"You knew?" He eyed her with such coldness that she felt the chill of it freeze her blood.
"The hell you did."
"You told me you steered clear of any involvement, that you chose your women as much for that as anything else," she said hotly.
"You can't deny that. You wanted physical satisfaction, maybe some fun--' "
Don't tell me what I wanted," he growled furiously. “So this is all my fault? Is that what you're saying? "
"No!" Her voice was too shrill, and she checked it quickly. Hannah arriving back on the scene would be _the final straw.
"But you didn't tell me anything, talk to me--' " I talked to you more than
I've talked to anyone in years," he said angrily.
"I felt as if I was treading on eggshells half the time but I tried--' He stopped abruptly.
"Hell, what am I defending myself for? Even if you'd dug a hole for yourself there were times you could have told me, you know that."
"Yes, I know." Her misery seemed to make him more angry.
"So why the hell didn't you? Because you liked having me on a string?"
He eyed her coldly.
"Well?" he barked suddenly.
"Answer me."
"What do you want me to say?" She knew she was losing the last thread of control but her temper had risen to match his. He was seeing this all his own way, he wasn't even trying to acknowledge the position he had put her in at the beginning of their relationship and, whatever he said, he hadn't talked to her, not really. If anyone had been kept at arm's length it was her!
"Just tell me and I'll say it. That's all you want, after all, isn't it--obedient little female puppets to jerk to your string? The great Wolf
Strade, cold and unapproachable, making everyone tremble if they come within a hundred yards of you!
You don't know the meaning of love and commitment and normal life.
You're so caught up in your own little world. You talk about poor Elda being obsessed? Well, at least she is obsessed with something positive, a desire for her own child with the man she loves. You're just obsessed with emptiness--' "Have you quite finished?" He was glaring at her, hands folded across his chest and his big body as taut as an iron rod.
"No." She stared back defiantly, but the rage was beginning to die and a wave of agony take its place. This was the death-knell of all her secret hopes and desires. He would never forgive her for the things she had said, even if he could have forgiven her for the lies and deceit regarding Matthew.
"It's about time you listened to someone else for a change."
"Is it, indeed?" The rigid control was slipping, she could see it in the burning fury in the piercing blue eyes. "But perhaps I don't want to listen to you, Lydia, perhaps I want to do something quite different."
"Don't you come near me." As he took a step towards her she backed away, her hand to her mouth.
"Don't come near you?" He laughed bitterly.
"But why shouldn't I? You aren't a distressed young wife, forsaken by her childhood sweetheart, are you? Far from it." He seemed beside himself with rage.
"What exactly you are I haven't the faintest idea and frankly I don't care.
You are here now and so am I. That's all that matters. "
He walked back to the door and shut it, sliding a chair against it before turning and walking over to her again. She was standing straight and erect now, determined not to flinch before him.
"If I start to make love to you it won't be rape, you know that." His face was hard and cold as he surveyed her insolently from head to toe, his eyes burning into her flesh wherever they touched.