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‘Woah, Tara, watch where you’re going,’ said a voice. Tara looked up blearily at the person she had crashed into, realising it was Harry. ‘Hey, is everything OK?’ he asked, looking at her in concern.

‘No. No, it’s absolutely not.’ Tara shook her head, alarmed to find that tears had sprung up out of nowhere. She was not going to cry over Kit and Fliss, she told herself. They weren’t worth it.

She stared up at Harry and shrugged, taking another swig of champagne.

‘Is it Kit Forrest you’re pissed off with? Immune to your charms, is he?’ He raised an eyebrow sardonically.

‘Get lost, Harry,’ Tara said miserably. ‘You’re enjoying this.’

‘I’m not.’ Harry took the bottle from her and swigged a large mouthful. ‘He’s an idiot. You’re the hottest babe here.’

Tara’s eyes flashed. ‘You really think so?’

‘Tara, don’t waste your time worrying about some loser,’ he said laconically. ‘You are hot as hell, and you know it. You could have any man you want.’

Tara’s lips curved upwards into a smile. If there was one thing that could always cheer her up, it was attention. Male attention. She gazed up at Harry. He was undoubtedly good-looking, an unruly mop of dark hair on his head and delicious dark stubble on his chin. And he was cool, always giving off an air of relaxed confidence, as if life was one big party. Tara knew there was a streak of cold ambition there, though.

And there had always been a spark between them, hadn’t there? she reminded herself. A few times over the years they had become … entangled. Both gravitating towards each other when they weren’t seeing other people. In fact, only the other week she had gone back to his flat after a few drinks, and one thing had led to another …

‘I always get what I want, Tara,’ he said. ‘And right now I want you.’

In an instant they were hungrily kissing, quickly becoming hot and heated.

‘This way,’ she murmured, leading him towards the stairs. His hands were all over her, and God, it felt good to be wanted. It was the best thing for her ego right now.

She pulled him into her bedroom and locked the door. Neither of them were in any doubt as to what was happening, caught up in a whirl of heightened emotions and alcohol. They didn’t waste any time undressing one another, falling backwards onto the bed.

Tara didn’t want to think anymore, she only wanted to feel. To push out the memories of Kit and Fliss and their betrayal. All she wanted was to exist in the moment, to give in to sensation, heedless of the consequences.

But there was one last thought that went through her mind before lust took over.

I aways get what I want too, simpering, pathetic Fliss. Just you wait and see.

Part Three

Chapter 16

Cotswolds

Present day

‘Oh God, Tara, I can’t get enough of you …’

‘Ohhh, you’re the best, Harry … I’ve waited ages for this!’

In a distant corner of Clarendon Manor, Tara was pressed up against a wall in a hallway, Harry’s hands running over her body as they kissed urgently.

‘What was that?’ Harry froze, his head jerking up.

Tara paused, frustrated, listening for a second. ‘I don’t hear anything except your paranoia.’

‘Tara …’

Tara rolled her eyes, but didn’t want Harry feeling on edge. ‘Come on, this way,’ she said, taking him by the hand and leading him further along the corridor, before slipping inside one of the rooms. It had once been the nursery but now looked as though it was used for storage, containing stacks of cardboard boxes, an abandoned desk and a dusty chaise longue that had seen better days. A large silver key was sticking out of the old-fashioned lock and Tara turned it with a wicked smile, hearing the satisfying click. ‘There. Is that better?’

Harry grinned back. ‘Christ, you’re such a little minx, Tara. But I can’t be too long in case Katie suspects something.’

Tara’s face instantly changed. ‘Does it matter? You said you were going to tell her.’