Obligation To Love

CHAPTER TWO

HAYLEY was dreading the flight. She walked almost reluctantly to the first-class departure lounge with leaden feet. Her holdall was flung carelessly across her shoulder and she paused hesitantly at the doorway. She stared in at the plush surroundings, feeling like a small child who had interrupted an adult dinner party, effectively blocking the entrance.

‘Excuse me,’ a deep, velvety, warm voice said, as a slight pressure was applied to her back to encourage her to move. Hayley jumped at the touch; she could feel the heat from the man’s hand penetrating through the thinness of her new suit and sinking deep into the very core of her being. She spun round in alarm at the electric charge, her pale blue eyes wide with surprise. She felt a rush of blood to her face, staining her high cheekbones with a taint of red. Her blush deepened further when she was confronted with the most handsome man she had ever seen. His thick hair shone like polished jet and his ebony eyes glistened as he smiled at her. His sensual mouth widened to reveal the whitest of teeth. Hayley swallowed nervously, stepping back to allow the man to pass. She was aware of his gaze as his dark eyes rested on her for what seemed an eternity. Her eyelashes fluttered downwards as she attempted to hide the turmoil she felt. A shiver of unexpected delight trickled down her spine.

‘After you,’ he offered, an odd inflexion in his voice, which carried the hint of a foreign accent. He extended his arm towards the inside of the lounge. Hayley was wildly perplexed by her inability to move. But then she managed to mumble her thanks and stepped inside. Her shoulder-bag slipped, catching on the door, and fell to the ground; she had forgotten to zip the top and an array of items spilled out noisily across the floor. She dropped down immediately in a mad scramble to retrieve her belongings. The gentleman lowered himself down too on his haunches in one single fluid movement; his rhythm was smooth and controlled. Hayley cast a covert glance as his hands—large, strong hands, with long tapering fingers that were perfectly manicured, and with a mat of dark hairs crisscrossing their backs on tanned skin. He passed Hayley back her travel pills with a charming smile and yet Hayley, with some primitive awareness, sensed danger. She felt confused—alert but disturbed—and she coloured again with embarrassment as he continued to look at her. She took her sickness pills from his firm hand and shoved them quickly back into the depths of her bag. His eyebrows rose in amusement at her actions.

‘You do not travel well?’ he commented graciously, his deep voice matching his tough physique perfectly. Hayley took a deep breath before replying.

‘They’re a precaution.’ Her voice faltered. ‘Just in case,’ she explained self-consciously. His face looked knowing and he inclined his head before moving away, the smoothness of his movements strangely at odds with his size.

After a pause, Hayley looked around, wondering where the attractive stranger had gone—though she was relieved that he had gone. She saw him at last; he was leaning casually against the bar, surveying the rest of the passengers with disinterest. It was obviously no novelty to him being in the VIP lounge awaiting first-class travel to foreign parts, thought Hayley with a sudden stab of resentment. She stared at him—it was hard not to: his sheer presence demanded attention. The whole man’s demeanour was overpowering. Something about him seemed to frighten her; he was different from any other man she had known. He stood over six feet tall, with the hallmark of wealth stamped heavily upon him. It was not just the tell-tale flashes of light from his gold cuff-links, or the wafer-thin strap of his expensive watch. Everything about him screamed riches and power and, above all, authority. However, there was also a sinister air about him—perhaps he’s a drug smuggler or a terrorist, thought Hayley in sudden alarm. He certainly looked capable of doing anything to achieve his own ends. His whole posture was arrogant and self-sufficient, and it made Hayley acutely aware of her own limitations. She looked down at the simple linen suit she had bought for the flight, and compared to him she felt like a pauper!

Her eyes flickered back to the stranger at the bar. There was something that seemed to compel her to look at him. He was dress

ed in an impeccably tailored dark grey suit that revealed the sharp leanness of his trim body while at the same time drawing attention to the width of his broad shoulders. His pristine white shirt had been pulled open at the neck re-vealing the strong tanned column of his throat, and a few dark, telltale curls protruded slightly. His tie hung loosely down and he looked completely at ease, nonchalant—despite the expensive cut of his suit—and totally relaxed in the grand surroundings of the lounge.

Hayley started in alarm, dismissing all thoughts of the attractive stranger as she shot to her feet; at last her flight had been called. She made her way on to the aircraft, trying to stifle her nerves and the whirl of butterflies that seemed to have taken up residence in her stomach. She was greeted by the reassuring smile of their air stewardess, who seemed to have sensed her misgivings. She scanned the seats for her number and then froze. She gaped in amazement as she realised whom she would be sitting next to, and her stomach clenched suddenly into a tight ball. He seemed to be engrossed in his paper, oblivious to her presence, yet Hayley wasn’t convinced; somehow his pose seemed con-trived, but she could think of no reason for any subterfuge. She faltered for a moment, aware of the clamminess breaking out on the palms of her hands. She felt even more vulnerable and her heart seemed to thud painfully against her ribcage. She swallowed the rising lump of panic in her throat; of all people, she would have to be next to him! she thought indignantly. She knew she couldn’t possibly relax next to such a formidable character.

‘Excuse me, may I get past?’ she said, her voice surprisingly calm and not betraying in the least the turmoil she felt inside. The man lowered his paper slowly, as if each movement was calculated for the fullest impact, and fixed his dark eyes on her. For a moment he did not speak but continued to look at her, his gaze travelling slowly over the subtle contours of her body, till he had made a complete inventory of her. Hayley felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, and a frisson of excitement spiralled down her back as she stood waiting for him to move. He then nodded briefly and moved slightly, his muscular body lithe and deceptively languorous.

‘Thank you,’ she managed to stammer, as she squeezed past him. She was all too aware of the hard firmness of his muscular legs as they moved obliquely to let her pass. A soft sweep of heat caressed her as her own legs inadvertently brushed against his. She was about to apologise, but the words died on her lips as she caught the mocking amusement in his eyes at her embarrassment. Once seated, she dived behind a glossy magazine and hid behind the printed matter as if erecting a wall between them, though she doubted there would be any fortress that could keep such a man out; his power and strength were evident in every line of his firm frame. It seemed odd to be seated next to him; there were vacant seats in the aircraft and lone travellers liked to stay alone. She wasn’t really interested in the magazine but concentrated hard on the articles in an attempt to pacify her rapid pulse. The close proximity of the man sent her senses reeling and she was unused to such strong reactions. She had caught the lemony tang of his aftershave and its deep scent seemed to fill her nostrils, teasing her to respond to him.

Hayley dived back into her magazine, mentally trying to shut out his presence—and the thought of take-off. She was so completely immersed in an article on homeopathic medicine that she failed to notice the flashing light above her head informing her to fasten her seat-belt. The announcement that followed alerted her immediately and she became uncharacteristically flustered and— suddenly—frightened. In her haste, she was unable to fasten the clasp; it seemed to take on a mind of its own. Her fingers fumbled hopelessly with the belt, her agitation increasing as she realised he was watching her again. Hayley felt him cast a scornful look at her incompetence.

A stab of hostility stole into her heart when he offered, ‘Can I be of assistance?’ His voice held an unmistakable taunt in its rich tones, a taunt that made her determined to succeed alone, without his help. She continued to struggle, silently cursing the perversity of inanimate objects as the belt seemed to refuse to fasten.

‘I shall do it.’ His voice was very quiet, low yet commanding. Hayley was about to protest; her head shot up and there was a defiant, angry gleam sparkling like icy chips in her pale blue eyes. Then her eyes met his and an involuntary shiver made her slender body tremble slightly. The depths of his dark eyes held an unmistakable harshness as they glinted with unconcealed enjoyment at her confusion. Hayley’s hands froze on her lap and her angry words of self-reliance died on her lips, as his strong, tapering fingers reached over and deftly clicked the buckle shut. He gave her a smile of supreme superiority which infuriated her but, all the same, she was so uneasy that she felt unable to speak. He leant back casually as Hayley nodded her thanks, hating herself for this lapse of weakness that had suddenly manifested itself in his presence. She watched him warily: his cool composure was like a façde, as if he was hiding something. He settled back, closing his eyes, his sooty lashes curled upwards, casting a soft shadow on his olive-tanned skin. He breathed deeply and seemed to relax, his face changing. He looked far less formidable now, his sensuous mouth curling gently with a serene grace and his angular features softening with tranquillity. His dark hair fell effortlessly in a sleek, smart style.

‘Relax, lean back, and breathe slowly and deeply,’ he instructed Hayley, without even opening his eyes. She pushed herself into her seat, her back rigid, and took a sideways glance towards him, but his eyes remained closed. He must have been aware of her studying him and Hayley found the thought mortifying. She was determined not to give him a second glance for the rest of the journey. It was obvious he was the type of man who thought all women found him irresistibly attractive. Well, he would be disappointed this time, thought Hayley, shutting her eyes tightly as well, to block out his forceful image.

‘Breathe deeply,’ he commanded again tersely.

He was obviously used to being obeyed instantly; his speech lacked the usual social pleasantries and, for a moment, Hayley thought she would hold her breath in defiance. But he spoke again. ‘Don’t be childish,’ he said. ‘You’ll feel better.’

His eyes had remained closed the whole time, which was unnerving, but at least he could not see the flood of colour that yet again covered Hayley’s face. The plane began taxiing down the runway, and instinctively Hayley gripped the arm-rests as it soared upwards. She fought the sickening feeling of nausea as her tummy flipped over with the ascent, the engines’ roar filling her ears. She sang nursery rhymes over and over in her head to prevent her from thinking about what was happening. Then there was a sudden uplift, then peace, as the roar lessened and clear blue sky surrounded them.

‘It’s all over now. Take-offs and descents are always the worst.’ His reassuring voice fell like a warm caress on her troubled nerves. Hayley opened her eyes and let out a huge sigh of relief, her shoulders sagging. She stiffened momentarily, unable to think how to react; he’d opened his eyes now and she certainly didn’t want to give him the impression that she was interested in him in any way. She decided to be polite but distant.

‘I haven’t flown very often,’ she confessed quietly, still not daring to look at him. She couldn’t face those eyes: they were too dark, almost black, and they held a sinister gleam that alerted her instincts. His gaze seemed to pierce her soul with a sharpness that belied the new sultry warmth in them.

‘So I gathered.’ Now his voice contained the warm laughter of friendship and Hayley found herself smiling at him, despite herself. ‘But you like to travel, no?’ he asked, his accent suddenly pronounced. Hayley nodded in agree-ment; up until now it had been Melissa who had been allowed the money to travel. Hayley wanted her to have everything she could, and willingly sacrificed her own pleasures for Melissa.

‘Yes, there are so many countries in the world I should like to see,’ she said wistfully, thinking about all the wonderful places she had seen depicted by artists over the years in the gallery.

‘What has prevented you? I see you are not married,’ he stated briefly, casting a glance at her bare left hand.

‘No, but I had other commitments,’ she admitted. Somehow she was secretly pleased he had noticed she was single, though she tried hard to dismiss the thought. She had never been very interested in men—not yet; not till Melissa was settled.

‘Which were?’ he enquired, a questioning frown on his brow. He leant closer and Hayley was even more aware of the attraction she felt for this stranger.

She laughed. ‘Nothing really; I have a younger sister. She has never kept good health, and I felt a holiday abroad once a year was of more value to her than me.’

‘Just a younger sister?’

‘Yes, there are just the two of us. Naturally, as the eldest, I have had to take responsibility,’ she admitted, disliking the dark shadow that crossed his face.

‘How noble of you,’ he said coolly.

‘There’s nothing noble about helping those you love,’ she snapped back at him, suddenly irritated by his aloofness and his taunting voice.

‘Are you sure you were helping?’ he retorted, his words stabbing, and his look deeply probing. Hayley felt herself flush once more; he was far too perceptive. Had she not asked herself the same question so many times, yet been unable to find a satisfactory answer? Melissa, younger by six years, had always been the family’s priority. As a child she’d suffered from severe asthma and her parents had tended to be overprotective. Even now, Hayley constantly worried about Melissa.

‘You don’t understand,’ she protested with her usual protective zeal. ‘Her need was greater than mine. She really was ill,’ Hayley explained quickly, distrusting the look on his hard face. She felt herself grow more irritated by his attitude. Even though he was a total stranger, Hayley did not want him thinking badly of Melissa. Too many other people had done that in the past and it always upset Hayley.

‘I think I understand very well,’ he answered, his voice betraying nothing of what he was truly thinking, though Hayley sensed his disapproval. His manner was that of someone who assumed he was rarely wrong and his expression one of distant supremacy. Hayley felt such vexation that she turned her head from him to look out of the window. There was something about him that bothered her; he seemed to be as sharp as a needle, and there was a darkness about him too.

‘Do you always resent criticism of your sister so much?’ he teased, his warm breath stroking the side of Hayley’s face. She flung round, her eyes angry, as much with her own body’s reaction to him as with his haunting words.

‘You simply don’t understand. I took care of my sister with very little help when I was still no more than a child myself. It was hard work, and yes, no doubt I did make errors—even the most experienced parents do—but at least we stayed together!’ she snapped, proud of her achievement, even if it was so little in his view.

‘There was no other family who would have taken you in?’ he asked, his expression sceptical.

‘None—well, none who could have coped. There was only one grandparent alive and she was too frail. She couldn’t possibly have coped with nebulisers and spin inhalers, no.’ Hayley shook her head. It would have been too much to ask.

‘But you managed?’

‘I had no alternative. The social services offered foster care, explaining that once you reach teenage years you’re less attractive to potential adopters.’ She saw his eyebrows rise in surprise and continued, ‘Not that I ever even considered care as an option. I wanted us to stay together, as a family.’ Hayley became lost in her own thoughts, her expression softening at the thought of her sister. Melissa had been but a child of twelve when her parents had tragically died, and Hayley had loved her deeply. She shook her head as she thought of all the sacrifices she herself had made over the years, even abandoning her desire to go to art college in order to look after Melissa. She had tried so hard to give Melissa all she wanted, but she had begun herself to wonder about the wisdom of her decisions. Though Melissa had a heart of gold and was generous and loving, she was a little spoilt, though Hayley was con-vinced she would grow out of it.

‘A penny for them?’ he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

‘I won’t rob you of your penny; they’re not worth that much.’ She tried to smile.

‘I think I can afford to chance one penny.’ He gave a low, deep rumble of a laugh, and Hayley felt her smile broaden.

‘I was just thinking that, when I was eighteen, I wanted to go to art college. Sally, a good friend then, was also going—we had it all planned. The first year we would live on campus, and the following year get a flat or bedsit together. Somewhere cheap and nasty that we would miraculously transform with our natural artistic skills.’ Hayley giggled at the memory; it seemed so long ago, as if she were talking about another person, not herself.

‘Instead, you now work in a gallery.’ He sounded kind, but Hayley immediately bristled—she hated pity.

‘I love my work in the gallery. I have a good eye for talent and now, thank goodness, realise I don’t have what it takes to become a household name.’

‘And Sally?’ he asked, a glacier light forming in his eyes, as he realised he had touched a nerve.

‘I grew up when my parents died. Sally was still a schoolgirl. It was inevitable that we drift apart.’ Hayley tried to sound matter-of-fact, but her hurt feelings did not go unchallenged.

‘True friends remain together, no matter what,’ he insisted.

‘Then perhaps she wasn’t as close a friend as I had imagined,’ Hayley snapped. She turned away from him so he could not see her pain—but he already had.

‘Here, take this.’ The man’s voice seemed to vibrate through her thoughts, shattering them to pieces.

Hayley turned round to face a cup of steaming hot coffee, brought by the stewardess. The rich aroma made her suddenly aware how thirsty she was. She thanked the girl gratefully. The man studied her reaction with unconcealed interest, and Hayley could feel his intensity. She kept her head lowered, unable to face him.

‘Aren’t you going to drink it?’ he asked.

‘It’s too hot,’ she answered briefly.

‘Too hot?’ he queried, noticing that the drink hadn’t even touched her lips.

‘Afraid so. I’m having trouble with a tooth at the moment; a hot drink will really hurt,’ she admitted with a grimace. His brow furrowed at her explanation.

‘You do not have a dentist?’ he said abruptly.

Hayley half turned to look out of the window. She hated to admit it, but dentists terrified her. She thought desperately for a few moments, then said, ‘I didn’t have time to go. It’s been a bit of a rush the last few days.’

He nodded with a fleeting look of concern. ‘You have been busy the last few days?’ he then asked casually, stretching out his long legs in front of him. Hayley nodded simply and gave a half-smile.

‘It was quite sudden, this arrangement,’ she told him, aware of the careful way in which he seemed to question her, yet she knew nothing of him and was almost afraid to ask him anything.

‘I see,’ he said, and Hayley thought to herself that no one could possibly imagine the reason for her journey. The whole concept of a marriage being disapproved of was archaic! She picked up her coffee-cup with care, sipping the hot fluid with trepidation. She knew he was still watching her, his vision fixed on her like a cat watching a trapped bird, enjoying the teasing torment. She felt foolish, so she replaced the cup.

‘It’s still too hot,’ she explained, keeping her head lowered. She didn’t want to look at him, to have him pierce through to her soul, making her feel raw and oddly vulnerable. The safe wall she had so carefully erected all those years ago was obviously wearing thin. She gave a shiver; she had had only one experience with a man. It had not been pleasant and had come shortly after her parents’ death. After that, she had had no time to embark on a romantic life of her own. She knew she could not afford the luxury of falling in love; no young man would have welcomed a growing teenager into his marital home.