A Night With Consequences (11 page)

‘I am sorry. Of course you must go.’ Even as he spoke he was on the phone, and in what seemed like no time at all they were on their way to the airport.

The good thing about being with Blake was that he got things done, thought Kara. Money talked.

‘What’s happened to your mother?’ he asked her now, genuine concern on his face. ‘Is she in hospital?’

Kara shook her head, unaware that her eyes were shadowed and her face so drained of blood that she looked ill. ‘She has a weak heart and amongst other things she suffers panic attacks—really bad ones. A legacy from my father, I’m afraid.’ None of this was a lie; she was not making excuses to avoid the truth. ‘She needs me. I should never have come away. I blame myself for this. I—’

‘Kara!’ Blake took her icy cold hands into his. ‘You mustn’t blame yourself. Everyone needs a break at some time. Perhaps you should get someone in to help with your mother? I’d be willing to—’

‘No!’ Kara almost shouted in her need to stop what
he was saying. Involving Blake in their family affairs was the last thing she wanted. Both she and her mother were too embarrassed by what they saw as their failings to want anyone to witness it—let alone the man who paid her wages!

If they had stood up to her father all those years ago, been brave enough to walk out on him, then none of this would have happened. But they hadn’t, and now they were forced to face the consequences.

And the man they owed money to was becoming more and more demanding, more frightening with every visit. Kara was giving him practically every penny of her salary and it still wasn’t enough. It was hard to believe that he had found out where her mother had gone.

If she hadn’t thought her parent would be safe with Aunt Susan she would never have agreed to go to Italy in the first place. Even if it had cost her her job! The man had no conscience. He didn’t care who he frightened so long as he had enough cash to fund his extravagant lifestyle.

During the flight Blake respected Kara’s wish to remain silent, even though he didn’t understand it. His attempts to talk to her had led to nothing, and he hated to see her so deeply troubled. He would be worried, too, if it was his mother, and he could understand her distress—but he did wish that she would let him in so that he could talk her fears through with her.

Instead she sat bolt upright, her eyes staring into space, her mind on whatever lay ahead. He would be there for her, he determined. He would give her any help she needed. If her mother needed hospital treatment then he would arrange it—pay for it, even.

Although he hadn’t wanted it to happen, Kara had got through to him like no other woman ever had. He hadn’t planned, didn’t even want a permanent relationship, but something had happened. She had opened a tiny crack in his heart. And her pain was now his pain.

‘Are you sure there is nothing I can do, Kara? I could phone ahead and arrange for—’

‘No!’
The word was immediate and loud, and then she said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. But I’m used to my mother’s—attacks. She’ll be all right once I’m there.’

‘If you’re sure? Because—’

‘I’m sure,’ she reiterated, her eyes flashing a vivid blue.

Blake felt sad at the loss of the beautiful woman he had found, the woman who had given herself so willingly. Who had transformed herself from someone plain and introverted into someone beautiful and outgoing. She had retreated back into her shell and he had no way of knowing what was going through her mind. ‘If there is anything I can do,’ he said again, ‘you know you have only to ask.’

‘I know.’ Her voice was quiet once more. ‘And, thank you, but we’ll be all right.’

It was as though she didn’t trust him, as though she wanted to compartmentalise the two sides of her life, and he could not understand why. He would have expected her to welcome his help after the time they had spent together, the closeness they had shared and enjoyed.

When the plane touched down he heard her on her phone, calling a taxi. ‘Kara, please—let me take you. It will be so much easier. I have a car waiting.’

But she vehemently shook her head. ‘I need to cope with this on my own, Blake.’

Kara saw the shock on his face but she had to do this. She did not want him knowing anything else about her private life. She refused even to think about the word
help,
as it brought with it feelings of both shame and hope.

When she got to her aunt’s house and saw the state her mother was in she was glad that she had not let Blake bring her.

Her aunt Susan was all for them going to the police, but her mother was adamant. ‘I’ll be all right now Kara’s home,’ she kept saying. And when later that same day they returned to their own house she did indeed begin to look well again.

Kara knew that her mother was frightened, but she wondered whether part of her reaction was simply because Kara had not been around to rely on. An ache filled Kara’s heart. For the first time ever she felt that she was being held back from a life that could be a whole lot better. She had experienced that life, had tasted a little bit of heaven—and unfortunately that was all it was ever going to be. One taste! A taste that would have to last her a lifetime.

Not that she’d truly expected anything more from Blake, but her brief experience of life on the other side meant that it would be hard going back.

Her mother, once she was settled and comfortable, naturally wanted to know all about her time spent away. And although Kara had no intention of telling her what had taken place between her and Blake, she could not
hide the light in her eyes or the bloom to her skin as she spoke about her time in Italy.

‘Tell me to mind my own business, but it looks to me as though something happened while you were there. You look as though you’ve fallen in love, Kara!’

In love! Bright colour flooded her cheeks even as she shook her head. ‘I’m not in love, Mother. I’m never going to fall in love.’

‘But something happened in Italy, didn’t it?’

There was no hiding it. Kara shrugged, trying to give the impression that it was nothing. When actually it had meant everything to her. ‘I did have a little romantic—liaison.’

Her parent smiled, suddenly looking happier than Kara had seen her in a long time. ‘I knew it. Who is he? Are you going to see him again?’

Aware that her mother would not rest until she knew the truth, Kara drew in a deep sigh and let it go slowly. ‘Actually, it was my boss.’

‘Blake Benedict?’ Shock registered on her mother’s face. ‘Was that wise, my darling? Doesn’t he have a terrible reputation?’

‘I guess.’

‘And are you going to continue this affair?’

‘Of course not,’ Kara answered. ‘I don’t want the whole office knowing. It was just a—a holiday romance. A fling.’

Her mother looked at her wisely. ‘You’re not into flings, Kara. I hope he doesn’t hurt you.’

‘Blake won’t do that,’ she declared blithely. ‘We’ve reached an understanding.’

At least she was assuming they had. They had not
actually talked about it, but she could not see Blake wanting to continue their affair now they were back in England. It had been exciting while it lasted—more than exciting. It had been an intense sexual experience. But she had resigned herself to the fact that that was all it was.

It was with trepidation, after spending the weekend at home, that she turned up for work on Monday morning. Blake looked both surprised and pleased to see her when she walked into his office.

‘How is your mother?’ were his first words. ‘I wasn’t sure that you’d be in today.’

‘She’s much better, thank you.’ And
she
was all right too, now that she had seen him! One look into his face and she felt like a real woman again. What she would have liked was his arms around her, the strong, reassuring beat of his heart against hers.

‘Are you sure?’

‘Perfectly sure. Once we got home she was fine.’

‘I didn’t realise you were back in your own house or I would have come to see you. I had no idea where you were. I’ve been worried, Kara.’

‘That’s very kind of you, Mr Benedict.’

‘Mr Benedict?
‘ Dark brows shot up. ‘What is this?’ And then his face cleared. ‘It’s because we’re at work, isn’t it? You want to keep up appearances? Don’t you think it might be a little difficult?’

‘I wasn’t even sure whether I still had a job. I know you said that you never wanted to lose me, but—’

‘Kara!’ Blake’s eyes widened in astonishment. ‘Whatever gave you that idea? I would be lost without you.’

For some reason she hadn’t been able to help thinking
about the gossip that had flown around the office before her and Blake’s trip to Italy. It had been common knowledge that his relationships with women were fleeting! Her thoughts must have shown on her face.

‘Ah! Let me guess. You’ve heard that two of my previous PAs left after their respective conferences? And you, my innocent Kara, like everyone else, put two and two together and decided I’d bedded them and then dismissed them. The rumour amused me, but for your information it was the strain of working for me that they could not handle. Whereas you, my beautiful one, cope with
everything
admirably.’

Kara felt her usual blush coming on.

‘And even in those dreadful clothes you are still sexy. I think I might struggle to keep my hands off you. You are both prim and desirable at the same time.’

‘You flatter me, Mr Benedict.’ She had gone back to her regulation dark suit, with flat-heeled shoes, her hair dragged back and her face bare of make-up. ‘But what happened between us in Italy should be forgotten. I work for you, Mr Benedict. Let’s leave it at that.’ They were the hardest words Kara had ever had to say, but she truly believed that it would be for the best. ‘Shall we start work?’

Continuing to see Blake would mean involving him in her family life, and that was something she did not want. She felt a very real need to keep her private and business lives totally separate.

Both his disbelief at what he was hearing and his displeasure that she was actually saying these words were very clear in his eyes. ‘Can you really tell me, Kara, that you can stand there and look at me and feel
nothing? Are you saying that even at this moment you do not feel a resurgence of the hunger we both felt?’

Kara sucked in a deep breath. ‘Of course I feel it. But I choose to ignore it. And by so doing it will go away.’

‘And if it doesn’t?’

‘Mr Benedict, you must realise that an office affair is not what I want. I should never have led you to believe that I would be OK with this kind of thing.’ She felt extreme heat even saying those words. It curled around her stomach and made her feel ill. She had been foolish—very foolish. If word got out every person in every department in the building would know. She would be talked about. Speculation would be rife. There would be no getting away from it. She would be a laughing stock. Another gullible woman sucked in by the enigmatic Blake Benedict.

The idea made her stomach clench, and Kara knew already that she wouldn’t be able to take being the centre of office gossip. She might even have to leave because of this foolish encounter with Blake! And if she left there would be no money to pay off…She let her thoughts go no further, they were far too disturbing.

His dark eyes met and held hers, and although she wanted to she could not look away. There was something mesmerising in them and she could actually feel herself being pulled back into that space she had inhabited for a few days. A few days of sheer unadulterated pleasure. A few days to last her the rest of her life!

‘Will you do me the honour of dining with me tonight?’

Her heart quickened its beat and she took a step back, though still her eyes were locked into his. ‘Have you not
heard a word I’ve said? I cannot carry on an affair with you. Not right here under the noses of your staff.’

‘So, our affair—it was all right while we were where no one knew you?’

‘I lost my head,’ she admitted. She had actually done more than that. She had lost her virginity. ‘I let the magic of Italy carry me away. But I’ve come to my senses and—’

Her words were cut off when he swiftly closed the space between them and slid his arms around her. The next second his mouth was on hers and every sane thought fled. How could she fight when instant desire flared? When her body ignited? It was both crazy and beautiful at the same time.

It was not until he had thoroughly kissed her and was satisfied that she would no longer deny him what he wanted that Blake let her go. ‘You lost your head in the most delightful way. You cannot deny that you want me—as much as I want you. I’ll do my level best to keep my hands off while we’re at work, though I cannot entirely promise. You’re an incredible woman—do you know that? You’re refreshingly different. Again I ask myself why I never noticed you before.’

‘Because you go for glamour,’ retorted Kara swiftly.

‘Which I have now discovered can come in all sorts of guises,’ he said on a groan. ‘You may be dressed in the most conservative suit I’ve ever seen, you may not be wearing a scrap of make-up, but in my eyes, Kara, you are extremely beautiful. And I want you.’ Even as he spoke, even as his voice turned low and throaty, his
arms were tightening around her again, and his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that shot her into space.

Blake asked himself why he was doing this. Why he was persisting with Kara when she had told him quite clearly that their brief affair was over. Was it his wounded pride? Was he not used to women turning him down? Or had she really got beneath his skin in a way that no woman had since his marriage broke down?

He
had
actually intended ending their affair when they got back, feeling that he wasn’t being fair to Kara, but found that he couldn’t do it. More especially after her scare with her mother. She needed someone in her life—someone to care for
her.
Her mother was not the only one who had been traumatised by a beast of a man.

He had hardly slept the whole weekend for thinking about Kara, wondering how she was coping, wishing there was something that he could do. And when she’d turned up in one of her straitjacket business suits he had felt immensely disappointed. He had not expected her to come into the office, but he was glad that she had. Very glad!