I grabbed the thick throw blanket from the bottom of the bed, throwing it over my shoulders.
“You left the garden all tore up. Empty. No roses. You left them there to die.”
“Violet—she surprised me. After that, we started back in the house.”
“I believe you,” he said. “I believe you bought this place.”
“Oh, good,” I said, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. But he refused to acknowledge my truth, my God-honest truth! I knew then that nothing I said was going to change his mind. Proof. He needed proof.
As if he read my mind, he repeated my words.
“What?” I said, halfway to the bathroom.
“I have proof,” he said.
“Proof of what?”
“You should know.”
I refused to allow him to bait me, to coerce me into admitting to something that I didn’t do! Even the thought never crossed my mind. Ever. The blood rushed to my cheeks in a furious heat wave, and I slammed the bathroom door, locking myself in.
He was precariously close to pushingmeoff the edge.
Wanting to avoid his glacier mood and mindset, I took extra care with my hair, making sure every curl was perfect. I played up my eyes, using black liner to create a cat-eyed look, a little mascara for more drama, and finished with red lips to make my green eyes brighter. The Tuscan sun lent its shimmer, and the effect was like candlelight on water.
I chose a two-piece all lace dress that bared a hint of midriff. It was similar to one I had worn in Paris. He didn't like it. Not on me out in public, anyway. The lace was revealing. Only a sewn-in bikini bottom hid my modesty. The skirt landed right below my calves, but the softness that I now possessed made me feel more like a woman. The dress accentuated that.
Or perhaps it was the surge of confidence that washed over me. I was poking the beast with a stick. But I knew the game and how to play it well.
I spritzed on some perfume and met him outside the door. He stood with his back against the wall, arms and legs crossed, watching me carefully. He sniffed, scenting the air, nostrils flaring.
“I’m not a man to be teased, Scarlett.”
Moving slowly, I made sure every step counted. Placing my lips achingly close to his, I whispered, “I know,baby.”
His eyes gazed at the nearness, at the temptation with a single-minded objective.Take. Control. Mine.The demon that possessed him was in control though.
If you would just listen! Listento me! Believe me! No, I have to prove your proof wrong. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m giving in, but hell if I don’t do it my way.
Opening my mouth, baring my teeth to him, I slammed my jaw shut with a snap.
Holy Mary, did I bite at him?Why yes,yes,I effing did!
I went to walk away but my body pulled back. He was as magnetic as the northern star. “Release me,” I said with total possession of myself. “Release me from your hold.”
He gave me what I wanted. He closed his eyes for a moment. Then I walked away, swaying my hips back and forth as I did so. He didn't follow. Not right away, which made me hesitate on the steps.
My mission reached the surface, though, and it pushed me forward, high heels lightly tapping against the floor as I made it into the bright, cheerfulness of the kitchen.
“Morning,” Maggie Beautiful said, a lovely grin on her face. “Did Brando get in?”
Taking the coffee she offered with thanks, I only nodded. She didn’t even see him, waiting in the darkness.Effing scary.Then I turned back to her, realizing that she was up before me. A rarity. “You must have had a good time.”
Whatever she saw on my face made her study me for a moment before she nodded “I did. We went to seeIt Started With A Kiss. I forgot how much fun movies could be.”
I nodded, taking out a few slices of melon. I’d take them with me for the ride. I wanted a little honey, so I opened thestillbroken cabinet and it came down with a crash against my head, but Brando walked in and I was too proud to even utter“OW.”
Maggie Beautiful laughed and I shot her a mean look, rubbing the tender spot. It stung so badly that it itched.
