She felt as if she had beenkicked in the stomach. Her fingers clenched on the second button. "Youdid?"
"Can you think of a morefitting revenge? You surely didn't think I'd beat you with a whip or strap youin an iron maiden? Remember when we discussed my aversion to snakes and I saideveryone was afraid of something?" His gaze narrowed on her face."Isn't this what you fear most? To be a whore like your mother?"
"Yes," shewhispered. Slavery, submission, captivity. God, she should have known Ruelwould have the instinct to strike her the cruelest blow possible.
"Well, aren't you goingto run away?"
For a moment she was wildlytempted, but that would be another defeat. "No."
For an instant she thought shesaw a flicker of disappointment in his expression, but she must have beenmistaken, for he was now smiling mockingly. "Then, by all means, proceed.Your water is cooling."
"Not yet." She methis gaze. "I want your promise."
"My promise?"
"When I leave here, we'requits. I want your promise you'll avoid coming to the site except whenabsolutely necessary."
"I thought we'd alreadyagreed on that."
"I want yourpromise."
He was silent a moment beforehe said curtly, "You have it."
"Good." She wasacutely conscious of his eyes on her as she quickly stripped off the rest ofher clothes and turned toward the tub.
"Wait. Turn around."
She went rigid and then slowlyturned to face him.
He was leaning against thewall, his gaze moving slowly over her. "You're thinner than you were atGlenclaren. I couldn't tell in those clothes."
"I always lose weightwhen I work hard."
His lips tightened. "Isuppose that comment was made to make me feel guilty for forcing you to—-"
"You didn't force me. Itwas my choice." She stared challengingly into his eyes. "And I almostbeat you."
He smiled faintly. "Yes,you did. But almost isn't good enough." His gaze moved down to the curlssurrounding her womanhood. "Turn in a circle. Slowly."
She felt heat suffuse her bodybut somehow managed to keep her expression blank as she obeyed him.
"Even though you'rethinner, your breasts are fuller than they were three years ago."
"May I get in the tubnow?" she asked jerkily.
"Not yet. Turn your backto me."
Her teeth sank into her lowerlip as she turned around and stood still, spine rigid.
"Marvelousbuttocks." His voice thickened. "Tight and firm... Do you rememberthe painting in the maharajah's car?"
She felt like a slave on anauction block, like one of the whores in Frenchie's tent. Slavery. Block itout, she cold herself. She was giving him what he wanted; he was making herfeel what he wished her to feel. "No, I don't remember. Are youfinished?"
"Yes," he saidhoarsely. "Get into the tub."
She quickly covered the fewsteps to the hip bath and the next moment thankfully sank into the soapy water.Don't look at him. Just get it over with. The heady scent of jasmine and lemondrifted up to her from the water as she grabbed the sponge floating on the surfaceand began briskly rubbing her shoulders.
"Not so rough," hesaid mockingly. "I don't want you damaged."
