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“Won’t you at least look at me when you say that?”
No.But knowing that was just being plain childish, Anneke forced herself to meet his gaze.
And in his eyes were things that she didn’t want to see, didn’t want to believe or understand.
“Why are you even here?” she asked helplessly. Netherlands was so very far away from Florida.
“I already told you.” His voice was matter-of-fact. “But it’s your choice not to believe me—-”
“And I don’t.” She knew she was being rude, knew she was trying to provoke him into losing his temper even just a little bit, but she just couldn’t help it.
However, it was all for naught.
Marcus only inclined his head, saying, “Like I said, it is your choice,bambina.”
The very mature response made her say sulkily, “You should stop saying that, too.”
Marcus’ lips twitched. “You should know you only look more adorable when you’re being childish.”
She burst out hotly, “I amnot—-” And then she stopped because shewasbeing childish. Anneke took a deep breath. “Marcus—-”
Something unashamedly sexual glittered in his eyes.
Crap.She hadn’t meant to use his name, especially knowing how he got some kind of strange kick out of it. Taking a deep breath, she started over again, saying very firmly, “This is the last time we can meet with each other.Okay?I’m in the middle of divorcing you—-”
“You mean you’re in the middle of yourattemptto get a divorce,” he corrected smoothly, “which the court hasn’t yet granted.”
She glared at him. “You know what I mean, and I know what you’re doing here. You want the court to think it’s premature to grant my petition since we’re seeing each other—-”
“I’m glad to hear that from your own lips,cara.” Marcus had no trouble deliberately misunderstanding her words.
Aghast at having her words taken out of context, she protested, “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I don’t see how you could mean it any other way,mio amore.And in that note, I would love to see you again the next time I return to Amsterdam.”
“No.”
But he was able to conveniently ignore this as the waiter had returned to their table with their first course. He kept a steady flow of conversation then, his experience in the boardroom allowing him to prevent Anneke from bringing up anything that was against his agenda.
Every time he sensed her attempting to talk about the divorce or not seeing each other, he countered it pre-emptively with compliments and distractions.
I watched the YouTube clip of your presentation in the trade show last week. You looked gorgeous.
I heard you were at the helm of DKE’s latest deal with China’s #1 media company. How did you make that happen?
Marcus knew he was being ruthless, but he didn’t care. All was fair in love and war, was it not?
When dinner was over, Marcus offered to walk Anneke to her car. He expected her to argue but was disturbed when she only nodded and remained silent by his side. As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, he turned to her, asking abruptly, “What’s wrong?”
She looked up at him, her blue eyes glassy, andDio,it hurt.
“Let’s talk inside your car.”
She only nodded and let him guide her inside the driver seat, icy despair making her immobile. She watched him go around to get inside the passenger seat, and when he got in and pulled the door shut, the jarring sound made her jerk in her seat. Anneke realized all of a sudden how close he was to her—-
So, so close.
And the coldness inside of her grew even more.
