The Burlington Manor Affair

“I’d rather I handled it. I know you. He doesn’t.”

Someone anonymous would be so much easier than a man who knew how to play her. She gave a dismissive laugh.

“Carmen, give me some credit here. I believe I can be more sensitive about this than a stranger.”

That really didn’t help. The image of Rex being sensitive reminded her of their previous intimacy. Images invaded her mind, images that she’d tried to obscure: the sight of him going down on her while he had her bound and helpless, the feeling of him covering her eyes, blindfolding her in order to lead her to a new level of und

erstanding about her sexuality. She couldn’t afford to let him get close to her again. “Is it really necessary?”

“Yes.” Tension was heavy in that one word. “Carmen, I’m not expecting anything other than what’s necessary. A public place, a few questions to expedite the investigation.”

The fact she didn’t trust him to stick to that was a secondary issue. Most of all she didn’t trust herself. She wanted him too much.

When she didn’t answer, he continued. “There’s something else, but I’d rather not discuss it over the phone.”

Something else? Yes, of course there was. “If you don’t tell me what this something else is,” she responded, keeping her tone businesslike, “I don’t see any need for a meeting.”

He gave a low, throaty laugh. “It’s good to hear you in such fine form.”

Carmen sighed into the phone. “I’m already late for an appointment, spit it out.”

“It’s Jason, the one who was working up at the house. He’s out on bail. Olivia and the other son are being held in custody until the trial.”

It wasn’t what she’d expected, and it took a moment for her to absorb the information. “Well, none of them are going to stay locked up forever.”

“I want to put a restraining order on him. I don’t want him coming anywhere near you.”

“I’m sure that’s not necessary.”

“I’m not taking any risks. I want you to be safe, always.”

The tone of his voice made her skin prickle, the genuine concern for her well-being undermining her resolve to resist him.

“I’ve taken advice but you need to be involved to action the paperwork. Meet me this evening and I’ll explain.” Before she mustered a response, his persuasive words continued. “I won’t overstep your current boundaries. Not unless you indicate that’s what you want.” He paused. “I promise.”

She willed herself to keep a grip on reality. Instead, she felt it spinning away. “That promise better be sound,” she responded, her voice scarcely above a whisper.

For a moment he didn’t respond, and when he did victory echoed through his words. “Meet me at eight. Raphael’s in Mayfair. I’ve reserved a table.”

He’d already reserved a table? Carmen didn’t trust herself to respond.

Instead, she cut the connection and left for her meeting. As she strode down the corridor she shook her head, annoyed with herself. She’d given him the tiniest of openings and he’d played her, well and truly. I hate you, Rex Carruthers. Nevertheless, anticipation began to bubble inside her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

REX GLANCED AT his watch. In four hours, he would be meeting Carmen. That felt good, although he had a lot of work to do in order to prove himself to her. Right now, however, he was seeing another woman, and he was pretty sure Carmen wouldn’t approve if she knew.

But it had to be done.

A buzzer sounded and a door at the far end of the visiting room opened. The women prisoners filed into the room. Rex watched with interest. Instead of uniforms they were wearing their own clothes, except each wore a blue bib that marked them out as what they were. It wasn’t what he expected, but he’d never visited a prison before. He’d envisaged being behind a Perspex screen. Instead, he’d been ushered to a numbered seat facing another, with just a low table in between. The women fanned out across the room as they caught sight of their visitors.

Olivia Fordyce was one of the last to emerge. She peered across the room, narrowing her eyes. Was she reluctant to see him? Rex didn’t think so, because as soon as he’d asked for permission to visit she’d immediately granted it for the following day.

When she spotted him, she smirked.

Rex meshed his fingers together and rested his elbows on his knees as he watched her approach, forcing down his anger.

“Rex,” she said smoothly as she took her seat opposite him, “how lovely of you to come and visit me.”