Her chin came up, her lush lips trembling a fraction before thinning into a disagreeable line. “And do remember you lost the right to call me your darling six months ago.”
¡Dios mio! She dared speak to him of rights? She’d shut him out of her life to take up with her lover, then returned to Cancún to portray the affronted one?
He moved in on her, forcing her against the pristine-white wall, bending close to bracket his hands on both sides of her narrow shoulders that quaked despite their rigid lines.
Beads of unease pebbled over her skin, and he just barely caught himself from running a finger over her cool, smooth flesh. Damn, but this woman tied him in knots!
“You should use care before you remind me of what I’ve lost,” he said.
“I’ve lost, too, Miguel. Surely you realize that!”
She looked away before he could come back with a stinging retort, and it was then that he realized she still clutched the photo of their niña. ¡Hostias! Was that a sob she made?
He pushed away from her like she was poison and dragged his fingers through his damp hair, raking his scalp. He would not feel compassion for her. He would not wish to know she’d suffered a moment, for it would be nothing but lies. He would not care one bit for her. He would not!
Miguel knew the truth. When he’d confronted Loring Vandohrn regarding the whereabouts of his wife, her uncle had informed him that she’d gone on holiday with her lover. He’d suggested Miguel seek a divorce.
It would have been the simplest solution. But a divorce robbed him of vengeance. It did not punish his wife whose recklessness took their child’s life. It did not assuage the angst Miguel had lived with for months when he searched for his wife only to be thwarted at every turn.
He looked down at the woman who’d turned his life upside down and wondered why she’d decided to seek a divorce now. Did she wish to marry her lover?
The bead of moisture clinging to her full upper lip confirmed she didn’t like him this close to her. God knew it was a mistake for him to tempt fate as well.
It would be so easy for him to dip his head and lap that salty bead of moisture off her mouth. So inviting to trace the lush, provocative bow of her upper lip with his tongue.
Her enticing floral scent teased him with the memory of how much he’d enjoyed making love with this woman—and the countless times since she’d left when he’d reached for her in his sleep.
He hated that weakness for her, that after all that had happened his body still yearned to mesh with the sweet warmth hers offered. The darkening of her pupils proved she wasn’t averse to him, either.
Sí, she wanted a divorce? Fine, he’d grant her one after he satisfied his revenge.
“Please, Miguel, just leave me be,” she said and turned her face from his.
That would be the sane thing to do. Walk away and not look back. Grant her a divorce and let her have her closure.
But that wouldn’t satisfy his vengeance. She’d denied him the satisfaction of confronting her six months ago. Now she’d returned and he’d not be deprived of his just due.
“If that was your wish,” he said as he trailed a finger down her pale cheek and felt a shiver of awareness rock her body, “then you should have stayed with your lover.”
Her blue eyes snapped with a curious mix of anger and hurt. “Why do you persist in believing the worst of me?”
“You ask that after what you did?”
He pushed away from her then, because he’d never seen her look so miserable.
It was the image he’d tried to envision of her, but seeing it twisted something deep inside him. He hated these feelings she wrought in him. Hated her for making him feel something besides animosity toward her.
“I’ve had enough. If you won’t leave, then I will,” she said.
“Running away already?” he asked. “What of this closure you’ve returned for?”
“I’ll never have that as long as I’m subject to your ill temper.” She turned away from him and gave a frantic scan of the room, wavering slightly. “Where is the phone?”
“In the bedroom.”
She pushed past him without looking at him, seeming not to be looking at anything at all. Though her course was straight, he caught the slight warble in her legs.
He was reminded again by how much weight she’d lost. “Who are you going to call?”
“That’s none of your business,” she said.
“It is if you’re using my phone.”
“Very well. I intend to ring for a taxi.”
“I will take you where you need to go.”
Did she think she could shack up with her lover in Cancún? The paparazzi would have a field day with that gossip.
“I prefer a taxi and a hotel that isn’t under your control,” she said.
“Then you should have stayed in England.”
That brought her facing him again, and this time there was no mistaking her shock. “You’ve acquired that much power?”
“Sí, and I will not have you flaunt a lover under my nose!” He stalked her as a jaguar would a weakened prey, toying with her, knowing he had time to pounce.
She laughed, the sound bitter. “I assure you I do not have a lover here or anywhere.”
“You expect me to believe you?”
She whirled on him, her blue eyes snapping with anger now. “I don’t care if you do or not.”
“You should care, querida, for I hold your future in my hands.”
Her chin came up, but he caught the slight tremor in it. “Is that a threat?”
He hiked one shoulder in a careless shrug. “A promise. You want a divorce? I’ll grant you one.”
The wariness was back in her eyes again. “Are you serious?”
“Sí. I don’t wish to remain married to an unfaithful wife any longer.”
“I never broke my vows,” she said, seeming angry that he’d insinuate she’d cheated on him.
He smiled, no more than a show of teeth. “Sí, you did. I have proof of your infidelity.”
“That’s impossible!”
“No, querida,” he said. “I have pictures, and witnesses.”
And now he had the satisfaction of seeing her face leach of color.
CHAPTER
