He didn't even flinch. 'I'm doing what's best for Jason,' he declared in merciless tones. 'I expect you to do the same. If you truly love him...'
Cassie's whole body slumped, her eyes dropping to the floor in a gesture of defeat. It was useless, absolutely useless. The man was too hard. And too clever. Appealing to her motherly love was the lowest tack.
But very successful.
She didn't even react when he moved to stand in front of her, when his hands reached out to close firmly over her shoulders. All defiance was dead.
'Cassie...I don't want to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you... But I will have my son. Make no mistake about that.'
Her eyes lifted—sad, weary eyes. 'All right,' she sighed.
He frowned down at her, tension seeping into his fingers. The tips pressed harder into her flesh. 'All right? What do you mean by that?'
'I mean all right, Dan.' Her voice was dull, flat. 'I'll do what you want. And you don't have to wait till tomorrow for your answer.'
'You mean you agree to marry me?' he asked in a surprisingly shocked tone. 'Just like that?'
'Yes.' She felt tired. Terribly tired.
'Even though you hate me?'
A deep, dark pain jabbed at her conscience. It found relief in a final burst of spirit. 'Does it matter?' she flung at him. 'I will do what I have to do. You said it earlier. I'm only putting off the inevitable. Once you tell Jason he's your son, he'll wonder why he can't have a normal family life like other children. What answer could I give him? So you see, Dan? There's no need for any more threats or more blackmail. You've won.'
'What about us?' he demanded.
'What about us?' she shot back.
'Goddamn you, Cassie, you know what I mean. It's not just the boy I want.'
Cassie's heart stopped beating.
'Don't imagine that I'll settle for a marriage of convenience,' he went on fiercely. 'I want you in my bed every night. I want you, all of you, body and soul.'
His arrogant demands found an answering fire in Cassie. She glared up at him, blue eyes flashing. 'We can't always have what we want, Dan. Do you imagine I want to marry you?'
'You still want me to make love to you. That much I know.'
She kept her chin held high. 'If I do, then I despise myself for it!'
'Don't say that!'
'Why not? It's true. Every time you touch me, down deep inside I cringe. My body might look to yours for a temporary relief, but afterwards...afterwards, Dan, I will only feel revulsion.'
'No!' he cried as she tried to pull free of him. His arms swept around her, holding her close, lifting her on to tiptoes till his lips were touching hers. 'You're wrong, Cassie,' he whispered into her mouth. 'Wrong... Hate has warped your mind. It could be wonderful...perfect...as it was before ‑'
'No,' she denied, fiercely trying to ignore his lips brushing against hers, it will never be the same. Never! We don't love each other any more. When we go to bed now it will be having sex, not making love.'
'Call it anything you like!' he rasped, his fingers digging into her back. 'But don't delude yourself that it will be anything like the sex you've been having. Even now your body cries out instinctively for mine. You're trembling, Cassie. You want me. I was your first lover, your first real love. Nothing will change that, no matter how many men you've slept with since, no matter what that twisted soul of yours pretends. You were totally mine once and you will be again.'
'Never!' Cassie shook her head violently from side to side, all the while knowing that Dan was right. She might despise him as a person, but sexually she was still under his spell.
Quite abruptly he let her go, almost throwing her aside, stalking back over to the window and glaring through it in brooding silence.
When he whirled back to face her, Cassie was shocked by the raw, naked pain on his face. 'Well? What are you waiting for? Get out! Go to your blasted lover, for all I care! But understand this, Cassie Palmer. No wife of mine will lie in another man's bed. So you make it clear to your darling boss tonight that your affair is over! Terminated!' His eyes narrowed. 'If I ever find out differently...'
Cassie swallowed. An undercurrent of sexual revenge smouldered through Dan, making her fearful, yet at the same time disturbingly aroused.
'What...what about Jason?' she asked in a husky whisper. 'Do...do you still want me to pick him up from Strath-haven tomorrow? I could come after work, about five-thirty.'
'Do whatever you like,' he growled and spun away. 'Just get out of my sight.'
Cassie stared at the grim figure, a strange compassion stirring inside her. Dan was hurting, really hurting. It didn't matter to her that his jealousy came from a bruised ego, not true feeling. She wanted to go to him, to hold him, to tell him that there was no lover. But before she could even begin to move he rounded on her again, his face hard once more.
'Are you still here? What's the problem? Won't darling Roger have waited this long for you?' His mouth creased back into a cruel, taunting smile. 'Perhaps you've changed your mind, is that it? You want me to give your body that temporary release you spoke of...'