The Far Side of Paradise by Robyn Donald Read Free Book Online Page B

successful because they’re doing exactly what they want to do, which is helping people—making a difference to their lives. Sometimes
saving
their lives.’
    ‘So that’s your definition? Success means following your passion?’
    She gave him a startled look, then laughed, a sound without much humour. ‘Seems to be.’
    Something more than idle curiosity persuaded him to ask, ‘Do you have a passion?’
    He saw her withdrawal, but she answered with a rueful smile, ‘Not one I’ve discovered yet. What’s your definition of success?’
    That had changed over the years, from his initial instinctive need to survive a neglectful, drug-addicted mother. He had no intention of divulging his motivations to anyone, let alone Taryn, who’d made out a list that ended in
disengage from Jason.
    The list had been on the table, as though she’d dropped it there when he’d arrived to pick her up a few hours ago. She’d gone into her bedroom to bring out her pack, and deliberately and without guilt he’d read down the items. He needed all the ammunition he could muster to remind him that her reaction to Peter’s proposal had so shattered his brother he’d killed himself.
    When had she added that last significant note? After they’d met yesterday?
    Jason presumably had been her lover; the journalisthad certainly bristled with a territorial air when he’d been talking to her.
    So she hadn’t mourned Peter for long.

CHAPTER FOUR
    T HAT thought grated so much Cade turned his head and looked out at the sea below.
    One thing the years with an erratic mother had taught him was to read people. As soon as he’d met Taryn he’d noted the subtle signs of her response to him. What he hadn’t anticipated was his own reaction to her—a quick, fierce hunger he was having difficulty controlling.
    But what worried him was an unexpected and alarmingly unwelcome inclination to believe every word she said. Cade was cynical rather than suspicious, but his life and career had taught him not to trust anyone until he knew them.
    And that, he reminded himself, was why Taryn was sitting beside him—in order for him to gather information about her.
    He said, ‘I suppose my definition of my own success is to do whatever I do well. And to keep faith with the people who rely on me.’
    She waited as though expecting more, then nodded, her expression thoughtful. ‘Sounds good.’
    And meant very little, she thought a touch sardonically. If she’d hoped to get something other than platitudes from him, she’d just learned he wasn’t going to open up to her.
    After all, he was now her employer. There were protocols to be observed, a suitably respectful distance to be kept. Possibly, in a subtle English way, he was indicating she’d better forget the informal, unconventional circumstances in which they’d met.
    Glancing up, she met hooded steel-blue eyes, unsparing and probing. Sensation sizzled through her and she said the first thing that came to mind. ‘I hope I can do the job.’
    In an indifferent voice, he said, ‘Having second thoughts, Taryn?’
    When she shook her head he went on, ‘Fala’isi is a civilised place, and all I expect from you is a week of quite straightforward work.’ His voice hardened. ‘Because you are beautiful there will be people who misunderstand our relationship, but I’m sure you’re sophisticated enough to deal with that.’
    Heat burned across her cheekbones. Cade’s tone had been casually dismissive, as though in his world beauty was taken for granted.
    He was far too perceptive. She’d barely recognised the caution in herself, a warning based on nothing more than her own response to him. Time to show him she could be completely professional.
    ‘Of course I can,’ she said. She added, ‘And I don’t suspect you of ulterior motives.’
    He nodded. ‘Good.’ And began to talk of their destination, of the two cultures that had been so successfully integrated by the family that ruled Fala’isi, and