The Millionaire Claims His Wife by Sandra Marton Page B

face, hearing his voice? Walking at his side? No. It would be too—too—
    â€œIt would be wrong,” she said brusquely.
    â€œAnnie...”
    â€œThere’s no reason to compound one lie with another.” She rose, picked up the coffeepot and dumped the contents into the sink. “You were right. One more mouthful of caffeine and I’m going to start twitching.”
    â€œAnnie...”
    â€œWhat?” She swung around and faced him. “It wouldn’t work,” she said flatly. “Not for you, not for me—not for anybody else.”
    â€œWho else? Nobody’d need to know.”
    Annie drew herself up. “What about your fiancée?”
    â€œMy...?”
    â€œJanet Pendleton. How would you explain it to her?”
    Chase frowned. Another lie, coming back to bite him in the tail. “Well,” he said, “well, I’d just tell her—I’d say...” His eyes focused on Annie’s. “I’ll tell her whatever it is you’d tell your pansy poet.”
    Annie flushed. “That’s one thing about you, Chase Cooper. You always did have a way with words. I thought I told you, Milton is a professor at the college.”
    â€œHe’s a limp-wristed twit, and I’ll bet anything you’re taking one of his dumb courses. What is it this time? How To Speak Sixteenth-Century English In A Twenty-First Century World? Fifty Ways To Turn Simple Thoughts Into Total Obfuscation?”
    â€œObfuscation,” Annie said, batting her lashes. “I’m impressed.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’m not. How can you be so gullible? Flocking to dumb courses given by jerks with too many initials after their names...”
    â€œYou have a lot of initials after your name, Mr. Cooper. But, of course, you’re not a jerk.”
    â€œYou’re damn right, I’m not. At least I’ve got some calluses on my hands. I know the meaning of honest labor.”
    â€œSorry, Chase. You’ve lost the right to use that word. ‘Honest’ does not apply, after the whopper you told our daughter.”
    â€œIs that how you met him?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œHoffman. Am I right? Did you take a course he taught?”
    â€œMilton is a Shakespearean scholar with an outstanding reputation.”
    â€œIn what? Seducing married women?”
    Annie’s eyes flashed. “I am not a married woman. Yes, I took a course he taught and yes, he writes poetry. Beautiful poetry, which I’m sure is beyond your comprehension. Unfortunately, since I know it’ll disappoint you to hear this, Milton is not gay.”
    Chase folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose you speak from personal experience,” he said, and felt his stomach clench.
    Annie barely hesitated. Why worry about telling a lie to the master of the art? “Of course,” she said, with a little smile.
    Chase’s jaw tightened. This was a moment for some cleverly sarcastic remark. Unfortunately, his mind was a blank. No, that wasn’t true. It had filled with an image of Annie in Hoffman’s arms, of his fist connecting with Hoffman’s narrow jaw.
    â€œHow nice for you both,” he said coldly.
    Annie tossed her head. “We think so.”
    â€œSo, when’s the big day?”
    â€œWhat big...?” She swallowed. “You mean, the wedding?” She shrugged and mentally crossed her fingers. “We, ah, we haven’t set an actual date yet. And you?”
    â€œAnd me, what?”
    â€œWhen are you and Janet tying the knot?”
    Knot was right. Chase could feel the noose, slipping around his throat.
    â€œSoon.”
    â€œThis summer?”
    â€œIt depends. I’ve got this project starting in Seattle.”
    â€œAnd, of course, that comes first.”
    â€œIt’s an important job, Annie.”
    â€œI’m sure it is. And I’m sure Janet understands that.”
    â€œShe does, yes. She knows it