Rebel's Bargain. Annie West
stared, telling herself it was not a zing of attraction she felt. That was no longer possible.
‘I’m not complaining.’ His smile faded. ‘We knew them all from previous years here, that’s why they ignored our wishes. Bloody fools. If something had happened to one of them …’
He really was the most complex, unreasonable, infuriating man.
She wanted to despise him for his life of idle luxury but he risked his life raising money for others. She wanted to berate him for taking stupid risks but he’d cold-bloodedly taken on this challenge knowing he could die and demanding no one risk their life to save him.
Poppy sank into a visitor’s chair. No wonder she felt confused. Orsino Chatsfield was the sort of man to tie anyone in knots. But just because he had a social conscience didn’t mean he was good husband material.
Good husband! If the idea didn’t hurt so much it might have been funny.
She hadn’t thought of him as her husband in ages.
Yet there was still something about this man that burrowed deep beneath logic and reason. Something that had squeezed her heart till she couldn’t breathe when she thought he was going to die. Something that hurt like the devil when he accused her of wanting him dead.
He had the power to anger her and hurt her as no one else could.
Why hadn’t that died when he killed her love?
Poppy watched her hands twist in her lap and knew real fear. Fear that, despite everything, it wasn’t over between them. At least not for her.
She shook her head. It couldn’t be. She was stronger than that. Five years ago she’d grovelled, leaving pleading messages for Orsino to contact her. None had been answered.
That was how little she’d meant to him.
Since then she’d dragged herself back from the brink, facing the glare of the press, the curiosity of millions, slavering for details on their breakup, probing her feelings and watching her every move.
Unlike Orsino, Poppy didn’t have the buffer of extreme wealth to protect her. She’d had to get back to work, acting as if her heart hadn’t been ripped into bleeding shreds.
It had taken everything she had to rebuild herself, to be more resilient and focused than before.
She lifted her head and scrutinised Orsino. He pretended he still had some say in her life, but he’d forfeited that right long ago.
He had no hold over her.
All she had to do was remember that and ignore her body’s traitorous awareness of him. That must be some legacy of the past, a sense memory that would soon fade.
‘Are you still there?’ His deep voice broke her reverie. Was that a hint of vulnerability she heard? It would be natural given those injuries. But the set of Orsino’s firm jaw spoke of strength, not fear. Why would he be concerned if she’d left? He who’d deliberately faced death on that treacherous climb?
‘Why did you tell the hospital to contact me? And don’t give me that line about being your next of kin.’
‘I told you. I need someone to be with while I recuperate.’
Need not want.
Was that why his jaw set so tight? Because he didn’t want her but needed her help? Yet this was Orsino Chatsfield. He didn’t do anything unless it suited him.
‘Why, Orsino?’
‘Why not?’ he shot back at her. ‘Surely you owe me?’
‘Owe you?’ Indignation warred with guilt, just as it had all those years ago.
Her cheeks flamed at the memory of what she’d done to deserve his disgust. But at the same time anger surged. He’d never admitted his role in what had happened, never once tried to understand. If it hadn’t been for his arrogance and selfish pride—
‘I don’t owe you a thing, Orsino.’
‘So you say, but would those millions of fans agree if they knew the details of why we split?’
Poppy felt her eyes bulge.
‘You’re trying to blackmail me?’ She groped for words, her brain spinning. ‘Why now? Why after all this time?’ It didn’t make sense.
‘Blackmail? To expect a wife to take care of her husband when he needs her?’
His arch tone set her teeth on edge.
‘I haven’t the time or inclination to continue this discussion.’ She rose and picked up her bag. ‘Spread what stories you like, Orsino. It makes no difference to me.’
It was a lie. Damaging rumours would make her life hell again. With photos of Orsino as a wounded hero she’d be cast as a villainess, her reputation in tatters as well as her peace. It was bound to impact on her career.
But she couldn’t let it matter. Losing her self-respect was too high a price.
‘Wait!’
His peremptory tone stopped her as she turned away.
‘I have a proposition.’
Reluctantly she turned. What she could see of his face looked paler than before. His mouth was set in a thin line of pain. She eyed his tense jaw and wondered if she could call the nurse.
How could she feel concern for a blackmailer? It didn’t make sense. But then nothing about her reactions to this man was logical.
‘Poppy?’
‘I’m listening.’
‘I refuse to stay in a convalescent home. I want privacy while I recuperate.’
‘So?’ She refrained from pointing out that with his money he could buy the best medical care in his own home. ‘Why not ask one of your women to look after you?’
Orsino was regularly seen with a gorgeous woman at his side, a different one every week.
‘Why not this Amindra you were expecting? I’m sure she’d jump at the chance to be alone with you.’
His chuckle rippled, warm and rich, across her skin and Poppy was appalled to feel herself melt a little at the knees. Till he spoke again and her hackles rose. ‘Ah, that explains your bad mood. Are you jealous?’
She stood straighter, a shaft of fury stiffening her backbone. ‘Absolutely not. Now, I have a return flight to organise.’
She’d taken just one step when he spoke again. ‘Amindra is a nurse. I’m sure she’d jump at the chance for extra money but not if it means leaving her children and grandchildren behind for several weeks.’
‘She’s a nurse?’
‘Who else would I meet in this condition?’ For the first time Orsino’s voice betrayed bitterness as he waved his hand in a slashing gesture across his bandaged torso. It spoke of barely leashed frustration and all at once it hit her how difficult an active man like Orsino must find his forced confinement. She’d been so caught up in relief at seeing him alive, then irritation at his high-handed attitude, that hadn’t sunk in.
Even badly wounded Orsino had more presence than most men she knew. If only he didn’t get under her skin so!
‘Look after me for a couple of weeks and I’ll set you free.’
Poppy stared intently but couldn’t make out his expression. Those bandages hid so much. Was he blind behind them? She wanted to ask but knew he wouldn’t answer.
‘What do you mean, set me free?’
His mouth curled up at one side. ‘That should be obvious. I’ll give you a divorce.’
Poppy’s fingers tightened on the strap of her bag.
‘Why