Free Paradise Found by Dorothy Vernon Page B

Matt’s voice? For a brief moment she contested this thought, wondering if her mind was playing tricks and it was Tony. But no! Tony’s approach was always heralded by the thump of his crutches. ‘Matt,’ she repeated weakly, and her heart began to thud. ‘You . . .you startled me.’
    â€˜Sorry. My intention was to surprise, not startle. I spotted you in my headlights as I pulled into the drive.’
    â€˜It was you in that car?’
    â€˜Yes. Except that it isn’t a car. It’s a truck. I had a delivery to make in Marseilles. Mother is having a room prepared for me. You looked inviting standing there in your white dress. I thought I’d join you. What are you doing out here, all by yourself?’
    â€˜I have a bit of a headache. I was hoping the fresh air would clear it.’
    â€˜Been overdoing the sun?’ he queried, taking a step forward, his hands going up to her neck. His thumbs rested in the hollows at her throat; his strong fingers curved to her neck and gently massaged, lifting the tight knots and taking the tension into his own fingertips. Then one hand went to the back of her neck and the other captured her chin, twisting it gently from side to side. Her neck gave a small protesting creak, then moved freely. ‘That better?’
    â€˜Yes, thank you. It feels . . .wonderful.’
    â€˜You know I’m going to kiss you, don’t you?’
    â€˜Please don’t, Matt.’
    â€˜You don’t really mean that.’
    â€˜I do. This isn’t fair to Tony.’
    â€˜Are you still persisting in that nonsense?’
    â€˜If you mean am I still going to marry him, the answer is yes, as soon as it’s possible. You only got the wedding delayed. You haven’t put it off permanently.’
    â€˜I? I had nothing to do with getting Tony drunk, so drunk he was incapable of looking after himself and behaved like an irresponsible fool.’
    â€˜No? I know you didn’t intend him to fall down those stairs, but you had a hand in the other. You encouraged him to drink more than was good for him. That’s one accusation I will not withdraw. Because you did! The smirk on your face when I came round to see Tony and you told me that when you’d left him he looked as if he’d take a week to sober up is something I’ll never forget. I’ll never forgive you.’
    â€˜You have a vivid imagination.’
    â€˜I know you, Matt.’
    â€˜And I know you, apparently better than you know yourself. You idiot, you wouldn’t be happy if you married Tony.’
    â€˜
When
I find out, I’ll let you know.’
    â€˜Why you goading little . . .’ The fingers still clutching her chin tightened their hold. Her chin wasn’t released until his mouth was firmly planted on hers, forcing her head back with such ferocity that she thought her neck would have snapped but for the hand supporting it.
    Even in the height of her indignation, she exhilarated in the sweet brutality of that kiss. No one could move her like this. She came alive for him.
    When he finally released her, he said, ‘You wanted that as much as I did.’
    To her deep chagrin and shame, that was the undeniable truth.
    â€˜I think we’d better go in now,’ he said. ‘I still have to change. But first, for what it’s worth, this doesn’t suit me any more than it does you. You’re my weakness, Zoe. I don’t like it.’
    â€˜You found the strength to stay away from me for five years.’
    â€˜That’s not strictly true. I tried to look you up. I drew a blank. I discovered that you’d changed your address and your job.’
    â€˜You didn’t look very hard. You could have found me if your wanted to badly enough.’
    â€˜Fair comment. It would be untrue to say I’ve spent all that time pining for you. But I’ve thought of you. That last time—well, you don’t need me to tell you