The Boss's Secret Mistress. Alison Fraser

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СКАЧАТЬ he had her backed against his car.

      He did it with the minimum of force. Only her pride was really hurt.

      She snapped at him, ‘Let me go!’

      ‘Okay.’ He released her but stood so close she was still trapped and asked, ‘Is Simpson’s wife filing for divorce?’

      She frowned at the unexpected question. ‘Yes, possibly. Why?’

      ‘Well, that explains the need to keep quiet,’ he concluded, ‘if not the attraction.’

      His eyes narrowed in contempt and Tory found herself flaring back, ‘You know nothing!’

      ‘You’re right. I don’t,’ he agreed in the same vein. ‘I don’t know why a bright, beautiful young woman would waste herself on a washed-up has-been with a wife, two kids and a drink habit to support… Perhaps you could enlighten me?’

      ‘Alex isn’t a has-been!’ Tory protested angrily, recalling the programme outlines they’d prepared to impress this man. Some of their ideas were good, damn good. All futile, now, it would seem. ‘And he doesn’t have a drink problem.’

      He threw her a look of pity.

      ‘Who says love doesn’t walk around with a white cane and guide dog?’

      She threw him back a look of fury.

      ‘I’m not in love with Alex Simpson! I never have been in love with Alex Simpson. I never shall be. I don’t even believe in love!’

      She spoke in no uncertain terms and speculation replaced pity in his gaze, but he still didn’t release her.

      ‘So you don’t love Simpson,’ he mused aloud. ‘You don’t love anybody. I wonder what gets you through the day, Tory Lloyd?’

      ‘My work,’ she answered, both literally and figuratively. ‘That’s what’s important to me. That’s all that’s important to me.’

      He shook his head, then leaned towards her to say in a low voice, ‘If that’s true, Simpson must be goddamn lousy in bed.’

      Tory reacted with shocked disbelief. ‘Do you have to be so…so…?’

      ‘Accurate?’

      ‘Crude!’

      ‘I can’t help it,’ he claimed. ‘I am American, after all.’

      His tone was serious, but inside he was laughing. At her.

      ‘Is that what you like about Simpson? Is he suitably refined?’

      ‘More so than you, at any rate.’

      Tory had, by this time, given up worrying about job security.

      Lucas Ryecart had also abandoned any effort to be a fair, reasonable employer.

      ‘I won’t argue with that.’ He shrugged off any insult, before drawling, ‘But at least I have a certain homespun notion of morality.’

      ‘Really?’ Tory sniffed.

      ‘Yes, really,’ he echoed. ‘If I were married, I wouldn’t dump my wife and kids just because a newer, prettier model came along—’

      ‘That’s not the way it was,’ Tory almost spat at him, ‘and who knows what you’d do. You’re not married, are you?’

      ‘Not currently, but I was.’ His face clouded briefly.

      Tory could have kicked herself. She’d forgotten momentarily his connection with Jessica Wainwright.

      ‘And when I was married, I was faithful,’ he added quietly.

      Tory believed him. He hadn’t cheated on Jessica. He hadn’t cheated because he’d adored her.

      Her anger faded as she wondered if he still grieved but she didn’t want to probe further. She was uncomfortable with the whole subject.

      ‘Mr Ryecart,’ she replied at length, ‘I don’t feel this is any of my business.’

      ‘It will be, Miss Lloyd,’ he mocked her formality, ‘come the day I take you away from Simpson.’

      ‘What?’

      ‘I said—’

      ‘I heard!’ She just didn’t believe him. Was it a joke?

      Blue eyes caught and held hers. They told her it was no joke.

      ‘I’ve decided I am interested, after all,’ he stated dispassionately.

      They could have been discussing a business deal. She was to be his latest acquisition. Take over, asset strip, move on.

      ‘I thought you were too old for me,’ Tory reminded him pointedly.

      ‘I’d have said so, yes,’ he agreed in dry tones, ‘but as you’re already living with someone of my advanced years, you obviously don’t share my reservations.’

      ‘I am not living with Alex,’ she seethed in denial.

      ‘You’re simply good friends, right?’ He slanted her a sceptical look.

      Tory wanted to slap him. She longed to. She’d never had such a violent urge before.

      ‘Oh, think what you like!’ She finally snapped. ‘Only don’t take it out on Alex.’

      ‘Meaning?’ Dark brows lifted.

      ‘Meaning: you may fancy me—’ she continued angrily.

      A deep, mocking laugh interrupted her. ‘English understatement, I love it. I don’t just fancy you, Miss Lloyd. I want you. I desire you. I’d like to—’

      ‘Okay, I’ve got the picture,’ she cut across him before he became any more explicit. ‘But that’s not my fault or Alex’s. I haven’t encouraged you. If this affects our positions at Eastwich—’

      ‘You’ll scream sexual harassment?’ His eyes hardened.

      Tory scowled in return. He was putting words in her mouth that weren’t there. ‘I wasn’t saying that.’

      ‘Good, because I’ve told you before,’ he growled back, ‘I am quite capable of separating my private life and my position as Chief Executive of Eastwich… If I decide to fire Simpson, you can be sure it’ll be for a better reason than the fact he’s currently sharing your bed.’

      ‘He isn’t!’ Tory protested once more, only to draw a cynical glance that made her finally lose it. ‘To hell with this! You’re right, of course. Alex and I are lovers. In fact, we’re at it like rabbits. Night and day. Every spare moment,’ she ran on wildly. ‘We can’t keep our hands off each other.’

      It silenced him, but only briefly before he drawled back, ‘Now СКАЧАТЬ