A Stranger's Kiss

trail along her arm. She tried to get up, but the sofa offered no resistance and he was leaning against her now, his weight pinning her back against the cushions.
    ‘Hanna,’ she protested, urgently.
    ‘Yes, my darling. I’m here.’ His mouth was warm against her throat, his hand already cupping the soft mound of her breast. She began to struggle in earnest, but to no avail. She was sinking against the cushions, sliding down helplessly onto her back and he had thrown his leg across her.
    She knew she would have to scream for help and the thought was sobering. The embarrassment would be acute enough in any circumstances, but Adam Blackmore’s disdain would be unbearable. He had warned her. More than once.
    Her protests were ignored and Hanna Rashid, having drunk altogether too much champagne tugged roughly at her zip and exposed her breasts to the cool evening air. Now she was really frightened and in a panic lashed out, her nails raking his cheek. He swore, but didn’t loosen his grip. Her struggles served only to excite him further and she opened her mouth. She no longer cared about embarrassment. ‘Adam—’ It came out barely more than a croak. ‘Ad—’
    His hand clamped over her mouth. ‘Dieu, Tara. But you are—’ What he thought of her was never to be known. Suddenly his weight was gone and she was left gasping for breath against the cushions.
    The sound of a splash and angry stream of gutter French reached her from the pool and then Adam was there, breathing heavily, glaring down at her.
    ‘Cover yourself up.’ She stared at him, too stunned by the rapid succession of attack and rescue to move. ‘Now!’
    Tara struggled against the cushions and with a furious exclamation he reached down and yanked her to her feet and roughly pulled her dress into place, tugging up her zip so carelessly that he caught her flesh. She winced but made no sound. She didn’t think he would be sympathetic to any pain she was suffering.
    ‘I’m sorry, Adam.’ She was shaking, but he didn’t seem to care.
    ‘Not half as sorry as you’re going to be.’ He threw a savage glance at Hanna who was climbing from the pool. Then without a word turned and hauled her after him up the steps of the veranda towards the house. Just before they reached the door he stopped so suddenly that they collided and he turned her into his arms. ‘Now, Mrs Lambert, for once in your life do as you are told and co-operate.’ Before she could ask what he meant he was kissing her. Kissing her with all the apparent passionate sincerity of a man bewitched. Only she knew it was all a lie, because once she had been kissed by him when he meant it.
    Finally this humiliation was over and he released her.
    ‘How dare you!’ she breathed, furiously.
    ‘Please don’t think it gave me any pleasure, but far better, my lady, to have the assembled guests believe you were mussed up by someone you know, than a stranger you chose to flirt with despite all advice to the contrary.’ He was breathing heavily. ‘And this way no one will be surprised by our early departure.’
    Tara was conscious of amused and knowing glances as they made their way to the door, Adam apparently determined to stop and bid farewell to every one of his many acquaintances. She bore it with as much grace as she could muster. What was a little embarrassment compared to attempted rape, after all?
    Finally, however, he allowed her to escape, dumping her unceremoniously in his car before striding around to the other door. ‘What on earth possessed you?’ he demanded.
    ‘I just went out for a breath of air. He sort of leapt on me.’
    ‘And you hadn’t given him any encouragement, I suppose?’ He started the car. ‘My God, if that’s how you led on that poor fool who was chasing you down Victoria Road I’m sorry I didn’t leave you to his mercy. You could do with a lesson in sexual manners.’
    She made no attempt to answer. Was too bitterly ashamed of herself to make any attempt to justify herself. She had flirted with Hanna Rashid simply to annoy Adam. But she could hardly tell him that. She sighed.
    ‘I’m sorry, Adam. Have I completely ruined your business deal?’
    ‘Don’t flatter yourself. Money means more to Hanna than any woman.’
    ‘But it will be awkward. You dumped him in the pond.’
    ‘It was the quickest way I could think of to cool his ardour.’ He scowled at her. ‘And so much less undignified than a brawl.’
    ‘But—’
    ‘Don’t fret,