‘You don’t strike me as the sort of woman who’d make a decision because something looks shiny.’
The corners of Christo’s appraising eyes crinkled in amusement, softening the inherent hardness of him.
‘Sorry to disappoint.’
Christo raised his glass to her with a slow smile. She couldn’t take her eyes from his perfect lips, the sensual way they curved. A slick of warmth bloomed deep inside her, aching to be satisfied in a way she’d never allow.
‘I find you intriguing. Plenty of time for disappointment later.’
Her breathing hitched. He wasn’t supposed to find anything about her interesting. ‘Aren’t I supposed to be asking some questions too?’
‘I’m not finished with you yet.’
Christo strolled back to his seat and sprawled on the couch in apparent indolence. She knew better. He watched her like a predator stalking from the shadows.
‘I don’t think this is how the game is supposed to be played,’ she said.
‘My rules.’
‘It’s unfair. And I’d never marry a man who was.’
He placed his hand over his heart. ‘You wound me. As your husband, I can’t have you thinking that. Ask your question.’
‘Why did your father force you to marry?’
There was that tightness round his eyes again. Christo tossed back his drink. She watched the fascinating bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
‘Because I intended to enjoy a bachelor’s life for ever. No marriage. No children.’
Children?
Thea tried to relax, resting her hands carefully in her lap. If only she could stop them trembling.
‘Is there something you haven’t told me? Your father didn’t demand a child in the terms of his will?’
A dark, brooding shadow passed across his face. He wasn’t looking at her, concentrating instead on the shimmering tumbler in his hand. It was her first sense that he had secrets himself.
The silence stretched. And then, ‘No. Hector’s uncouth, but that would be vulgar even for him. And I would have told you about the requirement if he had. Though who knows what he’d demand if he suspected this marriage is a sham?’
‘When are we going to meet your father, to prove it’s everything he hoped for?’
His eyes snapped to hers. That focus was relentless. She didn’t look away. She’d never been cowed by a man before, no matter how many times her father had tried. She wasn’t starting tonight.
Christo leaned forward with cautious deliberation, placing his glass on the table in front of him. ‘You’ll meet him when you’ve learned to play the role of wife to my satisfaction.’
‘I’m doing an excellent job as your wife.’
‘This morning?’ His eyes narrowed. ‘That fiction about my snoring like a hibernating bear?’
‘Don’t be dramatic.’
‘You called me a beast.’ A tiny muscle at his temple gave a satisfying twitch. ‘Then at dinner you told Anna I had an obsession with ear and nose hair growth.’
‘I was trying to be friendly. Women always complain about their husbands.’
It was another thing she and Anna laughed about. It had been such a long time since she’d laughed about anything.
‘Anyhow, I read somewhere it’s something men think about. Often.’
‘Perhaps you need a lesson in what men think about.’
The low growl of warning made her shiver in anticipation. She glanced at the huge bed. The soft pillows. Crisp white sheets.
Thea turned back to him. ‘There’s nothing I want to learn from you.’
‘Are you sure?’ he asked softly. ‘If you change your mind, all you have to do is ask. Nicely.’
‘Your vain hope’s begun to delude you. My presence is obviously a bad influence.’
That tight band in her chest gripped her again. Pressing harder. She needed to get out of here. To breathe something more than the scent of him, which curled through her with every inhalation and lit fires inside.
‘May I go now?’
He shrugged. ‘If you want.’
She stood. He watched, as if he’d assessed her and found her wanting. Like her father. But she could do this. If he found Alexis, everything would be worth it. She grabbed her book and made for the door.
‘Thea.’
The cold command in his voice stopped her.
‘No woman I’m sleeping with leaves my room looking like you do.’
A superior smile played on his lips. She wanted to wipe it from his face.
‘And how’s that?’
‘So completely untouched.’
Was this simply a terrible game to entertain a bored rich man? Her blood pumped hard and hot. She tossed her book and pen on a table. Tipped her head upside down and scratched her fingers through her hair till it was a tangled mess. Wiped her palm roughly across her lips so the gloss smeared.
‘There. Better?’ she sneered, hands on hips. ‘Or should I tear my clothes as well?’
His lips narrowed a fraction in displeasure. Excellent. Some hint that she’d affected him.
Thea whipped round to leave. She didn’t hear the silent footsteps marking his approach. Only sensed his heat as he moved close. She turned, her back against the cool wood of the door, tipping her head up to look at him. She was trapped by his devilish lips, the slash of high cheekbones. And his eyes... Sparkling and shimmering, like water in sunlight. Angry. Arresting.
She couldn’t move. His perfect fingers teased along her jaw, slipping down her throat and behind her head. An exquisite burn was left by his touch. She knew he could snap her. Break her like a twig. But the languid softness in his eyes said nothing of anger or hurting.
Another hand settled on her waist. Hot. Possessive. The atmosphere took on a life of its own. Trembling with the spark between them. His thumb traced the line of her lower lip. A whisper of a caress. Setting her body alight. The world blurred and her lips parted as if there would never be enough air to breathe.
He drew her close and she pressed into him. Hands on his chest. Liquid heat between her thighs. She should push him away, but those muscles under her palms... Sculpted. Like stone. Every morsel of him was too male, too much.
His mouth dropped to hers and her
