Molly grimaced. ‘I have to admit, I didn’t like the idea much either!’
‘I’m sure you didn’t,’ she laughed softly. ‘Now shall we rejoin the men before they start dinner without us? I don’t suppose—’
‘Oh, what a beautiful bracelet!’ Molly exclaimed, looking at the charm bracelet Charly wore. ‘Oh it’s lovely,’ she admired as she looked at it closely. ‘And I see Aaron did buy you a ring after all,’ she teased as she saw the two gold ring charms.
‘Yes,’ Charly answered abruptly.
‘I’m so glad he’s going to marry you, Charly,’ Molly looked at her warmly. ‘I’m sure we’re going to be good friends.’
‘I’m sure we are too,’ she agreed with genuine warmth, glad the other woman had been diverted from the subject of the bracelet. She almost hadn’t worn it, despite—or in spite?—of Aaron’s request, but at the last moment decided it was a nice touch.
‘Would you like to look in on the children with me?’ Molly asked shyly. ‘That is, if you—’
‘I love children,’ Charly assured her, guessing that Stephanie’s death was the reason for Molly’s sudden hesitation. ‘And I’d like to see Lucy and Tommy.’
The little girl was exactly like her mother, dark-haired and pretty, while Tommy was most like Matt, his blond hair in curls, his face still chubby with baby fat, his lashes fanned out across his baby cheeks as he lay asleep in his cot.
‘They’re adorable,’ Charly told the other woman softly as they went downstairs together.
‘Yes, they are,’ Molly agreed ruefully. ‘I feel better about this baby already.’
‘I’m glad to hear it, darling,’ Matt put his arm about his wife’s shoulders as they entered the lounge. ‘I was worried about you,’ he admitted softly.
‘I was being silly,’ she snuggled against him. ‘Just think, Tommy will have a playmate now.’
Matt looked over his wife’s head and gave Charly a grateful smile. ‘And Lucy can mother both of them,’ he agreed indulgently.
Charly walked at Aaron’s side as they went through to the adjoining room to have dinner, studiously avoiding his gaze.
‘That was very nice of you,’ he murmured so that only she could hear.
‘I can be nice when I like the person involved,’ she returned huskily, not looking at him.
He chuckled appreciatively. ‘God, I bet you’re dynamite in bed!’
She turned to him furiously. ‘Keep your opinions to yourself!’ she snapped.
He shook his head mockingly. ‘All that energy wasted on just talking!’
‘How would you like to sit down to dinner without your “fiancée"?’ she threatened.
‘You won’t leave.’
‘Try me.’
Aaron sighed. ‘I was only making conversation.’
‘You were being personal!’
‘I’m your fiancé—’
Now she did turn to look at him. ‘Don’t let this bogus engagement make you think you have any rights over me,’ she warned harshly. ‘Physically, or in any other way. Because if you push me too far I won’t hesitate to let you go through this alone.’
‘You wouldn’t do that,’ he claimed confidently. ‘You wouldn’t hurt Molly in that way.’
No, she couldn’t do it, especially now that Molly had admitted believing Matt to be Charly’s lover. But the look she gave Aaron Grantley wasn’t in the least defeated. ‘I’m Rocharlle Hart, remember, “without wants or needs, with only a quest for power”. You think someone like that would care who got hurt if events didn’t suit me?’ she challenged.
He looked at her steadily. ‘I think you would,’ he said slowly.
Her mouth twisted. ‘You won’t know until you push me too far—and I really wouldn’t advise it.’
His look was admiring. ‘You’ve acquired quite a business reputation since you took over from your husband last year; I can see why.’
‘Thank you,’ she accepted it as the compliment it was, sitting down as he held out her chair for her.
‘Matt and I had a talk while you ladies were upstairs,’ he spoke loud enough for the other couple to hear too now.
Charly was suddenly wary, not liking the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. ‘Yes?’
‘He and Molly haven’t been able to get away since Tommy was born, and now that Molly’s expecting number three I suggested maybe they would like to go away together for a few days,’ he still spoke lightly.
‘It sounds like a good idea.’ But she still frowned, watching him warily.
‘Alone,’ he added with slow emphasis, holding her gaze challengingly.
‘Yes?’ she prompted again, still not sure what point he was trying to make.
‘It sounds wonderful, Aaron,’ Molly put in lightly. ‘But there’s only my parents to take care of the children, and while I don’t mind leaving the children with them for a day or evening I really feel a few days would be too much for them. They aren’t getting any younger, and Tommy is a bit of a handful. It was a nice idea, though,’ she sighed at the lost opportunity.
‘I wasn’t suggesting your parents have the children, Molly.’ Aaron still looked at Charly. ‘I thought Charly and I could come here and take care of them for you. After all, they know me, and they would soon get used to Charly.’
Molly turned uncertainly to Charly. ‘You really wouldn’t mind?’
Bastard, Charly’s furious gaze transmitted the message to Aaron, knowing he had received the message as his mouth quirked triumphantly. ‘No, of course not,’ she assured the other woman, avoiding Aaron Grantley’s gaze now. ‘I’m sure Aaron is excellent at changing nappies,’ she added vengefully.
Matt gave a scornful laugh. ‘He doesn’t know one end of a baby from the other!’
Aaron scowled at him. ‘I know a damn sight more than you did when Lucy was born!’
‘Not much more,’ Molly laughed. ‘I sincerely hope you won’t let him loose on Tommy, Charly.’
‘I think it would be a good idea.’ Charly ate her soup with an air of feigned innocence, once again ignoring Aaron’s furious gaze. ‘It will be good practise for him for when he becomes a father. I’ll supervise them to make sure he doesn’t do anything drastic with Tommy, Molly, but I do think he should have complete charge of the baby that weekend.’ She looked at him challengingly.
His mouth was tight. ‘It isn’t very likely I’ll ever have to take care of a baby.’
‘Oh but there might be occasions when you will, Aaron,’ Molly put in seriously. ‘Matt tells me Charly is an important lady in the world of business; you would have to take your turn in taking care of the children.’
He scowled. ‘I’d hire a nanny.’
Charly shook her head. ‘I don’t believe in them.’
‘Then we won’t have any children,’ he glared.
‘I had a feeling that might be your answer,’ she said triumphantly, sipping at her wine.
He gave her an impatient look. ‘Are we looking after the children next weekend or not?’
‘We are,’ she nodded, her mouth curved into a smile. ‘With an emphasis on the “we”.’
‘I think we could have an enjoyable break just watching Aaron trying to cope with Tommy,’ Matt mocked. ‘In a boardroom he’s lethal, but he might not have the same success in a nursery.’
‘Tommy likes me,’ he claimed indignantly.
‘You’re his favourite uncle,’ Matt nodded. ‘But he dislikes going to bed at night.’
‘All kids dislike that,’ Aaron shrugged it off as being unimportant.
‘But Tommy really dislikes it,’ his friend taunted. ‘To the point where—’
‘Don’t tell him any more,’ Molly pleaded. ‘Or he might change his mind about the offer.’
‘He won’t,’ Charly put in firmly. ‘Is next weekend okay for you?’ she asked the other couple.
A situation Aaron had created to put her at a disadvantage had been neatly turned on him, and she couldn’t help feeling satisfied that s
he had managed to do so. He had been enjoying himself at her expense; she found it infinitely enjoyable that the roles had been reversed!
‘Are you really sure you don’t mind?’ Molly still hesitated about accepting their offer.
‘Not at all,’ Charly answered smoothly. ‘This is a beautiful house, the children look adorable; I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself.’ The look she shot Aaron told him it would be mainly at his expense.
He turned to Molly. ‘We’ll only be needing the one bedroom,’ he told her. ‘Unless you think it would be better for the children if we slept apart?’
The colour came and went in Charly’s cheeks in rapid succession, her mouth tight. Aaron had certainly wreaked his vengeance with interest!
‘Of course not,’ Molly dismissed. ‘They’re both too young to ask questions.’
‘Oh good,’ he smiled his satisfaction. ‘We haven’t liked to be together at the apartment because it seemed as if we were taking advantage of you.’
‘We don’t mind if Aaron moves in, do we, darling?’ Molly shook her head.
Matt looked at Aaron with narrowed eyes. ‘I think that’s for Charly to say,’ he said tightly.
She cleared her throat awkwardly. ‘I’m sure Aaron and I can come to some sort of agreement,’ she nodded. ‘Thank you,’ she added abruptly.
Aaron looked at her with amused green eyes. For every verbal and mental battle that she managed to win over this man he paid her back two-fold! That bit about them sharing a bedroom here next weekend had stunned her, the idea of him moving into the apartment with her was unthinkable.
‘Don’t let Aaron get to you,’ Matt advised as she prepared to leave later that evening, Aaron and Molly still in the lounge. ‘He’s enjoying himself, that’s all.’
‘Don’t worry,’ she assured him. ‘He doesn’t bother me at all.’
‘I can try to put off next weekend if you would like me to?’ he frowned.
‘I wouldn’t hear of it.’ She shook her head firmly. ‘Please don’t worry about Aaron, I can handle him.’
‘I’ll make sure there are two bedrooms ready for you.’ Matt said grimly.
‘Even if there were only the one we wouldn’t be sharing it,’ she told him hardly. ‘Aaron would be sleeping on the sofa in the lounge.’
‘He can be very persuasive.’
‘I’m not interested,’ she dismissed.
Matt frowned at the determination in her voice. ‘Most women find him very attractive.’
‘I’m not denying his attraction, just stating that he doesn’t appeal to me.’
‘Sure?’
‘Very!’
He shrugged wide shoulders. ‘As long as this situation isn’t bothering you?’
‘It isn’t.’ She shook her head. ‘Look, I’m going down to the house tomorrow, why don’t you come with me?’ she suggested eagerly. ‘I’d really like you to see it, to know your opinion of it before I buy it.’
‘Charly, I told you—’
‘I know,’ she soothed. ‘And I understand how you feel, but it’s something I want to do.’
‘I can’t let you—’
‘It isn’t a question of letting me do anything, Matt.’ She put her hand on his arm. ‘It’s something I really need to do.’
He nodded. ‘When do you intend going to the house?’
‘In the afternoon,’ she told him. ‘Please come with me,’ she encouraged.
‘I’ll see if I can get away,’ he nodded slowly. ‘Although I’m not promising anything,’ he warned.
‘It’s enough that you’ll try.’ Her eyes glowed. ‘I’m sure you’ll find it’s completely suitable.’
‘It’s convenient anyway,’ he grimaced. ‘Only a short drive from here.’
‘That’s one of the reasons I liked it,’ she nodded. ‘This way you could still have the best of both worlds.’
‘It’s time we were going, Charly.’ Aaron cut in with rasping tension, Molly behind him.
Charly looked at him steadily. ‘I’ve been waiting for you,’ she told him calmly.
His hard green eyes questioned the validity of that fact before he turned to kiss Molly on the cheek. ‘Thank you for a lovely evening,’ he smiled affectionately. ‘If I were you I would make this husband of yours take you shopping for some new clothes for your weekend away.’ He looked challengingly at Charly after this last statement, and she frowned her puzzlement. ‘Tomorrow,’ he added pointedly.
He had overheard part of her conversation with Matt! And from his manner now she could only presume he had come to his own conclusions. She smiled ruefully, her head going back proudly as Aaron’s eyes hardened angrily.
‘Matt doesn’t like to go shopping,’ Molly dismissed with a laugh.
‘Then perhaps Charly would like to go with you,’ he suggested harshly.
‘I can’t tomorrow, I’m afraid,’ she refused softly. ‘But I’d love to go with you some other day,’ she agreed.
‘I’ll call you,’ Molly nodded eagerly.
‘How can you do it?’ Aaron demanded impatiently once they were out on the driveway.
‘Do what?’ She looked up at him innocently.
He glanced over to where Matt and Molly stood together near the front door waiting to wave their goodbyes. ‘We can’t talk here,’ he muttered. ‘I’ll meet you at the apartment.’
‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
‘Why, is Matt going to suddenly discover there’s an emergency at the hospital?’ he derided harshly.
‘No!’ She looked at him defiantly.
His eyes glittered in the darkness. ‘Then I’m not asking you if I can come to the apartment; I’m telling you!’
She shrugged. ‘In that case I suppose I’ll see you later.’ She came to an abrupt halt as he grabbed her arm. ‘What is it?’ she asked impatiently.
‘We ought to say good night in the appropriate manner,’ he told her roughly.
‘It isn’t good night,’ she pointed out calmly, not at all cowed by his manner.
‘Nevertheless, we do have an audience,’ he ground out, bending his head to claim her mouth.
But instead of the anger she had been expecting she found only deep sensuality in Aaron’s kiss, the slow drugging exploration of her mouth affecting her in spite of herself, her hands about his waist as he curved her body up into his, Charly made aware of every hard plane of his thighs and chest.
Aaron raised his head, his eyes narrowed. ‘You’re very responsive,’ he accused.
She was glad of the darkness to cover her blushes. ‘We have an audience, remember,’ she said sharply.
He gave her a scornful look. ‘Are you hoping to make Matt jealous?’ he rasped softly.
She pulled away from him, her gaze contemptuous. ‘He’s well aware of the fact that I despise you, Mr Grantley,’ she dismissed harshly. ‘Just as he’s aware that your kisses are forced on me.’
His mouth tightened. ‘I’ll see you back at the apartment.’ He turned on his heel and got into the Jaguar, accelerating out of the driveway with a brief wave of his hand to Matt and Molly.
Charly took a little longer to get into her own car, slightly dazed by her reaction to a man she had just claimed to despise.
‘Is everything all right?’ Matt had joined her beside her car without her being aware of it.
‘Yes, of course.’ She shook off her feeling of unease, smiling brightly. ‘’Night, Molly,’ she called out to the other woman. ‘Good night, Matt,’ she turned back to him reassuringly. ‘And please don’t worry about me.’
‘We can end this any time you want to, you know.’ He frowned his concern.
‘I told you, I can handle the situation and Mr Aaron Grantley!’
But as she drove home she couldn’t help wondering if Aaron Grantley weren’t more than a match for her, both physically and mentally.
She wasn’t in the least surprised when she reached the apartment first, more familiar with the roads than Aaron was likely to be, living in America as he did
most of the time. Consequently she was in the lounge enjoying a relaxing drink when the doorbell rang, bracing her shoulders determinedly as she went to answer it.
‘I stopped off for some cigarettes,’ Aaron explained his lateness as he walked past her into the apartment.
‘Please do come in,’ she told him with sarcasm as she followed him through to the lounge. ‘And I thought I had made it clear that I don’t like anyone smoking near me,’ she reminded hardly as he flicked on a gold lighter beneath the cigarette in his mouth, smoke instantly filling the room.
‘I need a cigarette,’ he rasped unrelentingly.
Charly could feel herself begin to pale as the consequences of someone else ‘needing a cigarette’ began to wash over her, reliving the nightmare of being dragged through her smoke-filled apartment. ‘Would it help if I said please,’ she asked faintly.
Puzzlement flickered in deep green eyes before it was quickly replaced with impatience. ‘No.’
She moved to the windows, opening one wide despite the cold night air that instantly blew into the room.
‘Don’t carry this charade into the farcical,’ Aaron advised hardly. ‘You’re just making yourself look ridiculous.’
Anger flared in the depths of silver-grey eyes as she turned back to face him. ‘I’d like to show you something that’s really ridiculous!’ she bit out furiously, marching over to the door and throwing it open. ‘Well don’t just stand there.’ She turned on him. ‘Come and see something really ridiculous!’
‘Charly—’
‘What’s the matter, Aaron?’ Her eyes glittered silver. ‘Afraid you might be made to look ridiculous for once?’
His mouth was tight as he joined her at the door. ‘Where are we going at this time of night?’
‘Not far,’ she revealed flatly, leading the way over to the lift, her hands becoming clammy as she pressed the button for the top floor, her body tense as it made its smooth ascent.
‘Charly, where are we going?’ Aaron demanded again tersely.
‘This way.’ She stepped out of the lift on to the top level of the building, taking him to the door of one of the three luxury apartments on this floor, unlocking the door, pushing it open and stepping back to allow Aaron to precede her inside.
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