‘Greedy, entitled and infuriating?’
She chuckled and some of the tension wrapping around his neck and shoulders eased. If Jason had scared or hurt her, Conall wouldn’t answer for his actions. ‘Yes. And stupid too, to think I’d betray you with him.’
‘He wanted you?’
Of course he’d wanted her. She was beautiful inside and out. She was also the most effective, insightful person in his employ. He hoped that, over time, she’d take a much higher profile role.
Conall’s hand tightened and she stretched out her other leg, offering a second foot to be massaged.
‘It was a bit clumsy, really. He said he wanted me but he couldn’t really have expected me to say yes.’
‘You’d be surprised. An excess of self-confidence and wealth can be attractive.’
Greer’s eyes narrowed but this time not in pleasure. ‘He also said you were used to him taking things off you.’
Conall put his glass down with careful precision, then turned his attention to massaging her feet. He hated talking about his family. He preferred not even to think about them. But if he’d overcome his abhorrence and told Greer about his relatives perhaps she wouldn’t have let his half-brother corral her alone.
‘I’m sorry. I should have warned you.’
‘You weren’t to know he’d be there.’
‘I knew you’d meet my family eventually. They had to find out we’d married sometime.’
Those indigo eyes held his steadily. ‘He said another guest mentioned you were here with your bride.’
‘If I had my way, neither of us would have anything to do with my relatives.’
‘Does this have anything to do with why you kept our marriage secret?’ There was an edge to her voice.
‘Partly. I grew up in the full, intrusive glare of the public eye, and while things are much better now, I remember what it’s like to have people turning your private life into news stories. I told you that at the time. I wanted to give you time before the press got you in its sights.’ He frowned. ‘Didn’t you believe me?’
Greer shifted her weight as if to sit higher but he held her foot firmly, running both thumbs up the centre of her sole until she sighed and sank back.
‘I did. But I also wondered if you thought I wouldn’t make the grade in public as a rich man’s wife. My background is so different.’
Shock gripped him. ‘You thought I was ashamed of you?’
She looked away. ‘I didn’t know. You said it was to protect me but I couldn’t help wondering. I’m your PA, remember? We come from different worlds.’
Conall stared, trying to process the idea. ‘You’re the most phenomenal person I know.’ Her gaze locked on his and hefelther surprise. ‘How could I be ashamed of you?’
But not everyone had been raised to believe the world was theirs for the taking. Greer wasn’t shy or self-effacing. She seemed comfortable dealing with everyone, from colleagues to wealthy and powerful business contacts.
Yet one of her core competencies was the ability to hide her thoughts and feelings. He’d only learned recently how much she hid behind an air of calm.
‘I’m sorry,’ she murmured. ‘I shouldn’t have read anything else into your actions. But you took me by surprise when you suggested marriage. Everything happened so fast and I was playing catch-up.’
He exhaled. He remembered only too well her reticence about marrying and his secret indignation that she didn’t immediately say yes.
For him their marriage couldn’t have come fast enough. When Greer became pregnant and spoke of keeping the baby, maybe giving up her job to care for it alone, he’d realised how much he needed her in his life. He couldn’t watch her walk away, especially with his child.
Conall knew what it was like to be young and vulnerable, without a protector. When his mother died he’d been shunted into his father’s so-called care. If anything happened to him he wanted Greer and their child to have every legal and financial protection.
‘I’ve never been ashamed of you, Greer, and I never will. Ihavewanted to keep you safe.’ He shook his head. ‘I should have explained better, especially about my family.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘My father has five children by four women and Jason’s probably the worst, if you don’t count my father.’
