Brand Of Possession

‘Oh, I'm going. With him and Paul Forbes in attendance I wouldn't miss it for anything.’

Stacy laughed. ‘No one seems at all interested in meeting the famous author.’

‘Oh, I want to meet him too. He's such a mystery man that I just have to know what he looks like. He's never photographed, you know, not even for the back of his books, he guards his privacy with fanatic intensity.’

Stacy nodded. ‘I think the man I met just now may have been a sort of bodyguard. He certainly had the physique for it. But from what I can gather Mr Weston isn't worth photographing. I suggested to this other chap that he was short, fat and bald, and he didn't deny it.’

‘Not very loyal of him.’

‘How can he deny it if it's the truth?’

‘Mm,’ Juliet reluctantly agreed. ‘And here was I hoping he guarded his privacy because he's so good-looking.’

‘Hard luck,’ Stacy said unsympathetically. ‘You'd better get ready, we'll have to go down to dinner soon.’

She dressed while Juliet went into the bathroom, her white dress square-necked, with narrow shoulder straps, a thick band of embroidered flowers at the waist before it flared out in four layers of pleated chiffon to just below her knee. It was a beautiful dress and made her hair appear redder than usual. It had been an expensive gown too, and in the light of today's events she wished she had saved the money to help her through what could be weeks of being out of work.

She applied a light make-up, the natural brightness of her green eyes and her thick sooty lashes needing no adornment. She felt very satisfied with the result by the time she at last surveyed herself in the full-length mirror. As a final gesture she pinned the white gauzy rose she had bought to go with the dress over her left ear in the waving thickness of her hair. It gave her a gypsy look and she felt pleased with her appearance.

Juliet seconded her opinion when she came through from the bathroom a few minutes later, her own dress a royal blue silk that clung to her curves and gave a black sheen to her hair.

They made a lovely contrast when they entered the dining-room together and several male heads turned to look in their direction. They joined Matthew and his room-mate Daniel at their table, Stacy having a hurried look around the large room once they had ordered their meal, just to see if her arrogant stranger was present.

He wasn't, although she supposed that if his employer had an aversion to meeting people he would probably be eating with him upstairs in his suite. She couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed, although he should be at the party being held privately in one of the lounges. She found herself looking forward to seeing him again, even though he had been so disagreeable.

Matthew clicked his finger and thumb in front of her eyes. ‘Hey, come back to us, dreamboat,’ he teased. ‘Surely our company isn't that boring?’

She turned to give him a dazzling smile. ‘You aren't boring at all. I was just deep in thought.’

‘I'm not needed tomorrow, would you like me to give you a lift up to London?’

‘I wouldn't want to put you to all that trouble,’ she refused. ‘I can easily get a train.’

‘Certainly not. I'll take you.’

‘Well, if you're sure …’

‘I'm sure,’ he said firmly.

She smiled again, her green eyes glowing. ‘In that case, I accept. I didn't particularly relish the idea of carrying a couple of suitcases to and from the station.’

‘You never know,’ put in Daniel. ‘You may even get an invitation to stay the night.’

Matthew grinned. ‘You don't know Stacy very well if you think that. All that fiery hair and the invitation in her eyes could mean she has a passionate nature—but I've never been allowed to find out. Stacy is waiting for someone to marry her before she makes that kind of commitment.’

Daniel leant forward to hold her hand. ‘Will you marry me?’ he asked, his eyes full of merriment.

She laughed at his teasing. ‘I would actually want the wedding ring on my finger before I allowed you to do more than hold my hand,’ she warned.

He moved away in mock horror. ‘In that case … Will you marry me, Juliet?’

‘The same conditions apply, I'm afraid.’

Daniel sat back with a sigh. ‘I wish someone would tell me where all these girls who belong to the permissive society are, because I've certainly never met any of them!’

They all laughed together at his woebegone expression, quietening down as their meal began to arrive. They were a boisterous lot working on this film and Stacy felt sure the staff of this hotel were accustomed to a much soberer clientele, although they seemed to be coping with them quite well.

It was almost nine o'clock by the time they left the dining-room, the meal superb as usual. Paul Forbes had passed their table on his way out, giving Stacy a cold look that left her in no doubt as to his feelings towards her now. She had shrugged this off resignedly; after tomorrow she wouldn't have to worry about him any more.

She felt a certain amount of regret about leaving, not about her decision concerning Paul Forbes advances, but because she had enjoyed working with the majority of the people here.

There were quite a lot of people already in the lounge when they got there, each of them grabbing a glass of champagne as a waiter hurried past them. There was soft background music drifting out from the strategically placed speakers, although the babel of conversation drowned a lot of this out.

Matthew stayed at her side, grinning down at her. ‘I can't see our famous author yet.’

Neither could she, but she could see her handsome stranger standing over the other side of the room with Martin Payne. He looked devastatingly attractive in a wine-coloured velvet jacket that fitted tautly across his wide powerful shoulders, a snowy white shirt with a ruffle front and black trousers that moulded to his firm muscular thighs. He stood head and shoulders above any other man in the room and was easily the most handsome man there.

He moved slightly and for the first time Stacy saw the man standing at his side. She knew straight away that this must be Jake Weston; he fitted her description perfectly, even to the bald head.

She turned with a triumphant smile. ‘I wish I'd made a bet over Mr Weston,’ she said to Matthew.

‘Mm?’ he followed her line of vision. ‘It looks as if you would have won.’

The handsome stranger turned to look at them as if aware of their scrutiny, nodding distantly as he recognised Stacy. She nodded back before he turned away again, feeling strangely breathless at the brooding expression in his eyes.

Matthew looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘Who was that?’

She took a sip of her drink, giving him a composed look. ‘I have no idea.’

He gave a splutter of laughter. ‘No idea, when he looks at you like that?’ He shook his head. ‘The man was mentally undressing you.’

She coloured delicately. ‘Can I help that?’

‘No, I suppose not, not the way you look tonight. Did I tell you how beautiful you look?’

‘No.’

‘Well, you do. Payne's a fool to drop you from this film, you're going to be a really big name one day.’ He looked up as a shadow fell across them in the dimmed room.

Stacy looked up too, straight into those compelling blue eyes set in the deeply tanned face. ‘Hello,’ she said huskily, unable to think of anything more intelligent to say.

He nodded. ‘Good evening,’ he drawled. ‘I have something I would like to talk to you about, Miss Adams.’

Matthew took the hint. ‘I'll just go and get another drink from the bar,’ he said quietly. ‘Can I get you anything, Stacy?’

‘Er—no, no, thank you.’ She felt mesmerised by this tall arrogant stranger, unable to look away from his compelling features.

‘Okay, I'll see you later, then.’ Matthew nodded to the other man before leaving.

‘You found out my name.’ She said the first thing that came into her head.

He nodded, a mocking smile lifting the corners of his mouth. ‘Stacy Adams,’ he drawled slowly. ‘Very professional.’

She flushed at his intended mockery. ‘There's nothing professional about it, it happens to be my name,’ she snapped. ‘At least, the name I was given at the orphanage,’ she added resentfully.

He looked unperturbed. ‘How long were you in an orphanage?’

‘All my life, until I was sixteen.’

‘Poor kid,’ he said softly.

Her eyes flashed angrily. ‘I had quite a happy childhood as childhoods go. I certainly don't need your sympathy.’

‘You aren't getting it,’ he retorted hardly. ‘I came over here to tell you you've been reinstated. You still have the part of Kate.’

CHAPTER TWO

SHE shook her head disbelievingly. ‘I don't understand. Mr Payne sacked me.’

‘And now he's changed his mind.’

Stacy gave him a sharp look. ‘This is your doing, isn't it? You got him to change his mind.’

He gave a soft laugh. ‘How could I get him to do that? I don't have that sort of influence.’

‘You spoke to Mr Weston, then.’

‘And if I did?’ he watched her through narrowed eyes. ‘You're making it sound as if you'd rather be out of a job.’

‘No, I—— But what about Paul Forbes? He isn't going to like it.’

‘No one's asking him to. Just leave Forbes to me.’

‘But I——’

‘Forget about him, Stacy,’ he ordered abruptly. ‘Just concentrate on playing Kate.’

‘You know my name, but I don't know yours,’ she said almost shyly.

‘It's Jake.’

She frowned. ‘Don't you find that rather confusing?’

‘Not at all. Does my name bother you, because if it does you could always change it. What would you like my name to be?’

Stacy gave a nervous laugh. ‘Stop teasing me!’

‘So who's teasing? What's in a name anyway? My mother named me and you were given yours by some stranger at the orphanage, but who's to say either of us have the right name for us? You can have whatever name you choose. Do you like the name Stacy?’

‘Yes, yes, I do.’

‘So do I,’ he nodded agreement. ‘But I'm not that worried whether I'm called Jake or Harry, or any other name for that matter. You choose.’

She laughed shakily. ‘You're mad! There's nothing wrong with your name, I was just surprised that it was the same as your employer.’

He shrugged. ‘That's something that can't be helped. I'm sure there must be thousands of Jakes in the world, I was bound to meet a few of them.’

‘Okay, okay,’ she laughed, feeling as if they were going round and round in circles. ‘I give in—Jake.’

The intimacy of his gaze deepened. ‘I wish all my women conceded defeat that easily,’ he said softly, almost caressingly.

‘I'm not conceding defeat, and I'm certainly not one of your women!’ she snapped.

‘How old are you, Stacy?’

‘What does that have to do with anything?’

‘Just answer the question.’

‘I'm nineteen,’ she told him resentfully.

‘And I'm exactly twice that,’ he mused. ‘And yet I want you to know that I find you very attractive, very desirable.’

‘You——’ she gulped. ‘You do?’

‘I do,’ he confirmed. ‘Has anyone told you that you look beautiful tonight?’

She was becoming increasingly embarrassed, finding his sudden compliments a little too sudden. ‘It has been mentioned,’ she was deliberately blasé about it.

‘By Matthew Day?’ he probed harshly.

‘How did you——’

‘I'm paid to know things,’ he interrupted. ‘Have you been dating him long?’

‘Didn't your informant tell you that?’ she enquired sweetly.

‘I didn't ask them, I'm asking you.’

‘I've known Matthew for three years.’

‘That doesn't exactly answer my question,’ he said dryly.

‘No,’ she agreed.

‘By that I take it you aren't going to answer it.’

‘You take it right,’ she imitated his American drawl. ‘I don't consider it any of your business.’

‘Not even if I wanted to date you myself?’

‘And do you?’ she challenged.

He let his gaze wander slowly over her body. ‘Oh yes, I think so.’

Stacy blushed scarlet. She had told Juliet that she thought he could have charm, but nothing had prepared her for this blatant approach. ‘I'm very flattered, Jake, but I——’

‘Don't refuse me yet,’ he cut in. ‘Leave it until the end of the evening and see how you feel about me then.’

‘That almost sounds like a warning of intent.’

He raised one dark eyebrow. ‘Only almost?’

She moved nervously, feeling way out of her depth with this man. ‘I—er—I think I should go and find Matthew.’

He took the empty glass out of her hand, those long tapered fingers brushing gently against her skin. ‘No need, I'll go and get you another drink.’

‘That wasn't the reason I wanted him.’

‘Wait there,’ Jake ordered. ‘I won't be long.’

Stacy watched him stride away, aware of a feeling of pride as the female heads turned to watch his progress over to the bar. He was definitely a handsome specimen, and for some unexplainable reason he seemed to have chosen to spend the rest of the evening with her. She should feel flattered, but fear was one of her predominant emotions, fear of the mesmerising effect he had on her.

She looked up warily as Martin Payne came towards her, the jovial smile on his face nothing like his anger with her earlier today. ‘Ah, Miss Adams,’ he beamed, ‘I trust Jake has told you that our little misunderstanding is to be forgotten?’

‘He did mention it.’

‘Such a silly misunderstanding,’ he continued. ‘You only had to tell me that you'd already agreed to come to the party with Jake and all of that unpleasantness could have been avoided.’

So that was how he had done it! ‘I don't think——’

‘I felt slightly ridiculous when he explained the circumstances behind your refusal.’ He smiled as he realised he was allowing anger to enter his voice. ‘I hope you'll be able to forget any unpleasantness that may have occurred between us. It was all a complete mistake.’

‘Yes,’ she agreed uncertainly, not at all sure of his sudden changes of mood. And she was a little curious as to why Jake had told this man she was spending the evening with him, although she realised this was probably what had saved her job; Martin Payne wouldn't want to antagonise anyone close to Jake Weston.

‘Of course I don't know how you managed it,’ he added curtly, obviously not completely cowed.

Stacy stiffened. ‘Don't you?’ she queried softly, looking past him to the tall imposing figure of Jake as he made his way back to her side, a drink in each hand.

Martin Payne flushed as he followed her line of vision. ‘Mm—well, perhaps I do,’ he muttered. ‘But for your sake I hope you never anger him as you did me this afternoon. He would make a much more formidable adversary that I ever would.’

She already knew that! She smiled at the director. ‘I don't envisage anything like that happening.’

‘I wouldn't count on it. People like Jake can be very temperamental.’

Jake arrived at her side, smiling down at her as he handed her her drink, a completely charming smile directed at her, only at her. And it had the desired effect; she felt as if her legs were turning to jelly and there was a strange butterfly sensation in the pit of her stomach.

He turned to look at the director, his smile fading. ‘Martin,’ he nodded curtly.

‘I—er—I just came over to tell Miss Adams that it will no longer be necessary for her to leave tomorrow.’ Martin Payne was obviously just as overwhelmed by this man as she was. ‘And to apologise for the misunderstanding.’

Jake nodded. ‘I had already told her, but I'm sure she appreciated your telling her personally.’ Stacy felt herself stiffen as he put an arm possessively about her waist. ‘Stacy was rather upset about it all,’ he added.

‘I'm sure she was,’ the older man looked uncomfortable. ‘Would you like me to introduce you to some of the other people here now?’

‘I don't think so,’ Jake refused, his hand on her waist seeming to burn where it touched. ‘Stacy and I can manage just fine on our own.’

‘But, Jake, this is all——’

‘I said we can manage,’ Jake cut in. ‘Stacy can introduce me to anyone I care to meet, can't you, honey?’

‘Er—yes, I suppose so.’

The director shrugged. ‘Okay then,’ he accepted defeat in the face of such obstinacy. ‘But I think Paul would like to meet you again.’

‘I'm sure he would,’ Jake snapped, his mouth a thin straight line. ‘But that's the one person I don't think Stacy would like to introduce me to. And I certainly don't appreciate men of his type trying to force young girls into going out with him.’

‘I'll—er—I'll see you later, then.’

Jake was looking down at Stacy. ‘Perhaps, Martin. Perhaps.’

It was a disgruntled Martin Payne who finally left them, and Stacy wondered at Jake for daring to talk to him in that way. After all, he was one of the leading directors in the world, and Jake had more or less dismissed him.

She looked up at Jake, moving out of the hold he had about her waist. ‘That isn't going to make you very popular,’ she warned.

He looked unperturbed. ‘I'm not out to win any popularity contests.’

‘Perhaps that's as well,’ she sipped her drink. ‘Mm, my favourite drink, Martini and lemonade. Did your informant tell you that too?’

He grinned at her, his eyes deeply blue. ‘I don't have an informant. I guessed about your drink, and as for the other—well, I just asked Payne why he'd dismissed you.’

She looked surprised. ‘And he told you about Paul Forbes?’

‘Not exactly.’

‘But you worked it out,’ she said knowingly.

‘Knowing Paul as I do, yes.’

Her eyes widened. ‘You know him?’ she asked almost accusingly.

‘Slightly.’

Her mouth compressed. ‘I see.’

‘I don't think you do. Let's sit down and we'll talk about it.’ Without waiting for her answer he led her over to a secluded table, well away from everyone else and in the dimmer lighting. He pulled out a chair for her to sit down and then sat at her side, his arm resting along the back of her chair.

Stacy was very aware of the warmth of his arm against her bare skin, the velvet material of his jacket pleasurably caressing her back. She sat forward to avoid the intimacy of that touch. ‘You were saying you know Paul Forbes.’ She couldn't even bring herself to look at him, she was so aware of him.

Why should he be interested in her anyway? There were plenty of much more beautiful women here tonight who would be only too pleased to be with such a distinguished, attractive man. And yet he had chosen her.

He gently pushed her back in the seat, leaning forward himself to prevent her moving again. Now Stacy felt hemmed in by him, unable to look anywhere else but at his dark compelling face, the expression in his eyes not one she cared to analyse.

‘I did say I know Paul, but not in the way you mean. I know him slightly, but I know of him better. His reputation for liking young girls is well known. Although in your case I can't exactly blame him.’

‘Well, I can,’ she said angrily. ‘He's disgusting!’

‘I agree,’ he drawled. ‘But then you shouldn't be so damned beautiful.’

She blushed fiery red. ‘He didn't want me because of my looks, he wanted me because I don't want him.’

Jake sat back, crossing one leather-clad foot over the other. ‘Feminine logic?’

‘If you like,’ she said stiffly. ‘If I showed an interest in him he wouldn't want me. I have a friend who thinks he's fantastic, but adoration isn't what he wants. Oh no, Paul Forbes likes his women unwilling.’

‘Really?’ He sounded amused.

‘Yes, really!’ she snapped. ‘And it isn't in the least funny!’

‘I couldn't agree more,’ he said grimly.

‘You—you couldn't?’

‘I wouldn't like to think that you could be attracted to someone like him.’

Stacy looked puzzled. ‘He's a very attractive man, a lot of women would feel honoured to go out with him. He's tall, very good-looking, has lovely styled blond hair, and the most twinkling blue eyes I've ever seen. He's very young-looking for his age too.’

‘Does that mean you find him attractive?’ he asked harshly.

She couldn't repress her shudder of disgust. ‘No!’

‘Good. Because besides those obvious attributes he's nothing but a bastard. If I thought you could go out with him I wouldn't be sitting here.’

‘No one's asking you to stay,’ she said in a stilted voice. ‘You seem to have invited yourself to sit with me.’

He restrained her from moving by the tight hold he had of her wrist. ‘Stay here, Stacy. Don't be so sensitive. It's just that I consider Paul Forbes to be the lowest form of life, a man who trades on his wealth and fame.’

‘Any man in his position would do the same.’

‘Jake Weston hasn't.’

Stacy looked with amusement at the author as he chatted amiably with a group of people on the other side of the room. She turned to her companion, her green eyes twinkling merrily. ‘I hope you'll excuse my saying so, but he doesn't really have a lot going for him.’

‘No, I don't suppose he does. Tell me about yourself, Stacy,’ he commanded abruptly.

‘Have you finished questioning me about Paul Forbes?’ she asked tartly.

Jake sat forward, running a caressing finger down her cheek. ‘I was just curious as to why you refused his invitation.’

‘And now you're satisfied?’

His blue eyes mocked her. ‘Hardly. But that can come later, when you know me a little better.’

‘You mean——’ she broke off in confusion.

‘I mean exactly what you think I mean. But don't worry, I'll give you time to get to know me first.’

She gave an incredulous laugh. ‘Are you honestly trying to tell me——’

‘I believe in being honest about these things,’ he interrupted. ‘I want to go to bed with you, I want to put my brand of possession on you as soon as possible, so there's no point in trying to hide it. I told you earlier that I find you desirable.’

‘Yes, but——’

‘I know, I know, you take things a little slower over here. I've lived in the States so long I've forgotten I'm supposed to be one of the reserved English.’

Stacy gave him a curious look. ‘You aren't American?’

‘As good as—I left England when I was five years old. I was born not far from here. I guess I'll have to try and get a little of this reserve you all seem to have. But like I said, I'm not going to rush you into anything. If you find you don't feel the same way about me after a couple of dates then we'll forget the whole thing. I don't like my women unwilling.’

She swallowed hard, aware of the sensuous allure of his body as he sat beside her. Any woman could be seduced by such virility as he displayed, and she wasn't immune to him, far from it. She could easily find herself falling for him.

‘And I don't go in for casual affairs,’ she told him softly.

He looked at her with brooding eyes, their colour very blue. ‘I didn't say there was going to be anything casual about it.’

‘And I don't intend to be your bed companion for the short time you'll be in this country either.’

‘What makes you think I'm only going to be here a short time?’

She shrugged. ‘As far as I know Mr Weston is only here for the last couple of weeks of filming. As his employee you'll leave when he does.’

‘Then I'll just have to make sure he enjoys his stay enough to want to stay longer.’

‘I shouldn't bother on my account.’ She put her empty glass down on the table. ‘I think I should go and find Matthew.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘You never did tell me how friendly you are with him.’

‘Very friendly.’ She deliberately gave the wrong impression of that friendship.

Those long fingers clamped about her wrist once again. ‘Is that the truth, Stacy?’

She faced him defiantly. ‘Why should I lie?’