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In the end he flew back earlier than he’d planned and drove straight to her place. As he thudded up her stairs his anger grew yet more. He hated the fact that she lived in such a dive but he didn’t want her to live with him, damn it. And he didn’t want to be missing her when he’d gone to his bolt hole. He didn’t want to want her all the time like this.
He banged on the door and called out to let her know it was him.
The expression on her face when she opened it was pure frozen politeness.
‘How were your meetings?’ she asked. Too polite. Too finishing school. ‘Are your clients as good at snowboarding as you?’
So she knew.
The mask fell and fire flashed from her eyes. ‘I rang your office to get some info for Grandfather’s forms. Your mobile was switched off and your PA said you were out of range for a few days. “He won’t be back from Queenstown ’til Thursday.”’ she parroted. ‘But it’s only Tuesday. What happened Jared?’
‘It didn’t work out the way I wanted.’
‘What didn’t? Your precious time out?’
His muscles simmered, ready to flex and fight—but he kept them in check, sensing her body was stretched on an even tighter wire.
‘Why lie?’
‘I didn’t want to offend you,’ he trod carefully.
‘Why would it offend me? So you wanted some space. You’re a free man, Jared.’
True. So why did he feel this guilt, then? ‘I did have some meetings.’ He fell on the back foot. ‘Video conference.’
‘Just so long as there is no woman there.’
He froze, the comment knocking the breath from him. How the hell could she think that?
She stood with her legs wide, blocking the doorway, all female aggression. She’d have no hope of stopping him if he really wanted to get into her room, but there was that edge that made him pause. The frisson of danger emanating from her—as if she were perilously close to a precipice and he had no desire to push her from it. Not when he still wanted her so badly.
‘There is no woman, is there, Jared?’
‘You know there isn’t.’ Only her. Only the ghost of her following him every bloody where. And the thought of being with another woman made him feel sick—a fact that made his muscles bunch with even more anger.
‘Do I?’ she countered. ‘I only know what little you choose to tell me.’
There was nothing he could say to that.
‘And it would seem that even that might not be the truth.’ Her chin tilted. ‘Exclusivity wasn’t something we discussed at the start of this.’
‘You don’t leave any time or energy for anyone else and you know it.’ He leaned closer. ‘Let me in.’
‘No.’ She wouldn’t look him in the eye. ‘It’s not convenient now. I wasn’t expecting you back ’til Thursday.’ Her voice grew huskier. ‘I have other plans.’
So he was being punished. And she was as much of a liar as he was. But he moved forward fast, curling his hand round her neck before she could back away or shut the door on him. The kiss was deep as he let her feel his hunger for her, but it wasn’t nearly enough. He lifted his head and simply looked at her, watching for the moment. It happened gratifyingly quickly. She exhaled, leaned that fraction closer, mouth soft and parting, willing.
And then he pushed away. Punishing both of them. ‘Have fun.’
Amanda cursed as she leaned against the door and jammed her fingers into fists to stop herself running after him like the lovesick fool she was.
Who was she kidding?
That show of bravado and defiance had been nothing but the smoke of an illusionist and it had taken nothing for him to blow it away. She couldn’t hold out, couldn’t possibly compete with him for control. But why should he be the one to hold all the cards?
On Wednesday there was nothing. No call, no text, no email. She found out that the information the rest home needed had been faxed from his office directly.
On Thursday she caked on the make-up to hide the dark circles under her eyes. Even so Bronwyn frowned at her. ‘You look awful.’
‘I’ve not been sleeping well.’ At all in fact.
‘Go home early.’
She shook her head. Work was a distraction. She needed something to occupy her body and mind for as much time as possible and in chasing that aim stayed chained to her desk well beyond closing. By the time she got home the streetlights were on and the scent of ten different dinners hung in the hallway.
Jared was leaning on the wall next to her door.
Her feet stopped without her instruction.
‘I’m back,’ he drawled, with eyes dark and fathomless.
