Matilda, the Adventuress

  “You don’t mind if I do?”

  Her gaze flew up to meet his, and hot color rushed to redden her cheeks. “What?”

  He didn’t speak for a moment, his expression as startled as her own. Manda could feel the air between them thicken with electricity. The bottle of cola in his hand stopped in mid-motion over a tall glass. His gaze was intent as it moved over her.

  She could feel it as if it were a touch, brushing the tips of her breasts that thrust against the thin knit of her yellow T-shirt, and then moving down past her taut stomach to her legs. This was the second time in a matter of minutes, she realized, that her body had been appraised by a man, but her present reaction was wildly different from the amusement she had experienced when Brent had looked her over.

  She could almost feel Roman’s long, tanned fingers rubbing the soft insides of her thighs. Her lips parted to permit more oxygen to enter her lungs. She must be insane, she told herself. She had experienced sexual arousal before, but never anything as intense as what she felt now. The palms of her hands were tingling. There was a pulsating throb between her thighs that was beginning to spread throughout her body, even to the sensitive arches of her feet.

  His gaze finally left her, and he looked down at the cola he’d poured into the glass. “I asked you if you minded if I had a drink?” he muttered. “I think.”

  “Oh, no, of course not,” she said quickly. She searched desperately for something, anything, to say that would cut the electricity flowing between them. “This is a very nice mobile home. They’re really amazingly efficient, aren’t they? I lived in one for three months in Arnhem Land and was more comfortable than I would have believed possible. Of course, I’d just come back from a rough trek through the Blue Mountains, so any home would have seemed luxurious by comparison.”

  “You move around a lot, don’t you?” He leaned his elbow on the beige ceramic tile surface of the bar. “No wonder you and Dennis are chums. He doesn’t like to stay in one place either.”

  “You’re not exactly a homebody yourself. You’ve made documentaries all over the world, and Dennis said you’ve just come back from Hollywood.”

  His brows rose as he took a sip of cola. “You’re very well informed. Traveling is part of my job.”

  “Mine too.” She shrugged. “Well, that’s not quite true. I’m working toward a degree in geology and some of my travels have been connected with my studies, but not all of them. I guess I just like to go walkabout, like Jacto. There’s so much to do and so much to see …” She trailed off. “I suppose you think I’m peculiar. Most people do.”

  “No.” His gaze on her face held a curious intentness. “I don’t think you’re peculiar at all. Who is Jacto?”

  “My friend. He belongs to one of the tribes in Arnhem Land.” Her expression softened. “I’ve never known anyone as attuned to nature as Jacto. He’s very, very old; he reminds me of a baobab tree. No matter how much time passes, or how gnarled and twisted his body becomes, he never really changes. He just conforms and endures.”

  “You’re very fond of him.” It was a statement, not a question. No one could mistake the glowing affection in her expression.

  “We’ve been together a long time. I met him six years ago on my trip to Arnhem Land. We just seemed to understand each other. When I left the north, he came with me. He doesn’t usually stay anywhere for very long, but he always comes to see me whenever he’s nearby.”

  “Is he with you now?”

  She nodded. “I’ll introduce you if you like. Why don’t you come over to our camp tonight for supper?”

  He had to smother an involuntary smile as he noticed how smoothly she had slid in the invitation. “You’re clearly adept at making assumptions. I believe you’ve forgotten that you’re supposed to be gone by sundown.”

  She grinned impishly. “I thought it was worth a try.” Her smile faded. “I have to stay, Mr. Gallagher. I’m not here on a whim. I can’t tell you how important this is to me.”

  “Important enough to try to vamp Brent into using his influence?” His lips tightened. “You should have done your homework before accepting his proposition. My actors don’t run my set, Miss Delaney.”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake, couldn’t you tell the man was pulling your leg?” she asked crossly. “I don’t sleep with anyone for favors. Brent and I understand each other perfectly.”

  “I noticed a certain rapport.” His tone was caustic. “I underestimated Brent’s charm evidently. A few minutes of conversation and you’re as dazzled as all his other groupies.”

  “I am not—” She stopped and drew a deep breath. “Oh, think what you like. It’s not important anyway. The only important thing is that you let me stay here until I complete my business.” She moistened her lower lip with her tongue. “What difference does it make to you if I stay? Do you still have the crazy idea I’m going to write some kind of exposé and sell it to the press? I never even knew you were coming to Deadman’s Ridge until you showed up, but, if it will help, I’ll sign anything you like. I’ll do anything you like.” Her tone lowered to just above a whisper. “Please let me stay.”

  He couldn’t seem to pull his gaze away from her pleading face. Lord, she had lovely amber eyes. Misty and deep, yet alive with feeling. He wanted to keep looking at her for a long, long time. He wanted to reach out and touch her thick curly lashes with the tip of his finger. He wanted her to smile at him again. It was such a little thing she was asking of him. What the hell difference would it make if she stayed around while the shooting was going on? Why not let her …

  He tore his gaze from her face, his grip tightening on the glass in his hand. She had almost convinced him. In another second he would have yielded to her wide-eyed wistfulness and given her what she wanted. Hell, he was as easy as Brent and Dennis, he thought with disgust. Heaven knows he should know better. “That’s a very tempting offer. ‘Anything’ I like. Did you make the same offer to Brent?”

  Manda felt a tiny thrust of pain in her heart. He was iron-hard, suspicious, and had revealed damn few redeeming qualities. She should have been thoroughly disillusioned by now. He certainly shouldn’t have been able to hurt her. Yet the pain was there.

  “No,” she said slowly. “For Pete’s sake, can’t you think of anything but sex? That wasn’t what I meant at all. I just thought maybe I could work part-time for your production company so you wouldn’t have to break your damn rule about no outsiders on your precious set. What the devil makes you think you’re so damn irresistible that I’d want to jump into bed with you anyway?”

  “I’m not fool enough to think any physical charm I might possess could have swept you off your feet,” he said dryly. “I know what an ugly bastard I am. I learned a long time ago not to expect women to jump into my bed without—” He broke off. “I know I’m no Brent Penrose. The reasons women come to me are much more basic and practical.”

  He really believed what he was saying. Manda felt her anger melt away. Did he honestly think women were attracted to him only for what he could give them in the way of material things? Didn’t he realize he possessed a greater sexual charisma than Brent could ever have? “You’re wrong, you know,” she said softly.

  “Am I?” His lips twisted cynically. “I’ve been told that before, but it usually ends the same. I don’t mind paying, but I hate lies. You might find it helpful to remember that in our future dealings.”

  “Future dealings? You’ve decided to let me stay?”

  He hadn’t realized until he’d said the words that he had decided to let her stay. Hell, why should he let Brent have her? He had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Manda Delaney. If she wasn’t what she represented herself to be, why should he care? He was used to dealing with deceitful people. He put his glass down on the ceramic counter with great precision and came slowly toward her. “On certain conditions. I’ve decided I don’t like the idea of Brent having you for a playmate. I want you for myself. No Brent. Do you understand? When I want your
company, I’ll send someone for you and you’ll come running.” He smiled as he reached out and touched her cheek with one finger. “I may want only a few hours of relaxing conversation in the evening.” He took a step closer and his hard muscular thighs were pressed against her naked legs. She inhaled sharply as she felt his bold arousal. His hands cupped her hips, holding her firmly, letting her feel how much he desired her. “Or I may want this.” He moved his hips slowly against her. “I may want to take off every stitch of clothing you’re wearing. I may want you to open your thighs and take me into you. I was thinking about that last night while I was lying in bed.”

  Her gaze was fixed in helpless fascination on the pulse that was jumping in the hollow of his throat. The scent of musk, perspiration, and a cologne containing a hint of leather made her dizzy.

  “I didn’t want to think about you, but I did. I thought about how tight you’d be around me. I wondered how your breasts would taste. I could visualize your bending over and letting me take …”

  “Please. You shouldn’t say those things.” She could barely force the words from her throat.

  “Why not? I think it excites you. I can please you, Manda. I may not be handsome, but I’m very experienced; I can make it good for you.”

  Once again she felt aching sympathy for him. She wanted to reach up and pull his head down to her shoulder and rock him as if he were a small boy. How crazy to experience sudden maternal tenderness through a haze of hot hunger.

  She drew a deep breath. “Yes, it does excite me.” She stepped back. “But I’m not a whore, Roman. If I go to bed with you, it will be because I want you and for no other reason. Oh, I’m ready to bargain with you to let me stay. You want me to come running? I’ll come running. I’ll fix your dinner and keep you company. I may let you touch me, and I may not. That depends on how persuasive you can be. In short, I’ll let you court me.”

  “Court you?”

  “Oh, don’t be afraid that I’m trying to trap you into marriage. I don’t think marriage would suit me at all.”

  “Indeed.” He smiled dryly. “What a great relief.”

  “But I will be courted, Roman.” She met his gaze with her clear, direct one. “I’m not going to let you spoil it. This is the first time it’s happened to me, and we’re going to do it right.” She frowned. “I only wish I had more time to devote to our relationship, but we’ll just have to make do.”

  He was staring at her with an expression that combined wariness with stunned surprise. “May I ask what the hell you’re talking about?”

  She smiled serenely. “I believe I’m in love with you, Roman.”

  “What!”

  “Oh, it was a surprise to me too. I always thought love at first sight was pure fantasy. And no one can say you’re a likely candidate.”

  “Do you think I don’t know that?”

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “And not because you don’t look like a bloody movie star. I’ve always preferred character to good looks anyway. No, it’s because you’re suspicious, and arrogant, and surly as the devil.” She sighed. “However, I’m usually a pretty good judge of character, so somewhere beneath that steel-spiked crust of yours, there must be an extraordinary human being. I’ll just have to peel off the layers and find him.” She turned toward the door. “It may even be exciting. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”

  “You’re not fooling me, you know.” His tone was harsh. “I don’t know why you’d think I’d swallow a story like that. I’ve been conned by experts.”

  “Have you, Roman?” The glance she threw him over her shoulder was warm with sympathy and tenderness. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’ll never try to con you.” She paused. “Tell me you want me to stay. I want to hear you say it.”

  He scowled. “Hell no, I don’t—” He stopped and glared at her. “Why should I want you to stay? You’re not promising me one damn thing, and you’ll probably be a headache from start to finish.”

  “But I did make you a promise. I’ve promised I’ll come running. I’ve promised I’ll give you a chance to seduce me.” She smiled beguilingly. “And I think you’re a man who likes a challenge too.”

  He was silent for a moment, still scowling at her. Then he said slowly, grudgingly, “Stay.”

  She laughed softly with genuine humor as she opened the door. “Your graciousness touches me deeply. I can see we’re going to—oh, hi, Dennis.” She smiled at the pilot as he stepped aside to let her descend the three steps to the ground. “Roman’s just turned down my invitation for an elegant supper alfresco. Care to join Jacto and me?”

  “Why not? I’ve never minded being second choice,” Dennis drawled. “And Jacto promised me last night he’d show me how to throw a boomerang. I’ve been trying for years to learn the skill and never have been able to get the hang of it.”

  “I remember. I believe I’ll disappear down a mine shaft until you’ve finished your lesson.” She lifted her hand in farewell. “Sundown.”

  “Right.” Dennis watched her as she walked briskly away, then turned and mounted the steps. “I’ve received word that the Cessna will be delivered tomorrow, Roman. Do you want to plan the itinerary for delivering the rushes to the studio in Sydney?”

  Roman didn’t answer. His gaze was also on Manda’s departing figure.

  A faint smile touched Dennis’s lips. “You’re letting her stay?”

  Roman didn’t take his gaze from Manda. “Yes.”

  Dennis chuckled. “I thought you would. When Manda starts singing her siren’s song, it takes a hard man to say no to her.”

  “You’re speaking about her as if she were some sort of Lorelei.”

  “Lorelei?” Dennis’s brow wrinkled thoughtfully. “I guess there are similarities. She’s a persuasive little devil.” He closed the door behind him. “But there’s no evil in her. She just has so much energy and enthusiasm, she sort of sweeps you along whether you want to go or not.” He shook his head. “You know how I’ve always been afraid of water? When we were in Tasmania, Manda decided it would be the most exciting thing in the world to shoot the Franklin Rapids. None of us in the geology team wanted to go with her. Well, by the time she finished painting verbal pictures of the glories of nature and of white water rafting, we had to get two rafts to hold everyone. And I volunteered to be in the first raft.”

  “Impressive.” Not only impressive but dangerous. A woman who had that kind of power over people was seldom shy about using it to her advantage. Dennis was obviously besotted with her, and she’d captivated Brent in the flicker of an eye. Well, he wouldn’t be such easy prey. She had caught him off guard with her last remarks, but in retrospect he appreciated what a clever move it was. She had turned the tables on him, received permission to stay, and adjusted the bargain to suit her own terms. She probably doubted he believed her claim of love, but had been sharp enough to realize the value of using shock tactics. She had also been perceptive enough to realize the gauntlet she had thrown down would appeal to him.

  “Just what do you know about her, Dennis? She said she was working toward a geology degree. Is that true?”

  Something flickered across the older man’s face before he lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “As far as I know it’s true. I’ve run into Manda a few times on geologically oriented projects, but she’s something of a jill of all trades. According to what she’s told me, she’s tried her hand at selling, been a seaman on a freighter to Tahiti, written a column for a small weekly paper in Christ Church, driven a taxi in—”

  “Wait a minute.” Roman’s eyes narrowed. “She’s written for a newspaper?”

  Dennis nodded. “Now, don’t get paranoid, Roman. Like I said, it was a very small weekly.”

  “Out of small acorns …” Roman murmured. “Perhaps the lady has ambitions in that direction.”

  Dennis frowned. “Roman, I don’t—”

  Roman cut him off with an impatient gesture. “You don’t have to defend her. I don’t give a damn if she’s a newspaper
reporter or not. I’ve just always found it’s a good idea to know precisely with whom I’m dealing.”

  For an instant Roman experienced a queer sensation of pain, and then it was gone. What had he expected, for heaven’s sake? Manda Delaney was probably a world-class expert at weaving the emotional magic she had displayed that afternoon. Yet perhaps deep down he had wanted her honesty and glowing joie de vivre to be genuine. It would have been good to know that somewhere in this weary, cynical world those qualities still existed.

  As he had told Dennis, it didn’t really matter whether she was a Delilah or not. He would use her as she intended to use him. It had been a long time since any woman had posed a challenge to him. It might be interesting to find out how long a “courtship” it would take to bring her to his bed. He turned away. “I’ll be with you in a minute, Dennis. I need to shower and change. Help yourself to a drink.”

  “Dennis is coming to dinner, Jacto. He said you promised to teach him how to throw a boomerang.” Manda sat down in the shade under the canvas awning of the lean-to. The intense heat wavered before her eyes in visible rays. For a moment she thought wistfully of the coolness of Roman’s mobile home. Then she dismissed the thought firmly. It would be even hotter in the mine, and drawing comparisons would only make it worse. “Do you think you can keep him amused? I’m going to have to start working in the new tunnel this afternoon, so I can stop only briefly for dinner.”

  “You slept very little last night,” Jacto observed. “It would be best if you took a nap now and worked when the sun went down.”

  “No time. I may have to spend a few hours every evening over at the production set from now on, and that’s bound to interfere with my schedule. I’ll just have to work harder when I get the chance.” She sat up and reached for the canteen beside the bedroll. “Well, there’s no use putting it off. Once more into the breach.”