The Millionaire's Rebellious Mistress - By Catherine George Page 0,69
instructions while I finish it. Then you can scrub my back in the bath afterwards. Or any other part of me you think needs attention,’ he added with a grin. ‘I’ll pick you up here at seven. If you’re not too tired we’ll take a detour to monitor progress on the new hotel, and you can take a look at your cottages at the same time.’
‘I won’t be too tired for that,’ she assured him, and knew she wouldn’t be. The weariness of the past few weeks had been due to Alex Merrick’s absence from her life. Her energy was fully restored now he was back in it again.
Sarah had just waved goodbye to Harry the following evening when she saw, with sinking heart, a familiar Porsche in the Medlar House car park. Maxine Merrick slid out of it, eyeing Sarah’s work clothes with a patronising smile.
‘Hello. Have you got a minute? I’d like a word,’ said Maxine.
‘How did you know where I live?’ asked Sarah, making no attempt to hide her hostility.
‘Apparently Alex went on ad nauseam about this flat of yours to Stephen, so I asked Stephen where it was. Can I come in?’
Sarah’s first instinct was to refuse, but after a pause her curiosity got the better of her. She unlocked the outer door and strode across the hall to her flat, then stood aside to let her unwelcome visitor in.
‘Heavenly little place,’ said Maxine, looking round in surprise.
‘Thank you. Why are you here?’ Sarah asked bluntly.
‘To give you a friendly warning,’ said Maxine, her china-blue eyes limpid.
‘What exactly are you warning me about, Mrs Merrick?’
‘Alex, and how ruthless he can be,’ said Maxine, sighing. ‘May I sit down?’
Sarah shook her head. ‘I’ve had a long day, and I need a shower. I’d rather you just said what you have to say and go.’
Maxine’s mouth tightened. ‘All right then, Miss Carver. To get straight to the point, I think it’s only right you know that Alex got me pregnant out of revenge, to hurt his father. You probably heard some of that when you walked in on us last Saturday. One look at you gave me the perfect lever I needed. I threatened to tell you everything unless Alex paid up for an abortion. Which he did, finally, but I’m telling you anyway, just to enjoy the feeling.’ Her eyes hardened to chips of blue ice. ‘No man tells me to get lost and gets away with it. Why are you shaking your head like that?’ she added with sudden hostility.
‘I feel so sorry for him,’ said Sarah.
‘Alex?’ snapped Maxine.
‘No. For his father.’ Sarah flung the door wide. ‘Goodbye, Mrs Merrick.’
‘Hold on, I haven’t finished—’
‘Yes, you have. Take your lies and leave, or I’ll call the caretaker.’ Sarah smiled sweetly. ‘To quote Alex, Mrs Merrick, get lost.’
Maxine turned a deep, unbecoming crimson, speechless with fury for a moment, but before she could recover Sarah thrust her out into the hall and closed the door, her heart beating like a drum.
Alex arrived fifteen minutes early the following evening. ‘Sorry,’ he said, kissing Sarah, I couldn’t wait any longer. If you’re not ready, I’ll wait until you are.’
‘Harry needed to get away a bit earlier today, so I was home in good time,’ she assured him, and pointed to her bags. ‘If you’ll take those to the car, I’ll just lock up.’
‘Yes, ma’am!’ he said with alacrity, and looked her over with appreciation. ‘You look good enough to eat, Sarah.’
She smiled and reached up to kiss him. ‘So do you.’
When they called in at the hotel construction site Sarah took a nostalgic look at the row of cottages.
‘Note the trees,’ said Alex, watching her face. ‘I had the rest of the houses planted up to match the first one. You approve?’
‘I do. I’m flattered you liked my taste. My cottages look really good. I’ll always think of them as mine, you know,’ she added, smiling.
‘So will I.’ Alex kissed her swiftly as he helped her down. ‘I’m very glad, now, that you refused my original offer.’
‘I should think I would,’ she said indignantly. ‘It was outrageous.’
‘I meant the one I made before you even left London to start work on them,’ he said, and sprang back, hands upraised in mock surrender.
Sarah stared at him blankly. ‘That was you?’
He nodded, smiling broadly. ‘I told the manager of one of our London subsidiaries to put out a feeler for me. When you didn’t bite I decided to sit back and let