“You, Taina, are the only person who’s ever had the nerve to slap me in the face.” He knocked back a mouthful of his drink and a silence fell that only the crackle of the fire relieved. He swallowed and she watched the movement of his Adam’s apple with fascination. He looked down at her suddenly and she looked away, as if caught out. “Like the spoilt child you were.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t slap me back.”
“So am I.” He held her gaze without blinking. The shadows from the firelight darted over his face, changing and distorting his features until she no longer recognized him. “I should have done it. Maybe then you’d have grown up more quickly.”
“Convenient—for you to believe anyone who disagrees with you is immature.”
“In your case, I’m right.” He held her gaze for one long, silent moment. “You still haven’t told me why you’ve returned, what it is you want.”
It was too soon. She shifted in her seat, recrossing her legs to distract him. “Tell me, Daidan, how’s business?”
His frown deepened. “Business? Since when have you been interested in business?”
“Since now. The latest report from the mine sounds promising.”
His face relaxed as she moved onto the one thing that truly interested him—the diamond mine in northern Finland they co-owned. “It is. Early reports look to be outstanding. The new equipment and mining standards we’ve implemented have been well-received internationally. But…”
She raised an elegant eyebrow. “But?”
“But, nothing. You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
“All in good time. Tell me about the ‘but’.”
“Why do you want to know?” The guard was in place again.
She shrugged lightly. “I don’t know. Maybe because I co-own it? And would have had one hundred percent ownership if you hadn’t persuaded my father to sell you half.”
He gritted his teeth and a muscle twitched in his jaw. Seconds passed before he continued. “We’ve had a few problems. The Russians aren’t pleased with our improved safety records. It has highlighted the bad conditions in their own mines and they’ve lost some contracts to us. And they’re not happy. I’ve had to put extra security measures in place.” He shrugged. “But we’re expanding as planned and our international reputation will be cemented with the launch of the new jewelry collection.”
“You’re using the jewelry designs Mama was working on before she died?” She never talked about either her mother or her mother’s work, but she had to know.
He nodded. “Yes, they’ll give us the credibility we need. I’ve hired a new design team to complete them.”
“Good, they’re too beautiful not to use.”
“Indeed. So, are you going to tell me what this is all about yet?” He held up his hand before she could answer. “Wait, I think I know. You realize how much you love me and miss me and want to begin again.” Before she could answer, his lip curled in disdain. “As if… No, it’s something different you want. Something’s happened. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me.”
His obvious indifference to her was like a knife to her heart. But she’d be damned if she’d show it. “Please, keep on guessing, it’s so entertaining. I wonder what you’ll come up with next?”
His eyes darkened. “No more games. We’re not at one of your cocktail parties. Tell me what the hell you want from me.”
It was now or never. “Okay, you’re right. I do want something.”
“What?”
She channeled her tension into a smile: tight at first but with focus it transformed into the mocking smile she desired. “I’ve decided to keep my side of the bargain.”
That caught his attention. No one else would have noticed the change in his expression. It was so slight. But she did. It was there in the quick flare in his eyes, in the brief pinched frown. But nothing else moved, not his mouth, his body, nothing. But did the slight change simply denote surprise or something more?
“And which bargain might that be?” His voice was ice-cold.
“To have our child. I produce a baby and you gain complete control of the mine, just as you and my father had arranged.”
He didn’t speak.
She looked up and hoped her glittering eyes wouldn’t betray her. “Surely you haven’t forgotten the bargain you and Papa made shortly before his death?” she continued. “The bargain which Papa’s lawyer informed me of on our wedding day. I knew we talked about children but, silly me, I thought you just wanted a family with me. Pure and simple.” She looked up at him and in that moment, wondered if she could continue without breaking down. “But nothing’s pure and simple with you, or Papa, is it? You’d both agreed I should have a baby with you. A child in return for total control of the mine.”