Call It Destiny

instinctively at the sound of the cold demand in him. Vaguely astonished that even in this extreme sort of situation her rebelliousness could surface, Heather glared at him. She could use that natural reaction to save his arrogant neck, she told herself. „Oh, come now, Jake. I’m sure you don’t want to hear all the details. Take my word for it, Rick and I have a lot to discuss. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Rick?“
    „Yeah.“
    „And we’re rather anxious to get on with the, uh, reunion.“
    „You expect me to just walk out that door and drive back to Tucson?“ Jake inquired far too softly.
    Heather shivered and moved a little restlessly, but she kept her eyes level and her chin arrogantly high. „That’s just exactly what I expect. I’m really not into the ménage a trois scene.“
    Jake’s mouth tightened and his eyes blazed for an instant. In that moment Heather was desperately afraid he would give way to the fury that she sensed was eating him alive. Frantically she sought for further words. Anything to get rid of him.
    „Hey, let’s skip the foreign lingo unless it’s Spanish,“ Rick warned from across the room. His hand hovered just above the cushion concealing the gun.
    „Jake, will you please go?“ Heather muttered, wrenching her gaze away from his accusing eyes. „Just get out of here. Can’t you see you’re not wanted? Rick and I go back a long way together. We were always attracted to each other.“ She stumbled awkwardly over the word attracted. She should have said that she and Rick had been lovers, but it had been impossible to get the lie out of her mouth.
    „Yeah, we got this strong mutual attraction,“ Rick mocked. „In other words, we’re real compatible in bed.“
    Jake ignored him. Heather was the whole focus of his shatteringly intent regard. „And what about us?“ he asked her quietly. „What about last night?“
    It was then Heather realized she could never make him believe a complete lie. If she was now able to read him more accurately, then she had to assume the relationship worked both ways. He would be able to perceive that she was lying. Perhaps she could make him understand the situation was highly dangerous by the very fact that she was forced to such extremes. He was brilliant in business. It remained to be seen just how brilliant he was at reading her mind. She dug her nails into her arms as she continued to hold herself.
    „Last night was amusing, Jake.“ She managed a fleeting wry smile. „Or at least it was from my point of view. I hope you didn’t make any more out of it than an interesting toss in the hay. I thought I made my own feelings toward you quite clear at the time. I was under the impression you understood exactly how I felt.“
    „And I thought you understood exactly how I felt,“ he countered evenly.
    „Yes, well, men often say things they don’t mean in the heat of passion. So do women. Let’s just call the whole thing a learning experience, shall we? Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to go.“ She continued looking at him, her gaze unwavering. She did want him to go, for his own sake. „Please go away and leave me alone. I’m tired of the way you’ve been pestering me for the past few weeks. I’m tired of discussing business with you. Always business. That’s all you ever want to talk about. You know I couldn’t care less about that damn hotel. Or about you.“
    „I didn’t realize how completely bored you were in my company,“ Jake said silkily.
    „Yes, well, I tried to be polite for my parents’ sake, but to tell you the truth, I get incredibly tired of hearing about nothing except plans for the Hacienda every time I come home to visit. You’re as bad as dad is about that place. No wonder I left for California when I was eighteen. The thought of taking over dad’s position was very unpleasant.“
    „I’m the one she left town with that day,“ Monroe said pleasantly.
    Jake glanced at him over his shoulder, his scorn barely under control. „Were you?“
    „Yup. So you can see just how far back Heather and I go. A real close attachment.“
    For a second Heather thought Rick’s brash need to assert himself in front of the other man had pushed Jake too far. But then Jake turned back to her, gray eyes quite unreadable.
    „It looks like you’ve made your choice, Heather.“
    „Yes.“ She tried to keep her face expressionless. „I’m sorry if you’re a bit disappointed, but I’m sure you’ve