Stormy Challenge by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz Read Free Book Online Page A

for a fool rarely appeals to even the most good-natured people," she shot back scathingly.
    "But it's much worse for those of us who have a fairly high opinion of our own intelligence, isn't it?" he pointed out. "I told you last night I'm not the only one cursed with a healthy ego!"
    Leya trembled at bis words, not because of what they implied but because of what they were making her realize. It wasn't merely her ego that had been affronted by his scheming. Deep inside, she felt betrayed. And it was that feeling which was so hard to bear. It didn't help telling herself she had no reason to carry the pain that deep.
    The critical thing was that she must not allow him to know the full extent of the blow he had delivered.

    "Rest assured," she bit out furiously, "my ego has definitely taken a beating. Perhaps that information will take the place of the seduction you seemed to need to sweeten your victory?"
    In the mirror, his face tautened. "We've got a lot to talk about, Leya. Come down to the beach for a walk. I want to explain everything, honey ..."
    "You're crazy if you think I'd so much as walk down the hall with you after what you've done!" she stormed, whirling and planting her hands on her hips. "You've had all the victory you're going to get. Leave me alone!"
    "I'm afraid that's not possible," he sighed.
    "Would you like a little assistance from the inn manager? I'm sure he would be glad to stop you from harassing one of his guests! I'll call him!"
    "Leya, calm down. I'm going to talk to you so there's no sense in ranting at me in an effort to make me leave. I'm not going anywhere without you!" There was a quiet steel in Court's voice that underlined the statement very distinctly.
    "What can you possibly have to say to me? I have no wish to listen to your gloating!"
    "I have no intention of taunting you about the contract, you little fool . . . !" he started heatedly.
    Leya flinched at the word. "Must you call me that to my face? I'm only too well aware of my foolishness!"
    "Damn it! I didn't mean it like that! It's only that I'm getting impatient with you and the phrase supped out. . ."
    "Because it's what you think I am! A fool! Well, even fools learn eventually, Court Tremayne—" She broke off with a scalding look. "What the hell is your full name, anyway? Not that it matters!"
    "Courtland Gannon Tremayne," he said evenly, his mouth tight.
    "As I said, it doesn't really matter!"
    "Sure it does," he retorted promptly. "It's much easier to swear at someone when you know his full name!" There was the smallest hint of amusement in his face.
    "You'll have to forgive my sense of humor this morning," she grated. "It's at a low ebb."
    "Come down to the beach, Leya, or at least down to breakfast," he murmured coaxingly. "We have to talk."
    "I'm not setting foot outside this room in your company. Can't you get it through your thick head that I don't want to see you again? You certainly seem bright enough on other matters!"
    "You're determined to be stubborn about this?" he demanded in soft warning.
    "Why not? It goes along with being foolish and having an oversized ego!"
    "When it comes to being foolish, I'm the one who should be accepting the honors!"
    he snapped, putting out a hand to grasp her thick braid. With a quick tug, he forced her closer, ignoring the sharp gasp of anger and pain from his victim. "I should have kept you in my room and in my bed last night. We wouldn't be going through this little scene now if I had!"
    "I can only be grateful that some remnant of my own common sense was at work last night!" she hurled back vengefully. "I can't bear to think of how much more foolish and stupid I would be feeling this morning if I had let you seduce me!"
    "That's not the way it would have been. You would have understood ..."
    "If you think I would have been so awestruck by your incredible lovemaking that I would have forgiven you the deception, you're out of your mind!"
    He drew a sharp breath, and she knew he was