Red-Hot Lover. Sarah Holland

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СКАЧАТЬ Smiling brightly, she slid a possessive hand through his arm. ‘Sorry to drag you away, but it’s time for the family photos.’

      ‘Must I?’ he demanded tightly.

      ‘Yes, you must.’ Her heart skipped beats with fear. She was appalled that he could even consider turning her down, especially in front of this seductive stranger.

      ‘Family photos?’ drawled the brunette, with a withering glance at Clara. ‘What a bore, Jared. I’d decline if I were you.’

      ‘I’m afraid he can’t decline,’ Clara said thickly. ‘You see, the bride is my sister. Jared lives with me and has been my boyfriend—’ she enunciated the word ‘boyfriend’ ‘—for the last two years. So, he really is honour-bound to appear in the wedding photos.’ She tugged at Jared’s arm. ‘Come along, darling. They’re waiting for us.’

      Relief overwhelmed her because Jared allowed himself to be pulled away, but his face was very tense and his eyes were dark. In silence they walked across the sunlit churchyard. Birds were singing above the laughter of the guests. The summer breeze was warm on Clara’s skin, but inside her heart was aching and hurt.

      ‘I don’t want to be in these damned photos!’ he muttered beside her, trying to guide her away from the grassy mound they were supposed to be going to.

      ‘Jared, what on earth is the matter with you?’ she asked hoarsely, keeping her voice low so no one could hear her. ‘You knew you had to be in the photos. I told you weeks ago.’

      ‘Did you? I forgot.’

      ‘You can’t possibly have forgotten. I’ve reminded you almost every day. And don’t try to tell me you deliberately flirted with that woman to avoid having your photo taken. You have your photo taken all the time.’

      ‘For business purposes.’

      ‘Don’t be evasive,’ she whispered fiercely. ‘You know what you did just now. How could you? How could you humiliate me by flirting with that woman so blatantly?’

      ‘I wasn’t flirting with her,’ he muttered under his breath, watching his polished black shoes as he walked.

      ‘Yes, you were. I’m not a fool. Nor are any of the people here today.’ Hurt flashed in her eyes. ‘And you made me feel very jealous. You did that deliberately. I know you did. Why did you do that? What on earth have I done to make you behave this way?’

      ‘I hate weddings,’ he bit out thickly. ‘I keep telling you that. You should have left me at home and come alone.’

      ‘I needed you with me.’

      ‘You keep saying that, but—’ He broke off, stopped walking and studied the waiting group a few feet from them.

      The bride, the groom, the photographer and Gareth’s family were all smiling across at Clara and Jared. It was an idyllic, happy scene, thought Clara. Everyone looked so good, and the sun was high in a clear blue sky on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year so far.

      But Jared’s face was pale with tension. And as he stared across at the little family group his breathing altered and his heart began to beat heavily.

      He looked around, as though searching for a way to escape.

      ‘Darling…?’ Clara whispered with a sudden renewal of concern. ‘What on earth is wrong?’

      ‘It’s nothing,’ he muttered, but as he looked back at the group he drew a harsh breath and suddenly turned to Clara, his arm going around her as he pulled her close and kissed her cheek. As their bodies touched she felt the beat of his heart. Was he frightened? But what on earth could frighten him in this idyllic setting? Yet he was deeply worried about something. Otherwise why would he close his eyes for so long as he kissed her, and why would he let his mouth linger a second too long on the soft curve of her cheek?

      Suddenly she was released. But he grasped her hand in his as he led her to the smiling wedding group. One or two of Gareth’s family said hello. Jared nodded, gave them a tense smile, but did not speak. The photographer started taking pictures. Clara smiled as Jared’s large powerful hand nearly crushed hers—his grip was tightening the longer he had to stand here.

      ‘Could I get one of you alone with Miss Maye, Mr Blackheath?’

      ‘This isn’t our wedding day,’ Jared said. ‘It’s Susie and Gareth’s, as you very well know.’

      ‘Yes, but it isn’t often I get to take a few shots of such a famous couple.’

      Clara felt herself blush. She’d always been happy to be famous, and she knew Jared was. It was one of the things they had in common. But to be photographed like this in front of the whole wedding crowd on Susie’s wedding day felt uncomfortably like upstaging the bride. Her eyes flickered to Susie’s as the rest of the family moved obligingly away, leaving Clara and Jared alone on the grassy knoll, centre stage and in the spotlight once again.

      ‘Go on.’ Susie grinned at her approvingly.

      Clara bit her lip and looked up at Jared. He didn’t look as happy as she felt. In fact his face was hard, and set in an angry expression. He was also, she noticed, staring across the churchyard at the church, not looking at the bride and the groom or the photographer at all.

      ‘Just one or two,’ murmured the photographer, already taking pictures.

      ‘Very well.’ Jared’s mouth tightened. He stood on Clara’s right, still looking at the church, giving the photographer his arrogant profile, refusing to look at the camera or the family. Aware that the photographs would need some kind of composition, Clara looked up into Jared’s face with a smile, making the photo double-facing.

      He felt her stare, glanced down at her and saw the love in her green eyes. A brief smile touched his mouth. The sun glowed behind them. It must have made a beautiful shot because murmurs of delight went up from the crowd. Clara felt her smile widen—being an orphan had left her with a remarkable desire to be noticed and talked about, as though without public acclaim she somehow did not truly exist. She had often wondered if Jared felt the same. She wondered it again now as she saw the smile deepen on his handsome face, aware of the stir they were causing.

      Everyone was watching Clara and Jared. Although Clara was a well-known face from the television, Jared was the big fish. Sexy, dynamic multimillionaire tycoons were a rarity in any arena. Most people simply stared at him in awe.

      ‘Lovely, thanks.’ The photographer wouldn’t let up. ‘Just one more…’

      But before the shutter clicked, Susie called, ‘Here!’ She threw her bouquet at Clara. ‘Your turn next, blushing bride!’

      ‘Right, that’s enough!’ Jared muttered furiously to Clara. ‘No more photographs. We’re leaving.’ He raised his voice so the others could hear. ‘Thank you, but we’re very tired and need to go. See you at the reception!’

      Without waiting for a reply from anyone, Jared turned on his heel and strode away across the churchyard, still holding Clara’s hand tightly so she could not get away from him. Guests scattered like a flurry of flamingoes, all tottering in hats and high heels to let Jared Blackheath pass. And, clinging with one hand to both her hat and her new bouquet, Clara skittered along beside him.

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