A Past Revenge Read Online Free PDF

talking about is blackmail, Mr Andracas,' she pointed out softly. 'And that isn't a price. You were talking about greed just now, not survival.'
    'Are you always this damned logical?' he rasped impatiently.
    'I'm just myself, Mr Andracas. And thankfully women now have a choice in this world, we don't have to be treated like possessions or second-class citizens any more.'
    'In other words, you're an independent lady and intend to stay that way,' he drawled.
    'As I said,' she gave a cool inclination of her head. 'I'm just me.'
    He sighed his chagrin. 'And what am I supposed to do about the fact that I desire you?'
    'Take a cold shower?' she taunted.
    'Why you little—'
    'Please,' she mocked with confidence, knowing he was more amused than angry. 'Let's not resort to insults.'
    'Let's not talk at all,' he rasped, coming threateningly towards her.
    Danielle remembered him as having more control than this, had never dreamt that her taunts would lead to this, shrinking away from him as he took her into his arms.
    'Nick darling, I—' Audra McDonald came to an astounded halt in the doorway, her gaze moving over them both with glittering accusation.
    Danielle released herself with a relief the other woman couldn't realise, although by the angry narrowing of Nick's eyes he knew exactly how she felt—and he didn't like it. She didn't give a damn what he liked, and she never would!
    'What a beautiful gown,' she admired the red dress the other woman wore, the colour of a shade that enhanced rather than clashed with her flaming red hair. It would make a very dramatic effect on canvas.
    The other woman ignored the compliment, her gaze fixed on her lover. 'I can't quite reach the top hook, Nick,' she told him curtly. 'Could you do it for me?'
    He moved across the room with forceful strides, dealing with the hook in a matter of seconds. 'I'll be back to pick you up in an hour's time,' he told the actress, looking over at Danielle, the mask of control firmly back in place. 'Will that be convenient for you, Miss Smith?'
    'An hour will be fine,' she nodded, as coolly indifferent now as he was.
    'See you later, darling,' Audra put her arms about his neck to kiss him lingeringly on the lips.
    He made no effort to end the kiss, his arms about the actress's waist, the kiss long and leisurely. Danielle ignored the triumphant challenge in his eyes as he at last broke the embrace, looking at him coldly, although the kiss seemed to have placated Audra McDonald, lazy satisfaction in her smile now.
    Not that the emotion seemed to last once they were alone in the studio, the brown eyes flashing with dislike as Danielle posed the other woman in the chair.
    'It won't work, Miss Smith,' Audra finally snapped.
    She had been expecting the attack ever since Nick Andracas left, concentrating on the sketch she was doing, not at all disturbed by the other woman's anger. 'What won't?' she asked uninterestedly.
     
    'Nick and I have been together a long time,' Audra more or less purred. 'I know how to keep him satisfied.'
    'Good.'
    'He has his little flirtations from time to time, of course,' the other woman laughed them off as of no importance. 'But he always comes back to me.'
    'That must make you very happy,' Danielle answered in a preoccupied voice.
    'It does,' Audra snapped defensively.
    She shrugged. 'Then that's all right, isn't it?'
    'Don't look so smug, Miss Smith,' Audra rasped. 'He may find you attractive now, but it won't last.'
    'I hope not,' she said quietly, the sketch not going quite as well as she wanted it to. 'Could you please sit perfectly still while I do this?' The other woman was moving about in her agitation. 'It's difficult for me to sketch you if you don't.'
    'That can wait for a few minutes,' Audra dismissed impatiently. 'Are you trying to tell me you don't find Nick attractive?' she sounded sceptical.
    Danielle sighed, nodding. 'That's exactly what I'm telling you, Miss McDonald.'
    'I don't believe you!'
    'Oh I should,' she mocked.