Mr Loverman

by Mary Lyons

‘Forget it!’ he muttered thickly as she began struggling violently in his arms.

  But, for Laura, the subtly woven dark enchantment, which had held her so firmly trapped within its spell, was now completely shattered. With a determined effort, she finally managed to struggle free of his relaxed embrace, frantically scrambling off the sofa before his long arms could trap her once again.

  The bell had stopped ringing. Whoever it was had obviously given up, but the damage was done. It was just as well that she was going to sell this apartment, she thought miserably, her shaking hands all fingers and thumbs as she tried to pull the edges of her dishevelled gown tightly together. Because the sooner she got out of here, placing herself well beyond the reach of this totally lethal, dangerous man, the better. Maybe emigrating to Australia might be a good idea? If the TV soaps they regularly turned out were anything to go by, there was obviously a thriving theatrical life to be found on the other side of the world.

  But who was she kidding? Even placing over ten thousand miles between herself and Jack wouldn’t make an ounce of difference to the plain, unadulterated fact that she was still madly in love with him. Oh, help! What on earth was she going to do?

  Rising leisurely from the sofa, Jack stared intently over at the clearly unhappy, hunched figure of the girl sitting huddled in a large armchair. And then he moved smoothly over the kelim rugs covering the polished oak floor towards the kitchen.

  ‘Here-this will make you feel better.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ she mumbled as Jack returned, placing a glass of cool white wine in her hands before carrying his own drink over to one of the large arched windows.

  ‘Well, if alcohol doesn’t do the trick, then possibly the offer of a job may succeed in doing so.’

  ‘What job?’ she muttered, still trying to combat the shame and humiliation of having just clearly demonstrated that she was a complete pushover, spineless, nothing but soft putty in his experienced hands.

  Jack remained standing silently by the window for a moment, before turning around to face her.

  ‘I told you, when I arrived here earlier this afternoon, that I wanted to set the record straight. It’s important that you understand it was simply because of our changed relationship that you had to leave my firm. I wasn’t lying or making excuses that day in my office. I can promise you that I have never known a case of two people working together in an office and subsequently falling in love with one another whose relationship didn’t end in anything but trouble.

  ‘Yes, I know.’ He raised a hand as she opened her mouth to protest. ‘There’s always going to be an exception, of course. But I have yet to come across even one happy outcome to a work-orientated love affair.’

  He turned back to the window. ‘My own marriage is a case in point. I’m not saying that Melissa and I would still be married if she hadn’t worked in the office when I first started up the business and couldn’t afford to hire a first-class secretary. Because, in fact, her subsequent marital history of picking up and discarding husbands would seem to prove that I was just unlucky,’ he added with a rueful shrug of his broad shoulders.

  ‘However, that was a long time ago,’ he continued. ‘And, while I’m a lot older and wiser now, of course, I have absolutely no intention of ever making that mistake again. Which is why—’ he turned back to face her ‘—I felt I had to act as quickly and ruthlessly as I did. If I cared about you—and I can assure you that I do—I had to make sure that our new relationship was placed on a different footing. One that was well away from the trials and tribulations of the workplace. Surely you can see that what I’m saying makes sense?’

  ‘Well, yes...maybe...’ She shrugged helplessly. ‘But you still don’t seem to understand. I really loved my job—and truly believed that I was good at it. And then you...you suddenly pulled the rug out from beneath my feet. I’m sorry for all those horrid things I said in the office that day,’ she added with a sigh. ‘But it was such a terrible shock! Especially after...after that time we’d spent together in the South Pacific.’

  ‘It was very important to me too,’ he assured her quietly.

  ‘Well, how on earth was I supposed to know that?’ she flashed back, with some of her old belligerence.

  ‘Oh, come on, Laura!’ He gave another of his low, sensual laughs that practically made her toes curl, her stomach clenching in sudden tension at the unmistakable message reflected in his glinting grey eyes. ‘I thought I’d demonstrated—quite clearly!—exactly how I felt about you.’

  ‘Which is precisely why I simply couldn’t believe what was happening to me when I returned from Tahiti! Or that you were capable of being so cruel—so... so heartless,’ she retorted, hunting in the pockets of her gown for a handkerchief to blow her nose, and bitterly ashamed of the weak tears filling her eyes and threatening to fall any minute.

  ‘I mean...it’s all very well to try and sweet-talk your way out of it now,’ she continued, determined not only to make him understand what he’d done, but also to keep her weak, feeble heart under control, ‘but every scrap of evidence pointed to the fact that I was being ruthlessly dumped—both from my job and your life. To put it crudely, that you regarded me as nothing more than another notch on your bedpost!’

  His dark brows drew together in a sharp frown. ‘You’re quite right—that statement is crude,’ he snapped tersely. ‘It also happens to be totally false.’

  She gave a helpless shrug. ‘I’d like to believe that’s true. But, quite frankly, Jack, you’ve got a really rotten reputation. And, after what’s happened, I still wouldn’t trust you any further than I could throw you.’

  He sighed, roughly brushing his long fingers through his thick, dark hair. ‘I can assure you that my so-called “reputation” is mostly a figment of the newspaper gossip pages’ and some people’s overheated imaginations. As sensible adults, we both know that trust isn’t something which is arrived at overnight. It’s built up over a matter of time—and clearly there’s nothing much I can do about that problem at the moment.

  ‘However,’ he added firmly, ‘I never had any intention of “dumping” you, as you put it. We only had two short days and nights together. But I believed they were important, to both of us. And if we hadn’t lost our tempers with one another—swiftly followed by your abrupt departure from my office—I would have had the opportunity to say that I very much wished and hoped to continue our...er...intimate relationship.’

  Laura shook her head bemusedly. With his tall, dark figure standing only a few feet away across the room, she was having difficulty in concentrating on what was obviously one of the most important conversations of her life. It very much sounded as if Jack was virtually saying that she could either have him or her job but she couldn’t have both. And maybe if she hadn’t fallen so deeply in love with the man she might have had the strength to tell him to get out of here, right now.

  But, since her whole being seemed to be throbbing in direct response to the strong, sensual masculinity projected by this overwhelmingly attractive man, her mind seemed to be saying one thing and her heart quite another.

  ‘Um...’ She gave a slight cough and cleared her throat, trying to think how she could best frame her next sentence. Because, while she certainly couldn’t blame anyone but herself for those mad, reckless nights spent on the small Polynesian atoll, Laura knew that she was, basically, a very old-fashioned girl. So, while she wasn’t expecting a romantic proposal of marriage, she did need to know exactly what Jack had meant when he’d referred to his interest in continuing their relationship.

  However, she didn’t have a chance to say anything further as he began talking about his recent trip to America.

  ‘I think I’ve already mentioned the agency’s new branch office in the States? Not only is the timing right for expansion, but it would certainly be a help for our American clients to have representation on the other side of the Atlantic.’

  ‘That idea certainly makes sense,’ she murmured.

  ‘I’m g
lad to see that you approve of at least one of my actions!’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, while I was in New York, kicking my heels and waiting around for the business of Craig’s money to be resolved, I had time to sort out the plans for the new office, and also to think about finding just the right sort of job for you. And I’ve now come up with something which I’m sure is going to suit us both down to the ground.’

  ‘You mean...?’ She frowned in puzzlement.

  ‘It’s a bit complicated, and beginning to look like the child’s game of Pass the Parcel! However, since I want my offices in New York and London to be multinational, I’ve taken on two young agents from the States—one of whom was already working over here in England for Bill Chapman’s voice-over business. And two of my staff in London are being promoted to the New York office, which will be run by a well-known American agent. So there’s now a vacancy in...’

  Wow! Laura thought breathlessly, barely listening to what else he was saying about the complicated plans for his new office. If Jack was putting her in the picture like this, it must mean that he was going to offer her a position in the new American office. Was it the job of her dreams—or what? she asked herself excitedly, her mind suddenly filled with entrancing visions of herself wheeling and dealing in the frenetic, exciting atmosphere of downtown New York.

  ‘I...I simply don’t know what to s-say...’ she stuttered.

  ‘There’s no need to say anything.’ Jack smiled at the flushed cheeks of the girl gazing at him with glazed eyes. ‘However, I’m glad that you approve of my plans.’

  ‘Oh, I do!’ she agreed fervently. ‘Have you...er...decided on exactly who you’re sending to New York?’ she asked, quickly deciding that this wasn’t the moment to appear too pushy. It would be best if she left him to tell her the exciting news.

  He nodded. ‘I’ve decided to send James and Henry. They were delighted to hear about their transfer, of course, and I think they’ll both make a definite contribution to the new business.’

  As Jack continued to expand on his plans for the new office, his tall figure moving idly about the sitting room, pausing every now and then to admire either a picture or one of the pieces of blue and white china which she’d been slowly collecting over the years, Laura felt herself growing slowly numb. The initial excitement and euphoria of a few moments ago was now rapidly draining away. And, despite the warmth of the early summer evening, she suddenly felt desperately cold and very close to tears.

  Thank God she’d kept her mouth shut—and hadn’t made too much of a fool of herself, was one of the few clear thoughts to emerge from the almost total confusion in her mind. But, after a few moments, as she slowly pulled herself unsteadily together, her head began to feel as though it was swelling up like a balloon. One that was filled to overflowing with icy cold rage, and about to burst open at any moment.

  ‘I...I simply refuse to believe it!’

  ‘What?’ He spun around to face her. ‘What don’t you believe?’

  ‘I can understand you sending James over to the States,’ she grated hoarsely, desperately struggling for control. ‘He’s worked really hard, and deserves the promotion. But...but why send Henry—of all people? He’s lazy, inefficient, desperately slow when there’s a crisis, and...and was recently demoted to working as my assistant. In fact,’ she added grimly through clenched teeth, ‘the only possible reason I could see for you not giving him the sack was that his uncle is a well-known Hollywood producer!’

  ‘Which is precisely why he’s going to New York,’ Jack agreed blandly. ‘In setting up the new firm, I’m going to need all the help and contacts I can find. And, although I agree that Henry is fairly useless, his uncle is very keen for his nephew to do well in the agency business.’

  ‘That...that’s disgusting!’

  He shrugged. ‘You may well be right. But it’s a rat race out there. And it’s no good being too squeamish in our profession.’

  ‘You speak for yourself!’ she snapped. ‘As far as I’m concerned, the trouble with a rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat.’

  ‘Am I supposed to take that remark personally?’

  ‘If the cap fits—wear it!’ she retorted swiftly, no longer caring what she said or did. ‘However, let’s leave your New York office aside for the moment. Because I’m still waiting with bated breath to hear all about this job which you’ve apparently arranged for me.’

  He frowned at the heavy note of sarcasm in her voice. ‘But I’ve just explained the whole damned set-up. Haven’t you been listening to a thing I’ve said?’

  ‘I think you’d better spell it out for me, in words of one syllable,’ she retorted curtly.

  He sighed with exasperation. ‘Since I’ve taken on the young American who used to work for Bill Chapman’s voice-over business, there’s now a vacancy in that firm. As you know, it’s a very specialised business, providing the voices to accompany TV and film commercials, as well as providing the dubbing for foreign films, et cetera. On top of which,’ he added, ‘it can be very lucrative.’

  ‘So?’ she demanded impatiently.

  ‘So, when Bill was moaning about losing his assistant, and the fact that he’s now having to look for a replacement, I immediately thought of you.’

  ‘You did—what?’

  ‘OK, OK, I’m not saying it’s a particularly exciting firm to work for,’ he conceded as she gave a shrill, high-pitched peal of hysterical laughter. ‘But at least it is a job—and one in which you’ll be able to earn a very high salary. However, as far as I’m concerned—’ he gave her a warm smile ‘—its main attraction lies in the fact that we’ll still be able to continue seeing a great deal of one another.’

  Did he really think that she was a total idiot? Laura asked herself incredulously, almost unable to believe the evidence of her own ears. Because it now seemed as if this swine was intending to have his cake and eat it too! After all, what could be more convenient than to have a mistress working for another firm just around the corner from his own office? And one, moreover, whom he was clearly expecting to be always ready, willing and able to greet him with open arms, whenever he felt like a little night music! In fact, unless she was very much mistaken, it sounded as if this unbelievably awful man was dumping her—yet again!

  Gazing with horrified eyes at his tall figure, now leaning nonchalantly against one of the large pillars in the room, Laura realised that she was quite right. Jack had obviously come here today intending to put into action his own private agenda—a nice, tidy arrangement, guaranteed to keep his ex-employee from causing too many waves in the small, intimate world of theatrical agents.

  Well, he wasn’t going to get away with it, she told herself grimly. Because there was a lot more at stake here than just her broken heart. No one...absolutely no one had the right to sack a hard-working, perfectly satisfactory employee without any prior notice. And, while she knew virtually nothing about the law regarding unfair dismissal, she was quite sure that she must have grounds to bring an action against her ex-employer.

  ‘That’s a very interesting proposition which you’ve just placed before me,’ she said coldly, rising to her feet. ‘Not exactly what I’d call “tidings of comfort and joy”, of course, but definitely interesting! However, I’m sorry to have to tell you that it’s one in which I have absolutely no interest at all. Especially when it also seems to involve being your convenient bit on the side.’

  ‘Oh, come on, sweetheart! That’s not what I have in mind at all,’ he protested.

  She snorted with derision. ‘For heaven’s sake, Jack—do you really think that I was born yesterday? We both know that Bill Chapman is a pompous little twit who spends most of his time in a bar around the corner from his office, leaving his assistant to run the business. No wonder the present guy is leaving to join your firm. I wouldn’t even give Bill the time of day—let alone five minutes of my time! Oh, no...’ Laura added grimly. ‘I’m afraid you’re going to have to do much better than that if you want to stop me t
aking you to court.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘Now who’s telling fibs?’ she jeered, her lacerated emotions soothed by the sight of a faint flush on his high cheekbones. ‘While I was having to listen to you bragging about your new office in New York—’

  ‘I was doing nothing of the sort!’

  ‘—I realised that if I hadn’t been thrown out of your agency I’d have been the perfect candidate for one of the new posts,’ she continued, ignoring his angry interjection. ‘I also realised—and I can’t think why it’s taken me so long to wake up to the reality of the situation—that I must have a good claim for unfair dismissal over the way I was sacked. And don’t even try and tell me that clever, ruthless Jack Wilder hasn’t already talked over this little problem with his lawyers,’ she added through gritted teeth. ‘Because I’m now damn sure that he has!’

  ‘You’re talking complete nonsense,’ he drawled smoothly. ‘Of course I’ve seen my lawyers, who’ve been involved in the formation of my new American office. You’d hardly expect me not to take legal advice over such an important step?’

  ‘Certainly not. However, having worked for you, I know just how thorough you can be—especially when it comes to reading the small print of actors’ contracts. So it’s virtually a certainty that you checked up on your legal position regarding my sudden dismissal. Just as I intend to do first thing tomorrow morning.’

  ‘It’s a waste of time trying to threaten me, Laura,’ he informed her coldly. ‘As far as I’m concerned this whole business is a farrago of complete nonsense.’

  She shrugged. ‘Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you? However, the more I think about it, the more I realise just what a good case I’ve got. There’s sexual harassment,’ she began, counting off the items on her fingers, ‘followed by unreasonable dismissal—and serious sex discrimination in giving dopey Henry the plum job in New York which should clearly have been offered to me. Quite honestly, Jack—’ she gave him a tight, malicious smile ‘—I reckon I’m going to take you to the cleaners!’