CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

He sighed, and slowly laughter escaped him. "What's this all about, Claire?" he asked, leaning against his desk, arms across the chest.

Claire looked vexed. "I simply don't understand why you keep sending me mixed signals," she said.

Ryan frowned. "Mixed signals?"

"Yes. First you ask me . . . no, you beg me to sleep with you, and the next day you treat me like trash. So what is it that you want from me? If you're shutting me out of your life, then do it like a man, and stop this ridiculous and stupid game of yours!" Claire lashed.

"What about you?" Ryan asked coolly, ignoring her yelling.

"What about me?" She frowned.

"What do you want from me? You're the one who wanted me to leave you alone, and it's exactly what I'm trying to do. So then what do you want from me, Claire?" His voice turned louder, menacing even. He uncrossed his arms and stood up once again, just a step or two from her.

What did she want from him? Claire asked herself, and the answer was crystal clear by now.

"I want