Not that she could reveal such a weakness when he was liable to see it as an opportunity to steamroll right over her.
She mustered some weak sarcasm. “Romantic as that proposal is, I respectfully decline to be the lever that pries your mother out of her rooms. Is that all? Because I’d like to make some calls while I don’t have a crying baby in my arms.”
“I’d like you to stop working.”
Her heart stammered, and she had to dredge up further strength to elevate her chin.
“While we’re throwing around things that won’t happen, I want you and Val to reconcile so I can socialize with my friend and her daughter.”
“Get another job in a few months. Running the estate is too much for you right now.”
“Your concern is noted. I’m fine,” she lied.
“I am concerned. You couldn’t wait five minutes before setting up your desk?” He pointed in the direction of the room where he’d found her. “That sort of workaholic behavior isn’t healthy when you only have yourself to worry about, never mind when you’ve recently delivered a baby. You should be resting more.”
“First of all, the mansplaining of the effects of childbirth is very cute. Thank you. But speak to any new mother. They all look like this.” She pointed at her face, very aware she was wan beneath the makeup she’d put on this morning. “What am I supposed to do if I don’t work? Become a lady of leisure? Perhaps I could take over the running of the villa from your mother? We got off on such a good note, I’m sure she’d love that.”
His jaw tightened.
She snorted. “Hit the nail on the head, did I?”
“She will step aside from her role once we’re married. That was her intention when I was engaged to Regina. So yes, you can take control of the villa. I assure you there’s enough to keep you busy.”
“Keep me busy?” She tucked her chin. “Why don’t you give me a box of crayons and a puzzle book if that’s the goal?”
He sighed. “It’s a real job, Scarlett. Did you oversee Dad’s vineyards? You could do that here.” He waved toward the terrace and the land beyond. “This villa is bigger than Dad’s. We host parties. It’s not a make-work project.”
“Why would I supervise your vineyards when I’m already doing that for your son?”
“Why be reasonable when you can be obstinate?”
“I’m the one being unreasonable? You’re upset that your mother won’t come out of her room and you are taking it out on me. No, Javiero, I will not quit my job. I want to do it and I have to do it. As for marriage, I’ve given you my terms.”
“Your terms are impossible. Even if you invited Kiara, do you think Val would allow her to come? I told you what he did to me, the corner he pushed me into. I don’t want him here and I won’t beg him to let Kiara and Aurelia come here. Did you know Kiara is marrying him? She’s not demanding you attend her wedding.”
“Because she knows I just had a baby and can’t travel. We texted about it.” She was trying not to let the tendrils of hope she detected in Kiara’s texts fill her with envy. Her friend deserved to be happy. “Besides, her situation is different. She and Val are…” She cleared her throat, then stood tall, refusing to be coy about it. “They’re sleeping together.”
He pointed at the massive bed. “That’s where you will be sleeping. With me.”
Her heart leaped into her throat and thrummed there, making it difficult to talk around it.
“And why would I agree to that?”
“So you can tell me when it’s my turn to get up with him.”
That did sound nice, actually. They’d bumped into each other in the hall a few times in Madrid, but she’d always sent him back to bed and dealt with Locke herself.
“You don’t have to,” she dismissed wearily, too conditioned to do everything alone to seriously consider relying on him. “I’ll manage.”
“No, you won’t. You’ll be sitting at a desk half the night if I’m not there to berate you for it.”
“That was one time! And it was a time zone thing!” She wanted to stamp her foot like a child. “I’m not giving up my job.”
“You don’t have to work. Do you realize how insulting it is that you won’t trust me to support you? You’re acting just like him, hanging on to that rotting pile of gold because what I offer isn’t enough. Exactly how high do your tastes run? Because I make a lot of money.”
“Is that what you think?” She was still angry, but his comparison of her to Niko defeated her. “I’m not saying that at all. Fine. Support me.” She threw out a hand. “In future, I’ll put all my nursing bras and vitamin supplements on your credit card. But I can’t ask you to support my family, Javiero.” She withered into a chair, no longer strong enough to keep this from him. “And that’s why I need to work.”
CHAPTER SIX
HE DIDN’T MOVE, but the dark umbrage in his expression eased to a more concentrated consideration. He pushed his hands into his pockets. “You haven’t said much about your family. Why are they dependent on you? How many are there? Tell me everything.”
“How much time have you got?” she asked with grim humor, glancing at the door in hopes Locke would make his way down here on his own steam. No such luck, however.
“I have all day,” Javiero assured her as he threw himself into the other wingback chair and stacked his feet on the footstool. His one eye packed a punch as he hit her with his intense stare.
She felt him willing her to spill her guts and her middle knotted up. She swallowed the rawness at the back of her throat, but it
