to get mixed up with a woman like you.’ He looked at her critically. ‘Admittedly, you’re beautiful—–’
‘Thank you!’ she said with sarcasm.
‘In an earthy sort of way.’ His gaze lingered on the pert fullness of her breasts and the generous curve of her hips. ‘But you certainly don’t look worth throwing away eight years of marriage, a lovely wife, and two kids for!’ he added scathingly.
‘I’m sure you’re right—–’
‘You bet I am. And when Matt gets back from this damned trip he’s going to thank me for finishing things between you—after I’ve killed him,’ he muttered grimly. ‘I did enough bailing out for him at university; I don’t expect to still have to do it!’
Charly was more puzzled than ever. ‘You were at university with Matt?’
‘Yes. Now when Molly gets here I want you to—–’
‘Matt’s wife is coming here?’ She frowned her confusion. ‘Whatever for?’
‘Don’t act dumb,’ he scowled. ‘Or maybe you are,’ he derided. ‘A mistress doesn’t usually answer the telephone in her lover’s apartment and speak to his wife! Unless you’re trying to break them up?’ he grated. ‘You don’t fancy being the next Mrs Matt Parker, do you?’ he scorned. ‘Believe me, it will never happen. Matt may be infatuated with you at the moment, but he’ll listen to me when I tell him you’re nothing but a mercenary little tramp.’
Charly had a feeling much like it must be to be run over by a steam-roller! ‘I’m sure he will,’ she answered dazedly.
He nodded, as if there were no doubting the fact. ‘In the meantime we have to convince Molly that she’s all wrong about the two of you.’
‘And just how do you propose to do that?’ she asked dryly.
‘With the only language women like you understand—money,’ he told her derisively.
Charly stiffened, resentment in every bone of her body. ‘Is that so?’ she drawled.
He nodded, his expression contemptuous. ‘And a little acting on your part too—but I’m sure that won’t be difficult for you either,’ he dismissed with disgust.
In other circumstances she would have put this man firmly in his place, and friend of Matt’s or not, it would not have been this apartment! But at the moment she was too bemused—certainly not amused!—by the assumption he seemed to have made about her and Matt. She was even more interested in hearing how he intended dealing with the situation.
‘Go on,’ she invited.
‘I’ve told Molly that you’re my girlfriend.’ The man looked at her with dislike.
Charly returned that dislike—with interest. ‘Couldn’t you have thought of something better than that?’
‘In the thinking time I had, no,’ he glared at her. ‘I got in to the country yesterday—–’
‘I guessed you weren’t English,’ she scorned.
‘Not gentlemanly enough for you, hmm?’ he derided. ‘Well I don’t know where you got that plummy accent from,’ he dismissed harshly, ‘but I can assure you I don’t think of you as a lady either!’
Insulting man! Her parents had paid a small fortune for her to acquire this ‘plummy accent’. And she didn’t think it was ‘plummy’ at all, just correct English. Ignorant lout!
‘You were telling me about this marvellous plan you had devised to convince Molly that Matt and I aren’t lovers,’ she prompted in a bored voice. ‘And perhaps it would be better if you introduced yourself.’
Green eyes glittered dangerously. ‘The name is Aaron Grantley. And I’d advise you not to irritate me, lady; I’m angry enough already!’
The threat passed unheeded. Aaron Grantley! She had had no idea what he looked like and so hadn’t recognised him, although he was much more well-known in his native America. But she had heard of him, knew that when it came to business there was none better, that the man had amassed a fortune and a hotel empire in America using his business acumen, that he was now interested in advancing into England. Charly hadn’t realised he was in the country. Perhaps she ought to put an end to this right now, before—–
‘Women like you are a dime a dozen,’ he told her coldly. ‘Damn parasites, living off the vulnerability of married men—–’
‘Mr Grantley—–’
‘Believe me, the thought of having to pretend to be your lover makes my skin crawl,’ he added disgustedly. ‘You would have to get me so damned drunk I wouldn’t know what I was doing before I could make love to you!’ he bit out insultingly. ‘But I’m sure there are lots of men who aren’t averse to paying for your services, one way or another.’
Charly was very pale by the time he had finished, all idea of denying a relationship with Matt completely forgotten. Even if she were the sort of woman this man thought she was he had no right to talk to her in this way. People who knew her well would have recognised and understood the anger in silver eyes that were usually a calm grey, and they would have very wisely not pushed her any further.
‘I believe you mentioned something about money yourself,’ she prompted hardly.
The firmly sculptured mouth twisted derisively. ‘I didn’t think you would have missed that.’
She gave a haughty inclination of her head. ‘I never ignore the mention of money, Mr Grantley.’
He nodded. ‘I already guessed that,’ he drawled. ‘I’m prepared to pay you well to pretend to be my girlfriend while Molly is here.’
‘How much?’
‘I see the thought of money puts colour in your cheeks,’ he scorned harshly.
If there were any colour in her cheeks it was anger at this man. How dare he come here making assumptions, throwing out accusations and insults! She might regret her silence later, but for the moment she relished the time she would tell this man how wrong he was.
‘I said how much, Mr Grantley?’ she repeated coldly.
He gave a disgusted snort. ‘I bet Matt has never seen you like this; I’m sure you’re always sweet and lovable with him!’
Charly looked at him steadily. ‘I have no reason not to be,’ she stated truthfully.
‘I suppose he bought you those little rocks.’ Aaron Grantley glared at the diamond studs in her earlobes.
‘Actually, no,’ she told him smoothly.
‘Then some other poor besotted idiot did,’ he accused disgustedly.
James had never been poor, and certainly not a besotted idiot, she thought bitterly. ‘What sort of payment did you have in mind, Mr Grantley?’ she asked him hardly.
‘How about a bracelet
