The Millionaire Falls Hard (9 page)

Carrie was to be matron of honour whilst Jake would naturally be the best man. Josh was going to be a second best man and look after the rings. Carrie just made polite noises at everything she heard. She tried hard to be happy for her friend but the pain of jealousy tore deep within that Lynne now had everything she so desperately longed for. The image of Jake sat behind her eyelids every time she closed them to shut out her feelings. Lynne was so caught up in herself that she didn't seem to notice Carrie's behaviour.

Throughout the course of the week, Carrie managed to turn her emotion into anger which helped her to concentrate. Damn Jake Calderwood and damn the harasser. Neither of them would get the better of her.

She finished her speech and read up on all the documentation she'd received for a new project she'd been asked to become a trustee for. It was a new city centre project designed to get the teenagers off the streets and doing something productive with their time. London had a similar scheme and while she was down there she would be getting a guided tour of it.

Thursday morning finally came round and she packed what she needed for the awards and the visit to the project. There was a dinner after the awards which she couldn't pluck up any enthusiasm for, but knew she would not be able to avoid. She chose a long sleeved emerald green gown with matching earrings and necklace as an outfit, that she felt was conservative enough for the business event and yet still highly feminine.

Alan picked her up and drove her to the airport. She was whisked through security and on to the plane ahead of the other passengers as a precaution. Despite her anger, Carrie was filled with trepidation as she allowed Alan to take charge.

*

Jake travelled across London, in a taxi, on his way to the hotel where the awards ceremony was being held. It had been a tough week, but he'd added two new multimillion pound accounts to his company's portfolio. If only everything else in his life was going as well, he thought grimly.

The image of Carrie with yet another man had burned intensely onto his brain. She had men swarming round her like bees round a honey pot.

He was sure Rob Crawford was married, did his wife know he was with Carrie, he wondered. They'd certainly looked very cosy together when he'd passed them. Angry images throbbed through his brain until he was so numb with anger that he decided he would stick to his original plan. Maybe getting Carrie in his bed would exorcise all other feelings towards her and he could get on with his life.

Having decided on a positive course of action, he turned his attention to the entrepreneurial awards ceremony. He was attending it this year as one of the main sponsors. He'd won a number of awards at it in previous years and this was his opportunity to say thanks and give something back. Fortunately, as sponsor, he wouldn't have to speak as he had also done in previous years, just host one of the tables at the meal afterwards. If truth be told he could do without it, but he doubted he would stay for the dance afterwards, so it needn't be a late night.

He thought back to the conversation he'd had on the phone with Phil last night. He was so pleased at his friend's happiness.

He intended to sign over the house being created out of the stable block as a wedding gift. He'd spoken to the builders earlier to get them to up their game and get it finished ahead of the original schedule. He hoped Phil would be pleased as he'd previously made noises about being interested. Perhaps a bit more land should be added on for a garden as Phil would be a family man and not a single one. Jake smiled to himself at the rapid change in circumstances for his friend.

Traffic was heavy for a Thursday and the taxi seemed to spend longer sitting doing nothing than it did moving. Jake got some papers out of his briefcase and studied the information he'd been sent for the visit he had tomorrow. He'd agreed to become an advisor for a new inner city project and he was due to visit a successful project that was happening in London. He felt qualified to advise on a number of counts. Firstly, he'd once been the type of kid this project was being set up to help and secondly he was an incredibly astute businessman. He was looking forward to getting involved.

Chapter 6

Carrie's speech received a standing ovation and Jake had to admit that she had charm and passion, but he fought against being taken in by it. The comments made to him by Roderick Gemmell when he bought the Estate - that she was money grabbing, had ideas above her station and strutted around like the lady of the manor, flooded his mind. However, his body behaved differently, and he'd felt the stirrings of desire as he had listened intently to her husky voice. If he'd accepted his secretary's offer to forward on the programme for the event, he would have been better prepared for seeing her there, or better still, he could have perhaps found an excuse not to go.

After the speeches, the organiser of the event congratulated Carrie on the speech of the evening and thanked her for coming. As everyone moved in to the ballroom to sit down to a sumptuous four course meal, Carrie was escorted to her table where she was then introduced to Jake.

'You both now live in Scotland, I believe.'

Carrie was stunned to discover Jake at the event. If she'd seen him before her speech she would probably have been a bumbling wreck! His behaviour towards her last weekend filled her mind. She'd been less successful than she'd thought at putting it to one side. Anger rose in her instantly, to be rapidly mixed with an intense desire. The last person she had wanted to see never mind spend further time with and she was having to share a table with him.

'I believe so,' she noncommittally managed to get out, whilst never taking her gaze from his face.

Jake was equally noncommittal, almost ignoring the organiser as he congratulated Carrie on her speech, took her left hand and raised it to his lips. It was the softest brush against her skin and yet her whole body tingled at his touch. She pulled her hand away, broke eye contact and took her seat.

The other eight people on the table were all finalists and Carrie found herself directly opposite Jake. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to talk to him, but perturbed to know that he would be in her line of vision all evening.

She took a deep breath, turned to the person on her right and engaged him in a conversation about his business success. The meal was beautifully presented - scallops, followed by a refreshing blackcurrant sorbet, and then succulent lamb cutlets, finishing with the lightest of egg custards. She picked at everything placed in front of her, finding it difficult to swallow. Her throat just seemed to contract tightly in her effort to be bright and controlled.

The last meal where she'd sat opposite Jake refused to leave her mind. Every so often she covertly glanced across at Jake. He didn't look like he was having any trouble getting through his meal whilst chatting up the blonde on his left.

Jake was quietly amused at her reaction. He missed nothing. Her poor appetite and her surreptitious glances were all clocked. So she still felt the attraction between them, despite all these other men.

Interesting.

He was torn between believing her to be the callous bitch that Gemmell and all the men he'd seen her with suggested, and feeling something for the person who looked to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. He was in an inner turmoil as to how to treat her which was driving him insane, despite his outward calm of enjoying the company of the woman beside him. If he wasn't so besotted with Carrie, he might have enjoyed her overt flirting.

He'd always rationally chosen his women before; women who were happy to be seen with him and enjoy the sex but who didn't want emotional ties. They were usually leggy blondes who were more interested in how they looked and who they were seen with. Jake wasn't into emotional ties. He'd seen what loving a woman had done to his father and the devastating effect that had had on his own life. There was no way he would ever put himself through that and yet he couldn't rationalise his emotions where Carrie was concerned.

Carrie was different to his usual woman, could he have a relationship with her? Would it eventually end up where the others had? If only he could find a satisfying answer. No matter what sort of relationship he had with her, they all started with getting her into his bed. With that thought, and ignoring a feeling that he just couldn't put a name to, he stood up.

Carrie thought the meal would never end, it had been a tortuous ordeal. Why did he have to be there, and at her table! The man was insufferable. A movement caught her eye and when she looked up, she realised everyone had left the table, except her and Jake. And now he looked like he was approaching her.

'Looks like we're the wallflowers on this table. Let's dance.'

'
The cheek of the man, he can't even ask, he just demands. Someone ought to wipe that arrogant look off his face
.' Indignation rose in her throat as these thoughts flashed through her mind. But before Carrie could reply she found herself being pulled up from her seat and onto the dance floor. The anticipation tore through her body and she shuddered at the strength of the emotion she felt from his touch.

They got caught up with a ceilidh, Carrie just loved these dances, and she couldn't help but smile at the confusion of some of the couples as they tried to work out which way to go. Dancing side by side with Jake, not having to look into those deep aqua eyes, was something she could manage. She quickly appreciated that Jake was an accomplished dancer and soon they were taking the lead around the floor.

Just as she was feeling comfortable, the tempo changed and she found herself pulled into Jake's arms for a waltz. There was that feeling again as he placed his hand in the small of her back and pulled her close. Neither of them spoke and Carrie was surprised at how natural it felt, to just be lost in the moment; they seemed comfortable with each other, as if they'd been together for a long time. A sigh of contentment escaped Carrie's lips before she could catch herself but Jake didn't show any sign that he'd noticed.

Just as Carrie was lost in her thoughts, so too, was Jake. No woman had ever felt this right in his arms before. As he held her close he smelt the freshness of her hair and breathed in her scent. She smelt of spring freshness, which he found strangely uplifting. It was something he could become addicted to.

It sounded as if she felt as content as he did. For the first time he didn't feel he had to make small talk with his dance partner and he floated her around the floor. He couldn't deny her talent, or how serene he felt at this moment. With the low cut of her dress at the back, his fingers kept touching her bare flesh. He couldn't believe that such a touch could feel so erotic.

He felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, to ravage her right there on the dance floor. He moved her away from him slightly so she wouldn't feel his erection. His body had never responded to someone so quickly before; what was this woman doing to him? At that moment, she looked up at him.

Jake saw a reflection of how he was feeling in her eyes and his head came down towards hers, slowly, mesmerised by the moment. Carrie could feel his breath wisp on her face as he came closer. She felt so warm and content for the first time in a while. Instinctively, the tip of her tongue caressed her dry lips as she anticipated his kiss. Yet again her mind was in turmoil, between despising him and wanting him.

*

A man discretely coughed beside them.

'Excuse me. Carrie, I'm sorry to interrupt you.'

The spell was broken and they jumped apart.

'I need you to come with me.'

Carrie excused herself and turned away. Jake thought he caught a slight look of fear in her eyes before she quickly composed herself.

It was that first man again, the one who had turned up last weekend. Anger rose in his throat. Jake followed them with his eyes, and a stab of jealousy pierced through him as he noticed the man's hand in the small of her back, where his had been a moment before, guiding her through the crowd.

He couldn't help himself, it was as if someone else was propelling his feet, but he followed Carrie and the other man out of the room and watched them get into the lift.

Yet again, he'd allowed himself to be taken in by her. He went hot as he thought how close he'd come to making a fool of himself by kissing her. But this time, the man must have seen what was about to happen and yet he hadn't shown any sign that it bothered him.

'Who was that man?'

Carrie surely couldn't become so hot with him and be involved with someone else. Jake's thoughts tortured him as he made his way to his own suite; the party no longer held any appeal for him.

*

'I'm sorry to have interrupted you there,' Alan sounded mildly embarrassed. 'But this news is about to break and I thought you should hear it privately.'

He talked quietly as the lift made its way to the Garden Suite on the top floor of the hotel.

'You sound serious Alan, what news? Have you found out who's been making the threats? Oh! Is Charlie OK? They haven't got Charlie have they?' Carrie started to sound hysterical as she thought of wilder possibilities for Alan intruding on an evening where he was supposed to have been an observer, blending silently into the background.