Page 54 of Landry
She strolled over to stand in front of the fire. It would not do for him to see how much she wanted his arms around her. “I see you've been well informed. By my brother, no doubt.”
“Yes.” Making a decision, he marched over and grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around. He wanted her with a fiercenesshe was finding alarming. “I wanted to sink my fist in his face when I first saw him. But after he explained everything, I resisted the urge to rearrange his pretty face. He loves her.” Letting her go, he paced to the window. He could see the guards outside, and it made him uneasy.
“You doubted that?”
“Yes. He ruined her. When he left, she was broken and it took a while for her to recover. She's my bloody sister and whatever hurts her, hurts me. But he loves her.” He turned to face her, eyes skimming over the figure-hugging wool she had on. Her hair was loose and flowing down her back. He wanted to devour her whole.
“What do you want from me?”
The abrupt change of subject startled her. “I imagine it's the same thing you want from me.”
“And what exactly do you think I want from you?”
“Sex, that's what you told me.”
His face was inscrutable, even though his heart was pounding. “Is that all you want?”
Kathy felt frustration and anger vying for supremacy. “If that's all you're prepared to give.”
“What do you want? And don't give me that crap about wanting what I'm prepared to give. For once, be honest.”
“Aren't I always?” she asked archly, her brittle mood collapsing at the look on his face.
“I want more.”
“How much more?” He was crossing the room and coming towards her.
“So much more.” She took a deep breath when he stood in front of her.
“You've been married two times. Why did they not last?” He had to know, God help him, he had to know.
Lifting her chin, she met his eyes squarely. “I was foolish and acting out.”
“Both times?” he persisted. “Is that all the institution means to you? A way to get back at your parents?”
“No!” she cried. “I made mistakes. I was chafing at the restrictions and wanted to pay them back for plucking me away from home.” She started to turn away, but he would not let her. “Let go of me.”
“No.” His fingers bit into her shoulders. “Because if we're going to do this, I want to- no-” He shook his head. “I need to know you can make a commitment.”
“You don't think I can.”
“No, I don't.”
“Go to hell.” Her jade-green eyes sparkled with tears she refused to let fall.
“Believe me, I'm already there,” he told her grimly. He drew her in. “I have feelings for you and it's damn complicated because very soon, your brother will be taking my sister as his wife. Idon't have your kind of money. You're spoiled-” He tightened his grip when she started to move away. “You're used to having men trail behind you. I'm not that kind of guy. I won't put up with you thinking you can use me and discard me at will. So, I need to know if you'll stick.”
“You don't trust me.”
“Trust is earned.”
“Damn you to hell! I'm in love with you. There, I've said it. And before you ask, I've never been in love before. Now, please let me go. The guards are waiting.”
“You're not going anywhere.” His face was a mask of fury. “You think you can just drop the L-bomb on me and waltz out of here?”
“I can do anything I damn well please.” Her eyes glittered with a combination of fury and tears. He had not said it back to her. She had declared her love for the first time in her life, and the bastard was standing there looking at her as if she had told him she had given him herpes. Well, to hell with him. “I'm Kathy Joanie Crenshaw and can do whatever I bloody well please.”
“Not anymore.” His fingers were biting into her flesh. “And if you think you can walk out on me, if you get bored or happen to fancy another guy- Hey!” The punch connected and had him almost doubling over in pain. “What the hell!”
