His Black Sheep Bride by Anna DePalo Page B

minute!”
    She flattened her hand on his chest, but the steady, strong beat of his heart, his warmth and solidness, seemed to brand her, and she snatched back her hand.
    Sawyer’s eyes glittered with golden fire.
    Summoning a determination she didn’t feel, Tamara opened her mouth.
    â€œDon’t lie to yourself, and don’t lie to me,” Sawyer said softly, his tone nevertheless conveying a note of implacability.
    Her brows snapped together. Well, she wasn’t going to engage in any hollow denials. But she didn’t like the way he’d thrown her off balance.
    â€œWhat do you want?” she said.
    â€œI think you already know.”
    â€œYou came in here for a necklace,” she persisted.
    â€œAmong other things.”
    How could he seem so rational when she was still trying to recover from the effect of their kiss?
    â€œDon’t think you can seduce me into changing my mind about your proposal.”
    â€œFine,” he said, gimlet-eyed. “But I’m offering a way for you to save Pink Teddy Designs. I thought that would appeal to the small-business owner in you.”
    She hated that he knew what straits she was in. She hated that he had well-honed instincts and knew her weak spots.
    â€œI see,” she said coolly, striving to match her tone to his. “I suppose if you’re going to torpedo my social life, you feel you owe it to me to at least help me professionally?”
    He arched a brow. “Are you talking about Tom?”
    â€œYes!”
    â€œThere was no passion there.”
    â€œHow do you know?” she retorted.
    â€œThe cutesy moniker says it all. ‘Tam and Tom.’ You sounded like pals.”
    â€œMeaning you’d never be caught dead dating someone who was worthy of a cutesy little tandem name?”
    â€œCorrect,” he said, and then added bluntly, “Did you sleep with him?”
    A note of belligerence had entered his tone. She knew Sawyer’s purpose was to dismiss Tom as inconsequential.
    â€œIt’s none of your business,” she snapped.
    â€œI’ll take that as a no,” Sawyer said. “Poor bastard. I thought so.”
    She wanted to wipe the satisfied expression off his face. “Tom is one of the good guys. He isn’t after control of my father’s company.”
    â€œDon’t kid yourself, sweetheart. Tom isn’t a saint.” Sawyer’s eyes swept over her. “On the other hand, since he kept his hands off of you, maybe he is.”
    Tamara felt a strange thrill. Had Sawyer just admitted to finding her hard to resist?
    She pushed the question away. She reminded herself that Sawyer was simply trying to get his way. He’d say or do anything to sway her. He was ruthless. Just like her father.
    With that thought, she scoffed, “What could you possibly have to pin on Tom?”
    Sawyer looked her in the eye. “Maybe he was dating you because of your connection to Kincaid News.”
    Her eyes widened. “You’re despicable!”
    â€œHe jumped at the opportunity to go to L.A., didn’t he?”
    â€œOnly because you arranged to make him an irresistible offer!”
    Tamara reluctantly recalled that Tom had asked her about Kincaid News, even after she’d explained to him that help was unlikely to come for his band from that quarter. Still, she refused to see his interest in her as less than genuine.
    â€œHe was quick to sell you out with information about your current financial situation,” Sawyer pointed out ruthlessly. “When it became clear how I could help his career, he was eager as a puppy.”
    â€œAnd you’re a puppy in need of obedience training!”
    Sawyer’s lips quirked with amusement. “Volunteering for the job?”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    Sawyer’s expression became enigmatic. “At least I’ve been clear about what I want.”
    â€œYes,” she retorted disdainfully.