Page 48 of Conail

"Make me."

"I--"

"Here you go." Maeve placed the cup in front of him and interrupted his train of thought. "Thank you."

"My daughter would never endanger the baby she's carrying." She continued as she sliced through the tart. "I rode until I was almost in labor."

His gray-green eyes swung to her as she handed him the plate.

"She was bent over the saddle as if she was racing against time." His mouth was tight with anger. "What if something had spooked the horse and it threw you? What then?"

"I know how to handle my mare so back the hell off. What are you doing here in the first place?"

"It's a lucky thing I came. I don't give a damn if you're trying to kill yourself-- Where are you going?" He shoved his chair back and rose as she left the table.

"To my room." She turned to her mother. "You can show him out."

"Why don't you sit and finish your drink?" She suggested calmly as he stared at the empty doorway. "And give both of you time to calm down."

He turned to look at her and nodded slowly. "I'm not leaving without her."

She hid a smile and simply nodded.

Chapter 13

She was so angry, her heart was pounding and her blood felt as if it was coming to a boil. Who the hell did he think he was? She paced jerkily from one end of the bed to the next. As if she would endanger a life.

She had been feeling edgy and restless and had decided to go for a ride. Colin had warned her against it, but she just had to get out and clear her head. Her illustrations were not going well, and she was confused about everything. She was thinking of names for the baby she was carrying, a baby that was not hers.

And to come here -- actually come here and demand she go home with him. The nerve! The damned nerve of the man. He could just--

She spun around when the door was pushed open and felt as if her head was going to blow right open.

"Get out!"

"You're not packed."

His calm observance had her eyes popping wide open.

"You-- you-- Oh!" She turned and walked over to the window, jerking her shoulders when he came up behind her and clamped his hands on her shoulders.

She jabbed her elbow back and connected with his chest hard enough to have him wincing in pain.

Ignoring that, he turned her to face him.

"I hate you!"

"I don't like you too much myself." One hand raced up to circle her throat. "You could have fallen and broken your damned neck."

"It's my neck."

"You're carrying my baby inside you. I want to protect what's mine." His stance had changed, his fingers gentling around her throat.

"Damn you."

"Yes." His head lowered. "I believe I am."

He added before crushing her mouth. She struggled a little, but that was the residual anger inside her. Then her fingers curled into his crisp white shirt, body vibrating and exploding with feelings. Emotions tumbled around inside her at an alarming rate that had her head spinning.

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