A Stranger's Kiss

were meant to hurt.
    It frightened her just how much he succeeded in his intention. She had thought herself quite immune to the kind of casual sexual encounter he had intended. She had dealt easily enough with other men who saw the cool, efficient exterior as some sort of challenge to their manhood. But Adam Blackmore had caught her off guard and ruthlessly exploited the situation. And he had succeeded in keeping her off balance ever since.
    ‘Tara?’
    She started. ‘Sorry, Beth, what were you saying?’
    ‘Only that I thought I might have got through to him yesterday.’
    ‘Him?’ It took Tara a moment to work out who Beth was talking about. ‘Oh, Jim. Sadly, no. But I’d be interested to know exactly what you said to him. He professed to being shocked by your language.’
    ‘Clearly not shocked enough.’ Beth was defiant. ‘But I did tell him that if he comes to the office again I’m going to call the police.’
    ‘Oh, no. You mustn’t do that!’ Tara exclaimed. ‘Promise me you won’t do that. Can you imagine the publicity?’
    Beth pulled a face. ‘Perhaps it’s not such a good idea.’ Then she grinned. ‘Now I’ll be able to tell him you’ve left the country. That should head him off.’
    ‘Only if you refuse to tell him where I’ve gone. I wouldn’t put it past him to follow me.’
    Beth laughed. ‘I wish I could inspire such devotion.’
    ‘No, you don’t.’ She wondered if Beth would think it quite so funny if she knew how close Jim had come to losing them any chance of working for Adam Blackmore. ‘It’s becoming something of a nuisance.’
    Beth gave Tara a studied look. ‘What is it?’
    ‘Nothing. I...’ She couldn’t possibly tell Beth her misgivings. ‘I just wish I didn’t have to go on this business trip. That’s all.’
    ‘Don’t be silly. I’ll manage here... Oh, I see. That’s not it. Has the stunning Mr Blackmore made a pass at you?’
    ‘How do you know he’s stunning? I never said...’
    ‘There was a piece in the Financial Times about him a few weeks ago. The photograph was a bit blurred, but it did its job. Don’t dodge the question. Has he?’
    ‘No. Well, yes.’ She lifted her shoulders in a hopeless little shrug. ‘To be honest I’m not entirely certain.’
    ‘I know you’re a bit out of practise, love. But it’s not usually that difficult to tell.’
    ‘It was almost as if he was testing me. Except...’ She shook her head. So why had he come racing to her rescue? She forced a reassuring smile. ‘He won’t do it again.’
    ‘Well, that’s alright then.’
    Tara glanced at her partner, certain that she was having her leg pulled. ‘Yes. It’s strictly business.’
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘Will you stop doing that!’
    ‘Doing what?’
    ‘You know very well. Surely you don’t think I should have encouraged him?’
    Beth pursed her lips. ‘That’s not for me to say.’
    ‘So why do I have the feeling that you’re going to anyway.’
    ‘I have no idea. At twenty-five you’re quite old enough to make up your own mind about whether or not to fall in love.’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
    ‘There’s absolutely nothing ridiculous about falling in love. It hurts. You want it to stop almost more than anything else in the world. Except not stopping. Listen to the voice of experience.’
    ‘I know all about falling in love, Beth. What Adam Blackmore wants hasn’t anything to do with falling in love.’ Not the till death do us part sort of love. And that was the only sort she had ever been interested in.
    Beth’s glance strayed to the photograph on the mantel. ‘You mean he’s not a half-grown boy. He’s a man and he’s not going to be content with holding hands and gazing into your eyes. Beautiful though they undoubtedly are.’ Beth shrugged. ‘So, take all sensible precautions and enjoy yourself. When he breaks your heart you’ll at least know you’re still alive.’ Tara’s face drained of colour and Beth leapt to her feet and took her friends hands. ‘I’m sorry. My mouth was talking before my brain was engaged. Again.’ Tara shook her head unable to speak.
    ‘I’d better go.’ She paused as if she would say something else, but changed her mind. ‘Don’t worry about the office. Everything’s under control.’
    * * *
    Tara was pretty well under control too. She was far too busy to worry about Adam’s motives during the next few days. He had at least stopped treating her like a useless junior and the workload