The Millionaire's Castle

Chapter 5

She had certainly wanted the job, but what she hadn't bargained for was her unprecedented reaction to the man himself. Though surely she could keep that under control? she thought as she pulled on her nightdress.

Admittedly she had made a poor job of it so far, but the Irst day was over, and from now on things should get easier. All she needed to do was keep cool and not let him fluster her.

JENNY awoke next morning to find it was almost nine o'clock. After lying awake for several hours the previous night unable to stop thinking about what a fool she'd made of herself, she had overslept.

It was just as well Michael didn't want to start work immediately.

Jumping out of bed, she drew aside the curtains and looked out of the window at the lovely, peaceful scene spread before her.

The sea resembled a slightly wrinkled sheet of silver paper with a lacy edging of filigree where the waves washed gently up the pale sand.

For as far as she could see in either direction the beach was deserted, the only sign of life a grey cormorant standing on one of the rocky outcrops, spreading out its wings to dry•

Despite the fact that rain had been forecast, the sun was shining and the sky was a clear baby-blue.

With a bit of luck, she thought, Michael Denver might take himself off for a long walk.

But even if he did, she would have to face him first, and' remembering his mocking laughter, she found it was a daunting prospect.

What was she to say to him? How could she excuse her stupid behaviour?

The answer was, she couldn't.

However, knowing it was no use putting off the evil moment, she went purposefully into the bathroom to clean her teeth and shower.

Having dressed for the day in tailored fawn trousers, a donkey-brown blouse and flat-heeled pumps, she coiled her hair, applied a little make-up and sallied downstairs before her courage failed her.

She found him in the kitchen breaking eggs into a pan. An appetizing smell of coffee and grilling bacon filled the air.

'Good morning.' His tone was measured, his manner practical, down-to-earth. There was no sign of the mockery or derision she had half expected.

Even so, she was unable to meet his eyes as she responded with a polite, 'Good morning.'

Noting that evasion, and guessing the cause, he smiled inwardly.

Last night, at her bedroom door, he had been very tempted to kiss her again, but then, reminding himself of all the problems such a move could cause, he had drawn back.

That hesitation had given her the chance to step in and show her true colours, but instead of reacting seductively her response had been to bolt like a startled rabbit.

Which could mean one of two things. Either she was as Innocent and naive as she appeared, or she was playing some deep game.

Abandoning the puzzle for the time being, he asked,

Sleep Well?'

She picked up the slightest hint of amusement in the question to ignore it, as she if he lied, already 'Yes, very knew well, the answer—but, thank you.choosing

'If sou'd like to sit down and pour the coffee, breakfast is altnost ready.'

As she obeyed he queried, 'How do you like your eggs?

Sunny side up? Or asleep?'

'Asleep, please.'

'Same here.' Expertly flicking fat over the yokes, he added,

'But then I was already sure that our two hearts beat as one,'

Her hand shook a little and some of the coffee she was pouring spilt into the saucer.

'Damn,' she muttered.

Hiding a smile, he turned away to dish up the crispy bacon and perfectly cooked eggs.

They ate without speaking, and only when Michael removed their empty plates to stack in the dishwasher did she find her voice and say, 'Thank you. That was very nice.'

'Toast and marmalade?' he offered.

'No, thanks, I've had quite enough,'

Resuming his seat, he refilled their coffee cups and observed, 'The rain seems to be holding off, so I think a good long walk is indicated.'

Unsure whether or not he was including her, and reluctant

to say anything in case he hadn't been and she put the idea into his head, she made no comment.

A moment later he settled the matter by saying, 'It might be a good idea to bring your notebook and pencil just in case I need any notes taking.'

Then, catching sight of the expression on her face, 'You did say you liked walking?'

'Yes.'

'So you have no objection to accompanying me?'

Unable to think of a convincing reason to back out, after a moment or two she answered, 'No.'

If he noticed her brief hesitation, he gave no sign•

I'll pack a spot of lunch while you get your outdoor things. much colder than it looks, so wrap up well.'

Up in her room, she pulled on a pair of sturdy shoes, found a sgcatcr to wear beneath her coat, and a woolly hat to pull down over her ears. She did enjoy walking, and at least being out in the open air and on the move would be preferable to ing cooped up indoors with him. And it would give her a chance to see something of her island.

When she descended the stairs she found he was waiting in the hall, also dressed for walking, and with a rucksack on his back.

Running an eye over her sensible shoes and clothing, he nodded, before asking, 'Any preference as to which direction?' She shook her head. 'No, I'll leave it to you.'

'You mentioned that when you lived at Kelsay you used to enjoy walking along the beach...

Surprised that he'd remembered, she said, 'Yes.'

'Then I suggest we follow the coastal path down as far as Gull Point, before striking inland and taking a shorter route back.'

'That sounds fine,' she agreed.

Grinning, he said a shade sardonically, 'Heaven be praised, an amenable woman!'

Quite a lot of us are.

'Not in my experience.'

'Then you've obviously been associating with the wrong kind of women.'

The teasing retort was out before she could prevent it, and, wondering what on earth had made her blurt out something that sounded so rude and insensitive, she bent her head and waited for the storm that was bound to come.

But all he said was,

'You may well be right.'

In spite of feeling she had got off to a bad start, Jenny found the walk both pleasant and invigorating. The heavens were cloudless, the scenery picturesque, and the salty tang of the sea air a long-missed and well-remembered pleasure.

Breathing in the cold air was like drinking sparkling cham- pagne, and the light had that clear, diamond-edged sharpness that only winter days brought.

For the first hour or so they walked in silence, keeping up an easy pace that covered the miles seemingly without effort.

During that time, Michael had been trying to think up some interesting characters to people the plot that had begun to unfold in his mind. But more often than not his attention, rather than focusing on his book, had wandered to the Woman by his side.

Though Jenny appeared to be quiet and reserved, she was far from dull, and she certainly didn't lack spirit. Yet when, after that first impulsive kiss, he had expected some display of coldness or anger, she had appeared dazed, quiescent.

Which failed to add up.

As did her pre-knowledge of Slinterwood.

Though even if they were both imponderables at the moment, there were bound to be answers...

But there he was, doing it again!

For the umpteenth time, he lassoed his straying thoughts, and, annoyed by his inability to concentrate, told himself irritably that he should never have engaged a PA. Particularly a female one, and, more especially, a female who intrigued and distracted him.

Unconsciously taking out his displeasure on her, he quickhis pace.

After half a mile or so, it became plain that she was having a struggle to keep up with him, but not a single word of complaint passed her lips.

Feeling like a heel, he slowed down and suggested, 'Shall we have ten minutes' rest and a cup of coffee?'

Sounding a little breathless, she said, 'A cup of coffee

would be lovely.'

He led the way to a nearby outcrop of flattish rock, and, taking a Thermos from the rucksack, filled two cups and handed her one.

As they drank she asked, 'Any idea about the storyline yet?' 'The beginning of one,' he admitted grudgingly.

'What about the characters?'

He shook his head, his dissatisfaction with himself plain.

'l was wondering..

Though he asked, 'What were you wondering?' his tone didn't sound as if he would welcome suggestions.

Though she doubted the wisdom of going on, having stuck her neck out, she felt she had no choice. Taking a deep breath. she asked, 'Have you ever considered carrying any of your previous characters over to another book?'

His attention caught, he queried, 'If by any chance I did, which of the characters would you advocate?'

Her face eager, she said, 'Two that I found particularly fascinating were Finn and Dodie..

She had named two minor characters from his third nos el, Rubicon, the fate of whom, to suit the plot, had been left deliberately vague and inconclusive. Characters he had often thought he could have done a great deal Inore mth.

'I've always wondered what happened to thetn after tho left Orlando.'

The fact that she had spoken about then) if they ssere real people set Off fireworks in his Illind and Kent his thoughts racing. and only too Watching his face grow aloof and distant, aware of the lengthening silence, she lost countenance and

her shoulders. It made her look about sixteen, he thought, and even more appealing.

After the meal they sat by the fire, sipping coffee and talking desultorily while they listened to the rain beating against the windows and the soughing of the wind in the chimney.

To all intents and purposes it was a quiet, contented domestic scene.

A few weeks ago that thought would have made him laugh cynically. But now, to his surprise, rather than hating to have someone else here he was starting to look forward to the quiet evenings spent in Jenny's company.

He watched her face in the flickering firelight. Her eyes were half closed, and between softly parted lips he caught the gleam of pearly teeth.

His pulse rate quickening, he was forced to look away while he searched for some safe topic of conversation that would steer him well away from temptation.

By nine-thirty, noticing that she was having to stifle her yawns, he suggested that they both needed an early night.

She rose at once, and, having escorted her upstairs, Michael said an abrupt, 'Goodnight,' and disappeared into his own room before he gave way to the urge to kiss her.

Wondering at that sudden curtness, she went through to the bathroom to clean her teeth and shower.

Over the past week, though still plagued by that unbidden attraction and unable to totally relax, she had found the time spent in Michael's company both exciting and rewarding.

Though things had got off to a rocky start, she was beginning to feel that she had made the right decision after all, and to hope that by the time the month's trial period ended he

If he didn't, she knew she would be desolate.

She derived an immense amount of pleasure and satisfaction from the fact that he discussed his book with her and, from time to time, not only asked her opinion but appeared to listen to it.

Added to that she loved the island and the house, and knew that she would be happy to stay here in this lovely place for as long as he wanted her to.

Though they had covered a lot of ground there was still a great deal more to see, including a closer look at the castle, and she hoped that the storm would blow itself out before he began to work on his book in earnest, and they were tied to the house. . .

Her thoughts still busy, she had just returned to the bedroom when, without warning, the lights went out, plunging her into total darkness.

She had got used to the city, where there was always some degree of illumination, and the sudden complete absence of light came as a shock.

Taking a deep breath, she stood and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark.

They didn 't, and she soon realized that they weren't going to. The blackness was total. It wrapped her up and pressed against her suffocatingly, making her blind and helpless.

As though the absence of sight sharpened her other senses, she became aware of sounds that previously had stayed in the background—waves surging up the beach and crashing onto the rocks, wind buffeting the house, and rain lashing against the windows.

Enjoyable sounds, had she been tucked up cosily in bed. Not quite so enjoyable when she was standing in utter darkness, unsure of which way to move.

It had been a long and strenuous day, and, feeling bone-

weary, she thought longingly of getting into bed and going to sleep, so that the absence of light wouldn't matter.

She made an effort to visualize the room before moving carefully towards where she thought the bed ought to be. Only it wasn't.

There seemed to be a great deal more floor space than she remembered.

Altering direction, she tried again.

After another couple of fruitless attempts, totally disorientated, she admitted that she hadn't the faintest idea where the bed was.

If she could find a wall and follow it round... One hand held out in front of her, she began to move forward cautiously.

She had gone only a few steps when she stumbled into something she identified as the dressing-table stool, and knocked it over with a clatter.

As she fumbled to set it upright there was a light tap and the door opened. 'Having problems?' Michael's voice queried out of the darkness.

Her heart leapt in her chest, and even in her own ears her voice sounded husky and breathless as she answered, 'I was to find the bed, but I got disorientated and knocked over dressing-table stool.'

'I know exactly where the dressing-table is,' he said reassuringly, 'so stay where you are, and I'll come and get you.

Apart from the faint brush of his bare feet on the boards he moved silently, and a few seconds later she jumped as an unseen hand took hers.

He must have eyes like a cat, she thought as he began to lead her unerringly through the blackness.

Wits scattered by his touch and his nearness, it took her a little while to realize that they had left her room and were heading down the corridor.

why he hadn't said anything sooner, he protested that it was hardly the done thing to talk about a woman while she was still there.

'Lisa pointed out that it was hardly the done thing to talk about a woman behind her back. That shut him up tempos rarily. But only temporarily. Now rumours about Jennifer Mansell being predatory are rife.'

'Tell me something, do you believe the rumours?'

'I'm more inclined to believe that they're simply malicious, and spring from the fact that he'd made a pass at her in front of the entire office and been turned down flat, But I thought, having got you involved with the lady in question, I'd better let you know.'

'Well, thanks for the warning.'

'Sorry and all that. If there's anything I can do... ? '

'As a matter of fact there is. Jenny once mentioned that she had a flatmate. Flatmates tend to know one another well, so if you could have a discreet word with her or him... ? '

'Will do.'

'Oh, by the way,' Michael seized the opportunity to ask,

'when you first told her about this job, did you mention

Slinterwood at all?'

'Slinterwood?' Paul sounded a bit blank. 'No, should I have done? Was there a problem?'

'No, no problem. I just wondered.'

'She didn't dig her heels in about going?'

'No, not at all. Look, I'll tell you all about it one ofthese days.'

'Right. I'll let you know what, if anything, the flatmate has to say.'

Frowning, Michael ended the call, his thoughts in turmoil He didn't want to believe that there was any truth in the rumours. But though, up to press, she had shown not the slightest sign of coming on to him, in fact just the opposite' his brush with predatory women had made him wary.

However, sooner or later he'd find out the truth, but now should wake her, and Jet her get to bed.

Thinking of Sleeping Beauty, he stooped and touched his

rnouth to hers.

Though her eyes remained closed, she gave a little sigh, her lips parted beneath that lightest of pressures, and her warm arms slid round his neck.

Without conscious volition, he lifted her to her feet while he deepened the kiss, and, like dropping a lighted match into a pool of petrol, passion exploded between them.

Fully awake now, and with no thought of past or future, of rights or wrongs or consequences, Jenny kissed him back, melting against him.

She was warm and fragrant in his arms, and while he kissed her his hands traced her slender curves, lingering over the enticing swell of her hips and buttocks, before following her ribcage upwards to the soft but firm curves of her breasts.

The touch of his hands made Jenny's pulse race madly and brought every nerve-ending in her body into singing life.

Through the thin satin ofher nightdress his fingers found and teased the n*****s, feeling them grow firm beneath his touch.

Transported by the exquisite, needle-sharp sensations he was arousing, she began to make little mewing sounds deep in her throat.

Those sounds inflaming him even further, he slipped the satin straps from her shoulders and bent his dark head to take first one, and then the Other, Of the pink velvety n*****s into his mouth.

As he suckled sweetly she gasped and shuddered, the acute Pleasure he was giving her almost more than she could bear.

When her n*****s felt seductively ripe and swollen on his jngue, he slid the nightie down over her hips and let it pool round her bare feet.

Then, her arms still around his neck, he drew back a little and looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her gently swollen.

His eyes dropped, and in the golden glow from the dying fire he saw her naked body for the first time.

She was graceful and perfectly proportioned, with a smooth, flawless skin. Her breasts were beautifully shaped her waist slender above nicely rounded hips, her legs long and slim as a ballerina's.

Drawing her close again, he kissed her while he stroked hi; hand down her flat belly to the nest of black silky curls between her thighs.

She shuddered repeatedly as his long fingers found their goal and started to explore, luring all sensation downwards.

Normally his foreplay was both skilful and leisurely, a game he enjoyed and excelled at; a game he could play until he'd driven his partner almost wild with pleasure.

But no woman had ever affected him as Jenny did, and for the first time since he was a teenager he found it almost impossible to hold back, to keep his self-control.

When the little inarticulate murmurs she'd been making changed to pleas, shaken by the depth of his longing, he lifted her in his arms and carried her over to the bed.

Pulling aside the covers, he laid her down, and, with hands that weren't quite steady, stripped off his clothes before joining her.

She received him back silently, willingly, her arms going round his neck once more while she gladly welcomed his weight

It was like making love to an eager flame, but after their first skyrocket trip to the stars he contrived to take it slower. delaying the climax, drawing out and intensifying the pleasure until it spilt over into ecstasy.

Temporarily spent and sated, his breath coming quickly,

his heart still racing, the blood still pounding in his ears, he lay quietly.

Blissfully happy, and loving the feel of his dark head pillowed on her breast. Jenny lifted a hand and stroked his hair tenderly.

Strangely content, he lay for a while before lifting himself away. Then. turning onto his back, he gathered her close and settled her dark head at the comfortable juncture between chest and shoulder.

Nestled against him, the steady beat of his heart beneath her check, she was fast asleep within seconds.

He could hear her light breathing, her breath occasionally fluttering in her throat as if she was still in the grip of some powerful emotion.

Having had his fill of women, he hadn't meant to get involved, and he should be regretting what had happened, what complications might ensue.

If it hadn't been for Paul's phone call, and the doubts it had raised, he would have sworn she was inexperienced.

But whatever the truth of the matter, what they had just shared had been shared on equal tertns.

Jenny hadn't sought to make the running, nor had she merely surrendered, rather she had returned passion for passion in what had seemed to be an innocent, untutored way that had shaken him to the core.

Had she been an obviously worldly woman, and anyone Other than his own PA, it would have been a s****l encounter he would never have forgotten.

As it was, with everything else that was involved in the equation, his feelings were in chaos, his well-ordered life turned upside down.

JENNY surfaced slowly, reluctantly, unwilling to break the spell of the previous night. Still half asleep and basking in the golden glow of the most wonderful experience of her life, she lay with her eyes closed, savouring the glory of it.

For perhaps the first time, she felt truly like a woman— contented, fulfilled, blissfully happy, as though she had finally found her heart's desire.

But as she became fully awake the reality of making love with Michael was dawning on her.

As she was shocked into complete wakefulness all the pleasure drained away, and she lay quite still, her body frozen, her mind jarred.

It was a few seconds before her brain accepted the fact that she was lying in Michael's arms, in Michael's bed.

Following her less than happy relationship with Andy, hurt, disillusioned, and bitterly humiliated, she had sworn never to get involved with another man.

Now, after months of keeping any would-be suitors at bay, she had gone to bed with her boss. A man she scarcely knew.

What on earth had made her do it? she wondered in growing horror.

Perhaps, because he had come to her and kissed her so

Gentle,so sweetly, her defences had been down, and before she even started to appreciate the danger it had been too late.

passion had flared between them, the kind of passion she felt before, the kind of passion that swept away any

doubts or fears.

She had rejoiced in the certainty that here was the man she had been waiting for, that the two of them were meant to be lovers, meant to be together always.

But in the cold light of day she realized that that had been

just a fantasy, an illusion.

In reality, passion—she shied away from the word lust—-

was all it had been.

In the past, when other girls had gone to bed with men they scarcely knew, she hadn't judged them, but she had wondered at the wisdom of their actions.

Now, without intending to, she had joined their ranks, and with a vengeance.

The whole episode had been a terrible mistake, something she could only regret.

Except that she couldn 't regret it. It had been the most wonderful and earth-shattering experience, and she would never be the same again.

The memory of last night would stay with her for the rest Of her life, even though Michael didn't care a jot for her, and had just wanted to use her.

But even as the charge went through her mind, she knew It was false. Though he couldn't possibly feel anything for her but lust, he had been tender and caring, careful of her...

In contrast to Jenny's slow awakening, Michael's brain instantly alert, and even before he opened his eyes every minute of the preceding night was crystal-clear in his mind,

It hadhadn't meant it to happen, but he couldn't regret that it had.

Though by nature a caring, passionate man, in the past he had found love-making satisfying and pleasurable rather than earth-shaking.

With Jenny it had been an entirely new experience. She had burnt in his arms like an eager flame, arousing a storm of feeling that had rocked him to the core.

She was like no other woman he had ever met. From the moment he'd set eyes on her she had been special, his aware. ness ofher so intense that at times he had felt almost befuddled.

And now he had once made love to her, he knew that he wanted her, craved for her and all she could give him, as an addict craved a drug.

Though she was lying quite still, he knew that she was awake, and he wondered what she was thinking, what the previous night had meant to her.

But of course that would depend entirely on what kind of woman she really was, what she wanted from him, and how she viewed their new relationship.

Did she still want him as much as he wanted her?

He felt instinctively that she did.

But there was one way to find out.

Jenny caught her breath as the arm that was lying over her tightened, and a warm hand closed lightly around her breast and began to stroke and tease the n****e into life.

She wanted to ask him to stop, to tell him that though she'd been foolish enough to let last night happen, it didn't mean that she was prepared to go on with it. But her heart was in her mouth and the words wouldn't come.

He raised himself up on one elbow, and his lips brushed her shoulder before travelling up the side of her neck.

As she shivered in response he turned her onto her back and smiled down at her.

In the morning light that filtered through the closed

curtains, she could see the creases either side of his mouth, the gleam of his white teeth, and the intriguing cleft in his chin. He appeared fresh and vital, in spite of the dark stubble that adorned his jaw.

'You look beautiful,' he told her softly, 'all uarm and se ductive, just slightly tousled, and still flushed with sleep.' He bent and touched his lips to hers.

His breath was fresh and clean, and though she longed to kiss him back she didn't want to be just his plaything, someone who filled a need while he was away from London. Summoning all her will power, hoping to freeze him off, she kept her mouth firmly closed.

When he gave a slight sigh and lifted his head, she thouzht she'd succeeded.

But wanting, needing, to make her his again, to make her come to life and respond as completely and passionately as she had done the previous night, he returned to lay siege.

For a while his mouth played with hers, stroking, sucking. nibbling, bestowing little plucking kisses that coaxed and titillated and demanded a response.

A response she tried hard to withhold, and couldn't.

When her lips finally parted helplessly beneath his, he gave a little murmur of satisfaction and deepened the kiss, making her forget everything but the here and now, the and excitement his mouth was engendering.

Then his hands began to caress her, and in no time at all she was lost, mindless, any urge to resist swamped by the

passion he was so easily arousing. —the slight rasp Using first his fingers, and then his mouth

Of his stubble against her soft skin adding extra stitnulation— he teased her n*****s into life and found erogenous zones she hadn't even been aware of, before his hand slid domi to the Warmth of her inner thighs to bestow fresh delight.