Rebel's Bargain

‘Life’s too short to wait for the impossible.’

His mouth cocked up at the corner. ‘You know, I could almost come to miss your sassy comebacks.’

Poppy refused to respond to his smile. Work had become a nightmare test of nerves once she became aware of his presence. She carried tension like a weight between her shoulderblades.

‘Is there anything in particular you want, Orsino?’

He stood, blocking her way.

‘Now there’s a question.’ His smile grew rakish and the charged air between them sizzled, reigniting the slow burn of resentment she’d felt by the river. To experience that zing of attraction after he’d spent the morning ogling every other woman on-site was the final straw.

‘Leave it, Orsino. I’m not in the mood.’

He nodded. ‘You’ve had a difficult day.’

Poppy’s eyes rounded. Was he having a dig? It couldn’t be genuine sympathy.

‘Right. So if you’ll excuse me.’ She made to go up the stairs but he stood solidly in front of them. A tantalising hint of cedar wood and warm male tickled her nostrils and she quivered, despising herself for the response she couldn’t prevent.

‘You seem out of sorts.’

Poppy breathed out slowly, trying to banish the scent of him. ‘I’m fine.’

‘You don’t sound it.’ He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking as if he had all the time in the world to stand there, annoying her.

She sighed, feeling her control bleeding away. The tension spread from her shoulders now, up the back of her neck. ‘I don’t know what you want, Orsino, but this isn’t the time. Please let me pass.’

‘I’m only offering a little sympathy.’

‘Sympathy? About my work?’ She shook her head. ‘That’s rich. You always resented it.’

‘Perhaps because you used it as an excuse to exclude me.’ His voice was silky smooth and all the more irritating for being totally controlled.

‘Exclude you?’ She gaped. ‘You were the one who didn’t want to share, going off on your precious expeditions. My work is my career, my livelihood. But you never understood how important that is.’ Poppy heaved a choking breath and tried to slow her racing pulse.

How dare he stand there looking smug and superior? He was as much to blame for the disaster their marriage had turned into as she.

‘Oh, I understood. Eventually.’ He rocked back on his heels. ‘When I realised you’d married me for what I could give you: money, position, celebrity. A shortcut on your way to the top.’

Poppy’s hands jammed on her hips at the sheer unfairness of that. Fury coiled like a living thing within, writhing to break free. She wouldn’t give in to it. Instead she stalked closer, halting when he didn’t budge. Without his walking stick or his sling he looked fit as ever. Intimidatingly large and masculine. Undeniably handsome despite the scar from his hairline to his dark glasses. Poppy shivered.

‘You look fit enough, Orsino. Maybe it’s time for you to move out.’

‘Unfortunately my vision will be a handicap for a while yet.’ He shrugged casually, setting her teeth on edge. ‘Plus it’s going to take a while for me to regain my strength.’

‘You seem to be managing those stairs just fine. And you don’t look in the least weak.’

Orsino crossed his arms over his chest and she saw the bulge of plaster over his forearm beneath his pullover. ‘I’m glad you think so.’

He tilted his head to one side as if surveying her better. His hair was just long enough for it to flop over his brow, accentuating the hard perfection of his features.

She hated that she even noticed.

‘Why are you so eager for me to leave, Poppy? Don’t tell me you’re afraid?’ His tone was pure provocation.

Poppy had had enough. She moved aside to ascend the stairs. Orsino’s good arm shot out, palm flat against the wall, barring her way.

His arm across her breasts felt like a rod of tempered steel but she refused to retreat.

He shifted, crowding her against the wall so she couldn’t help but feel defenceless beside his bulk.

Red misted her vision as childhood memories swirled around her.

‘Don’t throw your weight around with me, Orsino Chatsfield. Just because you’re bigger and stronger, you can’t bully me.’

She grabbed his arm and tugged but he didn’t budge. Hard muscle and raw strength encompassed her and for a frantic instant fear rose. Her breath sawed in her throat as she tried and failed to repress the sense of dark menace bubbling to the surface.

Before she could conquer it, Orsino dropped his arm.

‘Poppy?’ His wide brow wrinkled.