Gemma shook her head.
“You can't mean it,” she said.
Declan shrugged.
“Of course, I mean it. It should be easy to change the brand of the car or the color… if you would prefer something different.”
She gave a breathless laugh.
“That wasn't what I meant. I meant that you can't really want to give me a car like that for my birthday. Surely you must know I don't expect anything from you. I don’t need your gifts.”
He frowned darkly, all humor leaving his face.
“I gave it to you because it was expected of me. Every girl should have something special for her twenty-first birthday.”
“Not a car like that! I mean, it’s an amazing car, but…&rd
He slipped on his jacket in unhurried movements, putting the bowtie in his pocket.“I'll bring you to your knees before I've finished with you,” Declan taunted softly. “I'll have you begging me to marry you… You'll see…”“Like hell you will!” Gemma blazed.“Oh, I will, darling. I'll twist you up in knots so tight you'll be glad to marry me just to find the release I can give you.”“Physical gratification,” she replied in disgust. “Is that all you can give me?”“Don't mock it,” Declan warned. “You won't find it so disgusting in a couple of weeks either.” He smiled a cruel taunting smile.“I'll look forward to seeing you grovel.”“Oh, go to hell, Declan Starr!”“For the time be
Declan turned back the cuffs of his shirt to just below his elbows.'It's very hot tonight,” he explained. Gemma's cheeks flamed fiery red. The situation, as always, had backfired on her.“Look, if the circumstances were different… If the things between us were… Oh, my God, this is so absurd, Declan… Take back your damned car! Please!”“I can’t, darling. It isn't mine. It was bought in your name and is registered to your name.” She turned away.“You don't understand… or you don't want to. I’m an ordinary working girl… Okay, I accept that for the time being, I'm involved in your life, but when that's over, I'm not even going to be able to afford the insurance of the car, let alone every other expens
Every evening seemed to end the same way. They would talk for a while, listen to a few records, and then Gemma would somehow find herself in Declan's arms. Each night, she promised herself that this time it would be different. That she wouldn't give in to the sensuous pressure of his mouth or the demand in his eyes. Still, each time she broke that intimate promise she made. Declan controlled these interludes in a way that was infuriating. He knew exactly when she had lost control of her senses. He knew when she would deny him nothing. And that was the time he always broke up their embrace. Gemma knew that he purposefully used these frustrating tactics. That it was all part of his demonic, exhausting plan to bring her to her knees. And yet there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.&nbs
“Hey, don't you start getting suspicious of me too!” William demanded laughing. “I've been meaning to come over and see you for weeks now. I would have been over earlier tonight, but I had to work late at the last minute. Perhaps it was as well I was later than I expected to be.”“Because of Declan?”“Yes. He's been very loverlike and possessive about his relationship with you. I've tried to talk to him several times about you, but Deck always changes the subject.”“Probably because there's nothing to tell,” Gemma evaded.“Oh, come on! You're the interest of the year in his crowd. Which is great, believe me. The girl to capture Declan Starr. That's no easy task, let me tell you.”“I wouldn't exactly say I've captured him,” she denied quickly. “We're engaged, yes. But an engagement doesn't mean that much nowadays.”&nb
By this time, William had her firmly pinned against the wall.“I respect and love my brother more than anyone else I've ever known,” he contradicted. “He's everything I ever want to be.” One of his hands moved to caress her suddenly pale cheeks.“I see. I suppose it's all this love and respect you have for him that's pushing you to make a pass at his fiancée,” Gemma scorned, more frightened than she cared to admit. William was almost as well built and muscular as Declan, and he had an equal amount of determination.“No,” he disagreed mildly. “It's you that's making me do that… You, with your coolness that makes me want to melt you until you're on fire for me.” His mouth tightened
“Really?” Gemma countered.“Yes, you damn well are!”“After everything you just saw you still want me?” He gave a tight smile, some of the tense anger seeming to leave his body.“I still want you, darling, and I still have to convince Marcus Warwick that I'm much too interested in my own woman to want his. They were the reasons for the marriage in the first place and they haven't changed.” His grip tightened painfully on her arms.“But if I ever find you in another man's arms once we're married, I promise you our conversation will finish differently.” There was a dangerous edge to his voice that told Gemma he meant exactly what he said.“Of course,” she said dryly. 
She looked quickly away, all color leaving her face.“Would you mind if we sat down, Jerry?” she asked breathlessly. He put an arm about her shoulders.“That last one wore you out, did it?” he teased. Gemma gave a shaky smile.“Yes.” She deliberately swapped seats with Jerry, her back now firmly turned to the couple she most wanted to avoid. This was so… unfair… So hurtful and painful…“Gemma?” Jerry touched her hand. She smiled at him wanly.“Sorry, Jerry. I think I have a headache coming on.”“Would you like me to take you home?”&n
“W-waiting for me?” Gemma repeated breathlessly. Declan stood up now and came towards her.“Mm-hmm,” he murmured. “Your glorious eyes were promising interesting things tonight… And I have no intention of letting any other man collect them.”“Promising interesting things?” She held on to the towel that was in danger of falling off to reveal her body in all its naked glory.“You… you're quite mistaken, Declan Starr!”“I don't think so, sweet darling.” He touched her pale cheeks.“You don't look well, Gemma. Have you been ill?”“No. I’ve been just fine, thank you very much,” she answered huskily, unnerved by his closeness.“Really? Not