Oh, cant I? I dont care who pays as long as its paid. Mrs Davis directed a grim smile of approval at Blaze. And dont you forget that youre to be out of here by Saturday. Ive got a removal van booked for the morning.
Chrissy was so profoundly embarrassed as her landlady disappeared back into her ground-floor flat that she couldnt bring herself even to look at Blaze. Ill post it to you, she promised shakily. W-when I can, honesty bade her admit.
No hurry.
She was quite nauseated by the knowledge that she was now in his debt. But she could do nothing but accept his charity. Mrs Davis wouldnt give up the money and Chrissy was in no position to offer repayment. On the other hand, it was thanks to Blaze that she was not now being thrown out on the street. It took immense courage to rise above her sense of humiliation. Raising her bowed head, Chrissy collided with impenetrable sapphire eyes in one brief, stricken connection. Thanks, she forced out with difficulty. Maybe Ill see you around some time, she concluded with awkward finality.
Without awaiting any further response, she started up the stairs, fast. On the first landing, she pressed open the door of her bed-sit with raw relief. She simply couldnt have borne another second of his company.
What on earth are you doing back? her babysitter, Karen, demanded, rising from the single armchair with a frown.
Its a long story.
Rosie threw herself at Chrissys knees with a whoop of delight.
Bloody hell! a very male voice ejaculated.
Chrissy spun as though she had been jabbed in the back by a hot poker. She hadnt heard Blaze follow her upstairs. He had to move like a leopard on the prowl. With Rosie planting an enthusiastic kiss on her cheek, she was paralysed to the spot, devastatingly conscious of Blazes stunned and silent scrutiny.
Chapter 2
Ill see you later, Karen, Chrissy said hurriedly.
As the other girl left with visible reluctance, Blaze strolled deeper into the room, scanning the sparse, worn furniture and the few shabby toys littering the cramped floor space. With a grace of movement that was inbred, he swung back to look at Chrissy, a wry twist to his expressive mouth. I suppose I should have been prepared for this scenario, he drawled. But I wasnt. I was still thinking of you as a kid.
Im almost twenty-one. As she spoke,
Rosie was struggling to get down, and reluctantly she bent to lower the wriggling toddler to the floor. She was praying that Blaze would leave, couldnt imagine what strange quirk had made him follow her upstairs.
Still practically jailbait, he mused half under his breath.
Her cheeks fired scarlet, her mouth tightening. Did he automatically divide all women into two camps? Those he could sleep with and those he thought he shouldnt sleep with? The idea revolted her, but it also resurrected cringing recollections of their last encounter. Hurriedly, she buried her minds urge to relive the past. In preference she reflected grimly on Blazes love them and leave them reputation.
He was an unashamed user and abuser of the female sex, she thought in disgust. Once she had believed that her sister, Elaine, was too calculating to be hurt by any man. But Elaine had fallen hard for Blaze. After a brief whirl, he had ditched her again with savage unconcern, devastating her pride and driving her into a face-saving marriage with a man she didnt love. Her over-confident sister had become just another line in a gossip column, another notch on his bedpost, and for the first time in her life Chrissy had felt sympathy for Elaine.
So this is the reason you cant go home. Astonishingly, Blaze crouched down on Rosies level and solemnly accepted the scruffy pink rabbit he was being invited to admire.
Wosees wabbit, Rosie told him importantly.
I love wabbits, Blaze teased, the most natural, utterly breathtaking smile warming his darkly tanned features. The usual chill and cynicism etched there was briefly put to flight. As he ruffled Rosies black curls, he straightened again.
Bemused by this totally unexpected display of humanity, Chrissy dragged disobedient eyes from the wide, blatantly sensual arc of his mouth. Her chest felt oddly tight as she sucked in oxygen, suddenly short of breath.
Blaze sighed. Its probably a very stupid question, but how the hell did you land yourself in a mess like this?
He had simply assumed that Rosie was her child. But then, everybody did. In the circumstances it was a natural assumption, and she could not possibly trust him with the truth. Rosie was her half-sister, the last pathetic footnote to her late mothers marriage to Dennis Carruthers.
I think you should leave, she said stiffly.
Youre right. I should walk back out of here and forget I ever left the car, Blaze murmured grimly. But I have the hideous suspicion that all this would travel with me. Clearly youre broke, and now youre also unemployed
And whose f-fault is that? she cut in shrilly.
Im not in the habit of censoring speech in private conversation, he countered without an ounce of embarrassment. But if I said one thing that was unfounded on fact, youre welcome to call me to account over it.