High-Society Seduction

by Maxine Sullivan

  She couldn’t believe he was blaming her. “Maybe you should have been honest with me in the first place,” she said through gritted teeth.

  “And what about Vicki?” he said, ignoring her comment. “Did you tell her anything about this? Is that how come she got her hands on the bank statement?” he demanded, his words telling her Vicki must have already emailed him tonight about him making it a joint account.

  This so wasn’t fair. She was getting blamed from all angles. “The bank sent the quarterly statement to the house because you forgot all about it.”

  There was a pause. “I can’t be expected to think of everything, you know.”

  “Well, you should have preempted that and had the statement sent to the Middle East, or even to me. It’s fortunate for you that the account isn’t in joint names, or Vicki would be frantic by now. And no, she doesn’t know about any of this. I’ve only just found out myself.” And she wasn’t over the shock of it.

  “You’re not going to tell her, are you?”

  “No. You are.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Jenna. It’s sorted out now. You said in your email that Roth wasn’t going to press charges. I’ll be making enough money over the next few months to put it all back on the mortgage. Vicki doesn’t need to hear about this. Let it rest.”

  It was tempting to let things ride, but she knew she couldn’t do that to her brother. She loved him too much.

  “You’re fooling yourself, Stewart. You’ve got a gambling addiction and it isn’t going away. Eventually you’ll get the urge to gamble again and who knows what will happen next time? Some of those people might decide to play dirty if you don’t pay up.”

  He gave a hard laugh. “You’ve been watching too many gangster movies.”

  “Have I?”

  There was dead silence.

  “It’ll be fine, Jenna,” he said tightly. “Trust me.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t. Next time you might lose the house. And you might lose Vicki and the girls. They deserve better.”

  The words hung in the air.

  He made a sound like a groan. “I can’t tell her, Jenna.”

  “You don’t have a choice,” she pointed out, then heard herself say, “If you don’t tell her, then I will.”

  “You wouldn’t!”

  “Yes, I would.” But surely he wouldn’t let her. When it all came down to it, if Vicki had to know, then he had to be the one to tell his wife.

  “Okay, you win, sis. You do it.”

  “Wh-what!” Jenna almost dropped the phone.

  “Look, I’m thousands of miles away, and telling Vicki this in a phone call isn’t the way to go. You’re absolutely right that she deserves better. She deserves to hear this directly. If you do this, you can answer any questions she has and judge how she is taking it. I don’t want her to do anything silly.”

  She blanched. He’d well and truly called her bluff…and yet she wasn’t beyond a bit of manipulation herself. “Okay, I’ll do it. But only if you promise to get help for your addiction as soon as you get home.” She took a moment to let that sink in. “And I’m going to tell Mum and Dad, as well.”

  “You can’t do that!”

  “They deserve to know, Stewart,” she said, making sure her tone held no nonsense. She wouldn’t relent on this. “I tell them as well, or I don’t say anything and I let you sort it out when you get back, and by then you’ll probably have Vicki frantic with worry. She might even hop on a plane and come and see you.”

  He swore. “Okay. Do it.” He paused, then muttered, “I never knew you were such a hard person, sis.”

  Not hard enough apparently, she decided as they finished the call and hung up. A thank-you would have been nice.

  The next day Jenna took the day off work, asked Vicki to leave the kids with a babysitter, then she met them all at her parents’ place where she told them everything about Stewart and Liam Roth. She left out any mention of her and Adam’s relationship, and she definitely didn’t tell them she was in love with him. She’d leave it for a while, then let them think things had cooled and died a natural death. At least she was no longer a mistress.

  Of course, telling her family about Stewart was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. The enormity and complexity of Stewart’s gambling problem upset everyone. After the shock had worn off, it was clear they were all going to support him. Her parents had fifty thousand dollars they offered to put into their son’s mortgage account, but that was their retirement money and Vicki flatly refused, stating that Stewart had to take responsibility for all this. Jenna had always loved Vicki, but at that moment she admired the other woman for everything she stood for.

  Mother and wife.

  Later, Jenna decided to leave them to talk. She’d had enough of it all and just wanted to go home and lie down and not think. She’d spent such a restless night going over what she had to say. It was upsetting.

  As she walked to the front door, Jenna discovered her mother saw more than she’d realized.

  “Adam Roth,” Joyce began. “He seems a good man.”

  She tried not to react. “He is, Mum. Very good.”

  Her mother searched her face. “He doesn’t hold your brother’s gambling problem against you, does he?”

  She winced inwardly. “No, of course not,” she lied, then kissed her cheek. “I have to go. I’ve got to finish up something at work.” She moved to leave.

  “Jenna?”

  Her steps stopped. “Yes?”

  “You’re a good sister. Thank you for helping Stewart.”

  Love rose inside Jenna’s chest. She hugged her mother one last time. “Thanks, Mum,” she murmured, warmth staying with her until she arrived home at her apartment.

  Then it suddenly all felt so empty.

  Just like her.

  Eleven

  Over the next few weeks Adam threw himself into his job. He’d stayed in Melbourne to help his father run the business while Dominic had been away on his second honeymoon, but now he went back to traveling interstate. He’d often come home to Melbourne a couple of times a week, but then was off again the next day, checking on his family’s department stores all over the country. It kept him busy.

  As did the women he dated.

  Not that they gave him much satisfaction anymore. He pretended to enjoy their company and he even tried to enjoy a good-night kiss, but whenever he tried to take it further something held him back. He just didn’t want any of these women.

  He wanted only Jenna.

  Damn her.

  But what was the use of wanting someone who was a liar and a cheat? Someone who had tried to con him and his family out of money they had nothing to do with? Dammit, when he thought about Jenna approaching his parents about Liam…telling them their dead son owed money…he could feel his blood boil.

  And he refused to think about her being pregnant. Okay, so that was something he couldn’t lay blame on her for. The broken condom had been an unfortunate incident, that’s all. Beyond that he couldn’t think about it—wouldn’t think about it. It just wasn’t going to happen.

  He was at the office the following week when his PA announced he had some visitors. He groaned to himself as Chelsea and Todd came into his office. He’d spoken to Todd a couple of days after Chelsea had run out of the restaurant all those weeks ago. Things were going well for them now and they were trying for another baby.

  Since then, he’d returned Todd’s calls a couple of times and acted as natural as possible, but he had heard the worry in his friend’s voice. Todd had remembered it had been the anniversary of Maddie’s death, besides realizing Adam wasn’t seeing Jenna anymore. Adam hadn’t elaborated on the latter.

  “We were just walking by and decided to stop in and see you,” Todd said, his eyes sharpening as he did a quick study of Adam. “So, how have you been?”

  “Busy.” Adam gave him a wry smile as he gestured for them to sit down.

  “We’ve just had two weeks in Paris,�
�� Chelsea bubbled.

  Something inside Adam relaxed as he sat down on his chair. Happiness had eluded him, but he’d never wish the same for his friends.

  He smiled across the desk at her, his first genuine smile for Chelsea in many months. “You’re looking very happy.”

  “I am,” she said, reaching out and taking hold of Todd’s hand beside her. “It was so romantic. Todd really knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.”

  “She’s as light as a feather,” Todd quipped, winking at Adam, not looking the least embarrassed. He’d earned his right to romanticize his wife.

  Then Todd’s eyes narrowed. “Everything okay with you?”

  “Sure.” Adam appreciated his friend’s concern, but he didn’t really need it.

  Just then, Todd’s cell phone rang. He was instantly all business. “Excuse me. I have to answer this.” He got up and was speaking into his phone as he went in the outer office.

  Chelsea immediately sat forward on her chair, not smiling now. “This is awkward for me, Adam,” she said, keeping her voice low. “But I want to apologize to you. I know I made you uncomfortable. I went a little crazy there. I lost the…baby…and it seemed like Todd didn’t care.”

  Adam’s heart constricted for her loss. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  “Please don’t tell Todd how I…harassed you. I really do only think of you as a friend.”

  It was a relief to hear her say that. “I won’t.”

  She held his gaze, reading the sincerity in his eyes. Then she sat back on her chair. “Todd said you’re not seeing Jenna anymore.”

  He could feel himself freeze up. “No, I’m not.”

  “I’m sorry. She seemed very nice.”

  “Yes, she did, didn’t she?”

  Thankfully, Todd came back and the conversation turned to more mundane things. They didn’t stay long after that and left with his promise to visit them soon.

  No sooner had they left, than his mother came marching into his office, parental purpose in her elegant steps. Adam swore under his breath. Was this some sort of conspiracy or what? So far he’d managed to avoid her these past two weeks.

  “You haven’t been returning my calls, Adam,” Laura Roth said.

  “I’ve been traveling around. Didn’t Dad tell you?”

  “Of course he told me. So did Dominic, but that doesn’t make up for not hearing your voice myself.”

  “Mum, I’ve been busy.”

  “Yes, I know. I’ve seen the women you’ve been busy with in the papers.”

  He stiffened. “You have a problem with that?”

  “What happened to Jenna? She was lovely.”

  How could he tell her anything close to the truth? Liam had been innocent of the crime, but why give his mother something more to think about in her grief? It was unnecessary that she know.

  “It didn’t work out. Sometimes that happens. Not everyone is compatible.”

  His mother shook her head. “No, you two were definitely compatible.” She watched him steadily. “I think you’re just scared after Maddie.”

  He felt the pain, then pushed it away. In any case, perhaps it was best she believe that. It would save any further hassle.

  He shrugged. “I can’t help what you think, Mum.”

  She held his gaze. “I really thought you might find happiness with Jenna.”

  “Did you?”

  She made a face. “I can see you don’t want to talk.”

  “No, I don’t. I’m a busy man.” Then gently, he said, “I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment. “So am I, Adam. Sorry you’re going to end up old and alone with no one to love you,” she said, not appeased.

  He raised an eyebrow at her. “So that means you won’t love me when I’m old and alone?”

  She gave him a light smack on the arm, then kissed him and left. His mother had said Jenna was a keeper the day they’d all lunched together at his parents’ place. She’d been wrong about that. Laura Roth was the one to keep.

  At least he could relax now that his mother had caught up with him. And maybe now she would rest easier knowing she couldn’t do anything more. He prayed she’d leave it alone anyway. There was nothing anyone could do. He missed Jenna, but he would learn to live without her. He’d learned to live without Maddie, hadn’t he? And Maddie had been the love of his life.

  So the last person he expected to see coming out of a movie theatre in the city one evening was Jenna. He’d just been to a business dinner in a nearby restaurant, and was about to cross the road to where his driver was waiting in the car when he literally ran into her.

  “Adam!” she exclaimed softly.

  He reached out to steady her as something deep inside steadied, too. He wanted to hold on, not let her go, as if she was the balance he needed to subsist.

  Then he remembered what she’d done.

  He dropped his hands and broke free. “Hello, Jenna,” he said, unable to quite tear his eyes completely away from her, despite the anger still smoldering inside his chest.

  Then someone coughed.

  It was the woman beside her.

  Jenna seemed to recover. “This is my sister-in-law, Vicki.”

  Stewart’s wife.

  Curious, he inclined his head at the other woman, but received a hostile nod instead. Clearly he was persona non grata to the Branson family. Not that he cared. He’d come up against less friendly people in the boardroom and won.

  His eyes were drawn back to Jenna. “You look good,” he said, and meant it.

  She moistened her lips. “So do you.”

  Time took a pause.

  In the streetlight he was suddenly aware that she’d lost weight. There was a hint of dark circles under her eyes, too. His chest lurched as he wondered if he was to blame, but as quickly he knew he wasn’t. She and her brother had caused all this from the start. He wouldn’t feel sorry for her.

  And then something hit him. God help him, but if she’d lost weight then at least she shouldn’t be pregnant. If she was, surely she’d be putting on weight by now? A powerhouse of relief washed through him. He could not have handled knowing he was to become a father again. It would have been the ultimate cruelty.

  Vicki slipped her arm through Jenna’s in a protective manner. “Come on,” she said firmly. “We have to be going.”

  Jenna hesitated. “How’s Todd? And Chelsea?”

  He allowed that she did have some genuine concern for others. “They’re doing okay. They worked it out.”

  Her face relaxed a little. “I’m glad.”

  “Yeah, me, too.”

  Vicki tightened her arm. “Jenna, let’s go.”

  Jenna nodded. “Yes, we should.”

  The two women went to turn away.

  “How’s Stewart?” he found himself saying.

  They both stopped.

  “He’s coming home in a couple of weeks.” It was Vicki who spoke in a curt tone before she guided Jenna away.

  He turned and crossed the street to where his driver waited in the car. There was nothing else to say. He doubted he’d ever see Jenna Branson again. And that was just as well.

  Jenna didn’t think she could have driven them back to Vicki’s house, so she was grateful her sister-in-law insisted on doing the driving. She felt sick after seeing Adam.

  Oh, God, he’d looked so gorgeous that her heart had ached for him. And it ached even more when she remembered all the women he’d been seen dating recently. The newspapers had even commented on how hard “the playboy had been playing lately.”

  “Come inside for a drink,” Vicki said, bringing the car to a stop in the driveway of her house twenty minutes later.

  Jenna pulled herself together. “Thanks, but no. I should be going home. I’ve got work tomorrow.” It was a weeknight, but Vicki had insisted Jenna needed to get out and relax and that it couldn’t wait until the weekend.

  Vicki frowned. “Sweetie, I can see you’re upset. Come inside for a little wh
ile.” She put her hand up when Jenna opened her mouth to refuse. “No. I insist.”

  Jenna knew when to give up. “Okay.”

  Once they were inside the babysitter left to go home next door, then they checked that the girls were sleeping before she and Vicki headed to the living room.

  “How about a glass of sherry?”

  Jenna’s stomach turned. “Do you have any mineral water?”

  “Sure. Or I could make coffee or a hot chocolate. Or how about—”

  Jenna felt nausea rise in her throat. “I’m sorry, I—” She ran for the bathroom, where she was sick. She didn’t realize Vicki was there until she finished throwing up.

  “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

  Twelve

  “You son of a—!” a male voice growled down the telephone line.

  “What do you want, Branson?” Adam cut in, scowling. When his PA had said Stewart Branson was on the line, he hadn’t expected this. He’d only seen Jenna last night. What the hell were they up to now?

  There was a low curse. “You couldn’t help yourself, could you? You just had to have her.”

  Adam’s hand tightened around the phone. He didn’t discuss his sex life with anyone. “Look, I’m heading out of the office to catch a plane. Perhaps we can continue this fascinating conversation another time.”

  “Don’t hang up or you’ll regret it,” the other man warned.

  “I don’t take kindly to threats.”

  “No, you just like to give them.”

  Adam’s jaw tightened. “Branson, I’m not the one who tried to get money under false pretenses.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to go so far. Jenna wasn’t supposed to—”

  “Scam me?” Adam scoffed. “Come on. I’m not the lowlife who left the country, then used his sister to do his dirty work.”

  There was an abrupt pause. “It wasn’t like that.”

  “Frankly, I don’t care what it was like. It’s over, Branson.” Another moment and he’d hang up. He wanted to get on with his life, not listen to this guy justifying actions that had been criminal in the first place.

  “I admit I have a gambling problem,” Branson said quickly, as if knowing the call was about to end. “And I’m going to rectify that when I get home. But leave Jenna out of it. She knew nothing. She thought she was helping me.”