A Stranger's Love

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Bethany felt herself blush; a deep cerise travelled up from the base of her throat and engulfed her face swiftly and absolutely. ‘I saw the light. I thought...’ She hesitated.

‘You thought what?’ Chad’s stunning eyes glinted down at her. Bethany tried to avert her gaze from the broad expanse of tanned chest revealed by his partly unbuttoned shirt and failed miserably. ‘Come on, Bethany,’ he chided fiercely, ‘you’ll have to do better than that!’

‘I told you. I saw the light,’ Bethany answered tightly, ‘and then when I was at the bottom of the stairs I heard... well, I heard a noise and I thought——’

‘Oh, Chad, darling! She was coming to save me!’ Theo cut in with an affected little laugh. ‘How very bravel’

Bethany flushed a shade deeper and threw darling Theo a furious look that would have turned anyone with any sense to stone. Empty-headed bimbo! she cursed silently.

‘Is that right?’ Chad demanded, his brows drawing together into a fierce frown. ‘You weren’t really creeping around here with the idea that you could save somebody with that...that pea-shooter!’

‘Look! I saw the light from my place,’ Bethany retorted. ‘I wanted to make sure everything was all right. It could have been vandals. How was I to know it was you indulging in...in...?’ She struggled to put a description to the scene she had first witnessed. The vision of Chad, strong and masculine, lying on the floor with Theo flashed into her mind and wouldn’t go away.

‘What we were or were not doing is not the point in question and you know it!’ Chad replied tersely. He placed both hands on his hips and stood directly in front of her, the denim shirt straining tautly across his shoulders, the hard expanse of tanned chest more visible than ever. ‘The fact remains that you thought there was real danger here...’ He shook his head in frowning disbelief. ‘You’re not honestly telling me you were foolish enough to imagine that you could cope with some sort of dangerous situation!’

‘Why not?’ Bethany retorted defensively. ‘I had a gun!’

‘You had an air-rifle,’ Chad corrected. ‘It’s not quite the same thing! And besides, even if you were in possession of a twelve-bore, that doesn’t mean you can just go around the countryside taking the law into your own hands. If you were so concerned, why didn’t you phone the police?’

‘Because the nearest phone is three miles away,’ Bethany retorted, ‘that’s why!’

‘You’ve got a truck,’ Chad sighed impatiently. ‘I saw it this afternoon. Wouldn’t that have been a better idea?’

‘Possibly,’ Bethany conceded frostily, ‘if it were in working order.’

‘For goodness’ sake!’ Chad cut in savagely, his face a picture of disbelief. ‘You aren’t telling me that you’re practically stranded out here, miles from anywhere——?’

‘So what if I am?’ Bethany responded swiftly. ‘That’s no business of yours, is it? Anyway,’ she continued, ‘I couldn’t just turn around and go back without at least trying to do something! Pretend I’d never seen anything? What sort of a person would that make me?’

Chad raised a dark brow and threw her a derisive look. ‘A sensible one, perhaps?’

Theo tittered stupidly in the corner and Bethany turned with furious exasperation towards the door. ‘That’s it!’ she cried. ‘I didn’t come here to be insulted and made a fool of! Don’t let me disturb your...your activities a moment longer. I’ll let myself out.’

‘Through the pantry window, I suppose.’

Bethany turned, tight-lipped, towards Chad. ‘Yes, if you must know,’ she gritted. ‘The same way as you so obviously got in.’

‘She thinks I climbed through a grubby window in this dress!’ Theo gurgled, looking down at her sleek designer label. ‘Oh, Chad! The girl is priceless! Where did you find her?’

‘Actually, Bethany, we used the front door,’ Chad informed her evenly, ignoring the high-pitched laughter from behind. ‘Perhaps you’d like to do the same.’

Bethany frowned. ‘The front...? But it’s locked securely. How did you...?’

‘Ever heard of keys?’ Theo called over, giggling. ‘You know, those little metal things. They’re a new invention, actually quite useful——’

‘That’s. enough!’ Chad’s voice was sharp, immediately silencing Theo’s sarcastic voice. ‘Bethany’s not an idiot.’

Oh, I am! Bethany thought desperately as the pieces of the puzzle began to fit themselves together. I am!

‘You own this place?’ Her voice was flat. She wondered why she hadn’t thought of it before.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Chad replied. His mouth curled into an amused smile. The deep brown eyes glinted ominously. ‘The final arrangements came through last week. You and I are neighbours now, Bethany. How do you feel about that?’

CHAPTER THREE

‘I’LL accompany you back.’

‘There’s no need.’ Bethany turned away. Her head ached with tension; the strain of keeping herself together in front of Chad was beginning to tell badly. This man was her neighbour? ‘I’m...I’m perfectly capable of returning on my own, thank you,’ she added with a halfhearted attempt at coolness.

‘I’m sure you are,’ Chad replied curtly. ‘But it’s not a particularly hospitable night; the wind has risen badly and the path back to your place is rather too near the cliff-edge for my liking. I’m taking you back to the cabin, whether you like it or not.’

‘Oh, Chad, she’ll be all right!’ Theo interposed irritably. ‘Just look at her! She’s dressed for all weathers, isn’t she? And she was the one who ventured out in the stupid dark anyway! What’s the problem about letting her go back on her own if that’s what she wants?’

‘Be quiet, Theo!’ Chad drawled carelessly. ‘I’ll drive Bethany back in the car—it won’t take more than a few minutes. You can clear this place up. It’s time we were getting back to the hotel anyway.’

‘Getting back!’ Theo rose swiftly and came over, draping her arms around Chad’s neck. ‘But Chad, darling, we were...’ She hesitated and glanced furiously across at Bethany. ‘We were having a pretty good time until she came along and ruined it. There’s no need for either of us to go anywhere.’

‘Look, I’m tired.’ Chad kissed Theo abstractedly on the cheek and unwound her arms from his neck. ‘It’s been a long day and you told me yourself that you’ve got to get back to London early in the morning. Now just give me the keys——’

‘Like hell!’ Theo’s shrill voice held an inordinate amount of outrage as she flounced back across the room. ‘There is no way I’m staying here while——’

‘Theo, don’t start!’ Chad cut in witheringly. ‘Save your theatrical outbursts for the camera in the morning.’ He held out his hand. ‘Now, you are quite welcome to accompany Bethany and me back along the track to her cabin if you’re afraid of being left alone here——’

“Well, how incredibly gallant of you!’ Theo burst out angrily. ‘You don’t expect me to waste my time travelling to some shack on the side of a cliff-top do you—with her? What kind of a fool do you take me for?’ Her eyes narrowed with sudden suspicion. ‘You forget I know you from old, Chad Alington! It wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve already made some kind of a move on her! She’s your type, isn’t she? A leggy blonde? Haven’t you had more of those in your bed than any other——?’

‘That’s enough!’ Chad’s mouth tightened ominously. ‘You’re making a spectacle of yourself! Now, you may do as you like, Theo, stay or come with us, but either way I’m taking Bethany back home. Are you going to hand over the keys or not?’

Theo wasn’t sure what to do. Bethany, disturbed by the venomous accusations, watched in embarrassed fascination as indecision crossed her carefully painted features. ‘Damn you!’ she gritted shakily. ‘If you’re so keen to waste your time on this...this country bumpkin, then do it! But it’s my car—we elected to leave yours back at the hotel, remember?—and I’ll be damned if I’ll let you use it to transport another of your conquests about!’ She tossed her raven-black head dramatically. ‘I won’t be treated like this! I’m going back to the hotel!’

If Theo had expected some kind of emotional response, she was going to be sorely disappointed, Bethany thought. Chad’s gaze rested indifferently on Theo’s face. ‘OK, if that’s how you want it,’ he drawled, unaffected by her scowl of animosity. He shrugged and watched impassively as she marched over to the door in her impossibly high heels. ‘I’ll see you when I see you, Theo,’ he called as she thumped down the stairs. ‘Don’t drive too fast, will you?’

‘If you expect me to be in any way impressed——’ Bethany began frostily, as Chad followed her down the staircase a moment after they had heard the predictable screech of burning rubber on the lane outside. ‘You shouldn’t let her drive, she’s been drinking——’

‘No, she hasn’t.’ Chad’s voice held a hint of amusement.

‘Oh, come on!’ Bethany spun around to face him, her green eyes narrowing with dislike. ‘It’s not in the least bit funny! I saw the bottles of wine. Heard what she said. I’m not a fool, whatever you may think!’

‘Meaning, I suppose,’ Chad drawled, ‘that you think I plied dear, innocent Theo with drink just so I could get my wicked way with her!’

Bethany’s lips pursed grimly. ‘You said it!’

‘Yes, and you thought it!’ Chad shot back. ‘Your opinion of me isn’t particularly high, is it?’

Unconsciously her mind swung back to the cabin, the rug, the pressure of Chad’s mouth as it scorched her lips... the scene—a prelude to lovemaking if ever there was one—she had unwittingly stumbled upon this evening... Oh, God! What was it about this man? she thought angrily. Did every woman fall like an idiot at his feet? ‘Can you give me one good reason why it should be?’ Bethany enquired frostily. ‘And don’t remind me about saving my life!’ she added caustically, thrusting away the treacherous thoughts. ‘Because I’m honestly beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if you’d left me stranded out there on the rock! I’m sure I would have been able to get back under my own steam...eventually. Anyway,’ Bethany continued sharply, aware that her lie about saving herself hadn’t sounded the least bit convincing, ‘that’s not the point! Theo’s whole demeanour was that of someone who had been drinking and you let her walk out of here——’

‘She hadn’t touched a drop!’ Chad’s voice was sharp. ‘Will you stop ranting on about drinking and driving, Bethany! Theo’s an actress; she’s got an early call in the morning. Whatever else she may do, she takes her career very seriously indeed and alcohol is a definite no-no as far as she’s concerned, especially on the eve of a big job.’

Bethany frowned. She had supposed the reference to leggy blondes to be just a wild accusation made in a fit of alcoholic rage. If Theo had been sober...The picture of Chad in bed with any number of beautiful women sprang unasked for into her mind. ‘But she acted as though she’d had a few...’ Bethany began, thrusting away the vision, sickened by the fact that she could so nearly have joined their number.

Chad inhaled a breath and shrugged impatiently. ‘Theo’s always like that. It’s just her way. The old seductress routine maybe, I don’t know——’

‘Oh, come on!’ Bethany felt anger surge at his indifferent response. ‘You don’t expect me to believe that it was she who brought you here?’ she delivered with disbelieving venom. ‘That you were the innocent party being led astray! You upset her! You used her!’ Bethany accused wildly. The need to be perverse was overwhelming suddenly. She hated Chad Alington for causing this emotional turbulence that seemed to have risen out of nowhere. She had spent months and months trying to regain her equilibrium, trying to forget about her past life with Philip, and now here she was, here he was, stirring up her well-ordered thoughts and responses.

‘Your concern for Theo’s welfare is extremely touching,’ Chad replied tightly. ‘But, Bethany, the woman is as hard as nails! Surely you worked that out for yourself! She can be good fun, but she can also be quite a bitch when she wants to be. Tonight’s performance is not unusual by any means, believe me!’

‘Oh, isn’t that just convenient!’ Bethany snapped. ‘She can take care of herself, so that absolves you from all blame! My God! You men really are all the same! You just take what you want and never a thought for anyone else’s feelings!’

‘Both Theo and I are adults, well over the age of consent!’ Chad thundered. ‘We see each other from time to time on a casual basis—an arrangement that suits her as much as it does me.’ He reached out a hand and dragged Bethany to a halt on the bottom-most tread. ‘Do you have to be so damned naive?’ His eyes flashed to the smooth pale face in front of him. ‘Theo can take care of herself. Didn’t she prove that tonight? After all, I’m the one who’s been stranded out here. So save your sympathy—she wouldn’t thank you for it!’

‘Don’t patronise me!’ Bethany, fighting for self-control, pulled her arm free from his hold and glared furiously up into Chad’s angular face.

‘You’re upset because of what Theo said, aren’t you?’ he murmured, with a sigh of exasperation. ‘Can’t you see she just used that reference to women in my bed to cause trouble?’

‘I suppose you’re going to tell me now that there isn’t a grain of truth in it!’ Bethany responded frostily. ‘What was the seduction routine at my cabin this afternoon, if it wasn’t just another in a long line of calculated operations? Well, come on!’ she demanded shakily. ‘Lie to me! After all, I’m so incredibly naive! I’m bound to fall for any yarn you care to spin! Go on! Tell me what Theo said wasn’t true!’ She was shaking with emotion. This arrogant, autocratic man thought he knew it all, had already decided she was a silly little slip of a girl who had no idea about the real world...real life...

‘Would there be any point?’ Chad enquired bitingly. ‘It seems to me that whatever I say is only going to incense you more.’

‘Damned right it is!’ Bethany replied instantly. ‘Hell! You men are all the same——!’

‘Bethany, be quiet!’ His voice was deeply scathing, bored almost. ‘I’m becoming sick of that clichéd phrase! You’re talking absolute rubbish! Stop using this fit of temper as a shield to hide behind because you can’t handle the fact that we almost made love——’

‘How dare you?’ She couldn’t believe he was actually saying this to her. ‘How dare you stand there and presume certain things that are in no way true——?’

‘They’re true,’ Chad cut in tersely. ‘You wouldn’t be reacting this way if they weren’t. What happened this afternoon came about because we both wanted it, and you know it. You’re no woman of the world, Bethany, whatever you may like me to believe.’ His gaze was sharp and direct. ‘OK, at this particular moment you’re not being particularly sweet, but you are young and you are——’

‘Don’t you dare call me innocent!’ Bethany turned from him, all the old familiar scenes whirring around in her brain, making her want to be sick. Philip, in those few short months of married life, had rid her of all innocence the very first chance he had got—how could she ever forget that? ‘How can you be so...so cruel?’

‘Bethany!’ Chad caught hold of her and turned her to face him, his eyes scouring her frantic face. ‘Cruel? What is all this, for heaven’s sake? What’s wrong with you?’

‘Wrong with me?’ Bethany forced a choking kind of laugh. Given half a chance, she thought, I could quite easily become hysterical. ‘Oh, nothing much! Certainly nothing for the likes of you to worry about——’

‘Bethany, I get the distinct impression that I’m missing something here—missing something important. Care to quit raising your voice and tell me about it?’

‘Stop treating me like an idiot!’ She glared up into the handsome face, disturbed by the seemingly sincere expression. ‘You don’t honestly expect me to trust someone like you, do you?’ He was confusing her and it wasn’t fair. How could he be so arrogant and blunt one minute and full of perceptive persuasion the next? ‘I don’t even want you to take me back home!’ She had forced her voice to sound scathing, derisive. Better that than weak and full of uncertainty, surely?

‘Right!’ He moved with lightning speed and in one swift movement had lifted Bethany right off her feet. ‘That suits me just fine!’

‘What...what do you think you’re doing?’ she cried shakily. ‘Put me down at once! Are you listening to me? Put me down, damn you!’ Bethany struggled, but with difficulty; her waxed coat was bulky and awkward. The air-rifle fell to the floor with a clatter as she did her best to break free from Chad’s firm hold. ‘You’re mad!’ she cried furiously, trying to push away from the solid, broad frame. ‘Absolutely mad! I didn’t mean I didn’t want to go home at all!’ she screeched. ‘Stop this at once! Stop treating me like an idiot, will you?’

‘Stop behaving like one, then!’ They were back upstairs in an instant. Chad pushed the door open with his shoulder and re-entered the room. ‘Welcome once again to my harem,’ he drawled provokingly, setting her without too much finesse on to one of the large, soft floor cushions. ‘Now take your coat off!’

Bethany gazed nervously up into Chad’s face. ‘Wh-what?’

‘You heard.’ He bent down beside her and began, with competent fingers, to slip the coat from Bethany’s shoulders. ‘How can you ever begin to feel comfortable in this thing?’ His mouth curled seductively and Bethany shivered as his hands brushed lightly against the thin fabric of her shirt.

‘Don’t, Chad!’ Her voice was faint; it took every ounce of control to keep her expression calm.

‘Don’t what?’ He threw her an innocent look, but his tone held a hint of savage male. ‘After all, isn’t this what you expect of me, Bethany? Aren’t I just the complete bastard? Taking what I want left, right and centre, without a thought for anyone else?’

‘I’m...I’m not Theo!’ She tried to drag her coat back over her shoulders, but met the resistance of Chad’s long tanned fingers at her shoulders, was aware as their hands touched of the by now familiar lurch in the pit of her stomach. Bethany took a breath and averted her gaze from the attractive mouth that seemed to be only inches away from her own. ‘She...she might have been more than happy at being brought here and seduced by you, but if you think——!’

‘Me? Think?’ His voice held a sarcastic edge. ‘Are you sure that that’s possible? After all, I am a man. All I’m capable of is using and abusing, isn’t that what you’ve concluded? Well?’ he demanded grimly, fixing her with a cold, metallic gaze. ‘That’s your opinion, isn’t it, Bethany? We’re all after one thing and one thing alone.’

‘Stop it!’ Bethany moistened her lips. She didn’t need this. She didn’t want Chad this close, delving into her thoughts and her hang-ups. So she didn’t have a very good opinion of men. Could anyone blame her for that after living with Philip for so many months? She risked a glance at Chad’s face. This man did, evidently. ‘Will...will you please let me up?’ Bethany whispered shakily. ‘You’re right. This afternoon...’ She hesitated, desperate to form the words coherently, desperate that he should believe the truth. ‘I’m...I’m not like that... What I mean is...what happened...what nearly happened ...I’m not the sort of girl who...who——’

‘But downstairs you were so keen to reject the innocent little girl image,’ Chad cut in bluntly. ‘What am I to believe, Bethany? How come you give off so many conflicting signals?’

She frowned, conscious of his body, strong and full of male vibrancy so close to hers. ‘Do...do I?’

‘You really aren’t aware of it?’ Chad watched her for a long moment, his eyes studying the trembling features with impassive, cold eyes. Then he took a deep breath and the grim line of his mouth softened slightly. ‘You’ve jumped to conclusions, Bethany——’ his breath was warm on her face ‘—about a lot of things. I’m not a sex maniac. As I told you, it’s just not my style. I don’t go around seducing every woman I set eyes on. Why won’t you believe that what happened in your cabin wasn’t an everyday occurrence? It took me as much by surprise as it did you.’ He won the battle of wills, that had never been a real contest, and finally removed the coat from Bethany’s body, reached for her hands, his thumbs careful and gentle as they traced a delicate circular pattern over the lightly tanned skin. ‘Why won’t you tell me what all this anger is really about?’

Bethany looked into the rugged face with wide nervous eyes. He was being gentle again, speaking in tones that smouldered with intensity. She wished his convincing charade didn’t affect her so. He almost had her wanting to tell him about the marriage that had been a misery from foolish beginning to pathetic end, about Philip’s drinking and abuse, about the humiliation and the broken dreams...

She surveyed the handsome face with an expression that bordered on the curious. Was she ready to fool herself, to hurt herself all over again? Hadn’t she learned her lesson the hard way? Surely she wasn’t so stupid as to allow herself to be tricked a second time? This sincere approach had to be a game, didn’t it? Simply a different, a clever way of achieving the very same end.