Blinking fast, she whispered, “That was when I loved you.”
His hands grew still.
“You must think I’m a fool.” Dropping his arms, he said coldly, “I know you never loved me. You loved my money, nothing more.”
“It might have started as a con,” she said tearfully, “but it changed to something more. I’m telling you the truth. I loved—”
“Say those words again,” he exclaimed, cutting her off in a low, dangerous voice, “and you’ll regret it.”
She straightened her spine and looked at him defiantly.
“I loved you,” she cried. “With all my heart!”
“Be quiet!” With a low growl, he pushed her back violently against the bedpost. “Not another word!”
Bree’s heart pounded as she saw the fury in his eyes. She could feel the hard wood against her back, feel his chest against hers with the quick rise and fall of her every breath.
Abruptly, he released her.
“Why did you really come to Hawaii?” he said in a low voice.
She blinked fast, able to exhale. “We got offered jobs here, and we needed them.”
He shook his head, his jaw tight. “Why would you take a job as a housekeeper? With your skills?” His eyes narrowed. “You were surprised to see me at the poker table. If you’re not here to con me, who was your mark?”
“No one! I told you—I don’t do that anymore!”
“Right,” he said sarcastically. “Because you’re honest and pure.”
His nasty tone cut her to the heart, but she raised her chin. “What are you doing here? Because the last time I checked, there weren’t many gold mines on Oahu!”
He stared at her for a long moment. “Do you truly not know?” His forehead furrowed. “It was in the news….”
“I’ve spent the last decade avoiding news about you, chief. Not looking for it!”
“Three months ago, I was in an accident,” he said tightly. “Racing on the Honolulu International Speedway.”
An accident? As in—hurt?
She looked him over anxiously, but saw no sign of injury. Catching his eye, she scowled. “Too bad it didn’t kill you.”
“Yes. Too bad.” His voice was cold. “I am fine now. I was planning to return to St. Petersburg tomorrow.”
Her heart leaped with sudden hope. “So you’re leaving—”
“I’m not in any hurry.” He gripped her wrists again. “Nice try changing the subject. Tell me why you came here. Who is your mark? If not me, then who?”
“No one!”
“You expect me to believe we met by coincidence?”
She bared her teeth. “More like bad luck!”
“Bad luck,” he muttered. He moved closer to her, and his grip tightened. She felt tingles down her body, felt his closeness as he pressed her against the carved wooden post of the bed. His gaze fell to her lips.
“No,” she whispered. “Please.” She swallowed, then lifted her gaze. “You said…I could just clean the house….”
He stared at her. His blue eyes were wide as the infinite blue sea. Then he abruptly let her go.