After the Affair(15)

His sigh carried frustration. 'You really are paranoid, aren't you? Perhaps I just assumed it, my sweet. You told me nine years ago you were doing a veterinary science degree, don't you remember?'

Oh, yes... She remembered. She remembered all the things she had told him, all the intimate, loving, soul-destroying things!

A resurgence of bitterness had her glaring up at him, but he didn't appear to notice. Or maybe he couldn't see her properly in the shadows. Either way he ignored her angry look and stretched one hand towards her. 'Come. You're beginning to irritate me, standing down there like a reluctant virgin on her wedding night.'

Cassie clamped her teeth together, biting back a sharp retort. It was going to be hard to keep control of her temper, she realised with some dismay. She had to remember to be very pleasant.

Nevertheless, she ignored Dan's outstretched hand, negotiating the steps as carefully as possible in the ridiculously high heels. 'You'll have to do something about that dog of yours,' she said thoughtfully as she reached the veranda, 'if you expect me to let Jason come to visit.'

Dan's laughter chilled her soul. Cassie stared at him, unable to hide her alarm. 'Why are you laughing? I haven't said anything funny.'

His mouth snapped shut, then creased back in a humourless smile. 'It was the choice of the word "let" that I found amusing. Come...I'm tired of this stupid banter. We'll go into the library and get down to real business.'

With that he took her elbow, propelling her as he had the previous afternoon through the doorway, along the hall then into the library, his touch no less disturbing than on that occasion.

The door closed ominously behind them. Then, before Cassie could stop him, Dan slipped the black cardigan from her shoulders. 'You'll be too hot in this,' he pronounced.

She spun round, her cheeks reddening. But he hadn't noticed her dress yet. He was walking away from her to hang the garment over a chair near the door. Cassie glanced around the room, wondering where she could stand to make her choice of clothing less...obvious.

But there was nowhere.

She couldn't very well hide behind the heavy green curtains or the large walnut desk. Otherwise, the only furniture consisted of four deeply cushioned armchairs, whose backs were hard against the bookshelves. Even the drinks cabinet was built-in.

Stricken, she stared down at the pale gold carpet, which was thick and plush underfoot, trying desperately to find the courage to meet Dan's eyes. Once again she had underestimated something. This time her own pride. She knew— no matter what the motivation—that she could not belittle herself by trying to even mildly seduce this man. Yet he would be bound to suspect something, once he looked at her dress!

When she did finally glance up it was to find Dan staring at her, as she had expected. But not with a knowing leer. More a black, brooding anger.

'Going somewhere, Cassie?' he grated out. 'Or have you already been.'

Relief overwhelmed her. Here was the perfect excuse for her appearance, supplied by Dan himself.

'I have a late date' she returned, adopting a nonchalant manner. 'I didn't think I'd be here all that long.'

The black eyes blazed. Surely he couldn't be jealous? she thought dazedly. The thought brought a swift, mad pang of pleasure.

'I suppose it's your boss again. What was his name? Roger? I do hope he's a patient man,' Dan added caustically. 'This might take some time.'

'He'll wait!' she snapped, perversely not telling him the truth. For some deep, dark reason that even Cassie didn't want to explore, she liked Dan sounding jealous.

'I dare say.' His eyes travelled over her body with insolent slowness, lingering first on her thighs, then drifting up to her full, taut breasts. 'A body like yours would be worth waiting for. From what I can see—which is ample—it's even better than I remembered.'

Cassie felt totally mortified. He might as well have touched her, so intense was her response to his scrutiny, his words. Heat suffused her skin. An unnerving excitement ran through her veins. 'I am more than a body, Dan McKay,' she protested, but far, far too shakily. 'I have a mind. And feelings!'

His laughter was mocking. 'I must apologise. It's hard to remember such esoteric matters when confronted by such a striking...dress.' His eyes slid down her legs to her feet. 'Not to mention the shoes.'

She assumed a stony mask, brilliantly covering up her fluster. 'I am not here to discuss my appearance. Or my love-life. I think we should get to the point.'

'Very well.' Dan turned abruptly and strode around behind the desk. He sat down in the leather swivel-chair, leaning back, elbows on the arms, fingers linked in front of his chest. His black gaze studied her mercilessly for several elongated seconds, making her feel lost and vulnerable.

'Do sit down, Cassie,' he said at last. 'If you can manage it.'