Forbidden Surrender (9 page)

‘What is it?’ she frowned.

He held back a smile. ‘I’m too much of a gentleman to tell you.’

Her eyes flashed. ‘You aren’t a gentleman at all, which is why I’m here.’

Dominic sighed, moving around the desk to lean back against it. ‘I had no idea you wouldn’t have told your aunt and uncle everything, the parts they didn’t already know anyway.’

‘I needed time to think.’

‘And have you now thought?’ he mocked.

‘Not completely.’ Sara turned to look at the rows of books in the bookcase along one wall. They were all on engineering, something she knew nothing about.

‘What do you need to think about?’ he asked from behind her. ‘They’re your family.’

‘Yes,’ she agreed dully, turning. ‘But it isn’t easy accepting that.’

‘Why are you here, Sara?’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Really here, I mean.’

‘I told you—–’

‘The real reason,’ he persisted, his blue eyes intent on her pale features.

She flushed, resentful of his perception. ‘I came to tell you I didn’t appreciate your visit to my aunt and uncle,’ she mumbled.

‘No,’ Dominic shook his head, ‘that isn’t the real reason, Sara.’

Her head went back in challenge. ‘Then what is?’

His face was suddenly harsh. ‘Would you like me to tell you—or show you?’

‘Sh-show me?’ she repeated with a gulp.

His burning gaze on her mouth was almost like a caress, his masculinity at once overwhelming, his sensuality a tangible thing. ‘Yes, show you,’ he said throatily.

‘I—No.’ She broke away from the spell he was weaving about her senses, once again looking at the books, but still dangerously aware of him standing a few feet away from her.

‘You’re right.’ He drew in a controlling breath. ‘Michael wants to see you.’

‘No!’ She turned round, and at once wished she hadn’t, his gaze burning her at a glance as he seemed to be holding some fierce emotion in check. Sara looked away again, thrown into confusion by—she didn’t know by what! She only knew it frightened her, but not in a terrifying way, in a—a
moral
way. This man was engaged to her sister, and yet—and yet—–

‘Sara!’ he groaned achingly.

She swallowed hard. ‘I don’t want to see Michael Lindlay,’ she answered his statement of a few minutes ago, although they had both passed beyond that, and a wild emotion was building up between them, an emotion that threatened to spiral, out of control. And that must not be allowed to happen!

Dominic received her silent plea, at once the cool businessman, almost as if Sara had imagined that momentary lapse. But she knew she hadn’t imagined it, the wild beating of her heart told her she hadn’t.

‘He doesn’t just want to see you, Sara,’ Dominic told her calmly, his raw passion of a moment ago completely erased. ‘He wants you to go and live with him, with him and Marie.’

‘Is he mad?’ she cried scornfully.

‘No, just a father who wants to get to know his daughter.’

‘I surely don’t have to go and live with him for that,’ she dismissed scathingly.

‘It’s surely the best way?’

‘Not for me! I’m going back to the States in two days’ time. I intend resuming my career.’

‘You aren’t well enough for that.’ His voice was sharp. ‘Your legs—–’

‘Are healed.’

‘Beautifully,’ he nodded. ‘As far as it goes. But they aren’t strong enough for the arduous job of a model.’

‘I’m strong enough to do what I damn well please,’ Sara snapped, resenting his bossy behaviour.

‘I forbid you—I
ask
you not to do it,’ Dominic amended with a shake of his head. ‘I’m sorry, I think the last few days have got to me too. You have no need to work, Sara. As Michael’s daughter—–’

‘Will you stop saying that!’

‘All right, then,’ he bit out angrily, ‘as Marie’s
sister
, won’t you do this?’

Her mouth twisted. ‘Because you like to see Marie happy?’ she taunted.

‘Partly,’ he admitted grimly.

‘And the other part?’

‘For you. I’m sure you can’t feel happy about turning your back on your own sister.’

She wasn’t. He knew she wasn’t. This man knew her, knew everything about her, and it wasn’t just because he was close to Marie. ‘You aren’t being fair,’ she choked. ‘I don’t owe Michael Lindlay anything,
least of all loyalty.’

‘But you think he owes you something.’

‘Yes! No—I don’t know,’ she said miserably.

‘Well, he doesn’t. You were happy with your mother, weren’t you?’

‘Very,’ she nodded, frowning.

‘Then Michael gave you all he owed you when he let you go. He did, Sara,’ Dominic insisted as she went to protest. ‘Just think for a moment. Your mother left your father to be with her lover. She shouldn’t really have been allowed to take either of her children, and yet Michael let her have you. Why did she never have any other children?’ he asked shrewdly.

‘Richard wasn’t able to have any,’ she revealed slowly.

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Then Michael did her more of a favour than she first realised. I would have been less charitable.’

‘Charitable!’ she echoed furiously. ‘When he’d been having an affair himself?’

Dominic sighed. ‘I can see there’s no reasoning with you.’

‘None at all,’ she confirmed. ‘I—–’

‘Dominic.’ For the second time in two days Michael Lindlay walked unannounced into the room containing Dominic and Sara. He came up with a start. ‘Sara!’ he gasped.

He had aged overnight, even she could see that; there was a drawn look to his handsome face, a bleak look in his eyes. His expression was agonised as he looked at her, seemingly undecided about whether to enter the room or simply leave again.

‘Come in, Michael,’ Dominic made the decision for him. ‘Perhaps you can talk some sense into Sara.’

‘I don’t think so,’ she denied tightly, turning away.

A few seconds later she heard the door close. She didn’t know whether she was relieved or saddened that her father had so calmly accepted her refusal to speak
to him. She had no doubts that Dominic would never accept such a decision himself. Maybe that was the reason she felt she could rely on him. Even after the way they had reached out to each other just now? She couldn’t begin to work out what had happened between them a few minutes ago, except to think that Dominic had momentarily confused her with Marie. That would be the obvious explanation.

‘Sara.’

She spun round. Dominic hadn’t been the one to remain in the office after all; her father had. She swallowed hard, biting her top lip. ‘How is it you were able to tell Marie and myself apart from the start?’ she asked shyly.

Some of the tension seemed to leave him, although he still eyed her warily. ‘I know my girls,’ he said huskily.

She flushed. ‘Both of us?’

‘Oh yes,’ he nodded.

‘How?’ Her head went back in challenge.

‘Photographs of you. And I have Marie with me.’

Sara frowned. ‘You have photographs of me?’

He nodded. ‘Sent to me by your mother. With Richard’s consent, of course.’

‘You’ve corresponded with my mother?’ she gasped.

‘Occasionally,’ he nodded again. ‘Although perhaps corresponded is too strong a word. Once a year, sometimes twice, your mother would send me a photograph of you, and I would do the same thing with Marie. I doubt we’ve written more than a dozen words to each other in twenty years, but the photographs became a ritual.’

‘So you’ve known exactly how I looked all the time?’ Sara was having some trouble taking all this in.

He smiled. ‘Every step of the way.’

‘Did you know that this year you weren’t to receive a photograph?’ her voice was bitter. ‘That my mother and I were actually going to visit you here in England?’

‘No,’ her father looked startled. ‘I had no idea.’

‘Apparently my mother considered it time Marie and
I were made aware of each other. I think we should have been told a damn sight sooner than this.’

‘I realise you’re angry, Sara—–’

‘Angry?’ she repeated tautly. ‘I’m furious!’ Her eyes sparkled with anger. ‘Marie might be able to take all this calmly, but I’m afraid I can’t.’

Her father gave a rueful smile. ‘Marie didn’t accept it calmly either—she gave me hell once you’d left yesterday.’

‘Good.’ Sara felt some of the anger leaving her. ‘I like Marie,’ she admitted huskily.

‘She likes you too.’ There was a shimmer of tears in his deep brown eyes so like her own. ‘But not as much as I do. Sara—–’

‘How about inviting me back for lunch?’ she broke in on what she felt could only be an emotional speech. And until she had decided what the future held for her she wanted to keep emotion out of this situation for as long as possible. Even her own anger and resentment must be dampened down for the moment.

‘You mean that?’ he asked eagerly.

‘Why not?’ she gave a casual shrug. ‘Although I’ll have to let my aunt and uncle know where I am.’

‘Susan and Arthur? We can call in there on the drive back if you like.’

‘I’m not sure—–’

‘We’ve remained on quite good terms, if that’s what you’re concerned about,’ her father cut in.

‘It seems to have been palsy-walsy all round,’ Sara said bitterly.

‘I—–’

‘I’m sorry,’ her movements were jerky as she picked up her, handbag from the desk-top, ‘shall we go now?’

‘I just have some papers to collect from my office first. Would you like to come with me or wait here?’

‘I’ll wait here. You won’t be long, will you?’

‘Two minutes,’ he promised, his eagerness almost embarrassing.

Dominic returned to his office a few seconds later, obviously having been waiting outside. ‘There goes a happy man,’ he drawled.

‘It’s only lunch,’ Sara snapped awkwardly.

He shook his head. ‘Not to Michael it isn’t.’

Her eyes flashed at his taunting tone. ‘You don’t sound as if you approve.’

‘Oh, I approve, for Michael’s sake.’

‘And Marie’s!’

‘Yes,’ the word came out as a hiss. ‘But not for my own. And you know why, don’t you?’ he added harshly.

‘No …’ The awareness was back, only stronger, and once again it frightened her.

Dominic slowly closed the door behind him, his gaze locked on her parted lips. ‘Yes, Sara. God, yes …!’ he groaned, pulling her into his arms. ‘I’ve been wanting this since—since—Oh, God!’ His lips ground down on hers.

There was no thought of denial, her mouth opened to accept the probing intimacy of his, her body arched against him. She had never been kissed so intimately, so thoroughly, each touch of Dominic’s lips was more drugging than the last.

The situation was spiralling out of control, Dominic’s hands probing the curve of her back, sending shivers of delight down her spine, his mouth now caressing the hollow below her ear.

But she was a substitute, Marie’s double. It wasn’t her he was kissing at all. This realisation made her spin away from him, the fierce desire in his face reaching out hungrily to her, their breathing ragged.

‘I have to go,’ she said jerkily. ‘I—I’ll wait for my father outside.’

Dominic made no move to touch her, standing pale and dazed as she quietly left the room.

Sara smiled nervously at the secretary, pushing her long hair back from her pale face. What had happened in there? It had been like a minor explosion, their bodies
fusing together in a tide of sensual abandon. Dominic, a man she had believed to be in control at all times, had definitely been out of control for a few brief minutes, had wanted her with every fibre of his body. And she had wanted him too.

But she hadn’t been Sara Hamille to him, she had been Marie Lindlay! He seemed to have trouble separating them, and until he could she would have to stay out of his way. If only she weren’t so attracted to him!

‘Sara!’ Her father appeared at her side, a briefcase in his hand. ‘Sorry I was longer than anticipated. I just called Marie to make sure she would be at home.’

After what had just taken place between herself and Dominic Sara wasn’t sure she would even be able to face Marie.

Luckily she had to visit her aunt and uncle first, which helped to banish Dominic from her mind somewhat. It seemed her father was right about there being no resentment, because Aunt Susan and Uncle Arthur greeted him politely enough.

‘Now that we’re here I think I’ll change, if you don’t mind,’ she spoke to her father.

‘Go ahead.’ He seemed quite at ease. ‘I’m sure Susan and Arthur will keep me company in your absence.’

Sara hurried to her room, changing from the denims and tee-shirt she had hastily donned that morning and putting on a silky summer dress with a halter neckline and shaped in at the waist. Its tan colour suited her golden skin, making her look cool and composed. At least now she looked more in keeping with a guest of Michael Lindlay.

She hurried downstairs, intending to rescue her aunt and uncle from what could only be an embarrassing meeting, even though they appeared to be putting a brave face on it.

‘Sara doesn’t know about this, does she?’ she heard her aunt say, halting her entrance at these puzzling words. What else didn’t she know?

Michael Lindlay sighed. ‘It isn’t something I find easy to tell anyone, but especially Sara.’

‘It’s unbelievable,’ her uncle said emotionally. ‘Poor Sara, I don’t think she’ll be able to take it. First her mother and stepfather, and now—–’

‘Ssh, Arthur!’ his wife told him. ‘I think I heard Sara.’

Sara sighed her frustration. What had her uncle been about to say? First her mother and stepfather, and now—–? Now was her
father
going to die too? Oh God, surely not! But what other explanation could there be?

She forced a bright smile to her lips as she breezily entered the room. ‘I’m ready,’ she announced generally, looking at her father with new eyes. If he was dying, and there could surely be no other explanation, then of what was he dying? He was only in his forties, what could strike a man dead at that young age? A weak heart, a terminal disease? The list was endless. And it made her continued resentment of him seem childish and cruel.

Her father stood up. ‘And looking very nice too.’ He turned to her aunt and uncle. ‘Can I persuade you to join us?’

‘Perhaps another time,’ her aunt refused.

Sara studied her father on the drive to his home. He didn’t look ill, a little strained perhaps, but not ill. Still, some illnesses were like that, the person looking completely normal until it was too late.

Unless she had it all wrong. But what else could have been meant by that conversation?

‘Sara!’ Marie ran out of the house to greet her as soon as the car drew up outside. She pulled Sara’s car door open, tugging her out on to the gravel driveway. ‘I couldn’t believe it when Daddy rang to say you were coming to lunch.’ She hugged her tight. ‘After yesterday I didn’t think you would ever want to see us again.’

Sara gave a tearful, smile. Marie’s pleasure was completely
genuine. ‘Not want to see my own sister?’ she choked.

‘Oh, Sara!’ Marie hugged her all the tighter. ‘Isn’t it fantastic?’ She put her arm through the crook of Sara’s. ‘We’re going to have such fun together,’ she told her, taking her into the house.

‘Hmm-hmm?’

They both turned at the rather pointed cough. Marie grinned at her father’s pained expression. ‘Okay, Daddy, you can come too,’ she permitted graciously.

‘You’re so kind,’ he grimaced, a lithe, attractive man who didn’t look old enough to have twenty-year-old daughters.

Lunch was a lighthearted affair, with Marie and her father doing their best to make Sara feel at home. And to a certain degree they succeeded, all of them greatly enjoying the staff’s amazement at there seemingly being two Maries. It took a bit of explaining, but everyone was very welcoming once they knew who Sara was.

‘I have to go back to work this afternoon,’ their father said regretfully. ‘Will you be here when I get back?’ He looked hopefully at Sara.

‘Well, I—–’

‘Oh, do stay, Sara,’ Marie cut in on her refusal. ‘Then after dinner we can—–’

‘Dinner?’ she laughed. ‘I only came over for lunch.’

‘I want you to stay,’ her father told her huskily.

She shrugged. ‘All right—dinner.’

He shook his head. ‘Not just to dinner, Sara. I want—we
both
want, Marie and I,’ he seemed to be having trouble articulating. ‘We want you to stay here with us.’

Sara bit her lip. ‘Dominic said something about that. I have to go home—–’

‘This could be your home,’ her father cut in. ‘With Marie and me.’

‘Surely Marie will be getting married soon?’ Her voice was shrill at the thought of Dominic marrying Marie. She might have only been a replacement for Marie this
morning, but as far as she was concerned Dominic had been Dominic, the man she and Marie both loved. Yes,
loved
. She had fallen in love with a man who wasn’t just engaged to any woman, he was going to marry her own
sister
, a girl she couldn’t possibly dislike or fight.

‘All the more reason for you to come and live with Daddy,’ Marie said smilingly. ‘Then he won’t be lonely when I’ve gone.’