Tall, Dark... Collection. Carole Mortimer

had no wish to ever see me again,’ he remarked conversationally.

      Laura felt her stomach perform a distinct somersault and wished herself far away from here. And Liam!

      She moistened dry lips. ‘Circumstances change.’

      ‘They certainly do.’ He nodded with a grin, obviously enjoying himself.

      At her expense! Oh, how she wished she could wipe that self-satisfied smile off his face. Well…she could. But the method of achieving it wasn’t guaranteed to let her escape without feeling the razor-edge of Liam’s anger.

      ‘There’s something I need to discuss with you, Liam,’ she began determinedly.

      He relaxed back in his chair, feet crossed at his ankles. ‘Discuss away,’ he invited.

      ‘I—it’s a little difficult to know where to start,’ she said awkwardly, not relishing the anger that she knew was to come.

      ‘The beginning is always a good place,’ he observed.

      Her eyes flashed with sparkling colour as she glared at him. ‘Very funny,’ she snapped. ‘In this case I have no idea where the beginning is. You see—’

      ‘Did you have a good time last night?’ Liam cut in abruptly, eyes suddenly narrowed with speculation.

      ‘A good—? Liam, I didn’t come here to discuss my private life,’ she stated irritatedly, all the more impatient because she felt at a disadvantage in this particular situation.

      ‘A few of the social niceties between us might not come amiss.’ He shrugged broad shoulders.

      ‘I don’t have the time for social niceties—’

      ‘In a hurry again, are you?’ he asked speculatively, blue gaze narrowed. ‘Your relationship might benefit from keeping him waiting once in a while.’

      So they were back to that imaginary man in her life. ‘Liam, I’ve come here to discuss business—’

      ‘I thought you had decided not to publish my book?’ He raised dark brows.

      ‘I have never said that,’ she replied tersely. ‘Only that your choice of editor is unacceptable.’

      ‘Still feel the same way?’

      After she had finished telling him about the reporter’s interest in his novel Laura didn’t think it would matter much to Liam how she felt!

      ‘I’m sure we could work something out…’ she began cautiously.

      ‘You have changed your mind,’ he pounced triumphantly. ‘I—’

      ‘Liam, you’re going way too fast,’ Laura interrupted him. ‘I said we could have worked something out, not that we are! You see…’ She moistened dry lips, not quite able to meet his eyes now. ‘There’s been a development—and I want you to be aware from the onset that I do not hold any employee of Shipley Publishing responsible—’

      ‘Liam! What luck! Sorry for interrupting.’ The young woman who had arrived unexpectedly beside them turned to give Laura an apologetic smile. ‘I just need a few words with Liam, and then I’ll leave the two of you in peace.’ She turned back to Liam. ‘I thought you would like to know that—’

      ‘Would you excuse us for a few minutes, Laura?’ Liam stood up, his expression grim as he took a firm hold of the other woman’s arm. ‘This is private, I’m afraid.’

      It always had been when a pretty woman was involved. And the newcomer was definitely that: tall and long-legged, in denims and a sweatshirt, a mane of curling blonde hair cascading down her back, beautiful face bare of make-up. Liam obviously hadn’t lost his touch where beautiful women were concerned!

      ‘Please, go ahead,’ Laura invited, turning her interest to pouring herself another cup of coffee.

      But that didn’t mean she wasn’t completely aware of Liam and the beautiful blonde as they moved out into the reception area, their conversation quietly intense. Although the other woman—probably aged in her late twenties, like Laura—didn’t look particularly concerned at having found Liam drinking coffee with another woman.

      Probably because she knew she didn’t have anything to fear from her, Laura acknowledged heavily. If things had been different, if she hadn’t so much to lose by letting Liam too close to her now, she might possibly have allowed herself the indulgence of the brief relationship with him that he seemed to want—if only to finally rid herself of the ghost of the past!

      But, as it was, there were too many things about her that Liam didn’t know—must never know. So, even to a complete stranger, like the beautiful blonde Liam was talking to, it must be obvious that Laura’s body language was all wrong for there to be any intimacy between herself and Liam.

      Laura was unable to resist looking across at the other couple from beneath lowered dark lashes, analysing their own body language. Friendly, she would guess, but not intimate. Not yet, anyway!

      The beautiful blonde was glancing across at Laura too now, as she continued to talk to Liam. Laura instantly turned away. But that didn’t stop her wondering exactly what explanation Liam was giving the other woman for finding him here with her. Knowing Liam, it would sound plausible, whatever it was!

      Laura turned back just in time to see the blonde woman reach up to kiss one of Liam’s cheeks, then raising a hand in parting to Laura as she turned and hurried towards the hotel exit.

      ‘Sorry about that,’ Liam said as he rejoined Laura in the lounge. ‘An old friend just wanting to say hello,’ he added as he dropped back into the chair beside hers.

      A ‘hello’ he definitely hadn’t wanted Laura to witness too closely!

      ‘Really?’ Laura murmured dryly.

      ‘Really,’ he echoed. ‘I was at university with her brother.’

      How nice for him that his university friends had such beautiful sisters!

      Bitch, bitchy, Laura instantly rebuked herself. Liam had always liked beautiful women. Besides, it was none of her business.

      ‘You were saying…?’ Liam prompted, obviously also of the opinion that the sister of his old university friend was not Laura’s business.

      And compared with what Laura had to tell him now—albeit reluctantly—he was right!

      ‘I may just as well come straight out with it,’ she said flatly. ‘You’re going to be furious no matter how nicely I try to break the news to you!’

      Dark brows rose over mocking blue eyes. ‘I am?’

      ‘Undoubtedly,’ Laura sighed. ‘Although I do reiterate, none of my employees is responsible for what I’m about to tell you.’ She looked at him challengingly.

      ‘I believe you,’ Liam replied, holding up defensive hands. ‘If I’m ever in a fight, Laura, I hope I have you on my side; at the moment you look like a lioness defending her cubs!’

      Probably because she felt like one! She was also using the tactic, she acknowledged ruefully, that attack was better than defence!

      ‘Very well.’ She nodded. ‘I received a telephone call from a reporter earlier today. She wanted confirmation that Shipley Publishing is to print the next Liam O’Reilly novel, with me as your editor!’ There, she had said it!

      Light the blue touch-paper and stand well back. She inwardly grimaced.

      Except nothing happened!

      The blue touch-paper had definitely been lit, was probably still smouldering inside, but outwardly there was no sign of it…!

      Liam continued to look at her with narrowed eyes, a nerve pulsing in his cheek, his mouth grim, his eyes unfathomable.

      As with a smouldering but unexploded firework, Laura was left