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mock scary look.  I heard someone say she murdered her kids 
 And I heard that Lyle killed them all and stole the Star back for himself, Trisha shot back,
clearly irritated.  He s said to have hidden it somewhere in the manor, but it s never been found.
Murdered. Gillian s heart kicked into high gear, and she only barely resisted the urge to shiver
as a chill lunged through her. God; it d happened this way the last time, too!
Fear gnawed at her as she recalled the haunting sobs from last night, Gillian hastily excused
herself and fled. She didn t stop until she was outside, clinging to the veranda s rail and sucking in deep
breaths of cool September air as she talked herself calm. This wasn t going to be like last time. She d
been too trusting, before; she d believed that the people around her would believe her. Not this time.
She knew what to do, now; she d talk to no one about her experience, and give no hint of her fears.
She closed her eyes against the urge to scream in frustration. When would it go away? When
would she finally feel normal again, and feel safe enough to stop running? She felt like a wild animal,
fleeing the hunters.
 I didn t expect to find you out here. The silky voice spoke from close behind her, and ice
lunged down Gillian s spine, even before she felt the pressure of his hand on her shoulder.  You re a
very beautiful woman, Gillian.
Intrigue 40
His brand of flattery was lost on her, Gillian mused in dark humor. Turning her head, she
avoided Etienne s gaze as she attempted a smile that fell miserably flat.  Thanks.
 You don t believe me. His hand slid over her shoulder, and Gillian felt panic rising. She
wanted to yank away, but knew it would be a mistake, with this man. Whatever she did, she couldn t let
Etienne Fabron see her fear.
 Etienne, I 
 Come play with me, little Gillian, he murmured next to her ear, his hands sliding to the hem of
her t-shirt. New dread lanced through Gillian.
 No.
He ignored her protest, his dark eyes glinting with sinister intent. He didn t want her; he wanted
her fear. He was after the means to own her, and she would have nothing to do with that. She d left that
girl behind six years ago.
Gillian tensed, preparing to use the self-defense skills she d learned four years ago. She never
got the chance. In a move that shocked her into numbness, Etienne suddenly shoved her up against the
veranda rail, his mouth suffocating hers in a harsh kiss that made Gillian want to gag. Bringing her
hands against his chest, she thrust him away with all of her strength, fighting the urge to vomit as she
rasped,  I said no, dammit!
 What s going on, here? A new voice broke in harshly, and Gillian s horrified gaze snapped up
to find Remy standing at the veranda door, glaring at her. Oh, God.
 Etienne was just leaving, weren t you? She asked with exaggerated sweetness as she turned a
commanding stare on her attacker.
He smirked, casting a sly glance toward Remy, and Gillian nearly sucked in a gasp. Had Etienne
known Remy was standing there, all along?  Whatever you say, baby.
Gillian bristled at the endearment, glaring at Etienne. Then, as he swaggered off, she turned her
attention to the seething rage now clearly visible in Remy Terreau s cutting blue eyes.
 Ms. Martin, he grated out in a stern voice that made Gillian wince internally.  If you d be so
kind as to accompany me to my office, I d like to discuss this matter with you.
Gillian frowned in consternation. Was this really the same man who'd filled her dreams? Or had
that huskiness in his voice last night been only the product of her imagination? That tenderness had
certainly deserted him this morning. He was acting so formal, and& well, weird. Determined to not let
him see her confusion, she plastered on her most dignified expression.  There s nothing to discuss.
 I think there is. Come with me.
Gillian bristled at the proprietary tone of his voice. How dare he! What was it with men, that
they seemed to think they could own her? The girl she had once been might have allowed it, but Gillian
Martin was a different woman, and she was not to be had.  And if I choose not to?
 I don t remember giving you a choice. Dark humor edged his voice and glinted in his ice-blue
eyes.
There was nothing funny about this, Gillian fumed, narrowing her eyes.  And I don t recall ever
agreeing to be anyone s doormat, or slave!
He blinked, and his blue eyes darkened with emotions she couldn t read.  Damn it, Gillian, you
were kissing him! Right here in full view of the world! If you want to play courtesan, then do it away
from Scarlet Oak Manor from now on. I m running a dignified hotel, not a cheap Quarter brothel!
 A broth ? How dare you! She glared up at him, incensed that he d even think that of her. It
angered her that, for the first time in five years, someone actually irritated her enough to enflame her
passions. That was almost funny; Gillian bit out a sharp bark of laughter.  Take a good look at me,
Remy Terreau, and tell me who in his right mind would ever spend time with a woman like me. I m
hardly brothel material!
He jerked back as if she d slapped him, his blue eyes wide.  That s 
Esther Mitchell 41
She ignored him, too furious to care what he had to say.  I don t know what you think you saw,
but I wasn t kissing Etienne; he was assaulting me! Now, if you don t mind, I have work to do. Excuse
me.
Without pausing even long enough to glimpse Remy s expression  too afraid of what she might
find there  Gillian straightened her shoulders and marched proudly back into the manor. She refused to
give in to her urge to scream with rage and frustration. God help her, this place, and that man, were
going to drive her crazy!
Remy stared after Gillian, for once too shocked by her words to notice the sway of her curvy
rear. She didn t honestly believe that men wouldn t fall all over themselves for the chance to see that
sensual nature of hers burst free, did she? Who had filled her head with that rubbish? Fantasies of her
had kept him awake, and rock hard, for days; which probably explained his short fuse.
Still, his reaction to seeing Gillian in a clinch with Etienne surprised him. Remy wasn t, by
nature, the possessive type. Women, like ever other commodity in his life, were temporary diversions
from tedium. That lack of permanence made it easy for him to walk away, and to shrug it off when a
woman actually decided to end the affair herself. There were plenty of fish in the sea, had always been
his philosophy. Until now.
None of his past experiences explained why he acted like a territorial animal around Gillian.
They weren t having an affair; they didn t even have a relationship, beyond that of employer and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]