‘We’ll see.’ He looked down ruefully at his clinging clothing. ‘Does St Just have any clothes here I can change into?’
‘In his bedroom,’ she told him shortly. ‘The second door on the right out of here.’
‘His bedroom?’ he taunted. ‘Surely he doesn’t bother to have separate rooms? You won’t be allowed that luxury when you live with me. I intend to have all your nights.’
‘Why did you follow me?’ she quavered.
He turned briefly to look at her. ‘You’re mine, Kate, and I don’t let go easily of what’s mine.’
‘I’m not yours, I don’t belong to anyone!’
‘Not even St Just?’ he asked gratingly. ‘I would have thought two years was long enough for him to think he has a lot of rights where you’re concerned. And I don’t like it. I’ll take you back to his house when you’re dressed and call back for you later this evening. You can pack your clothes and be ready to leave at eight o’clock. Don’t keep me waiting, I’m not going to fight St Just over you.’
‘I’m not moving in with you,’ she said stubbornly. ‘You attract me physically, I can’t deny that. There wouldn’t be much point, you know it every time you touch me. But that doesn’t mean we should live together.’
‘You mean because I may have habits that will annoy you?’ He smiled. ‘Like squeezing the toothpaste from the middle of the tube, things like that?’ He shrugged. ‘I’ve had no complaints in the past.’
‘How many people have you had living with you?’
‘None,’ he laughingly closed the door.
Within half an hour they were on their way to James’ country house, Damien wearing a pair of James’ white trousers. He was a more muscular man than James and the trousers fitted snugly about his hips, emphasising the length of his thighs.
He turned to her when they reached the house, his leg curiously close to her in the confines of the car. ‘Be ready to leave with me this evening, angel. I’d hate to have to make you leave. And I’ve been thinking about your clothes and I’ve decided I don’t want you to bring any of them with you.’
Kate’s eyes opened wide. ‘You can’t mean to keep me at your apartment without any clothes?’ She had forgotten for the moment that she wasn’t actually moving in with him, feeling only shock at his words.
‘No, we’ll get you some new ones before we leave for the States tomorrow, the rest can be made up for you for when we return. I don’t want you to bring anything with you that St Just gave you.’
‘Jealousy, Damien?’
‘Jealousy,’ he confirmed surprisingly, moving forward to kiss her lightly on the lips. ‘I won’t feel sure of you until I’ve made you mine. Now in you go, and tell James that I’ll be by tonight to discuss the movie with him. It will only take a couple of minutes, honey, just a short conversation about shooting time and location.’ His lips travelled slowly over her cheek and back to her mouth. ‘Mmm,’ he breathed deeply against her. ‘I’ll be looking forward to tonight. And this time you won’t have had doctored drinks!’
Kate scrambled inelegantly out of the car, far away from the seduction in his voice and the closeness of his body. ‘Goodbye, Damien,’ she said hurriedly.
He put up a hand in farewell. ‘See you later, angel.’
She watched him as he accelerated the car out of the driveway. He had almost had her believing that she was moving in with him. But she wasn’t—James wouldn’t allow it for one thing. At least, she hoped he wouldn’t; she knew she wasn’t strong enough to say no to him herself. He could be much too persuasive for an innocent like her.
CHAPTER FOUR
ONLY Sheri and James remained of the house-party of yesterday, both of them in the lounge drinking coffee as Kate let herself quietly into the room.
‘Kate!’ James jumped up on her arrival. ‘Where have you been?’
She evaded his searching eyes. ‘You know where I’ve been.’ She moved out of his arms. ‘Hello, Sheri.’ She smiled at the butler as he bought her in a coffee cup. ‘Thank you, Jennings.’ She watched as Sheri filled the cup for her.
James waited until the butler had left before carrying on with their conversation. ‘You weren’t at the apartment, Kate,’ he remarked quietly behind her. ‘I called you several times, once last night and twice this morning.’
She tried to cover her shock at being found at so easily, smiling brightly at her brother as she accepted the coffee Sheri handed to her. ‘I probably wasn’t back from the party last night when you called and I was in the bath when you called this morning.’
‘This morning’s calls were made two hours apart,’ James persisted.
‘Okay, so I was still asleep when you made the first one.’ She was starting to get agitated now.
‘Stop cross-questioning the girl, James,’ Sheri chided him gently. ‘I know what I would have been doing after spending the evening with Damien Savage, and it wouldn’t have had anything to do with sleeping.’
‘Sheri!’ He looked scandalised. ‘This is my sister you’re talking to.’
Now it was Kate’s turn to look surprised. That James, who had always maintained the secrecy of their family link, should brazenly announce that they were brother and sister! ‘James?’ She looked at him searchingly.
He put out his arm to pull Sheri against his side, looking rather bashful for the usually self-confident James. ‘Er—Sheri and I are going to be married, Kate.’
She looked from one to the other of them, seeing their happiness in each other mirrored in their faces, hugging them each in turn. ‘I’m so pleased for you!’ she glowed at them. ‘It’s wonderful news. When’s the wedding?’
Sheri laughed at her enthusiasm. ‘Hey, give us chance to get used to the idea that there’s going to be a wedding at all! I must admit to feeling apprehensive about you in the past, not knowing the connection between the two of you. Everyone thinks—’
‘Everyone thinks that we’re
