Challoner Bride by Unknown

conditioner that had been installed beneath the glass. He had opened the drapes and had apparently
    been studying the yellowed horizon until he’d realized she was awake.
    „Good morning, Flynn.“ This opening scene wasn’t starting out quite as Angie had expected. During the
    night she had convinced herself that the morning after would be a time of tenderness and anticipation. But
    she sensed already that something was going wrong with her imagined scenario. „You’re up early. After
    everything that happened yesterday, I thought you’d want to sleep late this morning.“ With me, she added
    silently. I thought you’d want to curl up with me and perhaps mak e love to me while we teased each
    other about what to have for break fast. Wasn’t that what lovers did the morning after?
    „Angie, we have to talk.“
    Real anxiety set in now. Angie sat up slowly, drawing the sheet to her chin in an unconsciously
    defensive gesture. Her nightgown lay on the floor beside the bed, and she felt more exposed and vulnerable
    than ever with Flynn standing there fully dressed. She tried to think of something light and brilliant to say
    and ended up coughing a little to clear her throat first.
    „I had no idea you were so chatty first thing in the morning. Haw about a cup of coffee first?“ Did that
    sound sufficiently careless? Angie’s fingers tightened on the hem of the sheet. Oh, God, she wasn’t going
    to be any good at playing careless. She hadn’t had the practice.
    „We can go downstairs to breakfast later. First we have to get some things clarified between us,
    Angie.“ Flynn leaned one elbow casually on his raised knee and looked at her.
    With a sickening sense of shock Angie registered the unrelenting grimness of his dark gaze. This was
    worse than anything she could have imagined. Her pulse began to beat more quickly. She no longer needed
    a cup of coffee to wake her up, Angie realized. She was suddenly, tensely alert. And her overriding instinct
    was to run.
    Except that of course she couldn’t. An image of herself dashing naked out into the hotel corridor brought
    her back to reality. Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Angie searched for the words that might help her
    regain a sense of control.
    „Don’t panic, Flynn. If you’re, uh, worrying about last night… I mean, if you’re afraid I’ll make a scene
    or make demands or something…“ She was fumbling badly and the knowledge alarmed her. „You don’t
    have to be nervous about my reactions this morning. I know what I said down in Mexico, but I guess I didn’
    t mean it. I’m not going to hurl a lot of accusations or… or blame you for using me. I’m perfectly well
    aware that what occurred last night was a…a mutual decision and I’m adult enough to – “
    „Angie, please shut up.“ The order was almost gentle, although there was no softness in Flynn’s face.
    „And don’t make any promises about not throwing a tantrum until after you’ve heard what I have to say.“
    „Flynn, I don’t – “
    „My name is Flynn Sangrey Challoner, Angie.“
    She blinked uncertainly as the name worked its way into her brain. „Challoner?“
    „That’s right. Several generations back one of my ancestors married Maria Isabel Torres. And on the
    wedding night he discovered his bride had brought a rather unique gift to her new husband.“
    „The Torres Dagger.“ Angie couldn’t hear any emotion in her own words. They were as dull and flat as
    she was suddenly feeling.
    „Yes.“ Flynn didn’t take his eyes off her face. He looked like a man who has set himself a hard task; a
    man who won’t quit until it’s accomplished, regardless of how much pain is involved.
    „I see.“ She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her mind seemed to have gone blank.
    „Do you? Angie, I know this is a shock, and I know I’ve got a lot of explaining to do. But I can explain
    it, honey. That’s what I’m trying to do this morning. I want you to