Dark Paradise by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page A

feeling its warmth comfort her and give her heart, while she waited for him to speak.
    He said softly at last, 'I was deeply moved by your eloquence last night.'
    'Oh?' Her expression was suspicious, her tone antagonistic, and he laughed.
    'You don't believe me? But you underestimate your own powers of persuasion, darling. If you think it would be such a disaster for Alison to go to the Caribbean with me, then I shall not take her. It's as simple as that.'
    Kate put her mug slowly down on the worktop. 'I don't think I understand.'
    'I'm a reformed character. Your impassioned plea has made me see the light. My home-wrecking days are behind me.'
    Kate's lips tightened. 'This is clearly some kind of weird joke, and I don't find it very amusing.'
    'I've never been more serious.' The blue eyes glittered oddly as they surveyed her. 'I am not taking Alison to the Caribbean. That's what you wanted, isn't it?'
    'Why—yes.' She was taken aback, and growing more and more uneasy.
    'Then you have your wish.' He paused, then said smoothly, 'There is, of course, one minor condition.'
    'Oh?' Kate swallowed. 'What is it?"
    He smiled, his eyes appraising her body again with unconcealed sensuousness. He said gently, 'On condition that you come with me instead.'

CHAPTER THREE

     
    For a long moment, Kate couldn't think of a single thing to say.
    Then, at last, she managed, 'You—really—are joking.'
    'Not in the least.' He was no longer smiling. The dark face was set and almost cruel. That's the way it is, darling, I am off to the Caribbean on the fifth of next month, and I haven't the slightest intention of travelling alone. If you want Alison to stay at home and go on practising the role of the virtuous wife, then you'll go with me. If you don't then she will. See how easy it all is?'
    'Easy?' Her mouth was so dry, she could hardly force the word out. 'My God!' Then something snapped inside her, and she picked up her mug of coffee and threw it at him.
    He had the reflexes of a cat. As her hand came up he was already moving. The coffee went everywhere, the mug smashed against the opposite wall, and he was unscathed.
    Not only unscathed, but grinning in unholy amusement as he looked at the mess she'd made. 'You've got a violent streak, darling. Your parents must have been clairvoyant when they named you after a shrew. What a way to behave when you've just been offered the holiday of a lifetime!'
    Kate regained her self-control with a superhuman effort, digging her nails painfully into the palms of her hands.
    'I wouldn't have described your offer in quite those terms. I thought it more of an insult.' She lifted her chin, speaking coolly.
    His brows rose. 'Obviously you've never been insulted. But there's no need to smash things. All you have to say is "no", and the offer to Alison will stand. Why complicate matters by breaking the crockery?'
    She said huskily, 'You couldn't imagine for one moment that I'd agree.'
    'Now there you're wrong.' He threw back his head and looked at her, his eyes narrowed. 'I got the distinct impression last night that you'd do anything in your power to prevent me from ruining your—stepbrother's marriage. I merely decided to test the depth of your commitment.' He shook his head. 'I'm not impressed.'
    'I'd do anything within reason, naturally.' Kate bit her lip. 'But this suggestion of yours is—sick. It's twisted!'
    Matt burst out laughing. 'Now how do you make that out?' he wanted to know.
    'Because you only said it to embarrass me—to punish me,' she answered in a low voice.
    He shrugged. Tartly true, perhaps. But certainly not the whole truth.' He paused. 'I fancied you at that wedding, as you know perfectly well. And last night's —admittedly brief—encounter has whetted my appetite as far as you're concerned.'
    'But not,' said Kate, 'mine for you.'
    Matt shrugged again. 'Then the answer's "No" and Alison goes with me.' He looked at her meditatively. 'She won't be quite so—lively a companion, but at