Brand of Possession

‘Mm?’ he followed her line of vision. ‘It looks as if you would have won.’

The handsome stranger turned to look at them as if aware of their scrutiny, nodding distantly as he recognised Stacy. She nodded back before he turned away again, feeling strangely breathless at the brooding expression in his eyes.

Matthew looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘Who was that?’

She took a sip of her drink, giving him a composed look. ‘I have no idea.’

He gave a splutter of laughter. ‘No idea, when he looks at you like that?’ He shook his head. ‘The man was mentally undressing you.’

She coloured delicately. ‘Can I help that?’

‘No, I suppose not, not the way you look tonight. Did I tell you how beautiful you look?’

‘No.’

‘Well, you do. Payne’s a fool to drop you from this film, you’re going to be a really big name one day.’ He looked up as a shadow fell across them in the dimmed room.

Stacy looked up too, straight into those compelling blue eyes set in the deeply tanned face. ‘Hello,’ she said huskily, unable to think of anything more intelligent to say.

He nodded. ‘Good evening,’ he drawled. ‘I have something I would like to talk to you about, Miss Adams.’

Matthew took the hint. ‘I’ll just go and get another drink from the bar,’ he said quietly. ‘Can I get you anything, Stacy?’

‘Er—no, no, thank you.’ She felt mesmerised by this tall arrogant stranger, unable to look away from his compelling features.

‘Okay, I’ll see you later, then.’ Matthew nodded to the other man before leaving.

‘You found out my name.’ She said the first thing that came into her head.

He nodded, a mocking smile lifting the corners of his mouth. ‘Stacy Adams,’ he drawled slowly. ‘Very professional.’

She flushed at his intended mockery. ‘There’s nothing professional about it, it happens to be my name,’ she snapped. ‘At least, the name I was given at the orphanage,’ she added resentfully.

He looked unperturbed. ‘How long were you in an orphanage?’

‘All my life, until I was sixteen.’

‘Poor kid,’ he said softly.

Her eyes flashed angrily. ‘I had quite a happy childhood as childhoods go. I certainly don’t need your sympathy.’

‘You aren’t getting it,’ he retorted hardly. ‘I came over here to tell you you’ve been reinstated. You still have the part of Kate.’

CHAPTER TWO

SHE shook her head disbelievingly. ‘I don’t understand. Mr Payne sacked me.’

‘And now he’s changed his mind.’

Stacy gave him a sharp look. ‘This is your doing, isn’t it? You got him to change his mind.’

He gave a soft laugh. ‘How could I get him to do that? I don’t have that sort of influence.’

‘You spoke to Mr Weston, then.’

‘And if I did?’ he watched her through narrowed eyes. ‘You’re making it sound as if you’d rather be out of a job.’

‘No, I— But what about Paul Forbes? He isn’t going to like it.’