‘What else is there?’
‘He told me that Dae kissed you.’
Her hands tightened on the windowsill. ‘That’s none of your business.’
‘Craig told me he saw you running up to the house crying.’
‘I said it’s none of your business.’
‘She’s right, Billy. So bugger off. Alexia and I need to talk.’
Lexi jumped and swung around to see Daemon standing just inside the door. ‘Has no-one ever heard of knocking?’
He ignored her sarcasm, taking a step inside the room.
‘I don’t want to talk to either of you. Please leave me alone.’
‘I’m not going until we talk about what happened.’ Daemon pushed past Billy and sat in the chair opposite hers.
‘I’m not going until he does.’ Billy grabbed the other chair and sat down.
‘Well, if you won’t go, I will.’ Lexi stepped from behind the desk. Both men stood up, barring her way. She threw her hands up in the air. ‘Oh, for Christ’s sake! What do you want from me?’
‘I want you to talk with me,’ Billy said, his eyes pleading. ‘I want you to tell me what’s wrong. And I especially want to know what Daemon did that made you cry so I can beat the shit out of him.’
Daemon sneered at Billy. ‘All I did was kiss her, mate. To date, my kisses have never made a woman cry.’
‘Then why did she cry?’
‘I’m standing right here!’ Lexi felt like a toy being wrestled over. Rubbing the pain now hammering away inside her forehead, she looked at Billy. ‘While I appreciate the fact that you care, I don’t need you to do the big brother thing. I wanted him to kiss me.’ The words were out of her mouth so fast there was no taking them back.
Billy blinked. ‘You wanted him to kiss you?’
‘You wanted me to kiss you?’
Blushing, Lexi turned back to the window. ‘At the time, yes. In the heat of the moment.’ She turned back and looked Daemon squarely in the eye. ‘It won’t happen again. It meant nothing.’
‘It didn’t feel like nothing to me.’
His voice, low and rough, sent a shiver through her. She had to clear her throat before she could speak. ‘Well, you were wrong. So, now we’ve all talked, you can go.’ She looked at Billy. ‘Both of you.’
Billy shook his head. ‘Lexi, you’re not making sense. Did you have a flashback?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it. Can you please go?’ She hated the sob in her voice. ‘Please, just go.’
Daemon didn’t follow Billy as he turned to leave. Instead, he walked to her, taking her hand, holding on even as she resisted. ‘What is it, Alexia? What did I do?’
She looked up at him, trying to blink back the tears.
‘It’s not you. Can’t you just believe that and go?’
‘No, I can’t. I did something that frightened you.’
She closed her eyes and turned her head away. ‘You didn’t frighten me. You just reminded me for a moment of . . . him.’
‘What are you talking about?’
She looked up with pleading eyes. ‘You just reminded me . . . You said . . . ’ Her voice broke and she swallowed heavily. Shaking her head she fought to find her composure. ‘Something you said reminded me of someone I knew long ago. Someone I wish I’d never met.’
‘What did he do?’
She tried to smile but failed miserably. ‘It doesn’t matter. I need to put it behind me. I’ve just been tense ever since I read the letter yesterday —’
‘What letter?’
Her gaze swung to Billy. She hadn’t realised he was still in the room.
‘What?’
‘I said what letter? Did someone send you a letter that upset you?’
She blanched. Was it too late to cover up? Mind racing, she looked from one man to the other. ‘I . . . I was just going through some old things and I found a letter from my parents.’
‘Oh shit, Lexi. No wonder you’re upset.’
She could see Daemon’s confusion but didn’t feel like elaborating. ‘Yeah, well, you know I shouldn’t let it get to me like that. They’ve been gone for a long time.’
‘You miss them.’
She looked away from Billy’s sympathetic gaze. She didn’t want to cry again. Finally, she turned back. ‘I’m sorry you got mixed up in my bad day, Daemon. The kiss was a mistake, but I shouldn’t have run off like that. I’m sorry I upset you.’
Daemon frowned, his gaze pinning hers for a moment. ‘I’m not upset.’ He let go of her hand, stepped away.
She suddenly felt as if they were standing on either side of a wide chasm. She missed his warmth. Reaching out, she touched his arm. His gaze didn’t meet hers. He still felt miles away. Why did that bother her so much? She snatched her hand away. ‘Thanks,’ she muttered.
‘Well, as long as you’re okay?’ Billy asked.
‘I am.’
‘Right you are then. Dae?’ Billy gestured for them to leave.
‘I’ll be right there. I just need to sort something out with Alexia. It’s to do with work,’ he said tightly when Billy hesitated.
Billy shot him a look, clearly telling him to be careful, and walked out, leaving the door open.
‘Trusting soul,’ Daemon said, walking over to close the door.
Lexi watched him, arms crossed. ‘What exactly do we need to discuss that necessitates the door being closed?’
He smiled, a slow thoughtful smile, reminding her of the wolf in
Little Red Riding Hood
. Was she about to be eaten alive? She had to suppress a pleasurable shudder as she remembered the sensation of his lips on hers. The man was so alpha male. Too alpha male to be anyone she could ever be comfortable around. Apart from music, they had nothing in common. Not to mention they kept rubbing each other up the wrong way. No. He was all wrong for her. No matter how many dreams she had, no matter how comforting his arms had been earlier, no matter how she’d gone up in flames when his lips had taken hers, she couldn’t let anything happen.
She swallowed hard, trying to make her voice steady when the rest of her had begun to tremble again. ‘What work do we have to discuss?’
‘Not work, per say, but our relationship.’
‘The subject is closed, Daemon.’
‘I don’t think so,’ he said, taking another step forward. ‘I think we have a problem.’
‘Oh? And what would that be?’ The huskiness in her voice betrayed her nervousness. She cleared her throat, the sound loud in the suddenly hot and close room. She resisted the temptation to turn and open a window or take her jumper off to alleviate the hot flush racing over her body. She was hyper aware of every movement she made. And every move he made as he stepped slowly towards her; the hunter stalking its prey.
‘You’re attracted to me.’
She laughed, breaking the tension. ‘Got tickets on ourselves, haven’t we?’
His smile widened. ‘You confirmed it when you said you wanted me to kiss you.’
‘I . . . I . . . ’ She struggled to think of something to say. ‘You took that out of context.’
‘Did I?’ He moved closer. ‘I thought you were pretty clear.’
‘Yeah, well, that was a moment of insanity.’ She paused. ‘Besides, you started it. You kissed me.’
‘I remember it differently.’
‘I remember you saying you’d wanted me since you first saw me.’
‘I . . . Well —’
‘Hah! Not so nice when the shoe’s on the other foot is it?’
His brow cocked, as if he found her bluster amusing. ‘I was about to say I don’t deny being attracted to you, but I don’t have to like it.’
‘So you’re attracted to me despite yourself? How very Mr Darcy of you! I expect that line keeps all the ladies swooning.’ He jerked, as if her sarcasm had hit him like a slap. But he recovered quickly.
‘I don’t know. I’ve never had to use it before.’
‘Oh yeah? Well, you’re a first for me too, buster.’
‘So you are attracted to me?’
Her back became ramrod-straight. ‘So what if I am slightly attracted to you? It’s not as if I can’t control myself. You’ve made it abundantly clear how you feel. I can assure you that for the rest of your time here we won’t find ourselves in the same situation again. Is that what you want to hear?’
He frowned. ‘Not exactly.’
‘What do you want from me then?’
He stepped closer.
Her breath quickened but she stood her ground. He couldn’t know how much his presence affected her. He tipped his head to the side, the light in his blue eyes making a fire burn low in her stomach. She swallowed. Hard.
‘I don’t know what it is about you that gets to me.’ He reached out and touched her hair.
‘Ignore whatever it is.’ Her voice was barely recognisable.
‘I can’t.’ He leaned closer, his lips an inch from hers, his breath moving the soft curls of her hair.
‘You should try,’ she breathed.
‘I can’t. Not now I’ve held you in my arms.’ His lips brushed hers and she moaned. ‘Not now I’ve kissed you.’
His lips took hers – hot, wet, desperate. The world began to spin and Lexi felt her legs buckle. As he lifted her onto the desk, her legs wrapped around him, fingers clinging to his shoulders, holding on. She was melting, meshing with him, becoming one. She could barely breathe as pressure built inside her. The thought of what could happen if she didn’t pull away brought panic fluttering into her chest.
She pushed at his chest and thankfully, he took a step back, the look on his face a mirror of what she felt: a bewildering desire that threatened her control. He leaned his forehead against hers. ‘We need to talk about this.’
She shook her head. She didn’t want to talk, but what she wanted was impossible. Pulling back, she whispered, ‘I think you’d better go.’
Stepping away, he said, ‘You’re probably right.’ He went to the door, opened it, but before walking out, turned to face her again. ‘Ignoring this won’t make it go away.’
‘Maybe not. But I’m going to give it a try. I suggest you do the same.’
He didn’t answer, only turned and walked out of the room.
After staring at the doorway for too long, she swung around to glare out the window. Twilight was fading to velvet dark. The deep purple-blue washed over her and she imagined the coolness sinking into her skin, her soul. For so long she’d used that coolness to help her feel untouchable. No man had ever tried to get past that barrier before. And even if they had, she would have never let them get any closer. It was too difficult to give herself over to the kind of deep trust that lay between a man and a woman when they became intimate.
But Daemon was different. He had been able to break through her façade so easily.
Why had he kissed her? Why had she let him?
And why was she thinking about this now? They’d agreed. They would ignore what happened and continue to work together. He needed to work, as did she. The music was everything.
Perhaps that’s what she needed to do now. The others weren’t due back for another hour and if she stayed here she wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about these things.
Almost running out of the house, she made her way to the studio. As she stood at the door to let herself in, she saw Billy wandering through the garden, the ghostly figure of Cat beside him.
He looked down at Cat, shadows hiding his expression, but Lexi thought she knew from his posture what she’d see there if she could.
Longing. Sadness. An ache that just wouldn’t go away.
For the first time, she knew exactly how he felt.
Saturday morning dawned clear and quiet. Daemon sauntered into the kitchen late to find everyone heading off for the morning. Phil and Melissa were going for another ride – Phil had really lost the argument there. And Craig was heading out with Karl to move some stock.
‘Feeling nostalgic, are we?’ Daemon asked sarcastically. He pushed off from the bench and walked over to look out the window, sipping on his coffee. He couldn’t help but feel that everyone was avoiding him. Things had been strained between him and Alexia last night when they all returned to finish the session. Did everyone blame him?
Craig didn’t take umbrage at his friend’s sour mood. ‘A little. I sometimes think the few months I spent on that little farm in Ireland were the simplest months of my life.’
‘I thought you hated it.’
Craig shrugged. ‘I’m allowed to change my mind. Besides, I met you there, didn’t I? Couldn’t have been all bad.’
Daemon chuckled. ‘No, not all bad.’
When Craig left, Daemon found himself alone in the guesthouse. At a loose end, he decided not to go out. He really needed to be here when Nigel arrived. But he didn’t feel like going to the studio.
She was likely to be there.
Still, there was a tune growing in his head. Wandering downstairs to the music room, he sat at the piano with some sheets of blank music paper and an MP3 recorder and began to work the song out of his system. He would have no peace otherwise.
Writing music had always been like that for him. When a tune began to invade every sleeping and waking moment, he had no choice but to write it down. Some of the tunes had worked their way into songs for the band; others were on discs and in folders of unused music, unheard by anyone but himself. He’d have to wait and see if lyrics came to him too before he knew what way this tune would go.
Engrossed with playing, he didn’t hear the door open behind him. But as his fingers stilled on the keys he became aware of her presence.
He turned. Alexia stood by the door, a look of concentration on her face. As the notes rang to silence she shook her head, coming out of a trance, blinking as if surprised to see him sitting there. Silence hung between them. After what seemed an age she moved, one small step towards him, and gestured at the piano.
‘I’ll have to get someone in to tune that. The b-flat seems to be off.’
‘Hmm, I noticed.’
Silence again. She cleared her throat, her hand fluttering up to her neck in a nervous gesture he knew was because of him.
‘What was that you were playing?’
He turned and flicked the music with a long finger. ‘Something that’s been in my head.’
Ever since I met you
. ‘Did you like it?’ He was surprised how much her opinion mattered.
‘It was sad and plaintive yet full of hope.’
He nodded. She echoed his thoughts.
‘I think you need to work on the bridge. It doesn’t follow the story through. The discordant harmony is a bit jarring. I think you need to break into the major key to give some resolve.’ She walked to the piano and skimming the music, began to play.
He watched her hands move, graceful and elegant, over the keys.
‘If you keep with the minor key up until here and then move into this . . . ’
The music changed key and the little tune he’d had in his head began to blossom under her touch.
‘I think you need to keep the major key up until the last refrain and then slip back into the minor seventh for the last repeated bar. The story is completed but some of that plaintive mystery is left alive. What do you think?’
Their faces were very close as she turned to look at him. For a moment he couldn’t speak. He felt drawn to her, his head closing the gap slowly, slowly, hands clenched, trying not to reach out for her. She slipped off the piano seat, her lips forming the word ‘no’. For a long moment they stared at each other and then she backed towards the door.
‘I should go.’
He didn’t answer until she was at the door. ‘I think you’re right.’
She stopped and turned. ‘What?’
He looked back at the music, frowning. ‘You’re right about the song.’
She cocked her head. ‘You don’t seem too happy about it.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not that. You’re right. The major key works better, the minor seventh brings completion while leaving you wanting more. I should have thought of that myself.’
She shrugged. ‘You would have worked it out later.’
‘Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you’re good.’ He frowned at her as his fists uncurled. ‘Are you always good?’
She blushed, but ignored his suggestive tone. ‘It’s what you pay me for.’
He shook his head, grin replacing the frown. ‘You know that’s not what I meant.’
‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’
She trembled, whether from anger or something else, he couldn’t tell. His ability to affect her made him feel mildly better about his own lack of control where she was concerned. He caught her gaze for a long, heated moment and then turned away. ‘Ignoring this thing between us isn’t working, you know.’
‘I disagree.’
‘So why are you here th—’ The door slammed. He sighed. He supposed he’d better go and see what she’d come down here for. She wouldn’t have come of her own volition when she knew he was here by himself. He hurried out of the room, catching her before she made it up the stairs. ‘What did you want?’
She kept walking up the stairs. He grabbed her arm. She swung around, pulling out of his grasp, the movement so sudden she took him by surprise.
‘Don’t touch me.’
‘Sorry.’ He backed off, holding his hands up. ‘Didn’t mean to touch you without permission, princess.’ Her lips thinned and he raked his hands through his hair, trying for patience. ‘Look, I just wanted to know why you came down here. Did you want something?’
She blinked. ‘Oh, that’s right. Nigel’s here with his assistant – Lyall, I think he said his name was? You didn’t answer the door so they came up to the house. Bev got them something to eat and a cup of coffee. I said I’d come down and tell you before going for a ride.’
Nigel was here. With the information about Alexia. Guilt sliced through him. He looked away, hoping she didn’t see it in his eyes. ‘Nigel’s here.’
‘That’s what I said.’
He tried to shake off his guilt. This was ridiculous! He hadn’t done anything wrong.
Keep telling yourself that, Dae
,
and it might be true.
‘You can tell him to come down now.’
She pointed at the intercom. ‘Tell him yourself. I’m going out for a ride before the storm comes.’ She marched up the stairs and a moment later he heard the door slam.
Daemon stood there feeling as if he’d been hit by a tornado. She always seemed to whirl into his vicinity, sucking up any common sense and reason he possessed and dumping it back on him when she left. Running his hands through his hair again, he let out a shaky breath before moving to the intercom.
After speaking to Bev, Daemon headed upstairs to boil the kettle. He needed some chamomile tea to calm himself down.
The bell rang and Daemon opened the front door to find Nigel standing there with a plate of Bev’s special choc-chip and Cointreau muffins.
‘I come bearing gifts,’ he said holding the plate out. Daemon thumped him on the shoulder and ushered him in, taking the plate as he walked past and into the guest quarters. ‘Wow! This place is pretty amazing.’
‘I forgot. You haven’t been here yet.’ He looked around, surprised to realise the place had begun to feel like home. ‘It’s pretty comfy. Much better than a hotel. You’re staying for a few days?’
Nigel shook his head. ‘No. Just for the night. Lyall and I have to get back for a couple of meetings tomorrow and that fundraiser you were invited to. One of us needs to turn up.’
‘You’re a prince, Nigel. And speaking of Lyall, where is he?’
‘He’s looking around. He’s never been on a working farm before. He seemed pretty intrigued. Where can I dump this?’ He held up his bag.
Daemon directed him to his room and returned to the kitchen to make tea. Moments later, Nigel came sauntering back into the room. ‘Pretty impressive.’
‘I know. Alexia certainly didn’t skimp on anything. There’s even a soundproofed music room downstairs. That’s where I was when you arrived.’ He went to the shelf and pulled down an oversized mug. ‘Do you want some tea?’
‘No thanks. I just had the most delicious coffee. And those muffins . . . Wow!’
Daemon laughed at his expression. ‘Yeah. Bev’s a find. I’d offer her a job looking after me at home if I thought she’d leave here.’
‘I could talk to her for you. See what she thinks she’s worth?’
Daemon stared at him. ‘You know, Nigel, that’s why you’re a great manager. You think everything and everyone has a price.’
‘Don’t they?’
Daemon flicked the lid of the tea canister back into place and sighed. ‘If you’d asked me that a few weeks ago I would have said yes, but now I don’t know.’ He paused. ‘All I know is that Bev and Karl wouldn’t leave here for the world.’
‘Karl?’
‘Bev’s husband.’ He quickly explained their situation as he understood it. ‘Alexia did some kind of deal with them that means they practically own the farm. They live in the cottage and take the profits from the farm and orchard to live on. Alexia only gains something if the profits exceed a certain amount.’
Nigel grunted. ‘Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for them. I think this Alexia needs to get herself a new manager. She needs better financial advice.’
Daemon smiled his lopsided grin and shook his head. ‘Her manager didn’t broker the deal. From what I understand Alexia took care of it herself, and everyone concerned seems pretty happy with the arrangement. She doesn’t have to be bothered with running the farm, paying wages, doing the books or hiring and firing. Karl and Bev take care of all that and do it well because she’s made it worth their while.’
‘What does she get for that, though? Sounds like they’re the winners and she’s the sucker.’
‘She gets their undying loyalty and devotion. They’re like family.’
‘Loyalty’s worth shit. In many cases, family is worth even less.’
Startled, Daemon realised that not long ago he’d felt the same. He’d been loyal to his mother and look where that had got him. She was a drug addict who’d lied to, stolen from and cheated everyone close to her, including him. He’d got caught stealing for her and she’d been jailed. That was when his da turned up – the father she’d told him was dead.
Because of her he’d spent years not trusting anyone; even Da had had to work and work to gain his trust and love. His mother had shown him what trusting and loving led to – pain and hurt – and he’d learned that lesson well. In some ways, it hadn’t even come as a surprise when Darla lied to him about being pregnant and then betrayed him with a friend. He’d come to expect it. Everyone he’d ever come across wanted something from him. The only exceptions were his da and the band.
No matter how bad things got, he knew the lads would always be there for him, just as he would always be there for them. They were family. A different kind of family, but family just the same. Funny how he’d only just realised it.
But he didn’t have time to mull over that now. Nigel was here with the information he wanted. In a few minutes, he’d know if he could truly trust Alexia with his music.
He sat down on one of the kitchen chairs and motioned for Nigel to do likewise. Nigel sat, putting his briefcase on the bench between them and took out a large file.
Daemon raised his eyebrows. ‘So what have you got for me?’
‘Quite a lot, actually.’ He put his hand on top of the file as Daemon reached for it. ‘Are you sure you want to look at this? There’s some pretty bad stuff in here.’
Daemon looked him squarely in the eyes. ‘I have to know.’
Nigel nodded, taking his hand off the file and letting Daemon slide it towards him. ‘Fair enough. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
‘I won’t.’ Daemon opened the file and began to read.
A written précis, newspaper clippings from eleven years ago as well as a police report made up the file. They covered the kidnapping and rape of Catriona Deningham. The papers reported she had been in a coma when she was found. Her family barely recognised her. Photos in the police report showed the extent of what had been done.
Daemon felt sick.
‘God, no wonder Alexia doesn’t want to talk about this.’
‘Read on.’
Daemon took a gulp of his tea and flipped over to the next page. They’d only been able to find Catriona because the same sicko who had kidnapped, beaten and raped her, had tried to do the same with Alexia.
Daemon turned the page of the report and read on, even as he felt his bile rising.
Lyndon James was the son of the director of the record company Alexia had worked at. A diagnosed bipolar with sociopathic tendencies, he should have been institutionalised or at least medicated, but his family’s religious beliefs made those options out of the question. He’d escaped a previous rape charge because of lack of evidence and his family had used their social status and money to have the charges quashed.
Lyndon was given a job at the record company to try to keep him under their control. Alexia had begun working there as an intern about the same time. Lyndon very quickly fixated on her, sexually harassing her at work, following her around. According to the report she had brought Lyndon’s behaviour to Mr James’ attention, but only after Lyndon had cornered her and frightened her one night.
Lyndon had been removed from his position, but no other action was taken.
Shortly afterwards, Catriona was kidnapped. There were no signs of a struggle and the police suggested she might have run away, despite Lexi and Billy telling them otherwise.
A few nights later, Lexi was called into work – she thought Mr James was going to fire her for missing so much work. But Lyndon was there instead and attacked her. He had been on the verge of raping her when Billy arrived, taking him by surprise and knocking him out. Alexia suffered severe bruising to her face, arms and legs, broken ribs and collarbone, and a spiral fracture of the wrist. Her testimony against him led the police to Catriona. That and DNA evidence taken from Catriona wrapped up the case. Lyndon James had kidnapped Catriona, thinking her Alexia. Lyndon was charged with the rape and attempted murder of Catriona Deningham and the attempted rape and assault of Alexia Deningham.