Quiet Walks the Tiger - By Heather Graham Page 0,62
had already taken it and thankfully quelled her desire to throw herself at him before she made a fool of herself.
“Darling,” he said coolly, brushing frigid lips against her forehead and encircling a cold arm of steel lightly around her waist. “Jim was just thanking me for sanctioning this little venture.”
Sloan stiffened miserably within his grasp, knowing how he mocked her. She met his gaze with crystal defiance, miserably praying he wouldn’t defrock her series of lies before Jim and that she wouldn’t hit the end of her nerves and burst into the tears she was sure he would love. And still he had her hypnotized, trembling beneath her barrier of ice, wishing so desperately that she could forget everything and curl into his arms, satiate herself with the male power and light dizzying scent that radiated from him...
“We are a success, as you can see,” she said quickly, forcing a stiff smile. “Your investment will be made back in our first year.”
“Will it?” Wes inquired politely.
“Yes, I really believe it will!” Jim said with innocent enthusiasm. He laughed as he realized neither Sloan nor Wes really paid attention to him. “This must be some surprise for you both. Sloan said you didn’t think you’d be in for some time when you spoke to her last night!”
“Did you say that, darling?” Wes asked Sloan, his dagger gaze turning fully to her and his lips curling sardonically.
Sloan moistened her lips, hating him at that moment, ready to scream if he didn’t clear things one way or another.
“Yes, I decided to surprise her,” Wes continued in his pleasant tone with the iron edge. “And I certainly am surprised myself, darling. I never expected such professionalism when we, uh, discussed, your business.” He brushed a damp strand of hair from Sloan’s face. “That was quite a dance you were doing when I walked in, Sloan. ‘Cold As Ice,’ wasn’t that the tune?” he inquired politely, his sardonic smile still nicely in place. He had missed his wife’s expression of pleading when she saw him; she had carried off her reserve and dignity so well as she approached him that he had no idea that she was longing to see him, praying for his loving touch. All he saw was the woman who had admittedly married him for his money, who now appeared to be annoyed that he had come home to watch her spend it...the woman he had loved half his life...still loved...“‘Cold As Ice,’” he repeated pleasantly, not waiting for her reply and murmuring his last comment as if he teased someone. “What is it, sweetheart, your theme song?”
Sloan grinned along with Jim’s unknowing laughter, but she felt a shivering chill streak along her back. She knew he wasn’t teasing, and she dreaded the confrontation coming between them when they were alone. She vowed as she forced that grin that she would never break to him; if he had pegged her as cold and mercenary and now despised her still, she would never let him know how the tables had turned and she pined for his love. “Yes,” she teased as he had, but her eyes glared like blue ice into his, “my theme song.”
“Lord,” Jim jumped in, absurdly unaware of the tension that filled the air around them. “Here I am interrupting you two when you’ve already had a honeymoon interrupted. Sloan, Wes—go home, or wherever you two newlyweds want to be after a separation. I’ll finish up with Patty and lock up.”
“No,” Sloan started to protest, fear of being with her husband alone suddenly gripping her fiercely. But Wesley overrode her protest.
“Thanks, Jim,” he said, straightening and running a cold, taunting finger along Sloan’s cheek, making her bite her lip to keep from flinching. “I would like to be alone with my, uh, wife.” He dropped his hand from her face. “Get your things, Sloan.” It was softly spoken, but undeniably a command.
Rigid with anger and the fear she couldn’t quite squelch, Sloan lowered her eyes and opted for obedience. She had to face him sooner or later.
“I have my own car—” she started briskly as they left the school and Jim behind, “Cold As Ice” once more blaring from the stereo.
“Leave it,” Wes said just as briskly. “We can get it tomorrow.”
Sloan shrugged and walked along with him to the Lincoln, poker-faced as he opened her door and ushered her in. She was sure he was going to rail into her immediately, tearing her apart piece by piece for