Free Twelve Days - The Beginning by Jade Reyner Page A

phone line causing her to tingle all over.
    “How....” she swallowed, aware that that had come out as more of a squeak than a word.
    “How the hell did you get this number?”
    “Elise, I am your boss. There is nothing that I can’t find out if I choose to do so.” His voice rumbled in her ear, the almost dominant tone managing to be safe and dangerous at the same time.
    “Why are you calling me, Vaughn? There is nothing for us to say.” Her voice barely wobbled and she was proud of herself.
    “I disagree.” He stated matter-of-factly, “However, I was calling to enquire after your husband’s welfare. I presume you went to the hospital after you left here?”
    “Yes, I did. He’s going to be OK.” She paused before adding the last statement. “No thanks to you.”
    She heard his sharp intake of breath and knew that she had overstepped the mark. If it hadn’t been for Vaughn, then Cole and Dale would most likely still be fighting now and doubtless in a much worse condition. She had no idea why she was being so tetchy with him – she should really be thanking him.
    “Sorry.... that was uncalled for. It’s just been a long day.” She hoped he took her apology at face value and made an allowance for her overwrought emotions. After all, there was little else that she could say.
    “It’s OK, Elise,” she heard him blow out a breath, “I know that this must be difficult for you.”
    He paused and she waited, wondering if he was expecting her to speak. She didn’t think she could even; she was done in. Anything that came out now was unlikely to make much sense. The silence lengthened but still she waited, hearing his breathing quicken on the other end.
    “Elise, I need you to know something” he said eventually, his voice was low and seductive. She waited again, shivers running down her arms, nerves tingling and hand shaking at the connection with the phone – the connection with him.
    “This thing between us isn’t over - not by a long shot. You and I will happen, husband or no husband. See you at work on Monday.”
    He delivered his speech and then cut the connection. The line went dead.
    Elise sat stunned, staring at the phone as if it could somehow help her make sense of the ridiculous conversation she had just had. Or rather the conversation that Vaughn had just had. The arrogance of the man knew no bounds. He didn’t ask - no. He just assumed that she would want to have a thing with him. He was probably used to women falling at his feet but she wasn’t just another one of his conquests; she was a married woman, and his comments were dismissing Dale and her vows as if they meant nothing. Regardless of how she felt when she was around the man and how his presence affected her, she couldn’t let him walk all over her just because the mood took him. She had commitments – hell, she had a life and even if it wasn’t perfect, it was her life and nobody else’s business. If her marriage was to be compromised, that would be her decision and no one else’s. She needed to stick to her resolve to keep away from Vaughn Granger. Spending any more time with him would only lead to trouble. That was an absolute certainty.

Chapter Eight
    Elise had finally managed to make herself a cup of tea and was sitting in the still darkened lounge, trying to piece together how her life had changed so dramatically in such a short space of time. Idly, she looked around the room as she contemplated her situation.
    She loved the living room of this house. It was small but she had decorated it to have a cottage-type feel and to make the most of the space. There was no fireplace but, on the centre of the main wall, she had hung a huge tapestry; rich in gold’s and red’s which provided the backbone of the room. The main walls were painted in a warm cream and all the accessories were red, gold or green. The room boasted two occasional sofas, one deep velvet green and the other deep velvet red, both of which complimented