A Mating of Hawks by Jeanne Williams Page A

Concha see me come in. She’d love to take that to Patrick.”
    â€œThat old witch!” Vashti shuddered, rising. “Always padding around, watching me with those damned flat black eyes! I’ve tried to get rid of her but Patrick won’t hear of it.”
    â€œIf she sees us, I’ll get rid of her. Permanently.”
    â€œJudd, you sound so dangerous,” Vashti teased. Her eyes deepened. Her expensive perfume floated up from between her breasts as soft arms closed around him. She filled him with the surfeited distaste he felt after a long night with her, though she knew all the tricks and, under his disgust, the familiar hot urgency was starting to build. Caressing his face and throat, she laughed softly. “You’re as macho as any Mexican.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be funny if Patrick threw you out and disowned me.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t, even if he guessed,” she said complacently.
    Judd drew away, stared at her through narrowed eyes. She seemed suddenly old. Well-preserved, but used-up beside Tracy’s freshness. He’d been a fool to get mixed up with her but she’d been convenient, lushly inviting, and he’d thought her experienced enough to handle it as mutual gratification. He hadn’t expected her growing possessiveness, the way she was trying to turn it into some kind of grand passion. Even less had he expected to feel compunction, a kind of shame, when she flirted with him in front of his blind father. Contemptuously, he swung away from her, thrusting his hands into his pockets.
    â€œBlind and paralyzed, Patrick’s still a hell of a lot more man than you deserve. If he knew, he’d take care of us.”
    â€œJudd! You’re in a vile mood.”
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    She was silent. “I’ve got things to do,” he said, turning. “If it’s skipped your mind, we’ll talk later.”
    She stepped in front of him, jaw hardening. “I’d like to know why you’re taking such an interest in little cousin Tracy.”
    â€œI’m not married,” he said brutally. “I can show an interest where I damn well please.”
    She choked. Her eyes glowed like brimstone. “If you think you can just use me and—and—”
    â€œYes?” he mocked, rocking back on his heels and crossing his arms.
    When she swallowed and clenched her hands, strangling back whatever stupidities she wanted to hurl at him, he said in a bored tone, “I didn’t seduce you, Vashti. I don’t owe you a thing. If you want to finish us fast, just throw fits or threaten me.”
    She flinched as if he’d hit her, then smiled with obvious effort, putting her hand placatingly on his.
    â€œLet’s not quarrel, darling. I was only going to show Tracy around the place myself if you were offering out of hospitality or cousinly duty.”
    â€œConsidering how you hate the place, I’d never ask you to make that sacrifice,” he said sardonically. “Thanks, but I expect that little tour to be fun.”
    At Vashti’s stricken look, his instinct not to unnecessarily make an enemy led him to say more gently, “Tracy’s got influence with Patrick. It’s worth some trouble to get her on my side.”
    The thought of Tracy touched off a wave of desire that transferred obligingly to Vashti’s warm, full body. Grasping her robe, he started to husk it off.
    Her eyes lifted; she understood.
    Stepping back with a slight laugh, she said, “Sorry, dear. I’ve got a beastly headache. Maybe later.”
    â€œIf you’re smart, you’ll take it when you can get it.”
    That beautiful mask-like face congealed.
    â€œEnjoy your headache,” he said with a savage grin and let himself out. It was like escaping from the scented lair of a treacherous, fawning animal. But there was nothing she could do to him. He had what she wanted, not the other way