Rebel's Bargain

Being with him was an outrageously bad idea. Every instinct screamed at her to walk away. He could spill his version of their break-up to the press and she’d survive. He could make divorce difficult but he couldn’t stop it.

It wasn’t too late to back out.

Except she was determined never to reveal vulnerability before him again. If she reneged on the deal he’d know it for weakness.

She had to face him and prove these feelings were mere phantoms of memory.

Poppy squared her jaw. She was woman enough to cope with him. After what she’d been through a few jibes were nothing.

‘You’d prefer if I made a fuss of you?’ She stepped closer, watching for some sign he could see her but his face remained impassive. Deep in her stomach tension swirled at the possibility he couldn’t see, and worse, he’d never see again.

She cleared a knot in her throat. ‘If you’re after someone to simper and sigh over you you’ve picked the wrong woman. Call one of your girlfriends instead.’

‘The claws are out, I see.’

Poppy shrugged, meeting that blank, reflective stare. ‘No claws. That implies I have a personal, emotional interest.’ She paused to let that sink in. ‘The only reason I’m allowing you to impose yourself is the prospect of a gloriously Chatsfield-free future.’ Poppy let her mouth curve in a smile that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Besides, no matter what you think of me I’m not the sort to kick a man while he’s down.’

No matter how much he deserved it.

‘So tell me, Orsino, what do the doctors say? I need to know if I’m going to help you.’

The sight of that wheelchair did nothing to dispel her concern. Had he damaged his spine? The idea chilled her to the marrow.

His lips twisted and she sensed his impatience.

‘They counsel patience.’

No wonder he was moody. Pain would be bad enough, but for Orsino, waiting to recuperate would be even worse. ‘I see.’

‘I’m glad someone does.’ He spoke under his breath but his bitter tone cut through the still air.

Poppy stepped closer, her gaze on those dark glasses. ‘You can’t see at all?’

He expelled a breath in a rush of air. ‘Let’s just say I won’t be driving a car any time soon.’

Poppy sucked in a sharp breath. Words of sympathy rose on her tongue but she forced them away, knowing he’d reject them. Instead she aimed for brisk and pragmatic.

‘If you’re blind, Orsino, I need to know. We’re returning to a photo shoot.’ She stumbled over ‘we’re’ and had to force down a pang of doubt. ‘I’ll be working long hours so I’ll be on-site but not always at hand. If you can’t see you’ll need a full-time carer.’

His lips turned up in a smile that showed his teeth. He looked like he wanted to snap a bite out of her.

‘God forbid that I should interfere with your exalted career.’ His drawl made the hairs on her nape rise and her jaw clench.

She refused to fight that battle again. Orsino had lost the right to an opinion years ago.

Poppy waited till her riotous pulse subsided before answering. ‘I refuse to be goaded, Orsino. I understand you’re hurting and scared but if you think you can take that out on me you’re mistaken.’

She ignored his hiss of indrawn breath. It was about time someone made him face the truth. ‘I’m not your whipping boy.’ She folded her arms, glaring down at him. ‘If you can’t understand that then the deal is off. I’ve already disrupted a very expensive shoot to be here, so don’t try your high-and-mighty attitude on me. I don’t expect gratitude.’ A sour laugh escaped at the very idea. ‘But I do expect common courtesy and politeness.’

Orsino leaned forward as if reading her features. ‘You’ve changed,’ he said finally. Poppy wasn’t sure if that was approval or regret in his voice.

‘I should hope so!’ She’d been unbearably naive when they’d met. You’d have thought her upbringing would have toughened her up but when it came to Orsino she’d been lamentably innocent. She’d been swept away on a fantasy of love that even common sense couldn’t puncture. Until it was too late.

‘Common courtesy? I think I can manage that. If you can.’

He shrugged and Poppy watched as those wide shoulders snagged her gaze again. Even in a wheelchair Orsino emanated a concentrated masculinity. It was just as well she was immune to him….

‘Good, now perhaps you’ll answer my question. Can you see?’

Orsino looked up at the slim woman standing rigid before him. One thing was clear. If he hadn’t been able to let the past go completely, nor had she.