Free The Greek's Unwilling Bride by Sandra Marton Page A

join.
    â€œCoffee?” Damian said, when the soufflé had been served. “Or do you prefer tea?”
    Even prisoners on hunger strikes drank liquids. Laurel looked across the table at him.
    â€œWhich are you having?”
    â€œCoffee. As strong as possible, and black.”
    Coffee was what she always drank, and just that way. Laurel gave a mental sigh.
    â€œIn that case,” she said, unsmiling, “I’ll have tea.”
    Damian laughed as the waiter hurried off. “Is there anything I could do to make you less inclined to insult me?”
    â€œWould you do it, if there were?”
    â€œWhy do I have the feeling your answer might prove lethal?”
    â€œAt least you got that right!”
    He sighed and shook his head, though she could see amusement glinting in his eyes. “That’s not a very ladylike answer.”
    â€œSince you’re obviously not a gentleman, why should it be? And I’m truly delighted to have provided you with a laugh a minute today. First Haskell, then George and Susie, and now here I am, playing jester for the king while he dines.”
    â€œIs that what you think?” Damian waited until their coffee and tea were served. “That I brought you here to amuse me?”
    â€œI think you get your kicks out of tossing your weight around.”
    â€œSorry?”
    â€œYou like to see people dance to your tune.”
    He pushed aside his dessert plate, moved his cup and saucer in front of him and folded his hands around the cup.
    â€œThat is not why I asked you to join me this evening.”
    â€œAsked? Coerced, you mean.”
    â€œI had every intention of asking you politely, Laurel, but when you opened the door and I saw you with that man, Grey...”
    â€œHis name is George.”
    â€œGeorge, Grey, what does it matter?” Damian’s eyes darkened. “I saw him, half-dressed. And I saw you smiling at him. And I thought, very well, I have a choice to make. I can do as I intended, ask her to put aside the words that passed between us this morning and come out to dinner with me...”
    â€œThe answer would have been no.”
    â€œOr,” he said, his voice roughening, “I can punch this son of a bitch in the jaw, sling her over my shoulder and carry her off.”
    The air seemed to rush out of the space between them. Laurel felt as if she were fighting for breath.
    â€œThat—that’s not the least bit amusing.”
    â€œIt wasn’t meant to be.” Damian reached across the table and took her hand. “Something happened between us yesterday.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talk—”
    â€œDon’t!” His fingers almost crushed hers as she sought to tug free of his grasp. “Don’t lie. Not to me. Not to yourself.” A fierce, predatory light blazed in his eyes. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. I kissed you, and you kissed me back.”
    Their eyes met. He wasn’t a fool; lying would get her nowhere. Well, her years before the camera had taught her some things, at least.
    â€œSo what?” she said coolly. She forced a faintly mocking smile to her lips. “You caught me off guard but then, you know that. What more do you want, Damian? My admission that you kiss well? I’m sure you know that, too—or doesn’t your blond friend offer enough plaudits to satisfy that ego of yours?”
    â€œIs that what this is all about? Gabriella?” Damian made an impatient gesture. “That’s over with.”
    â€œShe didn’t like watching her lover flirt with another woman, you mean?” Laurel wrenched her hand free of his. “At least she’s not a total idiot.”
    â€œI broke things off last evening.”
    â€œLast...? Not because of...”
    â€œIt was over between us weeks ago. I just hadn’t gotten around to admitting it.” A smile curled across his mouth. “It hadn’t