not to come.’ Cally couldn’t hide her disappointment.

  ‘No, I didn’t mean that,’ Lindsay laughed lightly. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you about it. I do have someone I can bring with me—’

  ‘Malcolm Reader?’

  ‘No,’ she derided with amusement. ‘My sister is coming to stay with me for the weekend, and I thought—’

  ‘Your sister?’ Cally groaned her dismay. ‘I thought you meant a male companion.’

  ‘Does that mean I can’t bring Judi?’ she teased.

  ‘Of course not,’ the other woman sighed. ‘Although it will put my seating arrangements out.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll cope.’

  ‘I’m sure I will too,’ Cally laughed ‘Although I could have sworn Malcolm Reader was attracted to you.’

  ‘Who said he isn’t?’

  ‘And you’ve turned him down?’ the other woman groaned her incredulity. ‘Lindsay, I despair of you! The man has everything, looks, charm, money, and not least of all, sex appeal.’

  She was well aware of all that, and at any other time she might have been attracted to him in return. But not now, not when the only man she could still see or hear was Joel.

  As if guessing some of her thoughts Cally spoke of him. ‘Joel is coming—and I doubt he’ll bring along his brother!’ she added derisively.

  ‘He doesn’t have one,’ said Lindsay dryly.

  ‘He did,’ Cally told her seriously. ‘As I understand it, he died years ago.’

  Once again Lindsay was made aware of how little Joel had ever confided in her. He could have ten brothers and sisters for all she knew! ‘As you say, I doubt he’ll bring anything but a beautiful woman,’ she said bitterly.

  ‘Lindsay—’

  ‘I have to go now, Cally,’ she cut in hastily, knowing the other woman meant well, but still not up to any těte-à-těte chats for the moment. ‘I’ll see you Saturday evening.’

  She had been pleased when Judi asked if she could come and stay this weekend, welcoming her sister’s company during a weekend that stretched out in front of her like a black void. Maybe Judi had understood that and that was the reason she had decided on the visit. Whatever the reason, Lindsay was grateful.

  Joel didn’t mention the telephone call or the folder on Marilyn Mills when she saw him next, and Lindsay warily steered clear of any subject that might prove inflammatory as it had that morning.

  But she was relieved when Friday came around, knowing that she needed the two days’ respite from walking on a razor’s edge, although Saturday evening wasn’t something she was looking forward to. Not that Joel gave any indication of flaring up at her as he had yesterday; he was in quite a good mood as he slapped the Marilyn Mills file back down on her desk and went to lunch.

  Lindsay had no idea what he wanted her to do with the folder, and carefully placed it to one side of her desk, curious to look through it again and yet remembering what had happened last time she did. It would be just like Joel to come back unexpectedly and catch her in the act.

  She almost fell off her chair when the outside door did open, her hand guiltily leaving the Marilyn Mills folder as she was tempted to open it, her relief immense when she saw Malcolm entering her office, her smile bright as she looked at him.

  ‘What did I do to deserve that?’ He strolled over lazily, as handsome as ever in fitted blue trousers and a navy blue shirt, his eyes a deep blue today as he removed his sunglasses, slipping them into the breast pocket of his shirt.

  ‘You aren’t Joel.’ She was too relieved to see him to prevaricate.

  ‘You noticed,’ he grinned, sitting at his usual place on the edge of her desk.

  ‘Yes, I noticed,’ she derided.

  ‘I wondered,’ he said ruefully. ‘Only you treat me with the same wariness you treat him,’ he explained at her questioning look.

  Delicate colour highlighted her cheeks. ‘I’m sure you’re mistaken. Joel is my boss, I naturally treat him with a certain amount of respect and—’

  ‘Wariness,’ Malcolm finished firmly. ‘What’s he done, chased you around the office a few times?’

  She stiffened. ‘That’s hardly Joel’s style.’

  ‘I couldn’t blame him if he had,’ he shrugged. ‘I’d be tempted to myself.’

  ‘Well, he hasn’t,’ she said waspishly. ‘Now what can I do for you? Joel is at lunch, I’m afraid—’

  ‘You know I didn’t come here to see Joel,’ Malcolm drawled dismissively. ‘I thought we might have lunch.’

  ‘I’ve already eaten, thank you,’ Lindsay answered abruptly, wishing he would take the hint and stop asking her out; she was running out of politeness where he was concerned.

  He looked chagrined. ‘Why i
s that always the case?’

  ‘Maybe if you telephoned first. …’

  ‘I would still get absolutely nowhere,’ he said shrewdly. ‘I’ve come to the conclusion that you really aren’t interested in going out with me.’

  Now she felt guilty. ‘It’s nothing personal, I can assure you. I just—’

  ‘He hurt you pretty badly, didn’t he,’ Malcolm frowned.

  She looked up at him sharply. ‘He?’

  ‘Hey, what’s this?’ He had accidentally knocked against the Marilyn Mills folder, and several of the loose photographs fell out over Lindsay’s desk. ‘She’s beautiful.’ He picked up the top photograph, whistling softly through his teeth. ‘Who is she?’ he asked with narrowed eyes.

  Lindsay was glad to have the subject changed from her own personal life, although Malcolm’s interest in the lovely model might not be something Joel wanted. ‘Just a model.’ She put her hand out for the photograph.

  Malcolm ignored her outstretched hand, picking up yet more of the photographs. ‘She isn’t just anything, Lindsay, she’s fantastic,’ he said slowly.

  She had to agree with him, but she still wasn’t sure how Joel was going to feel about this.

  Malcolm looked up questioningly. ‘I hope Joel has signed her up to do my advertising?’

  Lindsay avoided his gaze. ‘He wouldn’t consider anyone without discussing it with you first.’ That much, at least, was true!

  ‘This girl is perfect for what I want,’ said Malcolm with bubbling eagerness.

  ‘She’s hardly a girl now,’ Lindsay told him abruptly. ‘Those photographs are several years old.’

  ‘I don’t care how old they are.’ His enthusiasm couldn’t be denied. ‘I have to have her!’

  Lindsay’s eyes widened at his forcefulness. ‘I’m afraid that’s for you and Joel to discuss,’ and she carefully placed all the photographs back in the folder, closing it firmly.

  ‘There’s nothing to discuss,’ Malcolm decided arrogantly. ‘I’ve found my “Witchcraft” girl. You can tell Joel that when he gets back.’ He stood up.

  She grimaced at the thought. ‘I’d much rather you told him.’

  He looked at her questioningly, finally nodding ruefully. ‘Maybe you’re right at that—I did pry into private documents on your desk. Joel isn’t going to be too pleased about that, hm?’

  That had to be the understatement of the year; Joel wasn’t going to like it at all! ‘You could say that!’ Her expression was rueful.

  ‘Oh, I do,’ he said with amusement. ‘Now what were we talking about before I saw that exquisitely beautiful woman?’

  Lindsay avoided his eyes. ‘You’d just decided to accept the fact that I won’t go out with you, and were in the process of leaving.’

  ‘In other words, I was prying into something that was none of my business,’ he realised dryly.

  ‘In other words,’ she nodded stiffly.

  He shrugged. ‘I’ll come back later and talk to Joel. I wish I knew where I went wrong with you,’ he added thoughtfully.

  She smiled. ‘You didn’t go wrong, Malcolm, it was just bad timing, that’s all.’

  ‘That recent, hm?’

  ‘Yes,’ she confirmed abruptly.

  He sighed. ‘That’s a pity, I would have liked to get to know you better.’

  ‘What I am is what you see,’ she smiled again.

  ‘And what I see is a warm, beautiful woman.’ He shrugged his regret. ‘I’m just sorry I was too late.’

  ‘Or too soon.’

  He shook his head slowly. ‘I have a feeling that with you it will always be too late—whoever he is, he’s made a lasting impression on you.’

  Lindsay’s deep unhappiness was reflected in the smoky green of her eyes. ‘Thank you for understanding.’

  He touched her hand briefly. ‘I don’t understand, I accept. I’ll just have to find some other poor woman to badger,’ he smiled. ‘Now I suppose I’d better let you get back to work. But I’ll be back to see Joel later,’

  he warned again, showing her that he had far from forgotten the subject of Marilyn Mills.

  And that was what she was afraid of. Joel might have already accepted that he was going to use the glamorous model for this assignment, she just didn’t know; what she did know was that he wouldn’t like the decision being taken out of his hands. And the way Malcolm was talking he didn’t intend to give Joel any choice in the matter.

  Joel was in his studio when Malcolm returned later that afternoon, and it was with some misgivings that she told him the other man was here to see him, asking Malcolm to wait while Joel finished his photographic session.

  ‘Did you mention to him what I want to see him about?’ Malcolm asked curiously.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Afraid to?’ he teased.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered without prevarication.

  Malcolm grinned. ‘Has he always been this rough to work with?’

  ‘Not always, no.’

  ‘No?’ His brows rose interestedly. ‘What’s happened to make him into such a taskmaster?’

  Lindsay was saved the embarrassment of having to answer by Joel appearing to invite the other man through to the studio.

  She couldn’t hear the sound of raised voices from the adjoining room as she made an effort to look as if she were working, too keyed up about this meeting to really concentrate. She had no doubt about Joel’s reaction to being manipulated in this way, just as she had no doubt who would get the blame for it. It was enough to make her want to turn tail and run for cover!

  But she didn’t, knowing that if Joel was angry enough he would seek her out and have his say. Much better to stay and face him here.

  Malcolm looked very pleased with himself when he emerged forty minutes later, smiling triumphantly at Lindsay. ‘Not a scratch on me!’ he taunted.

  Her brows rose. ‘Did you expect there to be?’

  ‘From the way you’ve been acting, yes!’

  She shrugged lightly. ‘You never can tell how Joel will react to these things.’

  ‘He was the perfect gentleman,’ Malcolm assured her with satisfaction.

  She doubted the other man would look so pleased with himself if he knew that was the time Joel was at his most dangerous! Although she doubted he would ever direct his anger at this man, and that made her position as scapegoat all the more precarious. ‘Well I’m glad it went well for you,’ she said noncommittally.

  ‘Ah, now, I didn’t say that, did I?’ he grimaced ruefully.

  ‘You mean it didn’t go well?’

  ‘He’s thinking about the idea,’ Malcolm admitted somewhat reluctantly; obviously he was not a man who liked—or even had—his wishes thought about.

  Lindsay could well imagine the clash of wills that had gone on in the other room, albeit politely, both men being determined to have their own way. Maybe it would have been worth witnessing, after all! ‘I’m sure Joel will do what you want him to,’ she said soothingly.

  ‘Are you?’ He pulled a face. ‘I’m not so sure. But I refuse to use anyone else for my advertising campaign. I want Marilyn Mills up on posters fifty foot high!’

  That he also found the other woman extremely fascinating and desirable was obvious. ‘There’s always the possibility that Miss Mills no longer models,’ she pointed out practically.

  ‘That’s up to Joel to find out,’ he reminded her with arrogance. ‘If she doesn’t then I’m sure we can exert sufficient incentive to entice her back into the business.’

  Lindsay looked at him with wide-eyed admiration. ‘You really are ruthless, aren’t you?’

  He grinned a disarmingly boyish smile. ‘You’d better believe it!’

  She did. Joel must have met his match today, and he wasn’t going to like it. She eyed the adjoining door with trepidation, the fact that Joel hadn’t already come bursting through it adding to her sense of unease. His flares of violently verbal temper were easy to deal with, she usually just sat quietly until the storm had passe
d, but when things were quiet and calm she knew to expect real trouble; Joel was furious!

  She looked up as he came through ten minutes later, his face set in uncompromising lines, his eyes dark tawny. ‘Joel—’ she began tentatively.

  He looked at her coldly. ‘You may as well leave for the weekend if you’re finished there.’

  She swallowed hard. ‘Joel—’

  ‘And if you feel you are no longer capable of being my confidential secretary then just say so and we can terminate this arrangement right here and now.’ He looked at her with icy challenge.

  Lindsay gasped her dismay. ‘Joel, I couldn’t help Malcolm seeing that file—’

  ‘Couldn’t you?’ he scorned harshly. ‘Oh, I think you knew exactly what you were doing!’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Yes!’ he hissed vehemently, deep lines grooved into his face as the coldness broke into red-hot anger. ‘I think you’re enjoying this.’

  She was very pale, even the fact that she had expected his anger not preparing her for this. ‘I couldn’t stop Malcolm looking at the folder,’ she defended. ‘It was on top of my desk, and—’

  ‘So you showed it to him!’

  ‘No, of course not!’

  ‘Then you were so engrossed in his charm that you forgot your loyalty to me and let him see it!’ Joel accused with rigid anger.

  ‘No—’

  ‘Do you think the fact that we once lived together gives you the right to interfere like this?’ he continued remorselessly, glaring at her with fierce dislike.

  He made it sound as if that ‘living together’ had taken place years ago rather than just a week! ‘I’m well aware of the fact that our once living together gives me no rights where you’re concerned,’ she choked. ‘It never did!’

  ‘As long as you understand that,’ he bit out coldly, bending over her desk threateningly. ‘Because I won’t tolerate this interference in my life.’

  ‘You aren’t going to use Marilyn Mills?’ Her voice quivered softly.

  ‘I’ll use who I damn well please,’ he rasped. ‘If Marilyn pleases me then I’ll use her, if not then I won’t. I won’t be dictated to by anyone! Do you understand?’