Arden shrugged her shoulders. ‘Felix told me how determined you were to push him aside and take over.’
‘Did he,’ he said, in a way that made the words a statement, not a question.
‘Felix was old, but he wasn’t a fool. He knew what you wanted—’
‘—and you helped him find a way to keep me from getting it.’ His eyes bored into hers. ‘How generous of you, Arden.’
‘If you’re implying that I suggested he leave the ranch to me—’
‘I’d rather a court made that determination.’
‘That’s ridiculous! I told you, Felix and I never discused El Corazon or what should be done with it.’
‘No?’
‘No!’
He smiled coolly. ‘But you just said you did.’
‘Wipe that smug look from your face, Conor! Felix told me you wanted to snatch the ranch from him. End of story.’
‘Did it ever occur to you to ask me my plans for El Corazon instead of swallowing Felix’s story intact?’
‘Are you telling me he was lying?’
‘I’m not telling you anything, for God’s sake!’
Arden laughed in his face. ‘Who’s got a foul mouth now?’
Conor reached out and grabbed her. ‘You’ll drive me to more than profanity, if you’re not careful!’
‘Get out of my way, Conor.’
His jaw tightened. ‘Where are you going?’
‘That’s none of your business!’
‘It’s my business if you’re going to sashay around my stables.’
Arden laughed incredulously. ‘I don’t believe you! We just talked about whose property this is, and still you have the nerve to—’
‘El Corazon is still in my possession. And possession is nine-tenths of the law.’
‘You can’t possess what you don’t own.’
He took his hands from his back pockets suddenly, and she fell back. Her shoulders hit the wall and the atmosphere crackled with tension.
‘Shall I prove my possession to you, Arden?’
Her heart kicked against her ribs, but when she spoke, her voice was cool and controlled.
‘I should have known. When discussion fails, try intimidation.’
His smile softened, grew sexy and dangerous. ‘Intimidation? Is that what you call this?’
‘What would you call it?’
He laughed softly. ‘I’m sure we can come up with a name, if we try hard enough.’