His Wedding-Night Heir Read Free Page B

threatening ly. 'Be-
    cause the chairman himself is hosting tonight's presentation,
    and he plays in the big league. Get out now, before you
    become a laughing stock or he has you removed.'
    The brothers' raised voices were attracting attention, Cally
    realised, with embarrassment. Curious glances from all over
    the room were coming their way, and even some of the crowd
    round the model were turning their heads to look
    She realised that she wasn't just uncomfortable, she'd actually
    begun to tremble inside. Even begun to be afraid in some
    obscure but compelling way.
    We shouldn't be here, she thought, swallowing. We may have
    invitations, but there'll be an official guest list some where,
    and we're still gatecrashers.
    She touched Kit's sleeve. 'Listen,' she began, 'maybe we
    should...'
    But the sentence was never completed. Because she was sud-
    denly aware that a hush had fallen. That someone was making
    his way across the room towards them between groups of
    people that obediently fell back at his approach.
    A tall man, she saw, with a thin tanned face under fashionably
    disheveled hair, dark as a raven's wing. A face marked by
    high cheekbones, a nose and chin almost arrogant in their
    strength, a mouth tough and unsmiling. And really
    unforgettable.
    The muscularity of his broad-shouldered, lean-hipped body
    was emphasised by the elegance of his designer suit as he
    strode towards them with powerful, determine d grace,
    purpose in his every line.
    He was someone, she realised, the breath catching in her
    throat, that she knew. Whose reappearance in her life she "d
    been dreading for over a year. And who was here now, almost
    within touching distance, when there was no time to run or
    place to go.
    All she could do was stand her ground and pray to whatever
    unseen deity protected fugitives.
    But as his eyes, grey and deep as a winter ocean, met hers,
    Cally felt the measure of his glance in the marrow of he r
    bones, and knew dial her escape had only been an illusion all
    along.
    'Good evening.' The cool, crisp voice was like ice on her skin.
    'Is there some problem?'
    A game, Cally thought numbly. He was playing a game, with
    rules that he'd invented. But no one knew it but hers elf.
    'A few troublemakers have got in, Sir Nicholas,' Neville
    Hartley said swiftly. 'But we're dealing with them. So if you'd
    like to go back to your guests...'
    'Presently,' the newcomer said quietly. He looked at Kit. 'May
    I know who you are?'
    Kit cleared his throat. 'I'm Christopher Matlock, and I run the
    Children's Centre, and the Residents' Association d own at
    Gunners Wharf. We face eviction because of your develop-
    ment, but I'm still hoping some compromise can be reached,
    and that you might spare me some time to discuss the matter.'
    'Ah, yes.' The other man nodded. 'This has been mentioned to
    me.' He turned to Tracy, whose face had been bleached with
    nerves ever since their arrival. 'And this is?' His smile held a
    swift charm that softened the hardness of his f
    'Tracy—
    Tracy Andrews,' Kit said quickly, seeing that she was beyond
    speech. 'One of the residents.' He turned to Cally. 'And this is
    my administrative assistant.'
    'Oh, but we need no introduction,' the new arrival said with
    cold mockery. 'Do we, Caroline, my love?'
    Before she could move he took one long step towards her,
    capturing her chin in his long fingers. He bent his head, and
    for a brief, hideous second Cally felt the sear of his mouth on
    hers.
    He straightened, his lips twisting. 'They say absence makes
    the heart grow fonder. I wonder if that’s true. Because you
    don't seem very pleased to see me."
    'Cally?' Kit was staring at her, lips parted in shock. 'You know
    this man?’
    'Yes.' She forced her lips to move to make the necessary
    sounds. 'His name is Nicholas Tempest."
    'I'm the chairman of Eastern Crest’ His smile did not reach his
    eyes. The gaze that held hers was a challenge, and warning.
    'Now, tell him the rest, darling." And from