“Peyton, don’t be rude.” Irene adjusted her sapphire skirt as she crossed her long legs.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Peyton stood, crossing to the glass-and-sterling-silver coffee table in the middle of the room. “I’m just wondering what Bruce hopes to accomplish with this visit.”
It was clear whose side her parents had taken. Their lack of support depressed her. Peyton served the bowls of pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream.
“I would have thought my motive was clear.” Bruce tried a debonair smile as he took the spoon and bowl of pie and ice cream from her. “I’m here to win you back.”
He looked so sincere, gazing deeply into her eyes. She would have fallen for his act—if she hadn’t known him.
Peyton gave him a wide-eyed look. “Is that all right with Leila?”
Bruce’s pretty face stiffened. “What does Leila have to do with us, honey?”
“She was with you in your office the evening I called to break off our engagement, remember?” She served her mother the pumpkin pie à la mode.
“We were working.” Bruce’s dark brown eyes appeared confused.
Peyton laughed without humor. She was strong and in control as she never had been before. “Don’t insult my intelligence.”
“Why does it matter whether his secretary was in his office?” Irene gestured toward Peyton with her dessert bowl.
“Leila wasn’t working with him. She was working on him.” Peyton gave her father one of the two remaining desserts, then returned to her armchair with the last bowl.
“What does that mean?” Carlson added pie and ice cream to his fork.
Peyton studied the suddenly speechless Bruce. Was that fear she saw in his eyes? It should be. “His devoted secretary was giving him oral sex while he was speaking with me—”
Bruce’s soft features darkened. His laughter was forced. “That’s absurd.”
“That’s disgusting!” Irene’s sharp tone denounced her.
“That’s ridiculous.” Carlson’s growl condemned her.
Peyton heard again the rustling sounds as Bruce squirmed in his chair. She recalled his breath panting and hitching into the phone.
“I heard the two of you whispering on the other end of the line.” Peyton wasn’t certain from where her words came; months of frustration boiled over. “You were moaning as she sucked you to completion.”
“Peyton!” Irene’s blush rivaled her ruby sweater.
“I don’t have to listen to these accusations.” Bruce’s voice shook.
Peyton arched a brow. “If you stay here, you do.”
“Peyton.” Carlson tried a reasonable tone. “You don’t have any reason to be suspicious of Bruce. I’m in the office with him sometimes six days a week. I’ve never noticed any romantic gestures between him and his secretary.”
“Their affair isn’t the kind of thing they’d publicize in front of you.” Peyton glanced at her father.
“Is that the reason you ended our engagement? You think I’m having an affair? With Leila?” Bruce gave a scornful laugh.
“No.” Peyton returned her dessert to the tray on the coffee table. “I broke our engagement because I don’t love you. But one of the reasons I don’t love you is that you’re a cheating dog.”
“Honey, how can you say that?” Bruce stood, spreading his arms. “Yes, Leila is a very beautiful woman, but I proposed to you. I love you.”
“You see, Peyton?” Irene pressed her hand against her chest as though preparing to swoon. “How can you doubt his love?”
“Easily.” Peyton turned away from her mother and back to Bruce.
“Do you have any evidence to back up your suspicions?” Carlson sounded impatient.