Bittersweet Deception Read online

  ‘Of course it is.’

  ‘There’s nothing to worry about then. Don’t fret, it’ll be back tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s wonderful. So how am I going to get to the wholesaler’s now?’

  ‘You’re coming with me. I thought we had already established that.’ He flickered a glance at her that might have twitched into a smile given the slightest encouragement. None was forthcoming. ‘In the Range Rover.’ He led the way to the silver monster at the far end and opened the door. It was a long way up and, before she could haul herself in, his hands were around her waist and he had lifted her effortlessly on to the seat.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, stiffly.

  ‘Any time,’ he said. ‘I’m sure the pleasure was entirely mine,’ he added, with a touch of wry humour that took her by surprise.

  He drove with total concentration and she was grateful that he found it unnecessary to cover the silence between them with pointless chatter and she was able to concentrate on the strange, rich farmland that they passed with deceptive swiftness in the smooth silence of the Rover. She glanced at the dashboard. Her poor van would have been shaking uncontrollably at such speed. It seemed very little time before they had reached the outskirts of the city and he pulled up before a building in the industrial area. ‘How long are you likely to be?’

  ‘An hour at the most.’

  He nodded. ‘I won’t keep you waiting.’ True to his word, he was in the car park when she emerged and he opened the door and jumped down.

  As she made for the passenger seat, Jay stopped her. ‘Would you care to drive back?’ He offered her the keys. She itched to get her hands on the beautiful machine, but was instantly suspicious of his motives.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘If you can get us home safely I’ll let you out in the Rover on your own. I won’t always be around to drive you.’

  ‘Is that a promise?’ she demanded. He grinned and she had to remind herself very firmly of the resolution she had made not to say the first thing that came into her head every time he infuriated her. ‘My van will be back from the garage tomorrow,’ she added carefully.

  ‘Only if it passes the mechanic’s inspection.’

  She snatched the keys and he laughed as he lifted her into the seat. Crossly she fitted the keys into the ignition, certain she had made a grave mistake but unable to fathom the reason for her unease. Except that she was doing what he wanted. Her fingers were shaking slightly as she started the engine and drove carefully out into the road, feeling her way through the controls.

  ‘It’s a relief to see that you don’t always drive like a kangaroo,’ Jay said, as they approached a junction.

  ‘I never drive like a kangaroo,’ she protested, missed a gear, and the engine roared furiously.

  ‘You were saying?’ he prompted, when she had finally sorted herself out and they were moving smoothly forward once more.

  She didn’t rise to the bait, but negotiated a round-about with excessive care, before picking up speed as she gained more confidence, enjoying the power of the big machine.

  Jay glanced at his watch. ‘Turn left here’.

  She complied. ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘We have an appointment.’

  ‘We?’

  ‘Yes, we. The two of us. For lunch. Here we are. Park over there.’ Kate pulled up in the car park of a long sprawling country pub, but left the engine running.

  Jay leaned across, switched off the engine and pocketed the keys before she realised what he was at. ‘Mustn’t leave the engine running when you park. Now, shall we have some lunch?’

  ‘I don’t think so.’

  He jumped down and walked around to open her door. ‘You might as well join me, because you’re not going anywhere until I’ve eaten.’ He reached out, grasped her waist and lifted her down before she could protest further.

  ‘This is kidnapping,’ she exclaimed, trying very hard to ignore the warmth of his hands around her waist and the fact that every cell and sinew seemed to jump to attention and salute at his touch.

  ‘Is it? Well, in that case I may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.’ He jerked her close. ‘I’ve been promising myself this all morning.’ She was quite unprepared for the impact of his mouth on hers, the flood of excitement that sent her blood racing and pounding through her veins. It was a long time since anyone had seriously kissed her. And Jay Warwick was a serious kisser.

  Totally oblivious of her surroundings and the warning klaxon hammering in her head that she had to stop him, Kate responded, quite powerless to help herself.

  There was nothing rushed or superficial about the way his lips teased hers apart. Kate stood very still as Jay’s hand slid over her back, pressing her close to him, forcing her to acknowledge his dominance as he leaned over her, his tongue moving in a slow, sensuous, irresistible exploration of her mouth. Only the sound of another car being driven into the car park, and the door being slammed, shockingly roused her to her senses.

  Lifting his head, Jay regarded her with insolent amusement from under heavy lids. ‘Now,’ he said matter-of-factly as he released her, ‘sue me. But after lunch.’

  She gasped. ‘You…’

  He didn’t wait to hear what she was going to call him. Instead he grasped her elbow and led her firmly into a low oak-beamed bar and sat her, none too gently, at a table. ‘What would you like to drink?’ he asked, his eyes challenging her to make a scene.

  ‘An orange juice,’ she replied rather more faintly than she had intended, still numb from the shock of his kiss. It was true then. She hadn’t imagined the look in his eyes the evening before. He didn’t like her any more than she liked him, but he wanted her. And she had the feeling that whatever Jay Warwick wanted, he had. She didn’t care what he had said about his sleeping arrangements in Norfolk. He wanted her. How or why were pointless questions. And to tell herself that it didn’t matter, because she could easily resist him, was madness.

  Tentatively she raised her fingers to her throbbing mouth, jumping as he placed her drink in front of her and sat down.

  ‘I’ve brought you the menu, but I’d recommend the crab.’

  ‘That would be lovely,’ she replied dully, not looking. She had no interest in food. She had to stop him. Make absolutely certain he didn’t kiss her ever again. But how?

  ‘You’re so difficult to please.’ She looked up to find him regarding her thoughtfully. Why wouldn’t he stop? Just leave her alone and go back to London where there were a dozen women who would be glad to warm his bed. Until she had met him she had been contented, known exactly where she was. But now?

  ‘I don’t normally eat lunch.’ she said, and looked up, determined not to let him see her confusion. She was twenty-three, with a career and responsibilities, too old to be putty in any man’s hands. Good grief, he probably kissed dozens of girls a week. That was why he was so good at it.

  She opened the menu, studying it carefully, but, despite the stiff mental talking-to she had given her libido, the words remained a meaningless jumble.

  ‘Well?’ he asked finally.

  ‘The crab will be lovely.’ She sipped the orange juice and looked around. Anywhere but at Jay Warwick. ‘This is a lovely old place,’ she said in the light conversational tone one would use with a stranger.

  ‘Quite lovely.’ She glanced sharply at him. His expression was unexceptional, but she had the feeling that she had missed something. He always seemed to be saying just a little bit more than the words implied. The waitress arrived for their order and Kate noted the sudden stillness about the girl as he smiled.

  ‘Would you mind signing the menu for me, Mr Warwick?’ she breathed. He obliged, asking the girl her name and putting her at her ease, making her laugh.

  He had never made any attempt to put her at her ease, Kate thought. On the contrary, he seemed to go out of his way to keep her off balance. Yet he had insisted that she stay. And stay she would, although every fibre of her being screamed at her to run for cove
r before he turned her life upside down.

  But there was Sam. Always Sam. And Kate knew that she would never again have the opportunity to save so much money so quickly. It was the one reason she had been willing to leave London. With the money from the flat and this job she was sure she could persuade the bank to back her in a small restaurant. All she had to do was keep her head for six months. Not even that. Jay Warwick would have to return to London soon. His business was there.

  The thought was reassuring, and by the time their food arrived her emotions were firmly back in line and she was able to give it her full attention.

  ‘You should eat lunch more often, Kate. It apparently agrees with you.’ He was leaning back in his chair, watching her.

  ‘The food was excellent. Thank you.’

  ‘Jay.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘Thank you, Jay. I want you to use my name.’

  ‘Oh, I see.’ She bowed graciously. ‘Thank you, Jay.’ ‘That’s better. Coffee?’

  She shook her head and glanced at her watch. ‘I really must get back.’

  ‘Coffee?’ he repeated.

  She smiled brightly to cover the sudden spurt of anger. ‘No, thank you, Jay. I do have a great deal to do and time is getting on.’

  ‘Of course.’ He made no move to leave. Instead he reached across the table and took her hand. She wanted to pull it away. Every vibrating inch of her screamed to her to pull her hand away from his grasp. But she allowed him to hold her fingers firmly but gently in his own, forcing herself to relax, not betray by one twitch how his touch was affecting her.

  ‘I find your taste in wristwatches interesting,’ he said. ‘May I see?’

  She reluctantly surrendered her wrist and he examined the watch.

  ‘Most amusing.’

  ‘Sam gave it to me for my birthday,’ she said, instantly defensive.

  ‘Sam?’ he asked. ‘Who is Sam?’

  She realised with a start that he had misunderstood. She had begged for a solution to her problem. He had presented her with one. ‘Sam and I live together,’ she said.

  ‘You live together? A very loose sort of arrangement, surely? Doesn’t he mind you flashing your beautiful eyes at every man you see?’

  ‘Apparently not. We’ve been together for three years.’

  ‘Sam,’ he said, derisively, ‘is a fool. And very cheap.’

  Kate reclaimed her wrist. ‘When someone loves you, money doesn’t matter.’

  ‘Or fidelity apparently. And what does Sam think about you spending six months in the wilds of Norfolk, I wonder?’

  ‘I needed a job.’

  ‘The man’s an idiot to let you out of his sight.’

  She stood up, pleased with the effect of her little deception. ‘Not an idiot,’ she said, unaware that her voice had softened. ‘The dearest, kindest…’ Her voice trailed into silence. She had nearly said sister and that would spoil everything.

  He unfolded from his seat. ‘I get the picture, Kate. No need to labour it. He’s the only man in your life.’

  ‘You’ve got it in one, Mr…Jay.’

  ‘Then the next time I kiss you, Kate, I’m sure you’ll be able to convince me of that,’ he drawled.

  She flamed. ‘There isn’t going to be a next time.’ And she walked quickly out of the pub and was sitting in the driver’s seat of the Rover when he emerged.

  He handed her the keys. ‘Drive carefully, sweetheart.’

  She didn’t bother to query this instruction. He was simply being flippant. Nevertheless, she took his advice to heart and drove with exra care back to Fullerton Hall. Not for Jay Warwick. If she had thought she could turn him to jelly by driving at speed through the country lanes she would have done it with the greatest pleasure. But her own nerves were in such rags that she needed all the careful concentration she could muster to take her mind off her disturbing passenger.

  When she pulled up in the yard, she jumped quickly down to avoid the indignity of him lifting her, to avoid the unsettling closeness and his hands clasped tightly around her waist. His smile as he joined her was knowing.

  She felt suddenly awkward. ‘Thank you for the lunch.’

  ‘Any time, Kate. I enjoyed myself. I particularly enjoyed kissing you. And you enjoyed that too, I could tell.’

  ‘Damn you, Jay Warwick! Damn you to hell!’

  ‘Too late, my dear. Years too late for that.’ He stepped back, allowing her to escape, his provoking laughter following her into the house.

  She fled to her room and splashed her face with cold water. Gradually the shaking subsided and she began to get a hold on herself.

  There were several calls during the afternoon from suppliers hoping to drum up a little business, and they were put through to the kitchen with increasing irritation by Jay.

  Once they were settled down over the dinner-table he brought the matter up. ‘I’ll have to have another line put in the study, Tisha. Opening up the house is interfering with business.’

  ‘Do whatever you like, Jay. You usually do.’ Lady Maynard turned to Kate. ‘Talking of telephones reminds me that there was a call for you today, Kate, when you were out. I’m so sorry, I should have told you before.’

  ‘I don’t suppose it was important,’ she said, but her nerves jumped to attention.

  ‘On the contrary. I rather believe it was. It was from Sam.’

  Kate felt herself go pale. It was always the same. Ever since the crash she had dreaded the unexpected telephone call. ‘Sam? What is it? Has there been an accident?’

  Tisha Maynard looked up in surprise at her agitation. ‘No, dear. Nothing like that. It was simply a request that you send a hundred pounds. As quickly as possible.’

  A contemptuous hiss from the other side of the table jerked her head up. Jay was staring at her, his mouth twisted into a hard mocking smile.

  ‘Perhaps he’ll use it to buy you a decent watch,’ he said with quiet venom. She didn’t move and he waved her away. ‘Hadn’t you better run along? If it’s urgent?’

  ‘It’ll wait,’ she said coldly She couldn’t imagine what her sister needed a hundred pounds for. However urgent it was, she would have to sweat it out for another half-hour. She picked up a spoon, but Jay reached across the table and grasped her wrist.

  ‘I insist, Kate. Go now. You shouldn’t keep the man waiting.’

  Tisha Maynard’s brows rose somewhat dramatically. She knew exactly who Sam was, had invited her to spend half-term with them. But when she turned to Kate to share the joke, she caught the silent plea in Kate’s eyes. She glanced at her nephew and a mischievous glint sparked in her eye.

  ‘Such a charming young man,’ she remarked, without a blush. ‘Do give him my apologies, Kate, for not passing on his message sooner.’

  ‘Thank you, Tisha.’ They exchanged a look and the older woman nodded slightly. ‘I’ll go now, if you’ll excuse me.’

  ‘Of course. Do let her go Jay, you’re quite bruising the poor girl’s wrist.’

  She rang from the kitchen phone, her fingers shaking at having stooped to such deception and, worse, having involved Tisha Maynard. She had no idea how she could explain. But as soon as she heard Sam’s voice her dismay was momentarily pushed to one side.

  ‘A bike!’ Her laugh was a little shaky. ‘Couldn’t you have written instead of sending a life-or-death message?’

  ‘Sorry. It’s just that mine is really past it and it would make life so much easier. Several of the girls are after it, you see, and if I could say the cheque’s in the post…’

  ‘But I was going to buy you a new one for Christmas!’ Kate protested.

  ‘This one will do just fine, honestly!’ There was an almost comical pleading in her voice that made Kate laugh.

  ‘All right, darling, if you must have it I’ll send the cheque first thing in the morning.’ She hung up and, still laughing, turned to see Jay standing in the doorway.

  ‘Emergency over, I take it?’ he asked evenly.

>   CHAPTER FOUR

  ‘SO it’s true. You actually give him money.’ His lip curled in distaste.

  She had no one but herself to blame for his misreading of the situation and if she hadn’t been so vexed, if it hadn’t hurt quite so much to see the disdain in his eyes, she might just have given way to her first instinct to blurt out the truth.

  ‘Of course I give him money,’ she retorted, casually, abandoning any effort not to refer to Sam as ‘he’. It had gone too far for that. But she would stick to the truth as far as she could. ‘Sam needs a lot of support. I’m happy to help…’ She faltered as he took a step towards her, his hands clenched as if he wanted to grab her and shake her and was having the greatest difficulty in stopping himself.

  ‘Perhaps if you stopped propping him up, he’d manage to stand on his own two feet.’

  Kate’s eyes flew open, startled by the harshness in his voice. He was deadly serious. A little scared now by the fierceness of his reaction, she said, ‘Sam’s feet are quite adequately exercised.’ She turned away, signalling that as far as she was concerned the conversation was at an end.

  He caught her shoulder and turned her back to face him. ‘You keep him, don’t you? That’s why you needed this job.’ His eyes were black with disbelief. ‘Has he promised to repay you when he makes his fortune?’

  ‘Sam repays me in ways you cannot begin to imagine,’ she retaliated fervently. The explosive nature of his response made his assumption of the method of repayment all too clear and the colour flooded to her cheeks. How on earth had she ever got herself into such a ridiculous situation? She had invented a man in her life to keep Jay Warwick at a distance and now they were arguing about him! She was seized by something that could easily have been a fit of the giggles, but she was very much afraid that it might just become hysteria.

  But he hadn’t finished with her. Any thought of laughter, no matter what kind, vanished as his eyes raked her body. He was suddenly closer without having seemed to move, but Kate defiantly stood her ground and for a moment the tension was thick enough to cut. Then very slowly he lifted his hand and lightly drew a well-shaped thumb down the length of her jaw, and she shuddered. ‘You should know, Kate, that a girl who looks like you doesn’t have to pay for her pleasure. And he can’t be that special, can he, since you’re always so eager in someone else’s arms?’ She had backed herself into a situation from which, even if it had been possible, she no longer wished to escape. His insult had gone too deep for that. She no longer cared that she had deliberately deceived him. ‘Shall I remind you?’ His knuckles grazed her overheated cheek and he moved closer so that he was almost, but not quite, touching her.