Free Mistress at a Price by Sara Craven Page B

anxious look. ‘ You must have felt that too. ’

    ‘ I think I was probably too sexually enthralled to dwell much on the philosophical ramifications, ’ Liam drawled. ‘ It ’ s a man thing. But I ’ m still listening. ’

    Cat was shaking inside suddenly, but she threw her head back with an assumption of confidence. ‘ I don ’ t want to lose that excitement — that edge. ’

    ‘ You feel that could happen? You ’ re threatened by the prospect of lunch in Richmond? ’ His smile did not reach his eyes.

    ‘ Yes, ’ she said. ‘ I think it ’ s a risk if we get involved in things like that. In walks and talks and theatre trips. In meeting each other ’ s friends and all the usual banal stuff. ’

    ‘ I don ’ t consider my friends banal, ’ he said. ‘ I can ’ t, of course, speak for yours, but I ’ d have thought it unlikely. ’

    Cat gestured impatiently. ‘ That was just an illustration. ’ She paused. ‘ But do you see what I ’ m getting at? ’

    ‘ I ’ m not sure, ’ Liam said slowly. ‘ At least, I hope I ’ m not. Maybe you should be more specific. ’

    She took a very deep breath. ‘ I want to go on seeing you. I want us to be lovers, just as we ’ ve been here. Meeting on completely neutral territory. Not asking any questions or imposing any obligations. Just — enjoying each other. ’

    He turned and looked out of the window. He was very still, but Cat could sense the tension in him like a coiled spring.

    ‘ And then parting? ’

    ‘ Well, yes, ’ she admitted lamely. ‘ Until the next time. ’

    ‘ So, ’ he said. ‘ That ’ s all you want from me? Sex in a series of hotel rooms just like this? Paid for by the hour? ’

    ‘ No, ’ Cat denied swiftly. ‘ It ’ s far more than that. Something completely separate from our everyday selves, and infinitely special. A private affair with a secret lover. Knowing each other ’ s names, but nothing else. Passion without commitment. ’ She paused, wishing she didn ’ t have to speak to his taut back. ‘ Doesn ’ t that turn you on just a little? ’

    Liam swung round, and Cat gasped and fell back, confronted by the blaze of anger in his eyes.

    ‘ Frankly, no. ’ His voice bit. ‘ I think you must be out of your mind even to suggest it. ’

    ‘ Why? ’ she flared in turn. ‘ Because the idea ’ s coming from me — the female of the species — and setting up a discreet liaison is a male preserve? Isn ’ t that just a tad hypocritical? ’

    Two long strides brought him to her. His hands gripped her arms, the fingers digging into her flesh. His face looked stark, stripped to the bone. ‘ You try to set me up as your tame stud and you expect me to be bloody pleased? What the hell do you think I am? ’

    She tried to pull away. ‘ Liam — you ’ re hurting me… ’

    ‘ Hurting you? ’ he said, his voice shaking. ‘ My God, I ’ d like to —’

    He stopped, biting his lip savagely, then released her with a contemptuous gesture, turning away from her again.

    When he spoke again his voice was cool and even. ‘ And when passion fades — what then? ’

    She hesitated. ‘ Then we finish it, quietly and sensibly, like adult people. ’

    ‘ Ah, yes, ’ he said. ‘ Rather like putting down a wounded animal. ’ He paused, looking back at her, his eyes hooded. ‘ Tell me something — how many other men have been offered this enticing proposition, just as a matter of interest? ’

    She looked down at the carpet. ‘ None, ’ she denied quietly. ‘ I — I thought I ’ d found the perfect lover at last — and I wanted to go on seeing you. ’

    ‘ But only in secret, ’ Liam said with icy scorn. ‘ And on your terms, at designated locations and specific times. Two anonymous bodies joining, then separating. Contact without contact. How incredibly romantic. ’

    Cat lifted her chin. ‘ You can ’ t bear it because I ’ ve been honest with you, ’ she accused. ‘ Because I ’ ve