A Stranger's Kiss

forced to bring her in order to indulge Jane’s need to control him, and it would be churlish to insist on being taken straight home when he clearly wanted some fresh air. Truth to tell, she could do with some herself.
    She slipped her hand under his arm and allowed him to lead her down to the waterside. They walked for a while along the bank. It was peaceful. The river was running smooth and strong, trailing out the willows, and the coots and mallards were busy about the bank. The warm spring evening had tempted out quite a few people, but as the light began to fade they all seemed to be heading in one direction. Adam followed them and Tara found herself being led into the warm interior of an ancient inn. He ducked under a low beam and approached the bar.
    He turned back to her. ‘What would you like?’ It was the normality of it all that was so bizarre. He seemed completely unaware of the oddity of their situation. Perhaps that was the best way. Keep up the pretence of normality.
    ‘A glass of white wine, please.’
    He ordered a tomato juice for himself and led the way to small table in the corner. For a moment he said nothing, just looked at her as if trying to make a decision.
    ‘What did you think of Jane? Did you like her?’ The question had an odd ring to it, as if her answer was important to him. There was no likelihood of their ever being friends. She hoped never to have to meet the woman again.
    Her hand trembled as she lifted the glass to her lips.
    ‘Our acquaintance was very brief,’ she hedged. Then with more determination. ‘The talk was mostly about the baby.’
    A muscle in his jaw tightened as this reminder of his elevation to the ranks of fatherhood. ‘You looked very beautiful with a baby in your arms, Tara.’
    She felt the slow burn of colour rising to her cheeks. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes.
    ‘I’m not in the market for babies, Adam. I have a career.’
    He leaned forward, taking her hand in his and she was powerless to stop him. ‘Are you so determined on it? A life alone with only a pampered lapdog to lavish your affection on in your old age? Your husband died, Tara, but the world didn’t end. It was a long time ago and it’s time you started living again. You should be loved, cherished. Let me—’
    Not the end of the world? He would never know how near to the end of the world it was. To have misjudged him so completely. Her voice was hoarse, but her meaning was crystal. ‘I can’t help you, Adam.’
    He sat back as if slapped. ‘Then it’s true. You’re still in love with him.’
    ‘I will always love him. Is that so strange?’ Not like I loved you, she thought, but at least Nigel had never hurt her.
    His eyes snapped contemptuously. ‘Even when you begged me to love you?’
    The desire to strike back, to cause him pain to match her own was overwhelming. ‘We all have our needs, Adam. You were simply replacing my chosen partner for the evening. You were the one who backed out.’
    ‘You little bitch!’
    ‘What’s the matter, Adam?’ She felt utterly reckless because nothing mattered any more. ‘Surely you didn’t think only men could enjoy themselves in bed without any emotional commitment?’
    A vein was beating fiercely at his temple. ‘No, Tara. But I was fool enough to hope...’ His smile was deadly. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ He stood up, seizing her elbow and pulling her after him out into the darkness of the river bank. When he stopped in darker shadows of an ancient willow, he turned quickly and dragged her into his arms. ‘If it’s simply fun you want, Tara. I’m as game as the next man.’
    ‘No!’ She pushed violently at his chest with her hands, but he had expected that and was unmoved. He pulled her closer, fitting the curves of her body to his, letting her feel his arousal. Tara began to tremble. She had goaded him beyond endurance and now he was going to take her, here on the cold, damp grass in the darkness beside the river. Tears began to flow unchecked down her cheeks. ‘Please, don’t,’ her voice broke on a sob.
    He raised his hand to her cheek and felt the wetness. ‘Tears?’ He swore then and tore away from her. ‘My God, Tara, you drive me to the edge of insanity. I want you so much that sometimes I think I hate you.’ His breath was coming in short gasps. ‘Don’t you feel it? This... electricity.’ He reached out as if to shake an answer from her, but she flinched away and he stepped back, holding