He wanted May, he admitted it. Wanted her pretty badly. But so many things stood between them, it seemed, not least his friendship with April.
Which was something he definitely didn’t understand.
And May had no intention of confiding in him…
He gave her a searching look. ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you’re an actress, that the reason David Melton is being so persistent is because he wants you to take a part in one of his films?’
He saw May’s eyes widen at the fact that he even knew that much about her. Well, damn it, he had certainly wanted some sort of explanation from David and April for what had happened at lunchtime. Besides, what was wrong with David Melton having told him that much, at least? It had certainly put his own mind at rest concerning the other man’s intentions towards May.
He only wondered at May’s complete determination that she would never appear in that film…
‘Wanting and getting are two different things,’ May answered him tautly. ‘I’m sure David must also have told you that I’ve turned down his offer? Several times.’
His mouth twisted. Yes, the other man had been most emphatic concerning his interest in May. ‘He told me.’ He nodded. ‘He was a little hazy as to why, though,’ Jude added slowly.
‘Was he?’ May
gave a humourless smile.
Jude looked at her searchingly. ‘Is it because of your determination to hang onto this farm?’
Something flickered in those normally candid green eyes, something that was masked before he had time to even begin to analyse it—giving him the distinct impression that whatever May was about to say in answer to his question, it was far from the truth.
He also knew that, until this moment, the one thing May had given him had been honesty—no matter how insulting or rude it might have been!
‘Yes, that’s it,’ she dismissed easily.
Too easily, too smoothly, Jude knew, his frustration with this situation deepening. ‘I don’t believe you,’ he bit out hardly.
Her eyes widened mockingly. ‘And is that supposed to bother me?’ She gave a rueful shake of her head. ‘Jude, I think you have an overinflated opinion of your own importance. Especially where I’m concerned!’ Her eyes flashed warningly.
‘May…!’ he snapped impatiently, knowing she was back to being deliberately insulting.
Her brows rose tauntingly. ‘Jude?’
His mouth thinned angrily. She was the most difficult woman it had ever been his misfortune to meet. Seconds ago she had been responsive and pliant in his arms, on the brink, it seemed to him, of the two of them making love together, and now she was back to being that mockingly defensive woman that just made him want to shake her until her teeth rattled.
Which action would get them about as far as her deliberate antagonism.
‘May, you—’ He broke off as she suddenly looked startled before moving quickly to the kitchen window. ‘May, what is it?’ He frowned his irritation.
‘I’m not sure—oh, no…!’ she groaned achingly, her face white as she turned from looking out of the window. ‘I—it’s—what have you done, Jude?’ she groaned accusingly.
He looked startled. ‘Me? But—’
‘You knew I didn’t want— How could you—? What am I going to do now?’ she wailed emotionally.
‘What the hell are you talking about?’ Jude demanded impatiently even as he strode purposefully over to look out of the window, easily recognising at least two of the people getting out of the car that was now parked in the yard. And having recognised Max and Will, it wasn’t too difficult to work out that the two beautiful dark-haired women with them, their likeness to May apart, had to be their fiancées, January and March.
Or to know, by one glance down at the anxiety on May’s face, that her two sisters were the last people she wanted to see right now.
And from the accusing way she had looked at him just now, the way she had spoken, she obviously believed he had something to do with her sisters arriving back here so unexpectedly.
CHAPTER SEVEN
‘HOW could you?’ May demanded again, tears of frustration brimming in her eyes. ‘You knew I didn’t want them back here—’
‘May, whatever you may think of me,’ Jude cut in forcefully, ‘I did not tell anyone that you were managing here alone, least of all your sisters, or Max and Will.’