When the Devil Drives by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page B

she
    asked with icy scorn.
    'Until I decide to call a halt.' His eyes lingered on the thrust of her
    breasts under her thin dress, as intimately as a caress. 'Don't hope for
    any miracles.'
    'I hope for nothing from you.'
    His smile widened insolently. 'Now that's carrying pessimism too far.'
    He paused, watching the colour flood into her face. 'I shall expect you
    to join me at the country club at eight this evening,' he went on. 'And
    don't make me come and fetch you, because that would annoy me.'
    'I'm shivering in my shoes,' she flung at him, furious with herself for
    blushing.
    'No, lass, not you.' He swung himself off the rail, dusting off his
    trousers. 'You're not a weakling like Simon. You're a chip off the old
    block. Taming you, Joanna Chalfont, is going to be a privilege as well
    as a pleasure.'
    'You're disgusting, Callum Blackstone!' She held herself very
    straight. 'I loathe and despise you, and I always will!'
    He laughed, running a hatefully casual finger down the curve of her
    warm cheek. 'Tell me that again in the morning,' he said, and walked
    away from her up the path towards the car park.
    Joanna was suddenly aware that her breathing was as hurried as if
    she'd been taking part in some marathon race, and that her legs had
    turned to jelly, but she made herself stand there, unmoving and
    defiant, until his car started up, and turned on to the road above.
    She saw him lower the window and lean out, lifting his hand in a
    mocking salute.
    'Until tonight.' The words came to her faintly, and were instantly
    picked up by the crowding hills, and echoed back with disagreeable
    triumph, and all too distinctly. Until tonight—until tonight...
    With a little sob, Joanna pressed her hands over her ears, and began to
    stumble up the path towards her own vehicle.
    Damn him, she thought violently. Damn him for all eternity!

    Joanna's watch said eight o'clock precisely as she walked up the steps
    and through the revolving door into the foyer of the country club.
    The dark, pretty receptionist gave her a welcoming smile. 'Can I help
    you, madam?'
    I wish you could, Joanna thought. Aloud, she said, 'Mr Blackstone is
    expecting me.'
    The girl discreetly consulted a clipboard under the broad mahogany
    desk. 'Oh, yes, Mrs Bentham. If you'd like to leave your wrap,
    Gregory our head waiter will take you to Mr Blackstone's table in the
    restaurant. Mr Blackstone is waiting for a telephone call from the
    States, and will join you as soon as possible.'
    Joanna surrendered the fringed embroidered shawl she was wearing
    over her black dress, and followed a deferential Gregory through a
    luxuriously fitted cocktail bar to the dining-room beyond. It was an
    elegant room, its lavishly decorated ceiling supported by gilded
    pillars, and with french windows running the length of one wall.
    Although it was still relatively early, more than half the tables were
    already occupied, many of them by people Joanna knew, she realised
    with embarrassment. She was aware of a battery of interested glances
    as Gregory conducted her with some ceremony to a table set for two
    and discreetly placed in a corner of the room, which in turn was half
    screened by a trellis of climbing plants.
    The first thing she saw was the bottle of champagne waiting on ice.
    The second was the perfect crimson rose just beginning to unfurl its
    petals in the centre of the table. Her lips tightened angrily.
    'May I get you a drink, madam?' Gregory asked as he seated her.
    'Perrier water, please, with a twist of lemon.'
    She was glad that the table was comparatively private, but knew that
    the damage had already been done, and quite deliberately too.
    Everyone in the restaurant would know that this was the first time
    she'd ever set foot in the country club, just as Cal Blackstone
    intended. They would also know this was his private table she was
    sitting at, and be putting two and two together to arrive at some
    amazing totals. The gossip and rumour would spread out