The Father Of Her Child

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, smiling to hide the bitter irony behind it. Wayne had certainly fought to keep her with him. Abusively. On a sudden wave of fear, she turned to Michael Timberlane and bluntly asked, “Did you fight to keep your wife?”

For one fleeting moment she saw a turbulent core of savagery flash through the windows of his soul. It sent a shiver down her spine. Then the silver screen of his extraordinarily compelling eyes clicked into place again, glistening with outward interest in her, reflecting nothing of what was within.

“It’s difficult to fight a saboteur,” he said with a sardonic twist. “The damage is done behind one’s back.”

He’d hate that, she thought.

“Besides, when the illusion of love and commitment has proven false, why fight to keep it?” he went on. “I’m a great believer in facing realities and moving on.”

“Yes,” she agreed, elated that he shared her attitude and convictions.

But it was one thing to leave the experience behind, another to forget. She wondered what damage he carried, what his wife had been like, why she had taken a lover? The reference to a saboteur pointed to another man in her life, and infidelity certainly destroyed the illusion of love and commitment.

“Do let’s get off this painful subject,” Tasha pleaded. “I wish I hadn’t brought it up. This is a happy night.”

“Indeed it is!” Lauren quickly supported her, switching on a bright smile. She didn’t want this electric sense of anticipation tarnished by memories of relationships that had failed to bring the happiness they had initially promised. Determined not to brood on her past or Michael’s, she turned teasingly to Evan. “I’m looking forward to your speech. It’s your first public tryout, and I don’t expect you to disappoint.”

Evan pulled a doleful look. “Pressure, pressure. My editor said the same thing. My wife wants me to shine. Michael thinks I don’t need his applause.”

“I promise to clap if no one else does,” Michael interposed.

“It’s a wonderful speech,” Tasha declared. “I know, because he’s been rehearsing to me.”

“Such loyalty is the voice of love, my darling,” Evan said, almost purring. “And I appreciate it. I truly do.”

They bantered on in light party style. Waitresses circulated with fancy finger food, Melba toast with smoked salmon, fish cocktails, spicy chicken legs, mini croissants with savoury fillings. Both Evan and Tasha helped themselves liberally, enjoying the novelty. Lauren wondered if Michael’s stomach was in the same state as hers. Both of them declined everything offered.

“Dieting?” Michael asked at one point.

“No.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Are you?”

“No.”

There was a magnetic flash of unspoken but unmistakable recognition and understanding. Their hunger was for other things.

But would it be answered?

Lauren stayed at his side, wanting to know more of Michael Timberlane.

He-was charm itself to Tasha and obviously a supportive friend to Evan, yet for the most part, he remained a tantalising enigma to her. The sexual attraction was strong and mutual. Nothing else could explain the vibrant energy field being generated between them. But she’d felt an awareness akin to this with Wayne and knew it could be treacherous. Perhaps Michael had similar thoughts, reflecting on his experience with his ex-wife.

Was the control he was exerting simply caution on his part, or did it conceal something darker? Was she flirting with danger? Was she willing to take a risk on pursuing this fascination with a stranger? Handsome men were usually spoilt men, she reminded herself, their egos too well fed from always getting their own way.

But Michael had shown consideration to Tasha.

Lauren found herself pushing caution aside and justifying the case for ignoring it altogether. For so long now she had trodden a safe path, and where had it led her? She was lonely. It was not a happy state, being lonely.

She wanted this excitement, this sense of being on the brink of something special. It was exhilarating. She felt so alive. She wanted to turn to Michael Timberlane and say, Don’t hide from me, but she wasn’t quite bold enough to do it. Besides, if he was the man for her, he would decide to involve himself further without any pushing.

She willed him to want to.

“Evan.” Beth Hayward, Evan’s editor, broke into their foursome. “They’re getting ready for the speeches.” She smiled at the glass in his hand. “Had enough drinks to fortify you?”

She was six years older than Lauren, a striking brunette, stylish and very much a woman of the world. She wore a long grey skirt and a cowl top in black and white and grey. It was a smart, fashionable, sophisticated outfit. Lauren glanced at Michael, sensing a sudden coiling of tension in him.

His face had hardened, wearing the same closed expression she had noted earlier when he had left Beth with the Daniels to collect the table and chairs. Was there some conflict between them? They would have done business together many times, since Beth was a commissioning editor for Global.