A Physical Affair Page 13

  ‘Ah!’ he exclaimed, his tone infuriatingly placating. ‘Everyone will begin to wonder. And if someone sees me touching your arm they’ll expect me to give you a television station of your own.’

  With prolonged deliberation he slowly released her, only to trail one strong finger down the length of her arm to her wrist, settling momentarily on the soft flesh where her pulse raced, before eventually breaking the contact. ‘Heaven only knows what might happen if that someone saw me put my arm around you,’ he added drily and Keira’s eyes flashed angrily.

  ‘Someone? Good grief! There are hundreds of people here and you can’t really imagine you aren’t the focus of most of their attention.’

  ‘If I went around thinking that I’d be accused of being an egomaniac.’

  Keira raised her chin eloquently and he gave a softly sensual laugh. ‘Such flattery, my dear Keira. Must I add that to your list of my failings?’

  ‘Perhaps your biggest failing is that you’ve spent so much time in your ivory tower you’ve forgotten, if you ever knew, about the intrigues of the lower rank and file. You’re perfectly safe in your penthouse, Mr Cassidy, but I have to live and work down here.’

  ‘The casting couch again?’ he said with that same dangerous quietness, all humour washed from his expression.

  Keira’s gaze met his in trepidation but she stood her ground. ‘You know exactly what I mean.’

  ‘I still think you’re over-reacting.’

  ‘And I’ve already had to defend myself once tonight. I don’t need any more drama to fuel the flame.’

  His dark head rose as he frowned. ‘Be specific, Keira. Who and what?’

  ‘I don’t choose to tell you.’

  ‘If you’re talking about Denver Clarkson, then let me just say he has a very sick wife so I’m sure he’s got more to worry about than my sex-life. Or lack of it,’ he added incitingly, and Keira felt her mouth tighten in exasperation.

  ‘I think I can safely say this particular person was simply speaking for the majority and and leave it at that,’ Keira said bitterly, and he shoved his hands in his pockets.

  ‘Then perhaps I should make a public announcement and settle this once and for all. Keira Strong got this job because she was the best person to fill it. No sexual favours have been exchanged.’

  Keira flushed and glanced quickly around to see if anyone had heard his outrageous words. ‘Do you have to be so offensive? We’re attracting more than enough attention as it is.’

  His blue eyes glittered dangerously. ‘We could attract a hell of a lot more,’ he said and stepped closer, his eyes burning into hers, his suit-clad chest just millimetres from her suddenly taut and throbbing breasts.

  ‘Eden, please…’

  ‘Please?’ he repeated shortly. ‘Please.’ His deep tone fell intoxicatingly. ‘That’s what I’d like to do. Please you. And I promise you, I would.’

  Keira’s heartbeats drummed at his sensual tone, his arousing words, and she shook her head desperately. ‘Eden, don’t. I can’t take this any more.’

  ‘You can’t take it? Don’t you know you’re driving me crazy? Come with me after the launch. We’ll have some supper.’

  Her heartbeats caught painfully in her throat and she felt decidedly light-headed. ‘You know I can’t do that,’ she got out through her dry lips.

  ‘Do I? I don’t, you know. And neither do you. Forget everyone else. Think about yourself. Do it for yourself. You know you want to.’ His low, erotic intonation played over her and she felt her quivering, insidious senses clamour for her surrender. And she knew she was rapidly forgetting the reasons why she was denying herself the electrifying pleasure of submission. Why not let him take her anywhere he chose, satisfy the spreading fire within her?

  Desperately she shook her head and the wisps of fair hair escaping from her chignon teased her neck, again reminding her of the touch of his lips.

  ‘Come with me,’ he repeated urgently, the words flowing over her like warm oil, tantalising, enticing her.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ‘NO!’ THE word broke softly from her. ‘I…I can’t,’ she said again with a little more composure.

  ‘For God’s sake, Keira,’ he ground out, running his hand impassionedly through his hair. His gaze held hers, and for immeasurable seconds pierced her with his controlled fury. ‘I think I need some air,’ he said at last, and strode away from her without a backward glance or the slightest concern about how his abrupt departure would appear to those nearby.

  ‘What was that all about?’ Roxie asked as she joined Keira, her eyes on Eden’s retreating figure.

  Keira took a careful sip of her wine before replying. ‘I guess he has other people to see. He’s a very busy man.’

  ‘And not a happy one, it would seem.’ Roxie turned back to Keira. ‘So the question is, did he leave or was he asked to go?’

  ‘I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about, Roxie.’

  ‘Ah, she knows nothing. Look, Keira, one piece of advice. Don’t go missing the flowers for the trees.’

  Keira raised her eyebrows and Roxie shrugged«

  ‘Or something like that Eden Cassidy’s not a man to be manipulated. Plain as Aunt Aggie’s down-to-earth advice.’

  ‘I’m not trying to manipulate anyone, Rox. And you know I don’t mix business with pleasure.’

  ‘I’d be surprised if you remembered what that sort of pleasure was,’ remarked the other girl outrageously.

  ‘Roxie! Enough.’

  ‘OK. OK. But I, and the rest of the female population of Australia for that matter, can’t see what you’ve got against the man.’

  ‘Against him? Well, for a start, he’s a playboy. Only masochists get involved with known playboys. I’m not a masochist. And I don’t want to become one of his harem.’

  ‘Harem? Aren’t you being a little over the top? I mean, he just doesn’t seem that type to me. I know I rave about him being good-looking. He’s surely that. But quite seriously, Keira, he couldn’t run a corporation this big so successfully if he persisted in love-’em-and-leave-’em dalliances. He has to put in the time, if you get what I mean.’

  ‘There’s such a thing as delegation, Roxie. And anyway, you’re forgetting Megan Donnelly.’

  ‘He’d be a fool to tamper with her. And he’s not a fool,’ Roxie dismissed. ‘Good secretaries, and from what I hear she’s the best, aren’t that thick on the ground. Apart from that, I’ve heard she’s almost a couple with a friend of Eden’s in the States.’

  ‘Well, don’t try to tell me you haven’t seen the bevy of beauties who flock around him.’ Keira saw her argument slipping out from under her. ‘They’re here in force tonight. And there’s nary a week goes past that the newspapers and glossies don’t feature a shot of him with a different model on his arm.’

  ‘You even made it one week,’ Roxie reminded her drily, and Keira glanced at her sharply. ‘So, did that picture tell a story?’ Roxie asked as Keira set her wineglass down on a nearby table.

  ‘You know I just happened to be standing near him when—’

  ‘I rest my case.’ Roxie cut in quickly. ‘How many other times have the beauties just happened to have been standing near him when?’ Roxie mimicked Keira’s words.

  ‘He’s my boss, Roxie.’

  ‘So what?’

  ‘You know so what. I’d hazard a guess that there are more people here tonight who think I got this job by foul means rather than fair. In fact Dianna all but spelled it out.’

  ‘Then she got it wrong. Anyway, everyone knows her nose is out of joint because she’s lost the best slave she’s ever had, namely you, Keira Strong. Besides, those of us who work with you haven’t got a problem about why you’re the editor. We know you deserved it.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Roxie. Surely you’ve heard the rumours—’

  ‘Rumours be damned! That’s your smokescreen. What’s the real reason you’re at such pains to pretend indifference to the man? And don’t tell me
you find him unattractive or we’ll have you certified.’

  ‘Perhaps I haven’t got time for that sort of distraction,’ Keira began, wondering what Roxie would say if she knew she was only repeating Eden’s own suspicions.

  Roxie gave a snicker. ‘Nonsense.’

  ‘I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I don’t want to jeopardise it by having a meaningless affair with the one person who can terminate my employment on the spot.’

  ‘It’s Dennis, isn’t it?’

  ‘Dennis?’ Keira raised her eyebrows in surprise at Roxie’s change of tack.

  ‘I know you had a rough time with him. Your ex-haushand was a selfish little wimp who wanted a mother, not a wife. But you can’t let that spoil your chances for a totally different relationship.’

  Keira sighed. ‘I don’t deny that for a while my marriage to Dennis did colour my feelings about getting involved again. However, I’ve come to terms with all that. I’m older now and hopefully wiser.’

  ‘So you must know there’s no comparison between Eden Cassidy and Dennis,’ Roxie continued determinedly. ‘Dennis was spineless but there isn’t a weak bone in Eden’s body. Have you ever read anything unsavoury about the man?’

  Keira shook her head tiredly.

  ‘That’s because he has integrity.’

  ‘Roxie,’ Keira appealed, feeling the beginnings of a headache. If only she could slip away. But of course she couldn’t. Not now that Eden had left. It would look far too suspicious.

  ‘All right. I’m sorry, Keira. I’ve probably said more than enough already. But I care about you and I don’t want to see you throw away your chance of happiness because you’re afraid to meet life head on.’

  ‘At the risk of provoking you into further wise counsel, Roxie, I’d just like to say I’d prefer simply to jog quietly along beside life for a while. Now, let’s get a cup of coffee before all this stress and the two glasses of wine I’ve had go to my head.’

  Roxie had just left Keira to fetch the coffee when Meg, one of Keira’s receptionists, approached with an attractive young woman who looked more than a little ill at ease.

  ‘Have you seen Daniel?’ Meg asked and Keira shook her head.

  ‘Not for a while. But he shouldn’t be far away.’ She looked around but couldn’t see Eden’s nephew in the throng of people.

  ‘I’ll see if I can find him for you,’ Meg offered as she turned to the young girl. ‘If you’d like to stay with Keira, I won’t be long.’

  Keira glanced back at the other girl questioningly.

  ‘I’m Cat. Cat Craigie,’ she said softly, her fingers playing nervously with the thin strap of her bag.

  Keira took in Daniel’s young friend and realised she was indeed looking at a younger version of herself. Cat was almost as tall as Keira but she wore her fair hair, the same shade as Keira’s, in natural waves to her shoulders.

  ‘So you’re Cat! I’m Keira Strong, the editor of the magazine where Daniel works.’ Keira smiled. ‘It’s nice to meet you at last. Daniel’s told me so much about you.’

  ‘Oh.’ Cat looked at the floor and flushed a little. ‘I can’t imagine what he’d say.’

  ‘All good, I’m afraid,’ Keira laughed. ‘He admires you very much.’

  ‘Does he? I guess I’m pretty keen on Daniel too,’ she added softly before she looked up, catching Keira’s eye. ‘He talks a lot about you, too.’

  ‘All good as well, I hope.’

  ‘Yes. He likes you.

  ‘And I like him. So that makes both of us. Daniel’s pretty special.’

  ‘I suppose,’ Cat agreed hesitantly. ‘But it’s all so complicated.’

  ‘And made worse by the fact that Daniel doesn’t fit the preconceived mould.’

  ‘Yes. It would be so much easier if he was the stereotypical poor little rich kid.’

  Keira smiled.

  ‘I mean, I could handle it better if he had a silver spoon stuck in his mouth. Our lifestyles are so different it scares me. Our families, well…’ She shrugged.

  ‘Daniel’s uncle and grandfather care about him and the same goes for your parents and you. There’s no difference when you get down to what counts.’

  ‘I guess so. But we don’t want any hassles that might arise because Daniel’s uncle and my father are usually on opposite sides of the negotiating table.’

  ‘I’d have said they respect each other and they usually settle any disputes reasonably amicably,’ Keira suggested gently.

  Cat nodded and pulled a wry face.

  ‘Life is fraught, isn’t it?’ Keira laughed softly and Cat smiled, if somewhat reluctantly.

  ‘I guess Daniel’s worth it. Just don’t tell him I said that. And maybe we both enjoy the intrigue.’ She grimaced. ‘Well, some of the time.’

  Just then Keira caught sight of Daniel weaving his way through the guests and she saw the beam of surprised pleasure that lit his face when he saw Cat. For a moment she thought he was going to race over and embrace the young girl but he pulled himself together and made his way nonchalantly towards them through the crowd.

  ‘Hi, Cat. I’m glad you decided to come along.’

  ‘Yes. I… It was kind of you to ask me. I’ve never been to anything like this.’ Cat’s fingers were worrying the strap of her bag again.

  ‘I thought you said you wouldn’t be able to make it. But I’m glad you did,’ Daniel added quickly. ‘Now you’re here, would you like to meet my uncle?’

  Cat drew back a little then gave Keira a quick glance before shaking her head. ‘Well, no, Daniel. Not…’

  ‘You have to meet him some time, so why not now? He’s not so bad, Cat. Really,’ Daniel told her and turned to Keira for confirmation. ‘Is he, Keira?’

  To her consternation Keira felt herself flush and for the life of her she couldn’t formulate an answer. What could she say anyway? That she found Eden Cassidy almost irresistibly attractive? That the moment their eyes met all her resolute good intentions flew out of the window? And that she suspected her capitulation to his devastating magnetism could become all but inevitable? He’s not so bad. What a dreadful understatement.

  ‘In fact, I’ve got this great idea,’ Daniel was continuing, unaware of her inner turmoil. ‘Keira can introduce you to Eden.’

  ‘Why me?’ she got out in dismay.

  ‘Because you can wrap him around your little finger.’

  ‘That’s rubbish, Daniel. I scarcely know the man,’ Keira protested, her embarrassment sharpening her tone, and Cat shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

  Unabashed, Daniel grinned devilishly but whatever outrageous quip he was about to deliver was diverted when Cat touched his arm.

  ‘Daniel, I’d just as soon not meet your uncle right now. Not yet, anyway,’ the younger girl said firmly. ‘I only came tonight because——’ she paused ‘—I mean, I need to talk to you privately.’ She glanced apologetically at Keira. ‘If you don’t mind, Keira.’

  ‘Of course not.’ Keira moved away, more than a little relieved to leave Daniel and his embarrassing innuendos behind. She wended her way in search of Roxie and the coffee but she had only had a chance to give Roxie a wave when Daniel and Cat were beside her again.

  ‘Keira, do you know where Eden went exactly?’ Daniel asked concernedly, and she shook her head.

  ‘No. He… I think he left.’

  ‘Damn! Keira, we have to find him. And fast. Cat says…’ Daniel stopped and turned back to the young girl. ‘I’ll have to tell Keira, Cat. She should know too. OK?’

  After a moment Cat nodded unhappily and Daniel sighed.

  ‘Cat overheard her father talking to one of the union reps.’ Daniel had dropped his voice conspiratorially to little more than a whisper so that Keira had to strain to catch his words. ‘They’re going out on strike. The distributors. Damn good timing, too. Just when Natural Life is about to hit the stands. Eden will be livid.’

  ‘I didn’t want to tell Daniel,’ Cat said miserably. ‘But, w
ell, I didn’t know what to do. Oh, I just wish I hadn’t overheard that conversation. But they were giving Dad a hard time and…’ She shook her head and Daniel took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  ‘It’s OK, Cat,’ he said consolingly and she brushed a tear from her eyes.

  ‘I just thought that maybe Daniel’s uncle and my father between them could, you know, talk some sense into them. I only hope I’ve done the right thing,’ she finished miserably.

  ‘Of course you have. And I know Eden’ll handle it diplomatically.’ He looked at Keira and frowned. ‘Eden didn’t say where he was going?’

  As Keira shook her head, someone in a nearby group touched him on the shoulder.

  ‘If you’re still looking for the big chief he’s in the next room. I just left him.’

  ‘Great!’ Daniel exclaimed and began pushing through the crowd, pulling Cat after him.

  And Keira made herself follow, albeit a little more slowly. By the time she’d reluctantly joined them Daniel had given his uncle the gist of Cat’s revelations.

  Eden’s eyes acknowledged Keira’s presence with one all-consuming glance and her knees went decidedly weak at the fire that still burned in their blue depths. Her defences sank to a new low and she experienced an urge to lean against his hard body, rest her weary head on his shoulder and take in some of his strength. So much for her determination to remain aloof from him.

  Daniel was now explaining to Eden who Cat was, and his uncle regarded them both levelly.

  ‘You don’t resemble your father in the slightest,’ he said to Cat with a faint smile, and the young girl visibly relaxed. Then he turned back to his nephew. ‘We’ll have a few things to discuss, Daniel, when all this is settled, hmm?’

  Daniel nodded. ‘But what are we going to do about the strike? I mean, the magazine is supposed to hit the stands on Monday.’

  ‘I’ll go and see Cat’s father and between us we’ll sort it out It’s probably another false alarm. A few of them tend to over-react. But if they have genuine grievances I’ll listen and do my best to put them right.’ He ran his hand tiredly along his jaw line and then seemed to straighten before his gaze returned to Keira.