Daniel relaxed a little and laughed. ‘Sam always does. And how about you, Keira? It hasn’t been as bad as you thought it would be, has it?’
‘No. I suppose not,’ Keira replied carefully. Apart from those earth-shattering moments in Eden Cassidy’s arms. And the continuing earth-shattering moments that followed at regular intervals.
‘Aren’t you glad I asked you? Or is that going a bit far?’
Keira laughed softly. ‘Perhaps. But I’m still hazy about why you asked me. And it wasn’t because you could talk to me like a sister, was it? Or to pique your uncle, I hope.’
‘No. Not that. Well, not exactly. I did ask you because I felt we get on pretty well and…’ Daniel stopped and sighed. ‘I suppose I do owe you an explanation. I’m just not sure where to start. It’s sort of complicated, you see.’
‘Would it help if I asked the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question?’ Keira said perceptively. ‘So who’s Cat?’
‘Just a friend.’ Daniel shrugged and Keira sensed in the semi-darkness that he was going pink about the ears. When Keira made no comment he shot a sideways glance at her and she shook her head.
‘Something tells me she’s much more than that, but far be it from me to invade your privacy.’
‘It’s not that, Keira. It’s just…’ Daniel stopped again and sighed loudly. ‘I met Cat at an inter-school debating contest when we were sixteen. Actually, she’s a month older than me. I told you I prefer older women! And she does look a lot like you, which is how Rick came to put his foot in his mouth in there. Cat has fair hair, same length as yours, but her eyes are sort of hazel.’
‘And she wouldn’t come tonight so you chose me as the look-alike substitute?’ Keira shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I like that, Daniel. And you’re taking quite a chance, aren’t you? What if the elusive Cat finds out?’
‘You weren’t a substitute, Keira. Not the way you mean.’ Daniel defended himself. ‘And Cat knows about you.’
‘I see. So this is a modern romance?’ she teased, and when Daniel would have protested she held up her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Daniel. That was a low blow. Perhaps you’d best finish your tale of woe.’
‘This is serious, Keira.’ Daniel assured her. ‘And you really are like her. Not just in looks. She’s intelligent, funny, straightforward. She doesn’t play games. Cat’s always Cat. We’ve been going out together on and off for about two years.’
‘Then why didn’t you bring her to the party tonight?’
‘You answered that before. She didn’t want to come.’
Keira raised her eyebrows.
‘We—that is, you see, she isn’t keen on meeting my uncle.’
‘No?’ Keira could sympathise with the girl. Or so she told herself.
‘No. And Eden wouldn’t be overjoyed at meeting her,’ Daniel added despondently.
‘Why not? I’m sure you’re underestimating your uncle,’ Keira heard herself add, and began to feel just a little hypocritical. Not hours ago she’d been convinced she’d believe anything about the arrogant Eden Cassidy. She was changing sides in the middle of the round. Except it wasn’t a game. ‘Unless Cat’s one of the giggling air-head brigade.’
‘Give it a rest, Keira.’ Daniel pulled a face. ‘And trust me on this. Eden would blow a fuse. Remember that strike on the Daily Post six months ago when the delivery guys went out?’
‘What could that possibly have to do with you and Cat?’ Keira asked, perplexed. ‘Unless she delivers your uncle’s newspapers,’ she couldn’t help adding lightly.
‘Of course she doesn’t,’ Daniel said testily. ‘She’s at uni. But who did all the negotiating?’
She frowned. ‘Doug Craigie, wasn’t it?’
‘The same. And the dispute before that? Doug Craigie. My uncle’s arch-enemy.’ Daniel paused melodramatically. ‘And Cat’s father.’
Keira straightened. ‘I see. And you’ve kept your relationship with Cat Craigie from your uncle and, I take it, her father, for three years?’
Daniel nodded. ‘It hasn’t been easy.’ He hoisted himself on to the balustrade, letting his hands dangle dejectedly between his knees. ‘Not that Cat’s afraid of meeting Eden. Hell, she’s the most courageous, most honourable person I know, apart from you, Keira. But she doesn’t want to start anything. I mean, Eden and Doug Craigie were at each other’s throats for days the last time.’
‘But they sorted it out in the end, quite amicably,’ Keira reminded him.
‘Yes, well, Cat and I would rather keep ourselves out of it.’
‘If you care about this girl, Daniel, then your uncle’s going to have to know eventually. You must see that.’
‘I know, Keira. And I am serious about Cat, you can believe that. She’s the only girl I’ve ever been really interested in and I see myself with her for the rest of our lives. But she’s just so damn stubborn about this.’ Daniel shook his head despondently and Keira reached out and patted his shoulder.
‘Although I don’t particularly care to be used as a smokescreen I think I understand, Daniel, and I’m sorry. Perhaps you should just leave it for now. I’m sure you’ll know when the time’s right to explain it to your family.’
Daniel nodded and pushed himself into a standing position, turning to Keira with a crooked smile. ‘I feel a lot better talking about it. Thanks.’ He took Keira’s hand in his. ‘You know, another time, another place, you and I…’ He stopped and Keira smiled.
‘I understand, Daniel. And I admire you for recognising the difference,’ she said softly. ‘You’re an exceptional young man.’
Daniel raised her hand to his lips.
At the sound of measured footsteps on the tiled patio Daniel dropped Keira’s hand and they both swung around as Eden Cassidy approached them. The harsh outdoor light was behind him, throwing his features into shadow, making his expression unreadable.
Keira stiffened and for short seconds that seemed like long minutes no one spoke. Then Daniel moved beside Keira and broke into hurried speech.
‘We were hot. From dancing. We came out for some air.’
Sympathising with Daniel’s awkwardness, Keira shifted her weight from one foot to the other, bringing her closer to the younger man, and she put her hand compassionately on his back. And she sensed Eden Cassidy was completely aware of her movement.
‘It is quite warm, isn’t it?’ Eden said easily. ‘It’s surprising you’ve got the patio all to yourselves.’
‘We were about to go back inside—’ Daniel had recovered his composure ‘—if you’re ready, Keira?’
‘Sure.’ Keira would have moved forward but Eden Cassidy stood his ground, directly in front of her, effectively cornering her between Daniel and the potted umbrella trees. She’d have to brush past him or make a show of stepping carefully around him.
‘The party’s going well,’ Daniel remarked, a little more at ease now that his uncle seemed to be no threat to him, and Keira had to repress the urge to push Daniel towards the doorway so that she could escape the unsettling presence of the tall man standing intimidatingly in front of her.
‘Yes,’ Eden replied perfunctorily as Daniel began to walk across the patio, with Keira right behind him.
‘Oh, Mrs Strong.’ Eden’s words stopped them both. ‘I’d like a few words with you. If you’ll excuse us, Daniel.’ He dismissed his nephew.
Daniel’s chin rose. ‘I’ll wait.’
‘I want to discuss business with your boss,’ Eden said unperturbed. ‘Privately.’
‘Look, Eden.’ Daniel faced him. ‘If you’re going to talk to Keira about me then I’m going to stay.’
‘There you are, Dan,’ Rick Jansen called from the doorway. ‘Gina and I are heading off. Think you could come and help me start my car? Battery’s a bit iffy so I’ll probably need a push to get it going.’
‘Go on, Daniel,’ his uncle said firmly. ‘We’ll see you inside.’
With a muttered exclamation Keira couldn’t catch, and was relieved she didn’t, Da
niel ungraciously joined his friend.
‘A rather propitious interruption,’ Eden Cassidy remarked, and moved to lean his hip against the balustrade where his nephew had been sitting.
‘How could you do that to Daniel?’ Keira asked him before she could stop herself.
‘Do what?’ he countered easily.
‘Embarrass him. Come out here to check up on him. Spy,’ she finished harshly, and he raised one arrogant dark brow. ‘But on past experience I don’t know why I’m surprised.’
‘You don’t? Why so, Mrs Strong?’
‘Your bogus time-and-motion study henchman at the magazine last week for one.’
‘You’re misconstruing, Mrs Strong. Jonesy—’ he pulled a wry face ‘—Ken Jones, who’s worked for me for more years than I care to recall, was exactly what he said he was and his appearance had nothing to do with Daniel.’
Keira watched him, her brain turning over the implications of his words. Was Eden Cassidy planning on firing some of the staff at Chloe? she wondered again. And if so, who? She bit her lip. The magazine was running smoothly and efficiently as it was.
‘But I didn’t come out here to discuss the magazine or to keep what you’ve assured me are unnecessary tabs on my nephew,’ he continued. ‘I wanted to talk to you about a different matter, associated, but detached.’
Keira stood silently, her intuition suddenly setting warning ringing, some sixth sense telling her she wasn’t going to find anything to like in this different matter, associated or detached.
‘It does concern Daniel and I want to restate my caution about your association with my nephew.’
‘Mr Cassidy,’ Keira began, wanting to end the conversation before it got any worse. And she had an awful premonition it was about to do just that.
‘As you know,’ he continued as though she hadn’t spoken, ‘I’m strongly against my nephew’s involvement in a heavy affair at this stage. Not that there isn’t something to be said in favour of a young man sowing his wild oats with an experienced older woman.
‘However, Daniel doesn’t need complications of that kind distracting him when he should be concentrating on preparing for his university studies. So I want to suggest a solution.’
Was he going to offer her money? Keira wondered, as an ominous dread took hold of her.
‘You are an experienced woman, Mrs Strong, wouldn’t you say?’
Keira felt a flood of red course from her throat to her cheeks. Surely he… ?
Deliberately he pushed himself upright, away from the balustrade, standing to face her, far, far too close to her.
‘You could use your—’ he paused slightly ‘—time to
better advantage. I assure you, I’d see you wouldn’t regret it. I’m an experienced man. Why waste your time with a boy?’
CHAPTER FOUR
STRANGELY, some small part of Keira stood off from her, curiously unruffled, watching this unbelievable dialogue. That same part was aware of nearby music from the ballroom mingling with the hum of conversations, heard the leaves of the potted umbrella trees rustling in the gentle breeze, registered that they were casting shifting shadows over the scene she knew would be burned into her memory.
She couldn’t believe he’d said what he had and her jaw slackened in dismay. Had her ears deceived her? Was Eden Cassidy blatantly propositioning her? No, surely not. A man in his position wouldn’t presume to, would he?
‘I… I beg your pardon?’ she got out at last as he continued to gaze down at her, his expression inscrutable in the shadows effected by the light behind his broadshouldered body.
‘You seem to have some trouble understanding me, Mrs Strong. I thought I enunciated quite clearly, so what’s the problem?’ He made a slight, irritated movement of his hand and Keira pulled herself into some semblance of self-control.
‘Oh, I heard what you said, Mr Cassidy, and please don’t bother repeating it,’ she added quickly. ‘I was merely giving you the chance to apologise for your offensive offer, which I’m sure you don’t expect me to take seriously.’
‘On the contrary, Mrs Strong. I’ve never been more serious in my life.’
The cool of the night breeze touched Keira’s skin and she shivered slightly. ‘And I don’t believe you, Mr Cassidy. If this is some kind of sick joke then it doesn’t flatter you in the least. How can you make such a blatantly unconscionable proposition to someone you’ve known for less than twenty-four hours? It’s…it’s obscene.’
‘Come now, Mrs Strong. You’re an extremely attractive woman. You don’t need me to tell you that. So why underestimate the power of those very obvious attractions?’ he inquired indolently.
‘Obvious…’ Keira’s teeth closed on the word and lips twisted in disgust. ‘I assure you I’m well aware of my attractions, Mr Cassidy, and I also have no illusions regarding their limitations, so I feel I should warn you that any patronisation in that direction is going to be pointless. Only a fool wouldn’t see that this all comes back to Daniel’s and my phantom relationship.’
‘And you’re not a fool, Mrs Strong,’ he put in levelly as Keira’s anger churned inside her.
‘I’ve already informed you in no uncertain terms that there is no relationship between Daniel and myself. I can’t be any clearer than that,’ she continued directly. ‘So there’s absolutely no necessity to extend yourself to such extravagant lengths to warn me off.’
‘I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I find the thought of such a relationship between you and my nephew abhorrent, but I assure you I’m not in the habit of offering myself up as a sacrifice every time Daniel decides to date. I’m not into masochism. Which leaves us one other intriguing possibility. Have you considered my intentions might not be as selfless as you appear to think they are?’ He paused. ‘Perhaps I’m interested.’
Keira’s muscles tensed until she feared they’d snap under the strain. ‘Interested?’ she repeated a little breathily.
He inclined his dark head slightly and the light momentarily reflected the bright sparkle of his eyes.
Keira reined in her fervent imagination as it threatened to take the heady thought and make a wild, impassioned dash with it. Interested in her? No! She couldn’t allow it.
‘Well, Mr Cassidy, I’m not,’ she stated firmly, surprising herself with her resolve.
‘No?’ As he lifted his dark head the artificial illumination now caught one side of his face, the sweep of his hard jawline, played over the hollow beneath his cheekbone. ‘Are you sure of that, Mrs Strong?’
‘Sure?’ she echoed with considerably less conviction, and when she heard her uncertainty she raised her chin determinedly. ‘Of course I’m sure. I barely know you, for heaven’s sake.’
‘An obstacle that could be quickly, easily and enjoyably overcome,’ he stated matter-of-factry.
Keira felt the flutter of her pulse in her throat and turned slightly away from him, folding her arms protectively about herself. ‘Not from where I stand,’ she replied sarcastically.
‘Then perhaps you aren’t standing in the right place. It would be a simple matter of taking one step in this direction.’
Keira swung back to face him, disproportionately piqued by his levity. Had he moved closer to her? She was sure he had. An electrifying fear clutched at her and she took a quick steadying breath. ‘Look, Mr Cassidy, I’m afraid I don’t find getting to know a stranger, in the sense you mean, something that can be achieved quickly or easily. And as to the enjoyable—well, that remains to be seen,’ she finished lamely.
‘But you’ve already seen it,’ he said quietly, his low voice playing over her susceptible senses before she had time to build a defence against his evocatively erotic tone.
‘I—’ Keira swallowed ‘—I don’t know what you mean.’
‘When we were dancing. The sparks were there. You were as aware of them as I was. Weren’t you, Keira?’
His husky voice saying her Christian name so intimately was almost her undoing. Keira. No one had
said it quite like that before. It flowed over her tingling skin like smooth silk, teasing each nerve ending into instantaneous arousal.
With an exhilarating sense of vertigo she felt her body begin to capitulate, to incline towards his. He was the hunter and she his quarry. He was the burning light and she the moth. And her mind screamed out her danger, warned of the destructive singe of wings that might very well result from venturing too close to his fateful flame.
‘You’re mistaken, Mr Cassidy,’ she assured him icily with what little composure remained unmoved by his tantalising magnetism.’ And I’m surprised that you could be so fanciful.’
He laughed softly and Keira’s knees went weak.
‘So. You think I have a vivid imagination?’ he said wryly. ‘And perhaps I do, in certain—’ he paused explicitly ‘—intimate situations. But I don’t think I was— am—misconstruing the attraction that exists between us.’
With an exclamation of disgust Keira turned her back on him again. ‘I think this ridiculous conversation has gone far enough. I repeat, Mr Cassidy, I am not interested.’
‘And I, Mrs Strong, am definitely,’ he said with low conviction, ‘interested.’
‘Why me?’ Keira asked at last into the heavy silence that stretched between them, gathering its own volatile momentum.
‘Why not? I meant it when I said I find you a very attractive woman.’
Keira fancied she felt the brush of his breath on the back of her neck and she wanted to run for her life. But her uncooperative legs refused to carry her away to safety. ‘Oh, curse my fatal charm,’ she got out bitingly, and he made no immediate comment.
And the silence stretched between them until Keira had to break its potent hold. ‘Attractive women in your circles are a dime a dozen,’ she threw at him, like a drowning person clutching at a proffered lifesaver.
‘You’re intelligent—’
Keira sighed loudly. ‘Intelligent? If I had any sense at all I’d be slapping your face and leaving you to try out your distasteful line on someone else.’ She moved agitatedly back to face him. ‘And slapping your face, incidentally, is growing far more appealing to me by the minute.’
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