The Art of Retaliation by Arabella Kingsley Read Free Book Online

that
irritating voice of conscience he had fought so hard to ignore crept into his
mind and began to repeat the lecture he had already given himself twice.   He was taking advantage of a woman who
was helpless under his protection and authority not to mention Ryan may not
come through if he was aware of an affair.   Without warning he let her go as though he had been given a heavy
reprimand.   The movement was sharp
and determined causing her to fall back against the door.

 
    “I’m sorry, Mara,” he said brusquely running a hand through his
hair.   “ I shouldn’t have done
that.   It won’t happen again.”

 
    He turned from her dismissing the scene fighting the strong urge to
return pick her up in his arms and carry her to bed.   He cursed under his breath aware of her
watching him retrace his footsteps back down the corridor towards the stairs
half hoping, half expecting he would return, unable to believe how abruptly it
had all ended.
    Mara could still taste the wine from his lips.   But he didn’t come back, and on
reflection it was just as well.   She
retired to her room quickly fastening her dress back in place and flopped on
the bed covering her face with her hands.   What had she been doing?   He
had been toying with her, flexing those powerful muscles to see how far she
would go and she had nearly given him the gratification of getting what he
wanted, more control.
     
    So he thought he was acting out some kind of romantic fairytale
illusion in which he gets the captured princess whether she wants it or
not.   Her teeth clamped shut.   He was in for a big shock.   This princess was about to drag him into
the 21st century and wake him with a kiss that would jolt him to his
senses.   She would be calling the
shots.

 
    If only she could get back to work and put all of this behind her
and forget Stephane .   She had forgotten about Matisse.  

 
    Work.   Yes that is the answer.

 
    The meeting with Raymond Matisse had been arranged for
tomorrow.   Mara sat up excited.   She had to convince Stephane to take her there, tell him that if she didn’t turn up they would be bound to
think something was up.   It had to
work, she would tell him in the morning first thing when he had to think on the
spot.   He wouldn’t have any choice
but to take her there and she would get her chance to escape and raise the
alarm.

 

Chapter
Three

 
    Mara woke early the following morning eager to put her plan into
action.   After dressing, she took a
moment to gaze at the view from her window, casting her eyes over to the
grounds were she was sure she could hear the gush of a fountain nearby.   The day was bright and guaranteed to be
another hot one.   She was falling in
love with the place and wished she could have a proper look around.

 
    Footsteps padded quickly along the path that made its way around the
moat on the other side breaking her thoughts.   They belonged to Stephane .   His bronzed physique was glistening with
moisture in black shorts and a grey vest top from a demanding run.   Her eyes ran appreciatively over his
form, drinking in its sleek power.

 
    Her thoughts made her blood pump a little faster as she remembered
the ease with which he had pinned her to the door the night before.   She moved closer to the window sure he
was oblivious to being observed until he stopped his run suddenly.   Giggling like a schoolgirl she pulled
back from the window hiding behind the curtain, sneaking another peek.   He was bending down looking at a shiny
object that was casting a rainbow of dazzling colors across his eyes in the
sunlight.   Mara felt her mouth open
and a startled cry escape her parted lips.   Immediately his attention sprang to the open window where the noise had
emanated.   He held up the engagement
ring and studied it intently before looking up to the window.

 
    “I take it this belongs to you?” he shouted holding up the object
straining to see her behind