Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [49]
“Wait!” Brenna protested, holding up her hand distractedly. “I've got to think. It's all going too fast.” Donovan was proceeding with his usual steamroller tactics, and she felt she would be swept away in the wake of his single-minded drive like a leaf in a storm if she didn't slow him down.
“What's to think about?” Donovan asked impatiently. “You get your son, your career, and a wealthy husband. What more could you want?”
The bitter cynicism in his face hurt her in some mysterious fashion. “Why are you doing this?” she asked bewilderedly. “Yes, I'm getting all that, but what are you getting out of this marriage?”
The blue eyes were suddenly impenetrable as Donovan considered her question. “What am I getting?” His mouth twisted cynically. “I'm getting Brenna Sloan in my bed until I tire of her. I get a chance to work off this obsession I have for you. Closeness has been known to kill stone dead more than one great passion. Maybe I'll get lucky.”
“You expect me to…” Brenna blushed, and then was furious with herself when Donovan raised an eyebrow mockingly.
“You're damn right I do,” he said bluntly. “This isn't some storybook. This is real life, Brenna. There's always a price tag on everything. Sometimes it's hidden, but the price is there. In this case, I don't think you'll find it hard to pay.”
Brenna shivered. “You make it sound so… business-like,” she said unhappily.
“I think I can promise you it won't be at all business-like once we're in bed,” he said dryly. “We really turn each other on, remember? I told you once I don't play games. I like all the cards on the table. For saving your son for you, all I want is your word that you won't leave me until I tell you to go.”
Brenna's mouth twisted wryly. “Yet you retain the right to toss me aside whenever you get bored with me,” she said sadly. “Jake said you always had an escape clause written into every contract.”
There was a flicker of emotion deep in Donovan's eyes before he looked away. “That's right, I do,” he said coolly. “Do I have your promise?”
Brenna's throat was tight and aching as she looked at Donovan's hard, expressionless face. She had a fleeting memory of another Donovan walking with her hand in hand through the woods. Why did it hurt so much to realize she might never reach further than the physical with this man?
“Yes, you have my promise,” she said wearily.
“Good,” Donovan said briskly, as if he had never expected anything else. He dropped a light kiss on her forehead as if she were a small child. “You'd better get to bed. You're exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Her face must have reflected her surprise, for a sardonic smile twisted Donovan's mouth. “You expected me to drag you off to bed once I had your word? You must have had some poor lovers, Brenna. Now that I have a commitment from you, I can wait.” He grimaced. “Not long, but I can wait.” She was staring after him, still speechless, when the door closed behind him.
eight
BRENNA SIPPED HER CHAMPAGNE, GAZING over the crowded living room with a curious feeling of remoteness. It was almost as if she were a guest and not the central figure at this wedding reception. There was no possibility of her occupying center stage with Michael Donovan in the same scene, she thought wryly. Even the glamour surrounding the bride was eclipsed by a groom with Donovan's dynamic charisma.
Not that she had been neglected. On the contrary, she had been fussed over and toadied to, to such an extent that she was forced to move to this quiet corner to escape. She had no illusions that it was her own charm that had instigated such an effusive display. Two hours ago the little nobody actress had become Mrs. Michael Donovan, and so must be cultivated. She had the ear of the throne.
“A bride for such a short time and left all alone? Michael isn't usually so careless with his possessions.” Jake Dominic's mocking voice made her look up quickly. Devastatingly attractive,