with the sort of look she imagined lions gave potential victims. „Tell me about your friend, the
artist.“
„From the fact that you know his line of work, I have a feeling my father has already given you plenty of details,“
she ground out scathingly. „I don’t intend to discuss Kevin with you!“
„A close friend?“
„Very close!“
„But not so close that you choose to spend the night with him, apparently.“
„Not this particular night,“ Hilary inserted with a lift of her firm chin. An idea was beginning to take shape in her
mind. If Logan Saber thought she was involved in an affair with Kevin he might decide the competition was more than
he wished to tackle. „You have a rather casual arrangement?“ he suggested softly, but Hilary didn’t care for the look
which flashed for an instant in those gray-green eyes.
Without answering Hilary merely inclined her head in a regal fashion, letting him believe what he wished.
„I see,“ he said almost gently. „Your father was afraid that might be the case. His biggest worry is that you’ll marry
the man.“
„Who knows?“ Hilary said with a touch of lightness. „Kevin and I are in no rush to decide our future. We’re simply
enjoying the present.“ She shifted, drawing her feet under her so that she sat curled in the chair. „Now that your basic
question is answered, Logan, will you be so kind as to take yourself off?“
„There are one or two other points we should go over before I leave,“ he said carefully. „Not the least of which is
the fate of any competitors in a situation like this one.“
„What situation are you referring to, Logan?“ Hilary demanded, feeling more uneasy than ever.
„A situation in which I’m willing to take what I want and to hell with the competition,“ he said succinctly.
„I thought you didn’t care for the violent approach,“ she snapped back, her face aflame at his implication.
„I’m sure you’ll have too much sense to allow the issue to develop to the point where physical force is necessary.“
„You and my father both seem to think I’ll stop short of provoking you or any other male to violence,“ she said
grimly, recalling Crawford’s comment that morning. „I suppose I should be flattered by your belief in my levelheaded
approach to life but somehow all I can conclude is that both of you think I’m going to be easily intimidated. Well, my
father, at least, should know better. And you, Logan Saber, should have had enough experience in the business world
to recognize determination when you see it. I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again. I will not marry for the sake of a
business transaction!“
„Which brings us to my next point,“ Logan interjected easily, just as if he didn’t realize she was on the verge of
throwing something at him. „You will be marrying me, Hilary Forrester. And while I don’t care at all about your past
romances, I should make it quite clear that there will be no more. Whatever is going on between you and Kevin Thorne
will have to come to an end. Once acquired, Hilary, I do not share my holdings with any other man.“
He got to his feet with an unexpected swift, graceful movement which left Hilary, open-mouthed with shock, staring
up at him. Quite casually he leaned over and hauled her up beside him.
„How dare you, Logan Saber!“ she managed to breath, conscious of his fingers on the brilliant scarf at her throat.
„How do you dare talk as if you’re going to get what you want from me! I wouldn’t marry you if…“
„Please, Hilary, don’t say anything you’ll have to take back later. As a first-rate cook you ought to realize how
unappetizing it is to have to eat one’s own words!“
„Shut up and get out of here this instant…“ she began forcefully, supremely aware of how much stronger he was.
„I do like this scarf,“ he said, his fingers still toying with it. „I find myself unable to resist discovering