Wildest Hearts

within months after the takeover. There were rumors, Annie. Do you hear me? There were rumors that Gresham's death was no accident…”

    The car door slammed shut. Bolt got behind the wheel in the blink of an eye and a few seconds later the limousine pulled away from the curb.

    Annie turned her head to glance out the back window. Barry stood on the sidewalk looking as if he had arrived late to a funeral rather than a wedding.

5

    Ithink the leopard works well in here.” Oliver leaned back in his chair, steepled his fingers, and gazed at the jeweled statue with satisfaction.

    As it happened, the exotic beast looked very much at home in his study. But he would have lodged it in here even if it had looked as ridiculous as the elephant and the carousel. The cloisonné leopard was, after all, a gift from his bride.

    His bride.

    He savored the deep sense of satisfaction he had been feeling since he had walked out of the courthouse with Annie at his side.

    “You're sure?” Annie studied the leopard with a dubious expression.

    “Yes.” Oliver smiled slightly. “He suits the room very nicely.”

    His gaze went past the leopard to the rain-streaked darkness beyond the window. It was nearly eight o'clock, and he and Annie were finally alone. He thought that he had concealed his impatience well for the past few hours while his family produced the surprise reception. He admitted to himself that he had been oddly touched by their efforts, but he had been relieved to see everyone, including Bolt, leave a few minutes ago. This was, after all, his wedding night.

    “Well, that takes care of the formalities.” Annie blew a small sigh and sank back into her seat. “No offense, but I thought your family would never leave.”

    “I was beginning to think I would have to ask Bolt to toss them out the door,” Oliver said.

    “Can't blame them for wanting to celebrate, I suppose. They think this marriage is for real. By the way, where did Bolt go? Into a closet somewhere?”

    “Bolt has an apartment of his own down on the sixth floor of this building.” Oliver masked the flare of irritation Annie's offhand comment about their marriage roused in him. He wondered how long it would take before she realized he had every intention of making this marriage very, very real.

    “Oh.” Annie glanced down at her hand and gave a small start. “Good heavens, I almost forgot. You can have your ring back now. The ceremony is over.” She started to remove the simple gold band.

    “Don't you think you'd better keep it on? It's customary, you know.” And he was old-fashioned enough to want his wife to wear the symbol of her commitment to him in plain view.

    “I hadn't thought about having to wear a ring all the time. Do you really think it's necessary?”

    “Yes. We don't want any speculation at this juncture. The marriage must appear solid and secure.”

    Annie eyed the ring dubiously. “I suppose it won't hurt.”

    “It will shore up the image.” He reached across the desk and took her hand in one of his. Her fingers were light, graceful, utterly feminine. He felt a small tremor go through her at his touch. Raw possessiveness flashed through him. He had not been wrong about her. She did want him.

    She was his, Oliver thought triumphantly. Almost.

    Oliver slid the gold band firmly back into place on her finger. When it was in position, she instantly started to tug her hand free of his grip. He searched for an excuse to hold onto her.

    “Come with me.” Oliver stood up, still grasping her hand firmly in his and walked around the edge of the desk.

    “Where are we going?” She looked up at him with a mixture of sensual awareness and uncertainty in her huge eyes. She was still trying to pretend this was a business arrangement.

    Oliver realized that for all her charming impulsiveness and her bold schemes to save her brother's company, Annie was not completely sure of herself tonight. The knowledge amused him and made him feel curiously indulgent. He would be patient with her, he promised himself.

    “I want to show you something on the roof,” Oliver said gently.

    He tugged her to her feet and started for the door. He was ruefully aware of his semiaroused body. He was getting hard in spite of his best efforts at self-control. He would simply have to suffer the torments of the unsatisfied tonight, he told himself. It was too soon, much too soon, to seduce Annie.

    “Are we going to look at the city lights?”