Carole Mortimer - Fear Of Love

Dominic was sitting in the lounge when she came hesitantly into the room, stubbing his cheroot out in the ashtray at her entrance. His elegant light grey trousers and black fitted shirt only seemed to emphasise her own scruffiness. Well, how was she supposed to know she would be taking tea with the famous Dominic Tempest!

‘Sit down, Alexandra,’ he said impatiently. ‘You might as well play hostess.’

She blushed at his scathing mockery. ‘I’d rather not.’

‘Oh, come on, Alex,’ he encouraged shortly. ‘I’m as hungry as you are. I missed out on lunch too, remember?’

She picked up the china teapot. ‘I didn’t know you admitted to such human feelings as hunger.’

His grey eyes taunted. ‘I admit to much more human feelings than that.’

She should have known her effort to hit out at him would only rebound on her. ‘Lemon, milk and sugar?’ she asked tightly.

‘Just lemon, please. I’m sweet enough already.’

‘That’s a matter of opinion!’

He laughed, showing even white teeth in his tanned face. ‘Somehow I knew you would say that.’

‘Then I’m glad you weren’t disappointed.’

He took the proffered cup of tea. ‘You never disappoint me, Alex. You’re very entertaining.’

She poured her own tea. ‘I’m glad I’m of some use!’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Oh dear, is it feel sorry for Alex day?’

Her blue eyes showed her anger. ‘No, it isn’t! And my name is Alexandra.’

‘So it is,’ he appeared unconcerned. ‘But I prefer Alex. Much more friendly.’

‘As I have no intention of becoming a friend of yours I would prefer you to use my full name.’

‘And I would prefer not to. Oh, shut up, Alex,’ he ordered abruptly as she went to speak again. ‘And pass me a sandwich.’

Her cup landed with a clatter on the table. ‘I may have to stay here with you, but I’m certainly not going to be reduced to the level of another servant for you to order about!’

‘If you were a servant we might get on better,’ he retorted. ‘I happen to like all my employees. But I would certainly never take from them what I’ve taken from you today.’

‘Don’t expect the next month to be any different.’ She bit hungrily into a ham sandwich. ‘Staying here won’t make me like you any the more.’

Dominic raised his eyes heavenwards, pushing the blond hair back off his forehead. ‘Thank God you’ll be out of the house most of the time.’

‘I will?’

‘I hope so. College should—oh no!’ he groaned. ‘College has finished for the summer, hasn’t it?’

She smiled sweetly. ‘It has.’

‘Oh hell!’

‘Temper, temper,’ she taunted. ‘Anyone would think you weren’t going to enjoy having me about.’

‘Anyone would be right,’ he said dryly.

‘Shame!’ Alexandra laughed. ‘Could I use your telephone, please?’

‘I’m surprised you bothered to ask.’

Alexandra ignored his mockery. ‘Well, can I?’

‘I suppose you’re going to call lover boy?’

Her head rose haughtily. ‘If you mean Roger, then yes, I am.’

Dominic looked bored. ‘Go ahead. But remember what I said about inviting him round here. I’m not as liberal as Gail and Trevor, I won’t allow you to take him upstairs to your bedroom. I’m too much aware of the temptation involved.’

‘You would be. Roger and I don’t regard it in that light. We merely go to my room to listen to records.’

‘More fool you.’ He stood up. ‘I’m going to my study, so you can use the telephone in here. I would appreciate it if you didn’t disturb me, I have some work to do.’

‘I have no intention of disturbing you,’ she said indignantly.

‘Fine. When you’ve finished with the tea things just ring for Charles and he’ll clear away. Dinner is at eight, by the way.’

‘Am I expected to dress up for that?’

‘Not particularly.’ His eyes travelled slowly over her slender body. ‘But I think I would prefer you to put on something more feminine than denims.’

‘Your likes and dislikes don’t come into it,’ she told him sharply. ‘But I have to go back to the house and pack a few things, so I might manage to change for dinner.’

‘You’re going to the house now?’

She gave him a challenging look. ‘Do you have any objections?’

‘None, as long as you don’t use it as a meeting place for yourself and your boy-friend.’

‘You have a disgusting mind, Mr Tempest!’

He laughed at her outrage. ‘I’m just realistic, Alex. ’

She was still glowering at him as he left the room. She couldn’t stay here with him, she just couldn’t. They didn’t even like each other. But she didn’t see what else she could do; Gail’s health depended on her not causing trouble.

She put a call through to the hospital before calling Roger, and was told that Mrs Tempest was asleep and not to be disturbed. It seemed to underline the fact that Gail’s health was very delicate at the moment. She left a message for them to tell Gail of her call and she sent her love.

Her call to Roger wasn’t quite so easy, knowing he wouldn’t understand her reasons for being at Dominic Tempest’s house any better than she did herself. She was right, he didn’t.

‘You could come and stay here,’ he suggested. ‘My mother and father would love to have you.’

‘I—I never thought of that.’ Hope quickened her heart. ‘Do you really think they wouldn’t mind?’

‘I know they wouldn’t.’

‘Wait a minute, then, and I’ll go and see what Dominic says,’ she said eagerly.

‘What does it matter what he says?’ Roger demanded crossly. ‘After the way he spoke to you earlier I can’t believe it would bother him where you stay.’

‘You’re right, it doesn’t. But I— Look, I’ll just see what he thinks of the idea.’ She put the telephone down before he could raise any more objections. She knocked briskly on Dominic’s study door before entering.

He looked up at her, an impatient frown marking his forehead. ‘I thought I said I wasn’t to be disturbed,’ he snapped coldly. ‘God, you’ve only been in the house an hour and already you’re making a nuisance of yourself.’

Angry colour flared into her cheeks. ‘I did knock!’

Dominic sat back, his eyes narrowed. ‘So I heard, but I don’t remember inviting you in.’

‘You’re impossible!’

‘Instead of standing there getting angry I think you would be better spending the time telling me what you came in here for, because in two minutes you’re going to be thrown out again.’

‘It doesn’t matter!’ She turned on her heel.

‘Alexandra!’ her name sounded like a whiplash. ‘Get back in here.’

She blinked back the tears. ‘No, I won’t.’

Dominic sighed. ‘You came to ask me something, you might as well do that now you’re here.’

‘I said it doesn’t matter,’ she said obstinately.

‘You have one minute left,’ he warned.

Alexandra turned angrily. ‘Is your time so valuable you don’t have two minutes to spare?’

‘At the moment, yes. I have a schedule to meet. So what’s wrong?’

‘Roger’s on the telephone, he says I can stay at his house.’

‘No.’

Her eyes were a deeper blue as her anger increased. ‘What do you mean, no? Why can’t I? Who’s to say I can’t anyway?’

‘I am,’ he told her calmly. ‘In view of the absence of Gail and Trevor I’m acting as your guardian, and I say you stay where you are. Now, if that’s all you wanted I have work to do.’

‘You have no right—–’

‘I have every right! You’re staying here, where Gail and Trevor can be sure you’re safe.’

‘With you?’ she scorned.