A Bad Enemy Read Online Free PDF

to kiss her on the mouth, and every nerve in her body reacted in tension. His touch on her hand had been ordeal enough, but to feel his lips on hers, caressing, exploring, parting, would be unendurable.
    And he knew that quite well. Still holding her panic-stricken gaze with his, he drew back, his smile hardening sardonically. 'Shall we go and see Murray, my sweet?' Sister bustled out and they were left to follow.
    Lisle's lips moved. 'I don't think I can go through with this.'
    Jake rose. 'Oh yes, you bloody well can.' He took her arms, hauling her bodily out of her seat. 'Everyone is capable of one selfless act, and this is going to be yours. Murray is going to rest with a tranquil mind tonight because he knows that what he cares most about in the world—Harlow Bannerman and you—are both in safe hands. So smile, darling. Pretend I'm an important customer or that poor devil who was pawing you when I arrived at the flat.'
    She said dazedly, 'Who…?' and saw the contempt flare again in his face.
    He said half under his breath, 'No, I suppose you can't even remember his name. Heaven help any guy who falls hard for you, you little tease. Now look happy, and remember it's not for me, it's for Murray.'
    But she was hard put to it to retain any semblance of cheerfulness when she stood by her grandfather's bed. She had never really understood what people meant when they talked about shadows of their former selves, but she knew now, because what seemed to be lying there was just a shadow of the man she loved. She sank her teeth into the softness of her inner lip as Murray Bannerman muttered something and opened his eyes. They had always been fiercely, intensely blue, but now that fire seemed muted, and his voice no more than a gruff whisper.
    'Darling girl—so you came. And Jake. That's good. Good.'
    She was amazed to hear how normal her voice sounded. 'Of course we're here. Don't try to talk. Everything's going to be fine.'
    'Fine,' he repeated, and the faded eyes sought hers in a kind of entreaty. 'You and Jake.'
    'Yes,' she said, her tone firming. 'He—he spoke to me about it, and although it was—rather a shock, I can see it would be best—for the company and for everyone, so I've agreed. I will marry him.'
    The moment she'd spoken, she wished she hadn't used those particular words. At this moment, and in the presence of a man who could be dying, they savoured too closely of some kind of oath, the precursor to some future ritual where she and Jake would be made one, and she shivered suddenly.
    Jake said, 'I'm going to take her away now, Murray, take her home, and let you get some rest. But we'll be back in the morning. Sleep well.'
    Lisle felt the pressure of his hand on her arm, and turned away, fighting sudden blinding tears. He looked so frail, she thought in agony. What guarantee was there that he would see another morning, or know that they would return to share it with him?
    She knew Jake was watching her, his dark brows drawn together in a frown of genuine concern, and as they walked to the lift, she fought a superhuman battle for control of her emotions and won. She hated him. She wanted nothing from him, especially his compassion.
    They reached the ground floor and the doors opened silently, Jake standing aside to allow her to precede him.
    Lisle said rapidly, 'There's a public telephone over there. Would you mind calling me a taxi, please.'
    'There's no need for that,' he said brusquely. 'You're coming with me.'
    'Oh, please!' Just for a moment her tone veered towards slight hysteria. 'How far do we have to carry this farce? Grandfather can't see us now, or know that we've gone our separate ways.'
    His brows lifted. 'I was looking at the situation rather more practically. As we're both going to the Priory, one vehicle is surely quite sufficient.'
    She looked at him stupidly, his words registering in some distant recess of her mind. 'You—you're staying at the Priory?'
    'I told you I was staying there,' he said