Rage of Passion by Diana Palmer

Author:Diana Palmer [Palmer, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460375549
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1986-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Gabe had to go out with one of his men to see about a sick bull—a purebred one, apparently, from the worried look on his face—and he still wasn't back when Janet went up to bed, humming delightedly.

Maggie curled up on the sofa in the living room, tucking the full skirt of her candy-striped shirtwaist dress around her slender legs and bare feet. She was halfheartedly watching television when he returned, and her eyes were drawn immediately to the sight of him standing in the doorway.

He always looked different when he was in casual clothes. His denim jeans clung lovingly to the powerful muscles of his long legs. The chambray shirt outlined every hard contour of his chest and arms. The wide-brimmed hat he wore gave his face enticing shadows, and the boots made him even taller than he actually was. Maggie could never get enough of just looking at him. He was so virile, such a—a man.

“I hoped you'd still be up,” he said, closing the door behind him. As an afterthought, he locked it, then, with a wicked smile, stood watching Maggie's disturbed expression as he shucked off the thick leather gloves he was wearing and tossed them aside, along with his hat. “Nervous of me, Margaret?” he taunted gently.

She felt her breath lodge in her throat as he came closer. “A little,” she said. Why try to deny it? Those pale, narrowed eyes saw altogether too much.

“Why? Because I locked the door?”

“Everyone's gone upstairs…to bed,” she faltered.

He stopped just in front of her and searched her green eyes quietly. “I don't want to be interrupted while we're talking.”

“What are we going to talk about?” she asked hesitantly.

He pursed his lips and reached for a cigarette. “Why you're afraid of me, for one thing.”

“I'm just nervous,” she corrected. “Not afraid.”

“They're usually one and the same.” He went to the television and switched it off, then came back and dropped down beside her, pulling an ashtray forward on the chrome and glass coffee table before he leaned back.

He smoked his cigarette in silence for a minute, and she began to relax when he didn't seem intent on pouncing. She hadn't realized just how strung-up she was until then.

“That's better,” he said, glancing at her. “Now, suppose you tell me what's got you so upset.”

She clasped her hands in her lap and stared down at them. “Dennis has accused me of being an unfit mother. He's stating in his custody suit that I'm having an affair with you.”

“Well, honey, we knew he was going to, didn't we?” he asked reasonably.

“Yes, but he's done it! It will make headlines, don't you see?” she asked, her eyes wide with apprehension. “Janet will be hurt!”

His face hardened. “You overestimate my mother's capacity for pain.”

“And you underestimate it,” she countered. “She's a sensitive woman, and her health doesn't seem all that good, Gabe. I don't want to do this to her. Becky's so young, she won't even understand it, but other people will.”

He studied the tip of his cigarette.

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