Silver Linings

gaze. Mattie realized then why he could look at her with such complete sincerity. It was because he had no concept of conscience or remorse. There was nothing there under the surface, just as she had tried to explain to Hugh. Nothing there at all .
    This was a man who could commit any crime and feel nothing for the victim. He could look his next victim straight in the eye and smile.
    Not like Hugh , she thought. She understood then that Hugh had never lied to her. Not once, not even a year ago.
    With Hugh, a woman would always know where she stood—if she was paying attention and not letting the past get in the way.
    When Hugh made love, there was no doubting the genuineness of his passion. When he chewed you out, you knew he was mad. When he laughed, you knew he was happy. When he made a commitment, you knew he would keep it.
    And if he were about to kill you, Mattie realized, you would know it. He would not smile at you with seductive eyes when he pulled the trigger. All the hellish cold of impending death would be there in his wolf's gaze.
    “I find you as fascinating in your own way as I do the sword in that case,” Rainbird murmured. “But I suppose that is not so very strange. You are a creature fashioned for passion, and the blade is an object designed for clean, cold violence. Sex and violence are forever linked. Two sides of the same coin. Have you learned that yet, Mattie?”
    “No,” she said, her throat tight as the walls closed in. “No, and I don't believe you. They are not linked. One is life and one is death.”
    “Such an innocent.” His mouth brushed across hers again. The blue eyes were smiling and intent. “I am willing to bet you have never been made love to properly, Mattie Sharpe. I can see the lack of knowledge in your eyes. You're nervous, aren't you?”
    “Yes.” That was putting it mildly, Mattie thought.
    “I told you that good sex and good violence are linked, but that doesn't mean I like my sex to be violent. Quite the contrary, Mattie. I am a man who likes subtlety and nuance. I appreciate delicate things, and a woman such as yourself is a very delicate creature, indeed. You would find me a very gentle, very considerate, very careful lover. I would take my time with you. All the time in the world.”
    “Please…I…”
    He silenced her with another feather-light kiss. Then, with a small, endearing smile flickering again around the corners of his mouth, he took her hand and led her out of the library and along the veranda to the master bedroom suite. He did not turn on the lights as he urged her through the French doors. A silver of silver from the moon angled across the room.
    Mattie struggled for composure. The massive white bed in the center of the room loomed in the shadows. “What about Howard?”
    “Howard will not bother us.” Rainbird smiled his beautiful smile. “Don't be afraid, Mattie. I'm not going to rape you. I don't do things that way. There is a place for violence, but it is not in the bedroom.”
    “You prefer to exercise the power of seduction?” She tried a small, tentative smile of her own.
    “As I said, I prefer subtlety.” Rainbird's finger drifted along the vee of her shirt collar. “And I imagine any woman who has spent more than ten minutes with Hugh Abbott would hunger for a little civilized behavior. Especially someone as sensitive and lovely as you, Mattie.”
    She closed her eyes and took one step backward. She was feeling so nauseated now she was beginning to be afraid she would ruin everything by throwing up in the middle of Rainbird's big seduction scene. “Would you mind very much if I used the bathroom?”
    “Not at all.” He waved her gallantly toward the adjoining room.
    He continued to watch her with an intent, vaguely amused expression as she edged toward the bath. His fingers went to the black tie around his throat.
    Suddenly Mattie wondered if Rainbird already knew about the secret panel and had walled it up. Perhaps he was playing some horrible game with her. But she had no choice. She had to try it. It was her only hope of escape. The thought of going back out into that bedroom was enough to make her feel faint.
    She closed the door of the beautiful bath, turned on the light, and took a quick glance around. Rainbird's personal items were there now, neatly placed along the white marble countertop: silver-backed combs, expensive after-shave and cologne, a single fresh hibiscus in a crystal vase.
    Mattie's eyes glided over