Free Irresistible Temptation by Sara Craven

the reassurance of knowing their homes are going to be occupied by tenants who appreciate them, and respect them too. Our aim is to keep the whole thing as trouble-free as possible.'
    Personal Property was clearly a thriving business. The phone rang constantly, and there was a steady stream of callers too. During the afternoon, when it was quieter, Mr Sutton went to look at two flats the company was being asked to manage, and Olivia held the fort alone.
    It gave her the chance to browse through the register of available properties and print off the details of three or four which she hoped might interest Jeremy. That was if they were in the right area, she amended ruefully.
    Her brows rose when she saw the rents, but by the time they moved in she would have regular work and be able to make a proper contribution, she told herself.
    But the real shock came when she found a basement bedsit, almost identical to her own, and in the Lancey Gardens neighbourhood, costing twice what she was paying.
    When Colin Sutton returned, she asked rather shyly if it was a mistake.
    'Far from it,' he told her briskly. 'That's one of the cheaper ones.'
    Which gave Olivia serious food for thought as she went home that evening, having assured an anxious Mr Sutton that she would be back sharp at nine the following morning.
    On the way down to her basement, she knocked at Sasha's door, intending to have it out with her, but there was no reply.
    She's probably taking Humph for a walk, thought Olivia. I'll write her a note and pop it through the door.
    She composed her letter carefully, saying merely that she wished to discuss the rent, and would be grateful if Sasha could spare her some time that evening.
    She'd shopped during her lunch-break, and now set about preparing her evening meal—pork steak casseroled with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and wine.
    When it was all simmering nicely, she decided to have a shower. She'd just finished, and, wrapped in her bathrobe, was towelling her hair vigorously, when there was a knock at the door.
    Sasha, she thought, tossing the damp towel on to a chair.
    But as she opened the door her welcoming smile died on her lips and she took a step backwards, gazing with stupefaction at Declan Malone.
    'You?' she said 'What are you doing here?'
    'I came to see you about this.'
    Olivia saw with outrage that he was holding up her note.
    'Do you usually read other people's private correspondence?' she demanded icily.
    'Only when I'm asked,' he said with equal coldness. 'Sasha hates wearing glasses, and avoids doing so at all costs, although she can't read a word without them. So I told her it was a double glazing hand-out.'
    Olivia gasped. 'Well, how dare you?'
    'And how dare you?' he came back at her sharply. 'She's charging you little enough as it is, but you want to beat her down still further, you mercenary little cat And because she's got a heart like putty she'd probably let you get away with it'
    For a moment Olivia was stunned, but only for a moment Then anger took over.
    'Oh, you have me completely summed up,' she said, her tone heavy with irony. 'There's nothing I enjoy more than defrauding people who've been kind to me. That's when I'm not stealing from orphans and mugging pensioners, of course.' Her voice nearly cracked. 'Now get out of here.
    'I'm going nowhere.' He walked in, and closed the door behind him. 'Look, maybe I was a bit harsh…
    'Maybe?' Olivia choked out a savage laugh. 'Oh, not you. You're devoted to the integrity of your work—remember? Being judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one, and most impressive—as long as you're not on the receiving end.'
    She swallowed. 'And I suppose it becomes such a habit it spills over into your private life too,' she added furiously.
    'Not,' he said slowly, 'that anyone's ever told me.'
    'They wouldn't dare.' The tendrils of her hair felt damp against her neck, and she was acutely conscious that the robe was her only covering.
    Declares mouth tightened. 'I