Mistress: At What Price? Read Free Page A

Dane.’ She barely spared him a glance, and Mariel had the fleeting thought that life had gone on here as usual while she’d been away. Phoebe leaned in and murmured, ‘Kyle just rang. He wants to meet me. Now.’
    Mariel stared at her sister, incredulous. ‘And you agreed? What happened to your New Year’s resolution?’
    Phoebe bit her lip. ‘I know, I know, but…’
    â€˜Don’t let him call the shots, Pheebes.’
    â€˜I won’t. But I’ve got to meet him halfway, don’t I?’
    Mariel raised a brow at the gleam in Phoebe’s over-bright eyes. ‘And where’s that?’
    â€˜Um…a spot we like to go. Oh, and in case I don’t see you, I won’t be around when you get up. I’m on an early-morning flight to Melbourne. There’s a music festival on. So I’ve asked Brad Johnston to drop you home. You remember Brad; he’s keen to catch up with you again.’
    â€˜Ah…’ Stomach sinking, she glanced over Phoebe’s shoulder, saw the familiar fuzzy-haired guy weaving his way through the crowd. More than keen, if Mariel wasn’t mistaken.
    â€˜You two came together?’ Dane asked.
    â€˜Yeah, my wonderful sister came to keep me company…um…because Kyle couldn’t make it. You don’t mind, do you, Mari?’
    â€˜Of course not, but I think you should consider—’
    â€˜No need to bother Brad,’ Dane cut in, his voice disturbingly deep, disturbingly close. ‘It’s all arranged, I’m taking Mariel home.’

CHAPTER TWO
    â€˜O H ? O KAY … but…’ Phoebe’s eyes darted between the two of them.
    â€˜I’ll let Brad know,’ he told her.
    â€˜Okay. Thanks, Dane. See ya later, sis.’ Phoebe pecked Mariel’s cheek and was gone in a whirlwind of pink and perfume.
    â€˜Arranged?’ Mariel muttered, glaring at him while every internal organ traded places.
    â€˜Wait here,’ he ordered, and was gone before she could utter another word of protest.
    Hardly. But she stood immobile, feet stapled to the floor, while she watched him dispatch Brad in less than five seconds. Why weren’t her legs moving? Why wasn’t she getting the heck away before it was too late?
    Dane could tell Mariel was unsettled by the sudden turn of events as he made his way back. Her eyes glinted dangerously, that beautiful mouth a slash of coral in her pale face. But, he noted with satisfaction, she’d made no attempt to disappear amongst the guests.
    â€˜I was hoping to leave early,’ she said the moment he reached her side. Setting her cup down, she unzipped the diamante bag that swung from her shoulder. ‘Aboutnow, in fact. I wouldn’t want to spoil the evening for you. You probably came with someone…’ She pulled out her mobile. ‘I’ll call a cab.’
    â€˜I told you. I’m taking you home. And it’s not a problem; I came alone.’
    â€˜Oh…’ He saw her register that fact as her eyes clashed with his again.
    Not a problem? Dane gave himself a mental slap on the forehead. They had unfinished business that went back ten years. To a night of youthful passion on a girly patterned quilt, the night-cooled fragrance wafting inside on the moonbeams.
    Then a very ugly end outside his father’s garage.
    Not a matter that could be sorted out tonight, Dane knew, but he’d taken one look at Brad and some sort of proprietorial instinct had kicked in.
    â€˜But you’ll want to stay, enjoy…’ She waved a carefully manicured hand. ‘Whatever…’
    â€˜I’m ready to leave when you are.’
    â€˜Very well,’ she said with quiet formality, her spine rigid. ‘Thank you. I’d like to leave now, if that’s okay. My body clock’s still on Greenwich Mean Time.’
    â€˜We’ll say our goodbyes, then.’ He placed a hand on the small of her back.