Storm Over the Lake Read Online Free PDF Page A

and she was just finishing up when the front door opened with a violent snap. She tensed at the heavy, angry footsteps in the hall and turned just in time to meet a pair of slitted, glittering eyes in a face like thunder.
    Adrian Devereaux slammed his attache case down flat on his big oak desk. With one hand deep in his pocket, he stood studying her grimly.
    â€œDo you enjoy getting under my skin, Meredith?” he asked in a voice gone soft,almost tender in his fury. “Do you lay awake nights thinking up ways to annoy me?”
    She swallowed nervously, clutching her skirt in her fingers. “What have I done?” she asked, uneasily.
    â€œWhat the hell do you think?” he growled, slamming his hand down palm first on the surface of the desk. “Are you working with the wire services on the side, or was that newsman some old friend you owed a favor to?”
    â€œI…you know I’m not working for anybody except you,” she returned. “What newsman?”
    â€œGood old Dick Black,” he shot at her.
    She covered her mouth. “Oh, no,” she breathed.
    â€œOh, yes, and you needn’t pretend you didn’t know! Damn you, Meredith, I could shake you until your teeth break!” he said hotly, glaring at her. “If I told you once, I told you a half-dozen times to never, never give out my office number!”
    â€œI know,” she whispered, “but he said…”
    â€œTo hell with what he said!” He glared at her across the desk, his face stony, his eyes like slits of fire. She felt her knees give way under the cut of his gaze.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she whispered, tears welling involuntarily in her eyes. The strain was getting to her—his hatred, worrying about her mother, the nightmares…
    He froze, as if the reply wasn’t the one he’d been expecting. “What?”
    She turned away, fighting for composure, shaking her head as if to dismiss her reply.
    â€œMeredith?” His voice was deeper than usual, quiet.
    She drew herself together and let her eyes drift up to his collar, but no further. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
    There was a pause while he lit a cigarette. Her eyes went to his heavily-lined face as he perched himself on the edge of the desk, and shot a glance at her.
    â€œI want to give a party this weekend,” he said, changing the subject abruptly. “At the cabin, for about twelve couples. Arrange it. Supper and snacks and booze.”
    â€œYes, sir. Do you want the caterer you used last…”
    â€œYes. And don’t forget the music.”
    â€œA live band?”
    He glared at her. “Of course, Meredith, a live one.”
    She flinched inwardly at the sarcasm and made herself a note on her steno pad, no outward sign of her emotional turmoil showing. That seemed to light a fire under his temper.
    â€œI’ll give you a list of the guests later,” he said in a voice that had suddenly chilled. “You’re to call each one, individually, and confirm their attendance.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œCool, aren’t you?” he asked harshly. “Does anything touch you? Do you feel?”
    â€œI feel what I have to,” she replied calmly, determined not to let him see her lose that hard won composure. She stood up, pale and drawn, but outwardly quite unruffled. “Is that all, sir?”
    â€œYes, damn you, that’s all,” he said in a harsh whisper.
    She walked out with her head high, thetiny triumph bringing a smile to her lips as she went.
    She hid in the kitchen with Lillian while waiting for him to calm down.
    â€œBad, huh?” Lillian asked with a conspiratorial whisper and with a smile.
    Dana nodded. “Oh, he can be such a…”
    â€œDon’t say it, I get the general idea. Sit down, honey, and talk to me while I get dinner.”
    Dana dropped onto one of the chairs and sat with her chin in her hands,