Wildest Hearts

“In the meantime, you will have to do the generous, intelligent thing.”

    Oliver blinked slowly like a hunting cat that has decided it's time to stop indulging the prey. “Which is?”

    “Accept the fact that your sister is dating a man who had absolutely nothing to do with what happened between you and Paul Shore all those years ago. Give Carson Shore a chance. For Valerie's sake.”

    Oliver did not move. He continued to prop one shoulder against the refrigerator and gazed at her as if she were a somewhat odd species of fern. “I'll set the table,” he said at last.

    He straightened away from the refrigerator and started hunting through cupboards and drawers.

    Annie bit back a dismayed oath. “He might be a very nice man, Oliver. Valerie obviously thinks so.”

    “Shall we eat in here at the kitchen table?” Oliver asked gently. “No sense using the dining room. We don't have Bolt here to clean up afterward.”

    Annie dashed around the edge of the kitchen island and planted herself directly in his path. “You're ignoring the issue here, Oliver.”

    “There is no issue.” He stepped around her and with great precision began to position the place mats, silverware, and napkins on the black metal and glass table. “But there may be a small misunderstanding.”

    “I knew it.” Triumph shot through Annie. “That's the whole problem. A misunderstanding. I knew you weren't an unreasonable man.”

    “Thank you.”

    “You can simply explain to Valerie that initially you had some problems with the idea of her dating Carson Shore based on ancient history. But now that you've had a chance to think it over, you realize you can't go around visiting the sins of the fathers onto the sons, or whatever the old adage is.”

    “What I will tell Valerie,” Oliver said calmly, “is that if she marries Carson Shore, it will be an act of betrayal against her family. She will not be welcome among us again. Furthermore, she will go to him without a dime to her name. I will cut her off entirely from the family money.”

    “What?” Annie stared at him, aghast. “You can't do that, Oliver.”

    “Of course I can do it.”

    “What if she goes ahead and marries him, anyway?”

    “Don't worry. It will never happen.”

    “How can you be so certain of that?” Annie demanded.

    “That's my business,” Oliver said. “It doesn't concern you.”

    Annie searched his face, seeking some sign of softness. She found nothing to give her any hope, but she still could not bring herself to believe that Oliver was as unyielding as he was making himself out to be.

    “This is ludicrous. I can't believe you're being so hard-hearted about this.”

    “I suppose that while we're on the subject of the Shores, we should cover another matter.”

    “I don't think I want to hear this,” Annie muttered.

    “I realize that as far as you're concerned, this marriage of ours is not quite real. But in the eyes of the world, you're my wife. Agreed?”

    “Agreed.” Annie was learning to be wary when Oliver spoke in that especially even tone.

    “Everyone knows there are certain things my wife would not do.”

    “How would everyone know that when you've never before had a wife?” Annie was rather pleased with that comeback.

    “Let's just say that my reputation precedes me,” Oliver said calmly. “In any event, the point I am trying to make here is that one of the things my wife would definitely not do is get involved in any way with a member of Paul Shore's family.”

    “I'm not involved with anyone in his family. I don't even know any members of the Shore family.”

    “Keep it that way, Annie. For however long this marriage lasts, you're Mrs. Oliver Rain. I'll expect you to act the part.”

    She stared at him. “What exactly does that mean?”

    “It means,” he said very softly, “that your first loyalty is to me.”

    “I don't believe this.” Annie banged one of Bolt's professional-weight frying pans down onto the stove. “That's the most outrageous thing I've ever heard. No wonder Valerie was upset. You probably talked to her the way you're talking to me. Well, if you expect me to take orders like that, you've got a real surprise coming, Oliver Rain.”

    “Any time you want out of this marriage,” Oliver said neutrally, “you're free to end it.”

    Annie stood frozen in shock at the threat. Then she collected herself and whirled around to confront him. “You earned your reputation the