Rival Attractions & Innocent Secretary

She was ready to move away, not caring that he was still leaning against the car, when to her shock he reached inside the open window and deftly cut the engine.

While she was still in shock, he said crisply, ‘I wasn’t making fun of you—far from it—and as for your being sexless…’ He was frowning now as he registered her white face and trembling hands.

Charlotte barely heard the sound he made under his breath. Hearing him repeat her own words had devastated her. What had possessed her? Why on earth had she reacted like that…laid herself open to him like that, revealing how much his amusement had hurt her?

She was stunned by her own behaviour. Her deepest private feelings were something she never discussed with anyone, and for her to have voiced them in front of this man who was virtually a stranger…

She felt sick and shaky, disorientated and vaguely light-headed.

‘Get out.’

Get out? She focused on the hard-boned male face, absently noting the steely look in the blue eyes. He was angry with her, and no wonder. He didn’t want to be burdened with her adolescent emotional soul-baring. What on earth had possessed her? she asked herself again.

‘If it weren’t for the fact that we’re standing in this very public place, I’d be tempted to show you just how wrong you are!’

Charlotte stared at him, unable to believe her ears. He couldn’t have meant what she thought he had meant. He wouldn’t be implying that he found her desirable.

‘I’m going home,’ she told him huskily. ‘Please move out of the way, so that I can drive.’

‘You’re not driving anywhere, you little fool. You’re in no fit state. Now, are you going to get out of that car under your own steam, or am I going to have to drag you out?’

Something about the way he was looking at her warned that he meant every word he was saying. Shakily, Charlotte released her seatbelt and opened the door. ‘I’ve got to get home,’ she protested. Dimly she was aware that she was suffering from some kind of shock, and no wonder after what he had said!

‘I’ll drive you there.’

‘My car—’ she protested, but she was already being ushered very firmly across the car park to the parked Jaguar.

‘I’ll arrange for it to be returned to you.’

‘You don’t have to do this…’ she told him uncertainly, putting her hand to her head. Her head was aching badly. Strange…she hadn’t realised she had a headache. Tension-induced, of course. Suddenly, for no reason at all, she felt her eyes start to swim with tears and an awful choking sensation block her throat.

She had stood on her feet for so long, had been independent and self-sufficient for so long that this inner weakness was something she didn’t know how to cope with.

Why on earth this particular man should be affecting her like this she had no idea.

‘I don’t want to go with you,’ she told him almost childishly, unaware that she had spoken out loud until he said drily,

‘Yes, I know. You don’t want anything to do with me, do you, Charlotte? In fact, you don’t want anything to do with my sex at all, do you?’

Somehow or other they were both inside his car, and he was fastening her seatbelt while he waited for her answer. She felt shock-waves of sensation burst through her, washing over her body in ever-increasing heat.

‘Or is it me personally?’ he pressed.

Him personally? For a moment she thought he must have registered her reaction to him, and she gave him a guarded, almost frightened look that made his frown deepen. The shock of what he had said to her was slowly fading, the lump had disappeared from her throat, and when she blinked she discovered that the tears had gone too.

He had caught her off guard, that was all. There had been no real reason for her to get in such a panic…to feel so vulnerable.

He was still waiting for a response, and, even though he had now set the car in motion, she knew instinctively that he would continue to press her until he got one.

After the way she had just behaved, she suspected that the last thing he would want to do now was to share her roof, and so there was nothing to be gained from concealing the truth.

‘I just don’t like being pushed into corners,’ she told him restlessly. ‘Everyone seems to think I should be pleased to have you lodging with me…’

‘When in reality it’s the last thing you want. Why did you agree, then? Is it just the money?’

She shook her head. ‘No,’ she admitted. ‘It was Vanessa. I didn’t want her to think that I was influenced by what she said.’

‘Ah, Vanessa. A most unpleasant woman, although I suppose I shouldn’t say so.’ As though he felt her surprise, he grimaced. ‘I feel very sorry for her husband, because, no matter how much he does for her, it will never be enough. I must admit I’m looking forward to moving into my new quarters.’