Point of No Return

by Carole Mortimer

  ‘A telephone?’ She surfaced from Jerome’s fierce embrace. ‘In a car?’ she asked dazedly.

  He sighed. ‘A necessary evil, one I intend dispensing with after tonight.’ His expression was agonised; the flames of his desire still leapt in his deep brown eyes. ‘It’s probably Bob, my assistant. I asked him to call me if there were any new developments. Yes?’ he rasped into the mouthpiece. ‘Oh hell! Yes. Yes. Okay, I’ll be there as quick as I can. Of course I’ll damn well hurry, don’t be bloody stupid!’ He slammed the receiver back down again.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Megan was anxious.

  ‘They’ve walked out of the meeting,’ he revealed grimly, hastily buttoning his shirt. ‘They said they’ll talk to me and no one else. They won’t return to the meeting until I do. They’ve given me three hours to get back.’

  ‘Oh dear. It’s my fault, isn’t it?’

  ‘No, it’s mine.’ He got back into the front seat. ‘I’m so besotted with that luscious body of yours that I couldn’t give a damn about anything else. You might as well stay in the back, Megan. Try and get some sleep.’

  ‘Sleep …? But I can’t! I have to go home.’

  ‘You’re coming with me,’ he said firmly.

  ‘No, I—Please, Rome. I—Roddy wouldn’t like it.’

  ‘Roddy!’ A white ring of anger appeared about his mouth. ‘You’re coming with me and no arguments. I’m not leaving you here with my dear little brother.’

  Megan sat forward, her arms resting on the back of Jerome’s seat, enabling her to see that the Jaguar was already eating up the miles to London. ‘But what do I tell my family?’ she asked desperately.

  ‘Anything you want to.’ He thrust the telephone receiver at her, getting her home number for her. ‘Tell them my secretary walked out on me, that I need you to take notes at these meetings. Tell them anything, but you’re coming with me.’

  She didn’t seem to be given a choice. His arrogance never ceased to amaze her, although this time she felt he had gone too far. ‘There’s a name for what you’re doing,’ she muttered. ‘It’s called kidnapping.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your terms of imprisonment aren’t too uncomfortable,’ he drawled mockingly.

  Megan’s face blazed, and then she heard Brian answer the telephone. ‘Brian—’

  ‘Megan!’ His anger could be clearly heard. ‘Where on earth are you?’

  ‘I—er—I—’ she gasped as Jerome took the telephone out of her hand.

  ‘She’s with me,’ he told Brian. ‘Yes, that’s right. I realise you and your mother must have been worried. It’s all my fault, I didn’t give Megan time to leave you a message. I need her in London. Yes, I have a dispute going on. Yes. Yes.’ He put the receiver back down. ‘Well, most of that was true,’ he turned to say to Megan.

  ‘It was?’

  ‘Mm. I didn’t give you time to leave a message. I do have a dispute going on. And I certainly need you. The fact that I need you in a completely different way from the one implied isn’t important.’

  ‘And how do you need me?’ she asked shyly.

  ‘In my bed,’ he told her huskily. ‘I don’t know when I’ll get away from this meeting, but when I do I want to know you’re waiting for me.’

  ‘Awaiting your pleasure?’ Megan taunted bitterly.

  ‘If you like to put it that way,’ he nodded.

  ‘I don’t! You don’t give a damn about anyone’s wants or needs but your own, do you?’ she accused heatedly. ‘It isn’t—convenient for me to go to London at the moment.’ She dreaded to think what Roddy would do when he found out she had left with his brother.

  ‘Your wants and needs concern me,’ Jerome assured her. ‘And right now you want and need me too.’

  ‘I—’

  ‘Don’t lie to me, Megan,’ he warned. ‘I think I’m experienced enough to know a woman’s reaction to me. Get some sleep, Megan, it’s a long drive.’

  ‘Surely you need to stop for a while,’ she frowned. ‘You can’t make the return journey without at least having something to eat.’

  His mouth was taut. ‘If I stop at all it will be at a hotel, and it won’t be to eat. I think we should just drive straight through.’

  ‘Yes,’ she agreed hastily. ‘I don’t suppose you would consider dropping me off? I could still get home from here.’

  ‘No. Roddy will survive without you,’ he said grimly.

  ‘But you don’t understand—’

  ‘I understand all right!’ Jerome ground out. ‘You have to choose, Megan, him or me.’

  ‘Ch-choose?’

  ‘Yes!’ A fire burnt in his eyes, his expression was fierce. ‘If I take you back to Roddy now he can damn well keep you. Well?’

  Megan swallowed hard, torn both ways. If she went back she would be helping Patsy save her marriage, and yet if she did go back she would lose Jerome once and for all. But she had told Patsy she would help her. She couldn’t just let her down—

  ‘If it takes you this long to decide,’ Jerome muttered angrily, ‘Roddy can have you!’ He slowed the car down and began to reverse it up a dirt-track.

  ‘No!’ she stopped him, clutching on to his arm. ‘I—I’ll come with you,’ she told him breathlessly.

  ‘Sure?’

  ‘Yes,’ she gave a vigorous nod.

  His breath left his lungs in a loud hiss, his face pale in the moonlight. ‘You realise you’re saying yes to everything I want?’

  She didn’t care any more. She loved him. Maybe she was what he thought she was after all, because she knew that she had every intention of sleeping with him. She had to admit to being shocked by her own decision, but she felt no shame, only a quiet elation.

  ‘Yes, I realise,’ she smiled at him shyly.

  ‘My God, Megan,’ he gave a shaky sigh, ‘don’t ever do that to me again! I couldn’t bear not to have you with me now.’

  ‘I couldn’t bear not to be with you,’ she admitted huskily. ‘I think I will get some sleep after all,’ she gave a contented smile. ‘I think I may need it,’ she added mischievously.

  Jerome’s throat chuckle was answer enough.

  CHAPTER NINE

  IT was after three when they arrived in London, and still dark, although there was some traffic on the streets even at this time of day. Jerome had called his assistant and managed to get the meeting arranged for four-thirty.

  ‘Do you ever miss all this?’ he turned to ask Megan.

  ‘London, you mean?’ She shrugged at his nod. ‘Not really. I grew up here, but I never liked it much.’

  He frowned. ‘You’ll be all right while I’m away all day?’

  ‘Bored, probably,’ she sighed. ‘But no doubt I won’t come to any harm. You have to leave right away?’

  ‘More or less,’ he confirmed. ‘I’ll take a shower, change my clothes, and then I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you at the hotel.’

  Colour flowed into her cheeks. ‘I’ll be staying there with you?’

  He looked down at her with warm caressing eyes, Megan having moved back into the front of the car when they had stopped off halfway for petrol. ‘Don’t you want to?’ he asked softly.

  ‘Oh yes,’ she made no effort to hide her feelings any more. ‘I just thought—’

  ‘I have a suite, darling,’ Jerome gently touched her cheek. ‘There’s plenty of privacy. No one will disturb us, I’ll make sure of that.’

  She knew he would do just that, knew by the way he took command at the reception desk that he was highly respected here. The information that she was to share his suite didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

  It certainly was a suite—a large lounge, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Megan walked from room to room in awe. A small vase of flowers alleviated the impersonality of the main bedroom, some discarded clothes were on the floor.

  ‘Sorry about the mess,’ Jerome said ruefully, pulling fresh clothes out of the wardrobe. ‘I haven’t had time to be tidy today.’

  ‘Th
at’s all right.’ She picked up a shirt from the floor, clutching it to her, at once aware of the tangy smell of his body clinging to the shirt.

  Jerome watched her from the bathroom door, his gaze warm. ‘Will you shower with me?’

  ‘I—er—No, not now,’ her cheeks were fiery red. ‘There isn’t really time,’ she evaded. ‘Maybe later.’

  His eyes showed his disappointment. ‘You’re right, we don’t want to rush it between us. I’ll see you in a few minutes.’ He gave a brief smile before closing the door.

  Megan heard the hiss of the water as he turned on the shower. Would she be able to go through with this? Jerome seemed to assume she had done this sort of thing before. If only she were one of the liberated girls that dominated female society today! Instead she was a scared little girl, who knew nothing of a man’s possession.

  And what about Roddy? What would he do about her being here with Jerome?

  Seconds later Jerome emerged from the bathroom, completely naked, donning his fresh clothes with unhurried ease. Megan watched him with fascination, unembarrassed because he wasn’t. And with good reason—he was perfect, lean, muscular and beautiful.

  He buttoned up his shirt, tucking it into his trousers. ‘You’re sure you’ll be okay here while I’m out?’

  ‘Yes, fine.’ She seemed to have a permanent blush. ‘I’ll probably try and get some sleep.’

  ‘God, yes.’ He bent to kiss her briefly on the mouth. ‘Megan …’ he groaned. ‘Oh God, Megan!’

  She met him halfway, their bodies seeming to fuse together, Megan’s arms up about his neck. ‘Oh Rome, can’t you stay here?’ she pleaded.

  His eyes darkened. ‘I feel the same way, I’m impatient for you. But I have to go, darling, it’s almost four-thirty now. I’ll call you when I’m leaving.’ He claimed her mouth in another soul-destroying kiss, finally, reluctantly leaving her.

  Megan removed his discarded clothes from the bathroom, evidence of his worry about this stoppage. He was usually such a tidy person, his bedroom at The Towers hardly looked occupied, it was kept so scrupulously neat and tidy.

  She took a shower herself, finally collapsing into the double bed, too weary to think of anything else but the fact that she would no doubt be sharing this bed with Rome in the very near future.

  She was woken by a light knock on the outer door, hearing a key in the lock as she struggled through the blankets of sleep.

  ‘Room Service,’ a male voice called out. ‘I’ve brought your breakfast, Miss Finch.’

  Megan blinked dazedly, having been in a heavy sleep. ‘Er—yes, yes,’ she replied groggily. ‘I—I won’t be a moment.’ She struggled out of bed, hastily pulling on Rome’s white towelling robe.

  A boy stood outside in the corridor, a laden tray in his hands. ‘Your breakfast, Miss Finch,’ he repeated.

  ‘Yes. Come this way,’ she opened the door to the lounge. ‘Please put it on the table.’ She frowned her puzzlement. ‘I didn’t order this, you know.’

  ‘No, Miss Finch,’ he put the tray down on the dining-table that occupied one end of the room, ‘Mr Towers ordered it for you.’

  ‘Rom—er—Mr Towers did?’ Her eyes were wide with surprise. ‘When did he do that?’

  ‘I’m not really sure, Miss Finch. Early this morning, I think. Before I came on duty anyway, and I was here at seven-thirty.’

  So even with all his other worries Jerome had thought to provide her with food, probably realising she would be too embarrassed to order any herself. ‘Thank you,’ she smiled shyly at the boy.

  He smiled back. ‘If there’s anything else you need, just call.’

  Megan inspected the food once he had gone, finding scrambled eggs, grilled bacon and tomatoes, and plenty of toast, plus a pot of coffee. It was the sort of breakfast she wouldn’t normally have eaten, but as it was almost lunchtime she found the meal very welcome.

  After she had eaten she washed and dressed, finding her lack of clothes irksome. If she was going to stay here for any length of time she would have to get some new clothes.

  The television in the lounge didn’t provide much entertainment, so she walked down to the reception to buy a paperback.

  ‘Megan!’

  She turned to see Stella Mitchell, the other woman looking as beautiful as ever. ‘Miss Mitchell,’ she acknowledged awkwardly. ‘Excuse me …’ she turned to leave.

  ‘Don’t go,’ Stella touched her arm. ‘I’m here to see you.’

  ‘Me?’ Megan held the paperback she had just purchased defensively in front of her.

  ‘Yes,’ Stella smiled. ‘Rome asked me to come.’

  ‘Rome did?’ She was aware of sounding like a parrot, but she couldn’t help herself. Stella Mitchell’s presence here was so unexpected.

  ‘He thought you might be lonely,’ Stella explained.

  So he hadn’t just provided food for her, he had provided company too. Much as Megan respected this woman she wished Rome had let her choose her own company, if she had wanted any. She would rather have just spent the day waiting for him.

  Stella smiled as if reading her thoughts. ‘He isn’t sure when he’ll be able to get away. Apparently the unions are getting tough, and Rome is determined not to give in. He told me to tell you to go out and enjoy yourself, that he could be there for days, snatching a couple of hours’ sleep when he can.’

  ‘Oh no!’ Megan groaned. ‘If he’s going to be that long then I might as well go home.’

  The other woman shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t advise it. Rome will only come after you again, and it doesn’t seem to have done him much good the first time. The union leaders weren’t very happy about his disappearance last night.’

  ‘You mean it’s my fault they’re being difficult?’

  Stella shrugged. ‘Rome thinks it was worth it.’

  ‘And you don’t.’

  ‘I didn’t say that,’ she smiled. ‘Don’t be so quick to take offence! I’ve never seen Rome like this about a woman before, you’ve got him in quite a state.’

  ‘As you said, he likes to win,’ Megan said ruefully.

  Stella laughed. ‘I’m glad you’ve stopped fighting him, Megan. Right now he needs you very much.’

  Megan blushed. ‘Well, I’m here, aren’t I?’

  Stella squeezed her arm. ‘Yes, you are, and I’m pleased that you are. Now, shall we go out to the shops? Rome told me it’s some time since you last looked around London.’

  Megan frowned. ‘He seems to have spoken to everyone but me!’

  ‘He presumed you would still be sleeping.’

  Megan didn’t miss the light reprimand in Stella’s voice, and she smiled brightly. ‘The shops, I think you said?’

  It was late afternoon when they returned, having had tea out. There was no message for Megan from Rome, so she presumed he was still at his meeting. There were two other messages for her, though, one from Brian—and one from Roddy. She was undecided about which call she should return first. Brian’s would probably be safest. He would probably be at home now too.

  ‘Megan,’ he sounded anxious, ‘I’ve been waiting for your call all afternoon.’

  ‘Sorry,’ and she explained about having been out.

  ‘But I thought you were helping Mr Towers?’

  She blushed. ‘I am. He—er—he didn’t need me this afternoon.’

  ‘Oh, I see. Well, I got the number of the hotel from Mrs Reece. There’ve been a couple of telephone calls for you here, both of them important. Although neither of them makes much sense to me,’ he mumbled.

  ‘Who were they from?’ she asked sharply, suspecting Roddy of having been making mischief.

  ‘One was from Tracy, that girl you were friendly with at the hospital. She said Miss Pryce, your Senior Nursing Officer, is reconsidering your dismissal.’

  ‘She is?’ Megan gasped.

  ‘Mm. Tracy’s told her something that made her wonder if she might have misjudged you. She said Miss Pryce was hoping to talk to the patient inv
olved.’

  Megan’s heart sank. Roddy would never admit to anything. But Megan knew exactly what Tracy had told Miss Pryce—it had to be about her room number. ‘Oh well,’ she dismissed, ‘we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we? What was the other call?’

  ‘This one makes even less sense. Patsy Jones called, she said to tell you that she’s told Donald everything, and that it’s going to be all right.’

  Megan heaved a sigh of relief, her guilt about the other girl removed. ‘Thank goodness for that!’ Now Roddy had no hold over her.

  ‘What did she mean?’ Brian wanted to know.

  ‘It’s a long story, Brian.’

  ‘One you aren’t going to tell me, hmm?’

  ‘Right,’ she laughed.

  ‘When are you coming home?’

  ‘I—I’m not sure. As soon as this dispute is over, I suppose. I’ll be needing some clothes, Brian—’

  ‘That’s all been taken care of,’ he interrupted.

  ‘It has?’ Rome had been at work again. He seemed to think of everything.

  ‘Yes,’ Brian answered her. ‘You had a visitor this morning too. You’ve suddenly become very popular,’ he said suspiciously.

  ‘Was it Paul?’ she asked with reluctance.

  ‘Paul? Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t need to visit, he works here.’

  ‘Then who?’

  ‘Roddy Meyers,’ he informed her.

  She gulped. ‘R-Roddy?’

  ‘Mm.’

  ‘What did he want?’ she asked with dread.

  ‘He mentioned something about the two of you having a date for tonight. When I told him you were in London with his brother he offered to bring you some clothes.’

  ‘You mean he’s coming here?’ she gasped.

  ‘That’s right. In fact, he should be there by now.’

  So that was what his call had been about. ‘Okay. Thanks, Brian,’ she said dully. ‘I’ll—I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘Okay, love. Mum sends her love.’