Sweet Revenge

London.”
    “Umm-hmm. Do you know you have a mole just here.” He skimmed his fingers down her hip. “I could find it in the dark.”
    “I have to be practical.” Even as she said it, meant it, she moved against him. “I need you to be practical.”
    “An excellent idea. Let’s drink to it.” Reaching over her, he picked up their glasses.
    “Philip, I want you to listen to me. It may have been wrong of me to leave the way I did in Mexico, but I thought it would be easier. I wanted to avoid saying things that have to be said.”
    “The problem with you, Addy, is that you try to think more than feel. But go ahead, say what’s on your mind.”
    “I can’t afford to be involved with you, with anyone. What I have to do requires all my concentration. You know as well as I how vital it is not to let outside problems interfere with work.”
    “Is that what I am?” He was sated enough to be amused rather than angry. “An outside problem?”
    She was silent for a moment. “You have no part in my plans in Jaquir. Even after I’ve finished, I intend to stay alone. I won’t ever allow myself to build my life around a man, to make decisions based on my feelings for one. If that sounds selfish, I’m sorry. But I know how easy it is to lose who and what you are.”
    He listened to her, his eyes very clear, his mouth very sober. “That would be all well and good except for one slight problem. I love you, Adrianne.”
    Her lips parted. In shock, he realized wryly. Then she pushed herself up and was nearly out of bed before he caught her.
    “No, you won’t turn away from me.” He pulled her back, ignoring the glass she’d dropped over the side of the bed and the wine that was soaking into the carpet. “And I won’t let you turn away from yourself.”
    “Don’t do this.”
    “Already done.”
    “Philip, you’re just letting your imagination run away with you. You’ve romanticized what’s been happening between us, added violins and moonlight.”
    “Does it make you feel safer to think so?”
    “It’s not a matter of being safe, it’s a matter of common sense.” But that wasn’t true, not when she could feel the fear dancing inside her stomach. “Let’s not complicate this any more than it already is.”
    “Fine. We’ll keep it simple.” He took her face in his hands, gently this time. “I’m in love with you, Addy. You’ll have to get used to it because you won’t shake me loose. Now relax.” He skimmed a hand down to cup her breast. “And I’ll show you what I mean.”

Chapter Twenty-One
    Adrianne snuggled into the pillow, blinked against the intrusion of light, then stretched. Philip’s arm rose with hers. Metal rang. In speechless shock she stared at the handcuffs that bound her wrist to his while he grumbled.
    “You bastard.”
    “We’ve already established that.” With one jerk he had her tumbling against his chest. She was smoothly, warmly naked. “Morning, darling.”
    She pushed off, then fell against him again. “What the hell is this?” Adrianne yanked her arm hard enough to make him wince.
    “A simple precaution—to keep you from slipping under the door.” Using his free hand, he caught her hair to pull her face down to his. He was already hard, just remembering. “I love you, Addy, but I don’t trust you.”
    “Take these off immediately.”
    He tolled so that his legs tangled with hers. “I was hoping you’d let me prove that I can make love to you with one hand tied behind my back. So to speak.”
    She swallowed a chuckle. “Some other time.”
    “Suit yourself.” He settled back on the pillow and closed his eyes.
    “Philip, I said to take these off.”
    “I will, when it’s time to get up.”
    She gave their joined arms another jerk. “I refuse to be shackled like some sort of body slave—”
    “Lovely idea.”
    “And I am getting up.”
    He opened one eye. “At this hour?”
    “It’s after noon.” Disgusted, she lifted the cuffs so that she could study the lock. She supposed she could drag him to her tools. “I was an early riser before I met you.”
    That made him open both eyes. “Whatever for?”
    On a hiss of frustration she climbed over him. “Where’s the damn key?”
    “All right, don’t get testy.”
    Planting her feet, Adrianne pulled. She had to drop to her knees, but it was satisfying enough to watch Philip hit the floor.
    “Christ.” Forgetting dignity, he rubbed the part that hit the floor first. “What’s the