The Endgame by Cleary James Read Free Book Online

along with it, as she always did, just to keep the peace. Was there no limit to how much she would debase herself to avoid antagonising Mark?
    She struggled to calm herself, sucking in a deep breath as Grayson kissed her neck and shoulder. She had to be in control when she faced him again. But then Isabel’s eyes flew open and suddenly they were looking right at each other. Isabel’s eyes widened in alarm, and Lisa knew that all her panic and distress must be etched on her features. Shit! She tried to force a calm smile onto her face, but she knew it was too late. Isabel had seen.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     

Please don’t say anything , she begged silently, scarcely daring to breathe.
    ‘Why don’t we continue this outside,’ Isabel said smoothly, and Lisa allowed herself to relax a little. Perhaps she had been mistaken, and Isabel hadn’t noticed anything after all.
    Grayson lifted his head, and Lisa saw Isabel catch his eye. She gave a barely perceptible shake of her head, a slight frown furrowing her brow. Grayson’s arms dropped away, and Lisa whipped around to see him frowning back at Isabel with a questioning expression. They seemed to be having some sort of silent exchange with their eyes, and as she watched, Isabel mouthed one word at him. Lisa couldn’t tell what it was, but it had an immediate effect on him. He seemed startled, and she caught his horrified expression before he quickly averted his eyes and stepped away from her, putting distance between them.
    ‘Come on,’ Isabel said, turning to Mark. ‘I can’t wait to get you in that hot tub. ‘ She took his hand and led him to the door. ‘Grayson, maybe you could show Lisa where the bathroom is. I’m sure she’d like to clean up.’
    ‘Aren’t you joining us?’ Mark asked, already unbuttoning his shirt in the doorway.
    ‘I think I’d rather have Lisa all to myself,’ Grayson said.
    ‘Be my guest,’ Mark said with a shrug. ‘But remember what I said – make sure you get her on her knees,’ he added before following Isabel from the room.
    Lisa cringed at the way he talked about her as if she were his property, a gift that he could bestow on whomever he chose.
    There was an awkward silence as the door closed behind them. She was aware of Grayson, standing very still beside her. Sneaking a look at him, she caught the dazed expression on his face before he turned away abruptly. Suddenly galvanised into action, he moved to the end of the table and picked up Lisa’s dress and thong from the chair where she had left them.
    ‘Um ... take your clothes,’ he said, holding them out to her, but not meeting her eyes. Lisa took them from him, clutching the dress to her.
    ‘Come on, I’ll show you where you can take a shower.’ Grayson reached out a hand as if to guide her, but quickly withdrew it, throwing her an apologetic look.
    Lisa wasn’t sure what had changed, but something was very different in Grayson’s attitude. Suddenly he seemed hesitant and unsure of himself. He was silent and subdued as he led her to the bathroom, and whereas earlier he couldn’t keep his hands off her, now he seemed to be going out of his way to avoid touching her. He kept a respectful distance between them as they walked side by side down the hall. Lisa felt unnerved, thrown off balance once again by the sudden change in his behaviour, and she moved stiffly, her body rigid with tension as she wondered what was going to happen next.
    He led her to a small shower room. Lisa stepped inside and turned to him, still clutching her clothes to her body to cover herself. Grayson remained on the threshold, his arms folded. ‘There are clean towels there,’ he said, nodding to a cabinet against the wall. He seemed to be avoiding even looking at her now, his eyes darting around as he spoke, looking anywhere but at her. ‘You should find everything else you need in the shower.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘Come back to the kitchen when you’re done.’
    He pulled the door closed,