Saxon's Lady Read Online Free Page B

Porsche doors.
    "What's the matter, Garth?" Devon asked as she fished her keys out of the leather clutch and led the way toward the door. "You look as if you just found out one of your prize mares had decided to refuse a stallion you'd hand-picked for her."
    His mouth twisted wryly. "I couldn't have looked that upset. I was just wondering about your social life this past year."
    "It's been a fun year," Devon said firmly as she opened the front door and started up the stairs to her flat.
    Garth felt something clench in his guts. "How much fun have you had, Devon?" he asked quietly as he followed her up the stairs.
    Devon heard the coolness in the question and shivered a little as she opened her front door. "You don't have the right to ask any questions, Garth," she said softly. She stepped into her stylish, black-and-white living room, feeling more sure of herself in her own home. The apartment had been furnished to her taste with a white carpet, polished black furniture and here and there a dash of exotic, brilliant red.
    Garth stood in the doorway, taking in the sophisticated room. "This place looked better at Christmas when you had a tree in the corner and some decorations around."
    Devon shrugged, secretly relieved he was apparently not going to pursue his earlier question about her social life. "I like the sleek, modern look."
    "I'll admit it's about as far away from Hawk Springs as you can get," he said with a glance that dismissed the entire apartment. His clear gray eyes caught and trapped her. "Just tell me the truth, Devon. It's been eating me alive."
    She swallowed at the blunt honesty of the question. So much for hoping he wouldn't persist in his quest to find out about her social life. Garth never gave up until he had the answers to his questions. To give herself time to think of a light response, she walked toward the hall that led to the single bedroom. Perhaps she should lie, tell him she'd had other lovers this past year. It might solve the intolerable problem she faced. Then again, it might not. Garth was a very persistent man. "Help yourself to a drink while I change my clothes. I don't have any beer, but I've got some wine. I'll start dinner as soon as I'm out of this suit."
    "Devon."
    He hadn't raised his voice behind her, but then, he didn't need to. Garth Saxon had been in command of himself and his world for so long that the habit of being in charge came naturally to him. The habit of responding obediently came just as naturally to those around him, Devon thought ruefully. She stopped and turned to face him. When she saw the intent need to know in his eyes, her will to resist collapsed. This was Garth. Whatever else came between them, she wouldn't lie to him.
    "I've gone out on a few dates," she said carefully, "but I haven't... Oh, for heaven's sake, Garth. You know there hasn't been anyone else. How could there be as long as we had an understanding?"
    He nodded, looking at once satisfied and complacent. The intensity disappeared from his eyes. "I know, Devon. Guess I just wanted to hear you say it. There've been times this past year when I thought I'd drive myself over the edge wondering. Forget it. It's all over now, thank God. I'll open some wine while you change. I'm looking forward to some of your cooking."
    Devon watched helplessly as he disappeared into the kitchen. At Christmas when he'd been here he'd acted like a guest. This evening he was acting as though he owned the place. When she heard the sound of the refrigerator door being opened, she whirled around and hurried down the hall to the safety of her bedroom.
    Her odd state of ambivalence was annoying and disconcerting, she thought as she peeled off the black and white suit and hung the yellow silk blouse on a padded hanger. A part of her had known instinctively that Garth would show up today, but another part of her had been so certain that everything had changed during the past year and that somehow he would realize it.
    Her present mood