A Woman's Touch

can definitely expect an offer from Ballard?“ she asked coolly.
    „You can bet Glen Ballard will be right on the lawyer’s heels. He’s always hanging around in the wings, waiting to steal the prize someone else has found.“
    Rebecca was shaken by the bitterness in the words. Her eyes widened. „I take it you’ve been through this sort of situation before with Ballard?“
    „One or twice.“
    „When? Over business issues?“ She was consumed with curiosity now. She’d never seen that look in Kyle’s eyes before. It frightened her.
    „Never mind, Becky. It’s not important now. Right now all I want to do is get everything on the table between us. I realize this whole situation must seem a little confusing to you. I’m sure you’ve got some questions.“
    Rebecca shook her head slowly in amazement. „Trust you to try to make it all sound like a minor business arrangement that needs to be clarified. I’ve only got one real question for you, Kyle.“
    „Ask,“ he invited magnanimously. There was a certain amount of speculation in his gaze, as if he were fairly certain he had things under control now.
    „What made you think you could get away with doing this to me?“
    He stared at her. „What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything to you except make love to you.“
    „You haven’t made love to me,“ she said with soft scorn. „You’ve used me. You’re no better than your ancestors.
    You tried to seduce me in the hopes of getting me to turn over the land without a fuss.“
    Kyle took a step forward. „Becky, that’s not true. When you’ve had a chance to settle down, you’ll realize that. I’m warning you. Don’t make a lot of accusations now that you’ll have to eat later. I’ve told you the truth about the way it happened. Our relationship now has nothing to do with Harmony Valley.“
    She got to her feet, so consumed with fury that she was surprised she wasn’t going up in flames. „Don’t stand there and lie to me, Kyle. It has everything to do with that valley. In fact, that valley appears to be the sole basis of our relationship. It’s the reason we met in the first place, the reason you made love to me, the reason you asked me to move in with you. I’ll give your ancestors credit for one thing – they at least offered marriage to the woman who owned the valley. I didn’t even get that much!“
    Kyle’s green eyes glinted. „Rebecca, sit down. You’re overreacting. This isn’t like you. Calm down and give us both a chance to talk this out.“
    „What’s to talk about? Do you want to buy that land from me?“
    „Forget the land,“ Kyle snarled, his temper obviously beginning to fray. „We’re not talking about the land, we’re talking about us. You and me.“
    „Is that right? Then you’d have absolutely no objection if I gave the land away to Glen Ballard this afternoon?“
    she taunted.
    Kyle brushed the threat aside with an impatient movement of his hand. „Don’t make rash, stupid statements like that. You’re just a little upset.“
    „A little upset?“ She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
    „Becky, we can deal with Harmony Valley later. It’s not important right now. Our relationship is the important thing.“
    „What relationship?“ She glanced wildly around. „As far as I can see, the only relationship we have exists because of that land.“
    „That’s not true, damn it. Becky, listen to me.“ Kyle took two long strides forward and put his glass down. „You’re being irrational. It’s not like you. Just calm down and give yourself a chance to think.“
    Her chin came up. „What should I think about, Kyle? The fact that you’ve never once said you love me? The fact that I’ve been a fool thinking that you were falling in love with me and just needed time to understand your own feelings? Or maybe I should sit around and think about how I’ve been set up and used. Something tells me that would be a lot more productive.“
    „You were not being set up.“ His hands closed around her shoulders. He gave her a small shake. His gaze was brilliant as he controlled his anger with obvious effort. „You’re not going to get away with accusing me of that, no matter how furious you are. I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again, our relationship has nothing to do with that land.“
    „I’m supposed to believe that?“ She was incredulous. „After the story you’ve just told me?“
    „Believe it, Rebecca,“ Kyle said