Wildest Hearts by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

you? You know why I'm doing this.”

    “Yes.”

    Her eyes narrowed speculatively. “Because you went through a similar experience after your father vanished, didn't you? You had to find a way to hold things together for your family.”

    “Yes.”

    “And pay off the debts he left behind.”

    Oliver nodded once, not saying anything.

    Annie turned completely around to face him. “Your family appreciates what you did. It was clear tonight that your brothers and sisters admire you tremendously.”

    “I'm not sure admiration is quite what they feel for me.”

    Annie smiled. “They respect you. But you don't get along very well with Sybil, do you?”

    “Sybil and I understand each other.”

    Annie tipped her head to one side. “Why don't you two like each other?”

    “It's an old story,” Oliver said gently. “And it doesn't concern you.”

    “Ouch.” Annie grinned ruefully. “Okay, I know when I've been put in my place. No more questions about Sybil.”

    “I wasn't trying to put you in your place,” Oliver said.

    “Yes, you were. Don't apologize. Your relationship with your stepmother is your business and you don't owe me any explanations. Heavens, it's not like I'm really one of the family just because I married you.”

    “Why don't we change the subject?”

    Annie flushed. “Right. Good idea. Let's change the subject. So, what about dinner? I don't know about you, but I'm starving.”

    “Bolt had instructions to leave dinner in the oven for us.” Oliver glanced at the black and gold watch on his wrist. “It will be waiting when we go downstairs.”

    Annie's brows climbed. “Bolt cooks?”

    “Bolt does anything I tell him to do.”

    “No offense, but he makes me think of a robot.”

    “Bolt is extremely useful.” Oliver straightened. He took Annie's arm and started along the gravel path toward the door.

    “I'm sorry I gave you the impression I don't trust you earlier,” Annie said in a soft rush. “I didn't mean to imply that I don't have complete faith in you.”

    “Thank you.”

    Annie smiled. “You know something? You really are a very nice man. I think your basic problem is that you have difficulty communicating with others.”

    She came to a halt and went up on tiptoe to give him a quick, impulsive little kiss on the side of his face.

    Desire roared through Oliver like an inferno. He stood like a rock, fighting for his self-control. It was as if Annie's small, meaningless caress had flipped a switch somewhere inside him. He had an almost overpowering urge to crush her into the nearest bank of ferns, lift up her skirt, and sink himself into her.

    Even as he watched her watching him he saw the dawning awareness in her eyes. She took an involuntary step back. Wariness replaced the warmth in her gaze.

    Oliver took a deep, steadying breath. “A lot of people don't think I'm very nice at all, Annie. And there's something you ought to know.”

    “What's that?” She whispered.

    “I'm not a monk.”

    Her cheeks turned a vivid pink. “I was afraid you had overhead that stupid remark. I didn't mean it the way it sounded.”

    “Forget it,” he advised brusquely.

    “I never meant to imply that you were asexual or anything.”

    “It's all right, Annie.”

    “No, it's not all right.” She was clearly flustered. “I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression. I mean, I want you to know that I definitely think of you as a man.”

    “Thank you,” he said dryly. It was all right now. He could feel his willpower taking hold again. He was back under control.

    Annie's blush intensified. “Good lord, this is getting worse by the minute. I'm only trying to explain that I think you're quite normal.”

    “Normal, but strange?”

    “In a very interesting way,” she said, clearly desperate.

    He smiled faintly. “Annie, I told you, it's all right.”

    “Yes, but I wouldn't want you to think that I…”

    He stopped the frantic apology by the simple expedient