She couldn't meet his probing eyes in case he should see her lie. Declan was much too astute to miss the love shining in her eyes for him. “Then that's too bad, baby, because I have no intention of having a wife just to put her in a glass case. Women are for loving and…” “And let me guess… You love women,” she finished bitchily. “Yes.” “God, you're such a…” “I warned you once before about calling me names.”           His eyes glittered dangerously. “Well… I can’t help it. If it walks like a duck...” Gemma said pointedly.           Declan laughed softly. “I'll see you at breakfast. I'm going for that ride now. And, darling… If I were you, I'd try to get a little more sleep. It may improve your temper.”           His la

“You are very quiet today…” Adele said softly. “Are you all right, sweetie?”          Gemma forced herself to take an interest in what Adele was saying.“Sorry… You were saying…?”“I said you're very quiet today. You've been like this all day, and yesterday too. Is there anything wrong?”          Anything wrong! She hadn't heard from Declan since their parting on Sunday evening… that was what was wrong. He had said he would call her, but Gemma knew for a fact that he had flown to Paris for the day yesterday.          But today… He had no excuse for today. And he was definitely upstairs in his office.“Gems?” Adele prompted.          She gave a vague smile.

          They couldn't do much else in the circumstances. Gemma tried to pretend she hadn't seen the wink he gave her over the other woman's shoulder as he winked her away. She looked uncertainly at Declan who towered over her.“William thought that up on his own or did you put him up to it?” Declan rasped.“Excuse me? I don't know what you mean,” Gemma evaded.“I'm pretty damn sure my little brother had no intention of going near Queen before he had that last dance with you.”          His look was grim.“You must have given him the idea…”          Her eyes snapped, deeply violet in color.“It wouldn't occur to you that people have begun to gossip about the time you're spending with your mistress? So, your own brother wanted to know exactl

          He slipped on his jacket in unhurried movements, putting the bowtie in his pocket.“I'll bring you to your knees before I've finished with you,” Declan taunted softly. “I'll have you begging me to marry you… You'll see…”“Like hell you will!” Gemma blazed.“Oh, I will, darling. I'll twist you up in knots so tight you'll be glad to marry me just to find the release I can give you.”“Physical gratification,” she replied in disgust. “Is that all you can give me?”“Don't mock it,” Declan warned. “You won't find it so disgusting in a couple of weeks either.”          He smiled a cruel taunting smile.“I'll look forward to seeing you grovel.”“Oh, go to hell, Declan Starr!”“For the time be

          Every evening seemed to end the same way. They would talk for a while, listen to a few records, and then Gemma would somehow find herself in Declan's arms. Each night, she promised herself that this time it would be different. That she wouldn't give in to the sensuous pressure of his mouth or the demand in his eyes.          Still, each time she broke that intimate promise she made. Declan controlled these interludes in a way that was infuriating. He knew exactly when she had lost control of her senses. He knew when she would deny him nothing. And that was the time he always broke up their embrace.          Gemma knew that he purposefully used these frustrating tactics. That it was all part of his demonic, exhausting plan to bring her to her knees. And yet there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.&nbs