Page 8 of Wife by Agreement

'What the hell are you playing at?'

Whilst his attitude to her lacked warmth, she couldn't remember any occasion when his manner towards her hadn't been faultlessly polite. The flash of anger in his grey eyes and the unmistakable message his whole body language was shouting threw her totally off balance. What had she done?

I’m not playing at anything, Ethan.'

'Don't waste that "butter wouldn't melt in your mouth" look on me, Hannah Smith... It won't wash any more.'

'Kemp, I'm Hannah Kemp.' He might like to pretend this wasn't true sometimes, but it was.

He rubbed a hand through his dark hair, disrupting the sleek silhouette. 'You were less trouble as Smith,' he reflected after a thoughtful pause. 'I offered to drive you because you're very obviously not fit to sit behind a wheel. What are you trying to do—smash the parts you missed last night?'

"That's a ridiculous overstatement!' she protested.

And don't think you're the only one regretting this marriage,' she yelled wildly.

His expression hardened into one of icy disdain as his cold glance whipped up and down her slender figure.

'Under the scrutiny she forced herself to straighten up, even though the ache in her ribs intensified.

'Marriage to me is one of those decisions you'd better learn to live with.' The unspoken 'or else' was clearly there in capital letters.

'Save your intimidation for the courtroom,' she told him with uncharacteristic steel.

I’d never make that mistake—strong-arm tactics with someone who looks as vulnerable and fragile as you do right now would lose me the jury's sympathy.' 'I didn't mean to wound your professional pride.' Her sarcastic murmur sent his dark brows towards his hairline. 'Happily we're not in the courtroom right now, so I'll continue to behave like a bully—you're obviously very at home with that image of me,' he observed tautly. 'Have you seen the way you're moving, woman? It's obvious every step hurts.'

She grimaced—that was almost exactly what Cal had said before he'd insisted on examining her. She gazed at her husband resentfully. 'My ribs are bruised, not broken, and Cal has given me a prescription for some painkillers.'

'Well, the next time you decide to get in a car with a maniac try and remember you're a mother, not a bloody stunt woman!' Anyone would think she'd done this for the sole purpose of inconveniencing him! Ethan could be mind-bogglingly selfish at times.

'Don't worry, I don't need a nursemaid. You don't have to waste your time at home for my sake.'

'Nursemaid!' he scoffed. I’m beginning to think you need a minder. As for staying at home, I'm in court this afternoon. Alexa has agreed to pick Emma up from school.'

Hannah didn't have time to hide her dismay from him. 'I do think you might make a little bit more effort with Alexa—she is the children's grandmother.'

Effort, me? thought Hannah. She grated her teeth at the sheer injustice of this criticism. Alexa Harding had been horrified when she'd learnt that the nanny was to take her daughter's place. Having any woman take Catherine's place would have been hard for her to accept, but the fact that Hannah was, in her eyes, menial household help made the situation unacceptable to the older woman.

At first Hannah had thought she might come round, if she saw the children were happy, but, if anything, the closer Hannah had become to the children, the more bitter their grandmother had become. She never missed an opportunity to belittle Hannah in front of Ethan—she was about as subtle as dripping acid. Hannah longed for Ethan to side with her—just once. Only he never did. He remained aloof from the petty squabbles.

'It's very kind of her,' Hannah said in a expressionless voice. Anxiety crowded out the appearance of calm as she rushed on. 'You didn't tell her what actually happened, did you?' Alexa would have a field-day with that sort of information. 'Does it matter?'

Hannah grabbed his wrist, her fingers digging into his skin. 'Yes, it does,' she persisted urgently.

Ethan looked from her pale fingers to her flushed face with a quizzical expression. 'I stuck to the accident story.'

Hannah heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you.' Realising she was still clinging, she abruptly released her grip.

"The truth isn't the sort of story I'm likely to spread around.'

'Are you trying to imply that by getting into his car I was inviting...?'

'My God, don't be so touchy!' he exploded. Tm not implying anything of the sort. Hopefully you've learnt something from the experience, but that might be asking too much.'

Didn't he ever make a mistake? 'I've learnt not to expect any sympathy from you.' She flushed at the implication that she desired sympathy from him.

'Not when you act like a naive schoolgirl,' he snapped back crisply. 'Get in the car. Not this one—mine,' he added as she reached for her car keys. 'No, don't put those away,' he said, catching her hand. 'You'd better lock it first. Do you make a habit of leaving a welcome card for car thieves?'

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