Finally, she spoke, “First, you’re sorry for invading my privacy for years, years before I even knew you existed. Second, you’re sorry for kidnapping me, isolating me, controlling me, and manipulating me. Third, you’re sorry for lying to me, pretending you cared, and, oh yeah, marrying me. Fourth, listen carefully, Tony, this is a big one. You’re sorry for framing me for attempted murder, resulting in incarceration in a federal penitentiary.” She sat back down and once again crossed her arms over her heaving breasts.

One doesn’t deal with people as successfully as Anthony Rawlings without understanding confrontation. If he chose to retaliate, this scene would escalate to a place he didn’t want to go. As he fought to allow her this release, she added, “I would prefer the words, but you are welcome to say one through four, if that’s easier for you.”

Tony leaned closer. Avoiding his stare, she looked down at her trembling hands. Had her speech caused her hands to shake, or was it him? His fight for control evaporated into a need to reassure. From the very beginning of his acquisition, hadn’t he asked for honesty? Though her words were painful to hear, they were her version of the truth and she’d delivered. When her green eyes finally peered at him from below veiled lids, he watched the tension fade.

Tony gently reached for her hand and spoke softly, “I am deeply sorry for one and four.” He rubbed her hand with his thumb. “I did provide you with an alternative destination for number four.”

Claire exhaled audibly.

“I’m not proud of two, but three would never have happened without it.” His tone deepened and slowed. “I am not, and never will be, sorry for three, and for the record, I never lied about loving you, or pretended to love you. I didn’t realize it at first, but I have loved you since before you knew my name.” He bowed his head, kissed the soft skin atop of her hand, and continued, “And you forgot our divorce. I’m sincerely sorry for that. Had I known you would be released so soon… we could still be married.” Placing her hand once again on her knee, he touched the fourth finger of her left hand. “You could still officially be mine.”

Her wedding rings came to mind. This wasn’t the time to bring up that she’d sold them. While he waited for her to respond, his gaze went to the table. Laying on the shiny surface were two phones. Before Tony could comment, Claire reached for the smaller phone and slid it into her camisole between her breasts. He closed his eyes and gently shook his head. “If I didn’t want to see that phone before, I sure as hell do now.”

“It’s my work phone,” she answered too quickly.

“Oh, I was unaware of your employment.”

“Really? I guess I forgot to inform you or your spies.”

“Claire, I want to show you that I can change. Have as many damn phones as you want. Two seem excessive, but go for it.”

“Thank you for your permission. I don’t need it. I can have fifty phones if I want.”

Tony nodded. Her spunk seemed to be without bounds. Why had he not allowed it to shine before?

Claire continued, “It’s documented, when people are forbidden something, once it’s made available, they tend to overindulge.”

His tone turned sultry. “Before it is made available, a person may dream of it, long for it, and fantasize about it. Especially if he once had it and knows how amazing it is.”

“I don’t recall availability being an issue for you.”

His pulse quickened. If she only knew how close he was to being that person again. Not because he desired to harm her. On the contrary, his desires were totally and completely centered on pleasure—his and more importantly hers. Tony warned, “Be careful, Claire. That could be interpreted as an invitation.”

She stood. “Then once again, you would be misinterpreting.”

He stood and stepped toward her, yet she didn’t move. Was it self-control or unabashed determination? Whatever she possessed flooded his system like no chemical aphrodisiac ever could. Though their bodies didn’t touch, electricity sparked between them. The inches of separation were but a conductor for the energy that couldn’t be contained. If he moved nearer, would they be burnt? His words came from somewhere deep in his throat. “I believe you want what I want, as much as I do.”

“If you’re suggesting I want you to leave, you’re absolutely correct. If you’re suggesting anything else, it couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

His head bowed slightly. Her words said one thing, but every ounce of her being said something else. Perhaps it was a subtle scent, the way her cheeks reddened, or the hardening of her nipples under the light shirt. He wasn’t exactly sure, but Tony knew his desires were shared.

He wanted to kiss her and take her newfound boldness to the next level. How would it translate to their bed? Then he reminded himself that they no longer shared a bed or a life. As she lifted her chin and her lips neared his, Tony summoned all of his restraint to not bend and taste what was right in front of him. Instead of a kiss, he reached for her chin and bathed her cheeks in his warm, sensual breath. “You, my dear, have never been a good liar.”

If he leaned forward, he’d be able to feel her hard nipples against his chest. Before he could move, she stepped back, sat, and crossed her arms over her chest.

“You’re right. Your deceitfulness far exceeds my modest attempts at dishonesty. I bow down to your superior duplicity.”