Free Relentless Adversary by Jayne Castle Page B

you think you're doing here?" she managed, trying desperately for some bold parry of this new menace.
    "Get out."
    He moved, stepping away from the wall where he had been leaning, and walking toward her with an inexorable, pacing stride.
    "It occurs to me that you won't give up until you know for certain that you're beaten," he observed, all silk and metal. The jade eyes gleamed at her as he approached. The power in him seemed to wash over her in waves that lapped the air around her.
    ."You said we would finish the discussion later," she reminded him, hating herself for wanting to retreat in the face of his advance. She tried valiantly to inject the haughty, aloof note that might make him think she was still in control.
    "This is later. I want my answer, Kelly," he grated, closing the distance as she began to step backward. "Are you going to marry me?"
    "Let me get dressed," she countered cuttingly. "You've already shaken me up enough for one evening. I'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes. ..."
    The hardness in his face was immutable. She was violently, unwillingly, aware of the sleek bronzed expanse of chest and shoulders. Rough, curling hair twisted in a primitive pattern past the masculine nipples and down to the flat, hard stomach.
    "I know I've given you a jolt," he agreed. "And I also know enough to realize I'd better take advantage of having got you somewhat off balance. Given enough time, you'll come up with your own solution to the situation. And I can't allow that."

    "Stop stalking me, dammit!"
    "Stop trying to retreat," he suggested mildly, his gaze taking in the picture she made with her long hair flowing down to her waist, her modesty protected only by the towel.
    She had been right the previous evening, Kelly thought. Resistance was only going to goad him further.
    Her hand up to ward him off, she eyed him furiously. "Leave me alone, Locke. I won't allow you to intimidate me like this!"
    "I'm not leaving this room until I have my answer."
    He was almost on her now. Kelly was almost to the wall, in more ways than one.
    "If you think you can force a decision like this ..." she began, eyes brilliant and blue.
    "Aren't you finding my assistance helpful?" he taunted, reaching to wrap a hand around the nape of her neck as she found the wall with her back. "Answer me, Kelly! Are you going to marry me or shall I go to Helen with the news of what you've done?"
    "I've told you, I'll resign—"
    "I don't want your resignation! And if I go back through that data base with a fine-tooth comb, you can bet I'll find out exactly why you felt obliged to make all those phony 'corrections'!"
    Her eyes widened at that. She had thought his discovery of the manipulation was as far as it would go. If he learned the reason. . . .
    "All right!" she gritted between clenched teeth. "I'll marry you if that's what you want. But so help me— What are you doing?"
    The last was said on a shriek as he moved, hauling her forward and scooping her up into his arms.
    "Taking out insurance,'' he told her ruthlessly as he tossed her down into the center of the bed. "Insurance that you'll keep your word!"
    An instant later he was beside her on the quilt, reaching to anchor her body with his superior strength.

CHAPTER FIVE
    "Don't you dare!" Kelly bit out in savage denial, far more angry than frightened. "Take your hands off me, you arrogant fool!"
    "When it comes to arrogance," he growled, throwing his blue-jeaned thigh across her bare legs, "you take the prize, sweetheart! But it's okay. Better for a woman to have too much spirit than too little."
    "Why, you . . . !"
    "After all," he explained, capturing a wrist in each hand and pinning them to the quilt beside her tousled head, "a man can always find ways to control the spirit, but the passion itself has to come from within."
    "Passion! I'm not feeling passionate toward you, dammit! I'm madder than hell!"
    "Only because tonight's your night to lose," he soothed, bending his head to take her