Modern Romance Books September Books 5-8. Annie West

so much she wanted to say to him that she wouldn’t have known where to begin. If she started, she would never stop. There was an angry, hurting roar inside her that had to be contained because she didn’t want to descend into being the sort of shrieking, hysterical woman she was so close to being.

      ‘This marriage has done what it was supposed to do,’ she said neutrally.

      ‘What the hell do you mean by that?’

      ‘I mean, Rafael, that I’ve built a bridge with my father. We no longer need you as an intermediary. And as for Freddy? I’m pretty sure you’ll sort that business out because if my suspicions about him are correct, and I’m pretty sure they are, you’ll have a powerful incentive for him to listen to what you have to say. Weren’t those the reasons behind this convenient marriage?’

      Their eyes met and she didn’t look away.

      He was so spectacular on so many fronts, she thought weakly. How had she ever been so stupid as to think that she could protect herself against the sheer force of his dangerous, vital charisma? He was a stalking panther to her inexperienced gazelle.

      ‘My aunt and Miguel have moved closer to the hospital where he’s having his treatments,’ she intoned, ‘and their house is more than big enough for me for a while. And after that I have options, Rafael. I’ll work out what to do next. But I won’t be doing it as your wife.’