t, Alex.’ She defied him.
‘Then, if that is so, I will be forced to do something about it.’ The illusion of icy control was abruptly cast aside as strong hands curved around her forearms. ‘No way are you walking out on our marriage after less than a month.’
‘You can’t stop me,’ she said bluntly, but even so it took all her courage to stare bravely up into Alex’s face.
‘Oh, but I can.’ A hard-boned savagery contorted his handsome features. ‘You are mine, and mine you will stay until I decide otherwise.’
‘Caveman tactics went out with the Dark Ages, Alex. Or hadn’t you heard?’ she hit back sarcastically, but inside she was quaking at the force of his rage.
‘No.’ His fingers held her tight. ‘I am not letting you go until I get to the bottom of your outrageous behaviour. What do you take me for?’
He set her free and backed off a few steps, but his angry gaze held hers with narrow-eyed intensity. ‘The truth is Lisa, this sudden desire to be single again is not just because of last night. The girl with whom I spent the last few weeks would have laughed off the episode, without a murmur. No. There is a hidden agenda here.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ But she knew she sounded less than convincing. The thought of Alex’s betrayal with Nigel lay heavily on her mind.
A black brow lifted sardonically. ‘Oh, I think you do. But if you imagine I am parting with half a million pounds for barely a month in your bed, then forget it. You’re good, but not that good.’ And, turning around, he collected a jacket from the wardrobe and slipped it on.
Hectic colour tinged her cheeks; she had forgotten about the prenuptial agreement. ‘That’s a filthy thing to say, and utterly ridiculous.’
Slowly he turned back to face her. ‘No more ridiculous than your demand for a divorce,’ he whipped back derisively. ‘I want the truth, Lisa, and I intend to get it.’ With an angry glance around the small room, he added, ‘But the dressing room is no place for a serious talk.’ Taking her arm, he herded her through into the living area. Lisa was too surprised to object.
He’d had the audacity to suggest she was a gold-digger, when the reverse was true! But then, with her common sense returning, she recognised his ploy for what it was. A way of putting her on the defensive. Well, it was not going to work. When he pushed her down on to the leather sofa, she glared up at him with narrowed eyes. ‘Think what you like, but it does not alter my position. I am leaving here today.’
Alex glanced at the watch on his wrist, and then at her flushed face. His dark eyes were calculatingly hard. ‘I have a breakfast meeting, and not much time.’
‘As soon as you leave, so shall I,’ she asserted.
‘You love your stepfamily. This I know.’ A ruthless smile slanted his sensuous mouth. ‘You stay here, or I will ruin them.’
She stared at him, her mind whirling. ‘Why would you do that?’ From what she had overheard, Nigel was in league with him, and personally Lisa didn’t care if creepy Nigel fell flat on his face. But she did love Harold, and it might hurt him. Alex could certainly ruin Lawson’s if he discovered she had given away her majority.
‘Because, my sweet—’ he glanced again at the slim gold watch on his wrist ‘—I have no more time to argue.’
Lisa couldn’t take it in at first. He had no time. His simple reason for threatening to destroy Nigel and Harold was all the more believable when he used that casual endearment. Even after last night, believing Alex had deceived her, she still had not quite believed the man she had married was so utterly and completely ruthless. But, looking up into his hard eyes, she realised he was not only serious but he was perfectly capable of doing what he said without a qualm of conscience. But then the man had no conscience.
‘Have I made myself clear?’ Alex drawled hardily.
‘But what you’re suggesting is despicable; it’s nothing short of blackmail.’
‘No worse than what you are trying to do. Our prenuptial gives you half a million for a month. No woman is worth that.’
‘But I’m not. I didn’t…’ Lisa could not believe what was happening. He had turned the tables on her. She felt that she was in some nightmare, and that any second she would wake up and discover last night had never happened, or, better still, she amended, the last seven weeks had never happened.
‘I have to return to Stratford today, to work,’ she lied. Anything to get away.
‘You do not. I had a long conversation with Harold last night. I know your second in command has taken over. There is no hurry for your return, and you have your laptop with you. Use the room you used last night as a study.’ And, with another glance at his watch, he bent down and curved a large hand around her chin, and tilted her face up. His dark eyes lit with savage amusement. ‘Try not to miss me too much, lover.’
Her furious blue eyes widened to their fullest extent. ‘Why, you…you…’ She could not think of a word bad enough to describe his sheer arrogance.
‘Hush.’ A finger was placed firmly across her lips. ‘Do not incite my temper any further. You will not like the consequences.’ he assured her, and then, as she watched, a wicked smile curved his hard mouth. ‘But then again, you might enjoy it, if last night’s seduction was a taste of what you are capable of.’ With a husky laugh he released her chin.
Lisa blushed to the roots of her hair at his sensual reminder. She leapt to her feet. ‘You can’t order me around…’
‘I can do anything, and don’t you forget it,’ he drawled his black eyes flashing a warning. ‘Be here when I return, or it will be harder for you.’
‘Wait.’ She grabbed his arm. ‘You can’t make a statement like that and walk away.’
‘Why not? It is no worse than you declaring you want a divorce and walking away.’