"Stay like that," he said. "If you stay like that I don't mind being tied up, honestly."
Abbey's mouth twitched, but she was already pulling her dress on.
Nick's breathing became shallow. So this wasn't about sex. She really didn't want to tease him. That was a problem. What did she have in mind? He struggled with the bonds again but they didn't budge. He let out a low growl.
"This isn't funny anymore, Abbey. Untie me."
Her eyes narrowed. "You lied to me. You treated me like a piece of meat."
For the first time, Nick noticed that Abbey's lips had turned almost white and her face glowed with a pink flush. She was angry. No, she was fuming.
Nick growled. "I'm going to kill that little weasel, Vane."
"Don't blame him. He might be a weasel, but you're a pig, Nick Delaware."
Nick's eyes rolled into the back of his head. So she knew. "When did you find out?"
"When his wife recognized you in the photos."
"You came to the party knowing who I was?"
She nodded and Nick blinked at her. That meant she'd been playing him all night-she'd known who he really was but had said nothing.
"You lied to me," she said. "You got Vane to lie to me too. You're despicable."
She stood and paced the length of the bed, then paused and glared down at him. Her chest heaved.
"What sort of woman do you think I am, Nick? Oh, yes, that's right," she sneered, "you think I'm a whore."
"I don't think -"
"No, you didn't think, did you? Do you have any idea how it made me feel when I found out you two were concocting a little game between yourselves to trap me?"
"It wasn't a game and I wasn't trying to trap you."
"Then why the secrets? Why was it so important you keep your identity from me?"
"Abbey, calm down. I just wanted to know whether you liked me for who I was, or because of my money."
"So you let me think I was sleeping with a married man with a string of mistresses, just to see if I really liked you? That's low, Nick, real low."
He hadn't thought of that. He hadn't considered that Abbey knew about Vane's past, and that it mattered to her. In a way, knowing that it did matter was heartening. It meant she liked him, had feelings for him, perhaps even wanted him all to herself.
But it also justified her anger and he didn't think his meager apology was going to make up for it.
"Well?" she asked, before he could say anything. "Did I pass your test?"
Nick gulped. Abbey's eyes flashed blue sparks at him as she stood, hands on hips, glaring down at him. He felt very vulnerable.
It was not an emotion he liked.
"Abbey, this is ridiculous. Let me go. I mean it. This isn't a joke."
"It never was a joke, Nick. And no, I will not let you go until you answer me. Did I pass your little test?"
He ground his teeth together. "Of course you did. You came here didn't you? We made love..."
She crossed her arms. "After I was with Vane."
Nick felt like his intestines had been tied into a knot and someone was pulling the ends. His head dropped back onto the pillows and he groaned. Damn Vane.
And damn Abbey. She could go to hell for all he cared. She'd slept with Vane. She'd actually slept with that slimy snake, just to get back at him for lying.
The thought made him sick. He drew in several shallow breaths and focused on a spot on the ceiling. It didn't help. He was going to throw up.
No, he wasn't, he just wanted to. He wanted to get the taste of Abbey off his lips and out of his system. How could she have slept with Vane after all that had passed between them? Had she done it just to get back at him?
He closed his eyes and heard her breathing suddenly become labored. Then he heard a sob. He opened his eyes again and glanced up at her. She stood beside him, her face in her hands. The sight was painful and he was glad he was tied up so he couldn't comfort her like his instincts wanted to.
No, she needed to regret what she'd done. She needed to know she'd made the wrong decision by sleeping with Vane. He wanted her to suffer the way he was suffering.
But his instincts pulled hard. He tried to move but his tight bonds prevented him. Trapped. He hated not being able to do anything. Hated feeling useless, vulnerable.
"Abbey," he said quietly. She didn't look up. "Come here. Untie me and we'll sort this out."
She shook her head, wiped away her tears and walked toward the door. She turned, then with a toss of her hair, left.
"Abbey! Abbey get back here! Abbey!"
The door closed and Nick swore until he had no energy left.
Abbey sat on her couch, head in her hands, trying not to cry. She didn't want Lucy to think she was weak and hopeless when it came to men. After ten minutes, she gave up trying to hold back the burning tears and let them pour out of her. Lucy would understand. She knew what Abbey was like anyway.