Tempestuous Affair

‘It really depends what line of modelling you’re interested in,’ she shrugged.

‘I really shouldn’t be teasing you in this way,’ he smiled, laughter lines fanning out from his eyes in the tanned face. ‘Malcolm Reader,’ and he put out his hand in friendly greeting.

Lindsay gave a start of surprise. This was the famous Malcolm Reader, the man who had made millions in the cosmetic business? He didn’t seem old enough or ruthless enough, although she sensed a certain steel in his nature beneath the easy charm. But she hadn’t realised he was in England. Did Joel?

‘Lindsay Pope.’ She put her hand into his, finding it lost in his much bigger grip, his hand surprisingly firm and calloused considering he must spend most of his time seated behind a desk.

‘Rope burn,’ he seemed to guess her thoughts. ‘I spend most of my weekends sailing. And I know exactly who you are, Joel spoke of you often when he was in New York.’

‘Oh yes?’ she asked warily, aware that he had forgotten to release her hand, and extricating it herself.

Blue eyes looked at her steadily. ‘Yes.’

Delicate colour darkened her cheeks. ‘I can’t imagine what he said,’ she evaded.

‘Can’t you?’

‘No!’

‘Well, he didn’t tell me how beautiful you are, for one thing,’ his teasing manner was back. ‘You wouldn’t take pity on a visitor to London and have dinner with me one evening, would you?’ He looked at her encouragingly.

‘I——’

‘Malcolm!’ Joel greeted harshly behind them, looking accusingly at Lindsay. ‘Why didn’t you tell me Mr Reader was here?’ he rasped.

‘I’ve only just arrived,’ the other man exaggerated, moving forward to shake his outstretched hand. ‘Your secretary was taking very good care of me. And who is this beautiful young lady?’ He looked appreciatively at Cally.

Lindsay took the opportunity while they made the introductions of fading into the background. Whatever Joel had told the other man about her he couldn’t have told him they were living together, Malcolm Reader would hardly have been likely to invite her out if he had! She felt grateful for the fact that she hadn’t had to make any reply to his invitation, not wanting to upset a man who was so important to Joel, but still feeling too raw from her break-up with Joel to contemplate seeing another man.

‘Handsome devil,’ Cally remarked thoughtfully, the two men being ensconced in the inner office now. ‘He’s worth cultivating, Lindsay,’ she added softly.

‘Whatever do you mean by cultivate, Cally?’ asked Lindsay, tongue-in-cheek.

Deep blue eyes glowed with amusement. ‘You know very well what I mean. And he was attracted to you too, I could tell.’

‘Really?’ she said uninterestedly. Tall, dark, handsome men were not on her list of favourite things at the moment.

‘Really,’ Cally insisted forcefully. ‘Has it ever occurred to you that all Joel needs is a little old-fashioned jealousy to make him realise what he’s giving up?’

‘He doesn’t even know the meaning of the word,’ Lindsay dismissed with bitterness.

‘Don’t you believe it,’ the other woman said with certainty. ‘Just because he doesn’t show it it doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel it. He’s just adept at hiding what he really feels.’

Lindsay sighed. ‘I know you mean well, Cally,’ she said softly. ‘But it’s over between Joel and me. I think six months is long enough for anyone to realise they’re banging their head rather painfully against a brick wall. Right now I just want to get my life back in order, and then get on with it. And none of that involves Joel.’

‘I see,’ Cally sighed with regret. ‘It’s a shame—I really thought that with you he was getting it all together. He’s seemed more relaxed since you lived with him, less inclined to retreat inside his emotions. Still, if you say it’s over then it’s over,’ she shrugged.

‘It is,’ Lindsay nodded. ‘I’ve also given in my notice today.’

‘So he told me. Well, I’ll see you Saturday, then?’ Gaily quirked auburn brows.

‘I’m not sure——’

‘Oh, you have to come,’ the other woman encouraged. ‘Joel is sure to, and if you don’t turn up he’ll know it was because you couldn’t face him on a social level.’

‘I don’t think I can,’ Lindsay admitted huskily.

‘Of course you can,’ Cally told her firmly. ‘And bring along some handsome man just to prove it.’

Lindsay’s mouth twisted. ‘I don’t know any handsome men.’

‘What about Malcolm Reader?’

That idea had fleetingly entered her own mind, but she had as quickly dismissed it. He was a pleasant enough man, seemed very nice, was undoubtedly handsome, but he was also a very important client of Joel’s, convincing her that she shouldn’t become involved with him on a social level. Joel would certainly never forgive her if she upset the other man in any way!

‘He’s business,’ she shrugged. ‘So he doesn’t count.’

‘He looked as if he counted to me,’ Cally teased.

‘He’s probably married with half a dozen children!’

Cally shook her head. ‘He’s one of America’s most eligible bachelors.’

‘Then what is his problem?’ Lindsay frowned.

The other woman laughed. ‘He doesn’t have one, except maybe that he just hasn’t met the right woman yet. You could be her, Lindsay. Just think what a blow that would be to Joel’s pride!’

‘I’m not out to hurt anyone, Cally,’ Lindsay said wearily. ‘I just want to forget any of this ever happened.’

‘Do you think you can?’

‘No.’

‘I’m beginning to feel guilty because I’m so happy,’ Cally grimaced, kissing Lindsay on the cheek by way of departure. ‘You’ll never get over the selfish swine completely,’ she said huskily. ‘But once the love stops being so intense it doesn’t hurt so much. Take my word for it,’ she added ruefully.

Lindsay had always suspected the other woman’s feelings had been more deeply involved with Joel in the past than she had admitted to, and Cally had just confirmed it. But Cally had had four years to get over her love for him, while she only had as many days if she were to go to the other woman’s dinner party on Saturday and see him with another woman with any degree of confidence. The way her heart ached at the moment she didn’t think she was going to make it.

‘I’ll try,’ she nodded. ‘And I’ll call you about Saturday,’ she promised.

‘I really would like you to come,’ Cally encouraged before leaving to meet her husband.

Lindsay was engrossed in her work when Malcolm Reader left Joel’s studio an hour later, the older man coming over to talk to her as Joel took into his studio the model that had been waiting outside to begin her session with him.

‘Nice life if you can get it,’ Malcolm Reader mocked lightly, sitting on the edge of Lindsay’s desk.

‘I’ve heard that you have,’ she said dryly, looking up at him guilelessly.

He chuckled softly. ‘The beautiful Mrs Robin has heard of my reputation, hmm?’

Lindsay nodded. ‘And all of it exaggerated, no doubt,’ she mocked.

‘Very little, I’m afraid,’ he drawled derisively.

She had to laugh at his honesty, feeling humour when a few minutes ago she had thought she would never laugh again. ‘That’s interesting to know,’ she smiled.

‘Only interesting?’ He looked disappointed. ‘Most women are eager to find out the truth for themselves.’

‘I’ll be happy to take your word for it,’ she teased lightly, liking this man in spite of his outrageous sense of humour.

‘Pity,’ he drawled. ‘Did you give some thought to my dinner invitation?’ He quirked dark brows. ‘As I recall you hadn’t answered me when we were interrupted.’

Her amusement instantly faded. ‘It’s very nice of you to ask me, Mr Reader——’

‘When a beautiful woman calls me “Mr” then I know I’m going to be turned down!’ he grinned ruefully. ‘And I was hoping you would show me the highlights of London.’

‘I don’t know that many,’ she shrugged. ‘And I’m sure you’ve been to London before?’

‘Many times,’ he nodded. ‘It’s a fascinating place.’

‘Surely no more so than New York?’

‘In a different way,’ he replied thoughtfully. ‘And I find most of my enjoyment of London by seeing it through the eyes of other people.’

‘Women’s eyes,’ she teased.

‘Women’s eyes,’ he confirmed with a smile. ‘Have you ever been to New York?’

Lindsay shook her head. ‘I’ve never been out of England.’

‘Joel should have brought you with him, I would have enjoyed showing you my home town.’

If she had been invited by Joel to go on his business trip maybe she wouldn’t have left him. But although their last night together had been spent in a frenzy of lovemaking Joel hadn’t once suggested she accompany him. ‘Someone had to run the office while he was away,’ she said with forced brightness.

‘I guess so,’ Malcolm Reader conceded. ‘Although it seems a pity we couldn’t have met earlier.’

If they had met before he would now know her to be Joel’s ex-mistress. The two of them had never broadcast their living arrangements, but they had made no secret of it either, admitting it if asked directly. If they had gone to New York together then Malcolm Reader would know exactly what she was. And somehow she didn’t want him to know.

‘Is there already a man in your life?’ Malcom was asking her now.

Lindsay looked up with a start, having been lost in thought. ‘Sorry?’

‘Am I stepping on some lucky man’s toes by making the dinner invitation?’ he explained.

‘No!’ She blushed as she realised how sharply her denial had come out, almost guiltily. ‘No, it isn’t that,’ she said more calmly. ‘It’s just——’

‘It’s okay, Lindsay,’ he chuckled as he stood up. ‘I Can take no for an answer without putting you on the rack. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t making an absolute idiot of myself if I kept asking. And I will keep asking, Lindsay,’ he added seriously. ‘You’ll find I’m not a man who gives up easily.’

‘That’s okay,’ her own voice was light, ‘because I don’t give in easily either.’

He smiled his appreciation of her show of independence, little knowing that she was all the more determined not to be charmed by him because she had so recently been hurt by a man with even less charm than him. ‘Good girl,’ he straightened. ‘But I’ll be seeing you soon.’

It was a promise, not a threat, and Lindsay was left with the feeling that Malcolm Reader was a man with as much strength of will as Joel, that he wouldn’t give up easily either, although perhaps his method of getting his own way would be more subtle than Joel’s. But Cally had been right about one thing—Malcolm Reader certainly didn’t have a problem!

‘Planning to replace me already?’ Joel rasped harshly.

Lindsay looked up at him coolly, although her heart rate accelerated considerably, having been unaware of the model leaving and Joel watching her. ‘Hardly,’ she drawled. ‘Although Mr Reader seems a very charming man,’ she added challengingly.

‘Oh, he is,’ Joel scorned. ‘Maybe he could even charm you into living with him. But if you think I’m a bastard you should—God, I’m sorry,’ he groaned as he saw her pale. ‘I didn’t mean it that way. Lindsay? Lindsay——!’ he questioned sharply as she suddenly stood up to collect her jacket and handbag.

‘I’m going to lunch,’ she told him stiffly. ‘I know it’s a little earlier than my usual time, but I—I feel as if I need the break now. I’ll be back in an hour,’ she added firmly as she heard her voice begin to quiver with emotion.

‘Lindsay——’

‘An hour, Joel.’ She couldn’t even look at him as she rushed from the office and out of the building, not looking back once as she hurried down the street, not even sure where she was going, just needing to get away, away from Joel and his power to hurt her with every word he spoke.

Never before had Joel chosen to hurt her the way he was doing at the moment, seeming to hit out at her on purpose, something he had never done before today. Oh, he had a temper, a whiplash tongue at times, but his remarks had never been personal before; never designed to hurt and go on hurting.

She didn’t stop walking for the next hour, although she never afterwards knew where she went, only that she walked and walked, sightlessly pushing Joel to the back of her mind.

But finally she had to think of him, of facing him again, and if he was still in that cruelly hurtful mood when she did, when he could taunt the way she had loved him enough to move in with him, she didn’t know what she would do.

He was sitting at her desk when she got back, watching her warily as she woodenly hung up her jacket and smoothed her hair. ‘I’m sorry,’ he finally spoke, his voice husky. ‘I didn’t mean that remark about Reader.’ His eyes were a stormy tawny gold as he looked at her searchingly. ‘Do you believe me?’ he prompted at her continued silence.

‘Of course,’ she acknowledged flatly.

He stood up, coming round to the front of her desk, the warmth of his body reaching out to her in the confines of the room. ‘He did ask you out, though, didn’t he?’ his eyes narrowed.

She looked at him unflinchingly. ‘And if he did?’

Joel’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. ‘I could tell he was attracted to you,’ he ground out.

‘If I didn’t know you better, Joel,’ she taunted, ‘and luckily I do,’ she added hardly, ‘I would think you cared.’

His mouth tightened. ‘I care that because of the way we’ve parted you might find yourself involved when you don’t really want to be.’

Lindsay looked at him with dislike. ‘And since when did you become an expert on what I want?’ She knew it was the wrong thing to say even as she said it, the soft colour flooding her cheeks. Joel knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed, when it came to making love! His eyes mocked her with that knowledge now. ‘I meant emotionally,’ she snapped.

He ignored the jibe. ‘Are you going out with Reader?’ he persisted in the subject of the other man.

Lindsay shrugged. ‘I might. But I doubt it,’ she added as his eyes darkened stormily. ‘I’ve learnt the hard way that mixing business and pleasure just doesn’t work out.’

His mouth tightened. ‘Which part of that applies to your relationship with me the last six months?’

She swallowed hard. ‘I’m beginning to think neither!’

Joel gave a deep sigh, closing his eyes momentarily. ‘God, I can’t seem to stop hitting out at you. Maybe you’re right to want to leave, after all,’ he shook his head. ‘I’m only hurting you.’

‘You have to care to be hurt,’ she sat down behind her desk, paler than ever, ‘and we’ve agreed that neither of us does that.’

‘Yes,’ he bit out. ‘I think I’ll go to lunch now,’ he added suddenly, leaving abruptly.

Lindsay’s shattered nerves relaxed slowly once he had left. This was so much more traumatic than even she had imagined, Joel reacting much more strongly than she had thought he would. She had seen the women come and go in his life for so long, and he had never been so bitter about it before. But then it had never been the woman’s decision to end things before. Joel seemed to have an inborn radar that warned him when a woman was becoming too emotionally involved with him, and at the first sign of that he would end things between them, usually with a bouquet of flowers and a carefully worded note. Maybe if she didn’t love him so much she would have sent him flowers and a carefully worded note!

The uneasy truce that existed between them over the next few days made the studio hell to go to, but Lindsay was determined not to show any sign of weakness by not going in. Joel had shown her all too clearly when she had almost admitted her love for him how much he deplored such human frailties.

But the strain showed on her as the week progressed, her days fraught with tension as Joel remained likely to explode at the slightest provocation, her nights no easier as she ached for his arms about her, his body filling her as they cried out their enjoyment of each other.

The tension between them wasn’t helped by the fact that Malcolm Reader was likely to call in or telephone her without warning. As promised, he hadn’t given up asking her to go out with him, and he was proving to be as persistent as Joel had once been. Malcolm’s frequent presence in his secretary’s office was viewed with anger by Joel, and she felt sure it was only that he was working for Malcolm that kept him from asking the other man to leave.

Joel returned the file of the models he had used during the last five years on Thursday lunchtime, his sigh one of dissatisfaction.

‘No luck?’ She looked up at him with a frown, knowing there were some really beautiful women in there.

‘No,’ he rasped.

‘But surely one of them is suitable?’

‘Suitable, yes,’ he bit out. ‘But I happen to want someone who’s perfect.’

If the strain of the last four days showed on her then Joel hadn’t escaped unscathed either. Of course he was going out every night, usually with a different woman, and apparently not getting in until the early hours of the morning, when undoubtedly he didn’t sleep alone. He certainly looked tired, with lines beside his eyes, the sharp sense of humour he had once possessed no longer in evidence. Even if he were now making up for lost time with an abundance of different women he certainly didn’t look happy about it.

But Lindsay felt no satisfaction from knowing that, knew such deep unhappiness herself that if Joel felt even one tenth of the misery she did then she pitied him.

‘Perhaps you’re being too critical, Joel,’ she reasoned. ‘After all, the make-up is surely meant for a number of different women, not just one type.’

He shook his head. ‘It’s an exclusive line, meant only for brunettes.’

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