The Mistletoe Affair

Paul narrowed his eyes as he read the document. When he finished, he crossed his arms. “I'm not signing this.'

“Yes, you will. Katherine owes you nothing after this transaction.” Jared handed him a cashier's check for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Paul's mouth gaped as he stared at the check. He turned and gave her a murderous look. “I underestimated you.” His dark brow lifted. “Is this what it took to get you into Jared's bed?'

She gasped and her gaze flew to Jared.

His hands fisted and every muscle tensed, ready to pulverize Paul. “Katherine can't be bought, you piece of slime.'

She lifted her hand to stop Jared from lashing out. Paul deserved everything Jared could throw at him, but she didn't want Jared to dirty his hands on the jerk. “I sold everything I owned.'

Paul looked at her for a moment. He snorted and shook his head.

Katherine was incensed. He had obviously dismissed her statement as a lie. She would never get him to understand loving someone so much you'd sacrifice everything for his or her safety and happiness.

Jared handed him a pen, but he knocked it aside. Paul withdrew one from his jacket, signed his name to the document and threw the pen into the trash. He stood.

“You aren't leaving until Katherine gives you permission.'

“Like hell.” Paul stomped toward the door.

“Leave now, and I'll personally break your scrawny neck,” Jared promised.

Katherine jumped to her feet.

Paul stood at the door, hands on his hips, staring at her. His lips thinned into an angry line. “What the hell do you want?'

“Why don't you sit down, so we can both find out what Katherine wants?” Jared suggested levelly.

After Paul dropped back into the chair, Jared turned his head toward Katherine and, offering a sly wink, said, “You've got his attention.'

She remained standing, too nervous to sit down. Her mind became more alert to every detail. Her heart beat faster. Two pairs of eyes watched her. For the first time in her life, she was doing something for herself. It felt incredible.

She fisted her hands. “Damn you, Paul. How could you do this to me and my family?” She expelled a deep breath and shook her head. “I don't understand you. I never have.” Her mind tore to the past. “You purposely seduced me, made me think you loved me and married me-not for love, but for your family's approval.'

She looked down at Paul and couldn't believe her eyes.

Without looking her way, Paul reached forward, extracted another paperclip from the box on the desk, and added it to a chain he was idly constructing as she spoke.

She clenched her teeth.

Dear God, didn't he care about anything or anybody? She'd never told anyone what she was about to expose of her relationship with Paul, but she had a right to know the truth. The pain still hurt as she continued, “Why haven't you ever tried to be close to Matt? Was it because I didn't go through with the abortion you wanted me to have?'

He dropped the chain and glanced up. “Don't play the innocent,” he sneered. “You ingratiated yourself with my parents for one reason-to get your hooks into me. I knew it, but couldn't stop it. You forced me to marry you.'

He slammed his fist on the desk. “When we got married, I told you I didn't want kids. I took precautions, but you managed to get pregnant.” He threw her a knowing look. “Don't blame me if I ran around. You deserved it, in spades.'

It wouldn't do her any good to argue with Paul's twisted logic. Her mind returned to the night he had ordered her to get an abortion. His hateful words echoed around the room and she listened to them repeat themselves inside her mind. As the facts gelled, a dim, disgusted understanding took their place. She covered her mouth and stared at him in horror as a chill scraped up her spine. “You took precautions and I managed to get pregnant? You don't think Matt is your child, do you?'

“Hell, I know he isn't.'

Her hands shook. Blood rushed from her head leaving her dizzy and disoriented. The room spun.

“Who do you believe is the father?'

Pure hatred filled his eyes. “William. He's my brother's stinking kid.'

Her vision blurred, and she cleared her throat.

“William?” She shook her head, trying to integrate this insanity. She and William! How could he possibly believe that? “Your brother's happily married and has three children of his own. He showed Matt love because that's William's nature. He tried to make up for your neglect.'

Paul snorted. “I saw the way you two looked at each other. You didn't fool me.'

“The way we looked at each other?” She tried to remember any time that she and William might have given Paul the wrong impression, but drew a blank. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? We were friends, relatives. You've lost me.'

“Lust. I saw it.” He pointed an accusing finger at her.

“You're disgusting.” She pursed her lips and pointed an accusing finger right back at him. “So you came here and hoped to punish William, me and Matt some more. And you'd take over the reins from your father.'

Paul shook his head. “You'd get what you deserved.'

And so will you.

Katherine removed a folder from her briefcase. She pulled out a copy of a note she had typed and hand- delivered to Ann Young earlier today.

“What's this?” Paul scanned the contents and his mouth rounded. “I didn't write this shit. What gift are you hoping she'll accept with my love? I never gave that slut anything.'

“No, you didn't write it. I did. I sent her the emerald pendant you forced me to accept.'

His teeth gnashed. “What have you done, you bitch?'

She smiled grimly and held up her hand. “Oh, there's more. I called your father. Malcolm was surprised anyone knew about his retiring soon. He was particularly interested in your blackmail scheme to take control, the amount of money you exhorted out of me.'

Paul shot out of his chair, sending it hurling across the room and clanking into a potted palm. “You did what?! What the hell made you do that?' he bellowed.

“Your father made me promise I'd let him know if you didn't treat me right this time. I kept my promise.'

“I'm leaving.” He spun on his heels.

“Not yet,” she yelled after him. “I have one last parting gift for you.'

She stomped to the closet and opened the door. Stashed in the corner was a brand new, shiny shovel. The wooden handle was adorned with a bright red bow. Smiling, she presented it to Paul.

“Have at it,” she said.

He stared at the shovel before glaring at her.

Jared stood and moved toward him. “Don't go thinking any nasty thoughts, Paul. Just take the gift from the lady and leave.'

He aimed one furious, impotent look at her, but when Jared continued to move across the room he snatched the shovel from her and raced out.

The moment the door shut, strong, caring hands reached for her. “Jared,” she whispered as his arms enfolded her. “What he said was a lie. William-'

He placed a finger to her lips. “Shhh. Don't dignify Paul's ravings. That ex of yours makes me want to apologize for the whole male species. My tongue's almost bit clear through from holding it.'

He lifted her chin and his warm blue eyes gazed into hers. “You should be proud of yourself. The way you stood up to him.'

Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes and streaked down her face. She hiccupped. “You're proud of me?'

“Very much so.” His hands ghosted like a healing balm across her cheeks and wiped at the tears. “Don't cry, Katherine. He isn't worth it. He won't be back. You're free. Matt's free. Let's celebrate you letting go of the past