“Let go Kerry. You’re not on your own anymore.”
It was dark now so she couldn’t read the expression in his eyes. She could feel his lips though, as they brushed her forehead and then feathered their way down the soft curve of her cheek to claim her lips in a kiss that was neither demanding nor threatening. It was all that was needed to make the tears spill over. They trickled down her face and into their joined mouths. Immediately Pierce stopped kissing her and with an odd little groan pulled her head into the angle of his shoulder, making no attempt to talk to her until the worst of her tears were over. Then he opened the driver’s door.
“Come on. Let’s go and find something to eat. Everything always looks better from the outside of a hot meal.”
Her attempted smile ended in a half sob as she climbed down from the passenger seat and followed him round to a side entrance that led straight into his private suite of rooms.
“Sit down and make yourself comfortable while I order some food. You look all in.”
Obediently she did as he said, and then tried to hide the tears that were still trickling down her face by blowing her nose. He smiled at her.
“You’ll soon feel better. Now what would you like to drink?”
She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
“Come on Kerry. It’s not that bad. You’ll get used to me again, I promise. And so will Ben and Lauren.” He’d seen her fresh outburst of tears and he sat down beside her and pulled her round to face him.
But she couldn’t answer him. Instead she scrubbed at her streaming eyes with a damp tissue and hoped that one day he would understand why she had behaved as she did, and forgive her. She also hoped she wouldn’t get used to him too easily because if she did then she was going to have to face up to the fact she had never stopped loving him and wanting him, while all he wanted was Ben and Lauren.
Chapter Five
The next day passed in a whirl of organization as, ignoring Kerry’s protests, Pierce took over Melanie’s Kitchen, barking out instructions to his kitchen staff while they worked their way through Mel’s list and menus.
By late morning, however, his patience finally gave way. “For goodness sake stop following me around Kerry. I know it’s your company but with Mel sick and you too emotionally exhausted to cope, this is the only way it’s going to work. Besides, it’s keeping my kitchen staff occupied. Until the hotel and conference centre open up at the end of the month they’ve too much spare time on their hands. They are also perfectly capable of preparing and serving all the lunches you have booked for the rest of the week, so you don’t need to worry.”
“But there’s nothing for me to do,” Kerry continued to trail after him dejectedly as he strode around Greenleas issuing orders and checking on the almost completed building work. She wasn’t used to having time on her hands and with the twins away and his staff taking over her workload, she felt unnecessary and unwanted. It was all very well for Pierce and Mel to agree it would be better if she rested until after the wedding; they didn’t have her thoughts churning around inside their heads; thoughts she could only ignore if she was too busy to think.
Her obvious misery eventually got through to Pierce. With a long-suffering sigh he took her hand and marched her past the squash courts and the gym to the double wooden doors marked Spa. He thrust them open and ushered her through with a brief smile that barely hid his irritation.
“Maggie, I’ve a new customer for you,” he addressed an attractive girl wearing a spotless white tabard and trousers. She was checking some figures at the reception desk but when the doors opened she looked up with a smile.
“Sauna, massage, manicure, pedicure, facial?”
“The works,” he relaxed slightly and grinned. “Whatever it takes to unwind her. In fact don’t let her out of here until you’re sure she’ll sleep for twenty-four hours straight.”
“That bad hmm! Well you’ve picked a good time. As you can see, lunchtime on a Wednesday is not exactly our most busy period at the moment. You’ve the whole spa to yourself.”
“But I don’t want a sauna or a massage…or…or any of those other things,” Kerry turned furiously to Pierce. She wished he would stop ordering her around like this when she was only tense and emotional because of him and his stupid ideas? What she actually needed was to talk to him, to try to find a way out of this ridiculous arrangement. The last thing she needed was a sauna or a massage. She began to tell him so but Pierce had already gone, leaving the doors swinging gently behind him.
“Well I knew he was anxious to improve business but I didn’t realize he’d resorted to dragging unwilling customers in off the street! Come on, it isn’t that bad,” Maggie put her hands on her hips and grinned at Kerry.
Her smile was wide and friendly, inviting intimacy at Pierce’s expense, and after a moment Kerry found herself responding with a resigned shrug. “Why not? I haven’t anything else to do. Pierce has made sure of that.”
“He must be suffering from withdrawal symptoms again,” Maggie picked up a pile of fluffy white towels and indicated that Kerry should follow her.
“Withdrawal symptoms?” Kerry moved forward reluctantly.
The other girl laughed. “It happens quite regularly, usually when there’s a crisis. We call it the ‘I wish I was a tennis star again syndrome’ and bow and scrape accordingly!”
When she saw Kerry’s look of incomprehension she paused outside a door marked Treatment Room 1 and explained. “When he was the world’s favorite tennis star everybody jumped to do his bidding. His coach kept problems to a minimum, especially just before a match, and he was cosseted and protected. He was allowed to be temperamental. It was even seen as a good thing if it fired him up to win. That all stopped when he retired though, and here at Greenleas the problems are all his. He’s learned the hard way that being temperamental only makes them worse, so he copes by playing god whenever it gets too much for him. I don’t know what you did, but you were obviously getting too much for him!”
“But that’s not going to solve anything,” Kerry was intrigued enough by this new insight into Pierce’s behavior to stop thinking about her own problems for a brief moment.
“Oh it does. It prevents argument,” Maggie held the door open with an inviting smile. “After all, you gave in about the spa didn’t you?”
Kerry gave a wry smile as she accepted the cotton towel the other girl handed to her. “Does anybody ever stand up to him?”
“Not so you’d notice, except for Marissa Reynolds. When she’s around and things don’t go her way it’s like the clash of the titans.”
She didn’t need to elaborate. Kerry’s stomach turned a complete cartwheel when she heard Marissa’s name. A willowy red head with endless legs and perfect American teeth, she had been a ranked player in the days when Kerry knew her. She had also been the darling of the media who couldn’t get enough of her stunning figure, her wide green eyes, and the fact that the camera loved her. Despite never quite making the grade on the tennis circuit, she had rarely been out of the news as she posed beside the biggest stars, including Pierce, or modeled the new season’s kit, or gave an interview about whatever was happening in her life. Kerry guessed nothing had changed except that she’d probably built a celebrity career for herself by now.
“Does she visit Greenleas often?” She concentrated on wrapping herself in the warm, scented towel while she waited for Maggie to answer.
“All the time when she’s in England. In fact we’re all taking bets she’ll be Mrs Pierce Simon before long. If she doesn’t wear him down it won’t be for want of trying that’s for sure…there’s nothing subtle about Marissa.”
Kerry stretched out on the massage table, loosened her towel and gave herself up to Maggie’s ministrations as she thought about what she had just been told. If she was honest none of it was very surprising. It was inevitable Pierce would miss the applause and adulation of his fans just as much as he would miss the actual physical achievement of defeating
opponent after opponent across the world. Nor should she be surprised Marissa Reynolds was back in his life because their names had been linked romantically long before Kerry met him.
She let her mind travel back to the heady days when she’d first met Pierce. Even then he’d had Marissa in tow. She remembered their first meeting. Pierce and Marissa had been attending a reception together as representatives of the competitors who were to take part in a tournament sponsored by her father’s company. Kerry was there on sufferance. Although she was a keen amateur tennis player her father hadn’t thought to include her and she’d had to beg for an invitation when she heard about the reception. Eventually, realizing her knowledge of tennis might be useful, he’d given in and she had dressed for the occasion with excited anticipation, taking more care than usual with her appearance because she was going to meet Pierce Simon.
He’d been everything the television screen had shown him to be, and more. Tall, slim, muscular, with flashing blue eyes and wild sun streaked hair, he had looked almost piratical. His teeth had gleamed in a sardonic smile as he bowed over her hand. He could pick out a fan at twenty paces.
She’d blushed, knowing he’d seen through her thin veneer of sophistication to the excited teenager beneath. Embarrassed at being found out, she’d concentrated on talking to his companion instead. Marissa, however, had little time for other women, especially young, pretty ones, so she had cold-shouldered Kerry in favor of her father. At fifty, he was almost twice Marissa’s age but she didn’t consider that a failing as he was still male and very attractive. Only Kerry knew his youthful looks and smooth skin were down to a discreet cosmetic surgeon. She also knew it was something she must never, ever allude to.
Marissa made a fatal mistake by targeting Charles Farrow, however, because it left Pierce free to talk to Kerry. And Kerry, having discovered that some tennis stars had very mediocre manners, was in no mood to be trifled with. Her irritation amused him sufficiently to invite her to join them both for dinner later that evening. She had stared at him in disbelief.
“Hadn’t you better check with Miss Reynolds first because somehow I don’t think she’ll be too thrilled by the idea?”
“It’ll do Miss Reynolds good to know she’s not the only fish in the sea,” his answer had been a trifle grim even though he’d continued to smile. “Now are you going to accept my invitation Miss Kerry Farrow, or do I have to get down on bended knee?”
“I think I’d like the bended knee bit,” she’d giggled and then clutched at his arm in mortification as he began to kneel. “No don’t! Please don’t! The Press photographers are here. They’ll start taking photos.”
He’d grinned at her. “Won’t your publicity stand it?”
“My father won’t stand it. It’s his company that’s sponsoring the tournament and I’m only here on sufferance. I’m meant to be on my best behavior.”
“Your father?” He’d looked around with interest. “Is he the big guy with the silver hair? The one who’s keeping Marissa sweet?”
She nodded, wondering if he minded the fact that Marissa was very definitely flirting with her father, but he’d only grinned.
“In that case, let’s make it a family foursome. Let’s go to the Boathouse,” he’d name an extravagantly priced restaurant cum nightclub on the outskirts of town, and then wandered off to confirm the arrangements with the other two.
* * *
“I don’t think I’ve ever treated someone as tense as you” Maggie’s voice dragged Kerry’s thoughts back from the past to the aromatic blend of massage oils and the long smooth strokes of Maggie’s hands on her body.
“I…life is a bit difficult at the moment,” Kerry admitted, obediently turning over so that the other girl could concentrate on her front.
“If I’d realized you were so uptight I’d have suggested a hot stone massage but it’s a bit late for that now. How about having a sauna instead? Some of my clients like to loosen up their muscles by having one before I massage them. Afterwards can be just as effective though and it will have the added benefit of perking up your skin ready for the facial I’m going to give you later on. Aw come on! You may as well make the most of Pierce’s generosity unless you’ve something better to do,” she added when Kerry shook her head.
As Maggie continued to massage her back, Kerry felt herself go tense all over again at the other girl’s words. That was exactly the problem. She didn’t have anything else to do. Pierce had made sure of that. She couldn’t even go and see Lauren and Ben without telling him because he still had the keys to the van and Greenleas was much too far away from a train station or even a bus stop to contemplate walking out on him. She could book a taxi of course, but if she did she would have to ask George to pay for it when she reached his house because it would cost far more than she had in her purse. She didn’t rate her chances of getting away without Pierce seeing her go either. He’d probably put his receptionist on ‘Kerry Watch’ or something.
Maggie, sensing her indecision, made up her mind for her. “It’ll be fine Kerry. You’ll love it. And afterwards you can have a cool shower and then rest in the relaxation area while I make you a fruit cocktail to replace all the fluids you’ll lose.”
* * *
Kerry enjoyed the sauna more than she expected to. The dry heat seemed to seep right into her bones so that for the first time since Pierce had come back into her life she felt warm again. Stretching out on the towel she spread on the wooden slats, her mind drifted back to that magical evening again, to a time that now seemed more than a lifetime ago.
It had been obvious from the way Marissa ignored Pierce that she was furious with his plans. Sharing the spotlight with another woman was not how she had expected to spend her evening. Determined to punish him she flirted excessively with Charles Farrow. It was a ploy that turned out to be her final undoing though because it left the way clear for Pierce to take Kerry onto the dimly lit dance floor.
A visceral jolt of desire flooded her body as she remembered the first time he’d taken her in his arms. Dancing with him had been a revelation as his hands molded her to him, making her almost a part of him as he led her into the music. All awareness of her father and Marissa had drifted away, their cynical comments about the other diners no longer intrusive as Pierce became the centre of her existence. And by the time the music finally stopped she knew she’d had the same effect upon him. She knew he was equally reluctant to join the others and make polite conversation.
After that there had been no looking back. Flowers had arrived the following morning, flowers and a second invitation that did not include her father. The following two weeks had been a whirlwind of experiences – their first kiss; the day Pierce managed to escape the long lens of the photographers for long enough to take her to a hidden place and make love to her for the first time; the hours she’d spent wrapped in his arms while they watched his opponents lose; the thrill of knowing he was hers when he held up the winner’s cup. By the time the tournament was over she had agreed to join him on the circuit as soon as she could. Then a photo of their very passionate farewell kiss made it to the front page of the national newspaper her father read every morning. When he saw it he was livid.
“That’s the last time you attend one of my sponsorship events,” he told her. “You’ve made Farrow Holdings a laughing stock Kerry, and I won’t have it. From now on you’ll concentrate on your job and keep out of the papers.”
“But that’s not fair! What’s the difference between me seeing Pierce and you spending most of your time with Marissa?” she protested
“Marissa Reynolds has been fulfilling the requirements of the sponsorship deal by posing for photographs and attending cocktail parties while Pierce Simon has reneged on almost every part of the agreement. Instead he has put all his energy into trying to get into my daughter’s knickers and succeeding too if that photo is anything to go by.”
“It’s not like that. He loves me, and he’s asked me to join him on the circuit as soon
as I can,” she shouted, hating the way he made her relationship with Pierce seem sordid.
“You’re far too young to understand love you silly girl. Pierce Simon is talking about lust, that’s all it is…lust. He’s making a fool of you Kerry. How long do you think you can hold onto him? A week? A month?”
Resolutely ignoring the fact that Pierce had never actually told her he loved her, Kerry stood her ground. She was going with Pierce whether her father liked it or not. Life on the tennis circuit, even if it proved to be short lived, had to be better than sharing a house with a man who never bothered to disguise the fact that he found her presence irksome, and her ineptitude at the job she hated an affront to his own success.
Maggie popped her head through the door, interrupting her thoughts. “You’ve been in the sauna for nearly fifteen minutes Kerry. That’s more than long enough for one session.”
Her phone rang while she was speaking and with an apologetic smile she answered it. After a short conversation she cut the call, handed Kerry a soft cotton robe and made for the door.
“Sorry, but I’ve got to go. They’re having a problem with some deliveries in reception. It’s a whole lot of new stuff for the Spa but nobody can check it because the order form is missing. I won’t be long. Just go through to the relaxation area when you’re ready.”
* * *
Dropping her towel and robe onto a nearby bench Kerry stood under the shower for several minutes, letting the lukewarm spray cool her skin. Then she saw the plunge pool and decided she may as well use that too. Maggie had told her the icy water would close all the pores in her skin and although she hadn’t said to use it, it seemed a good idea to Kerry, especially if she was to have a facial later on. With a sharp intake of breath, she lowered herself into the water.
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