Page 23 of Kyle
Temper, she mused. It must not have gone well with the actress. "I suppose she's bemoaning the fact that you have to come home to me."
His eyes flared and darkened as he swung around to face her.
"I did not have to do a damn thing."
"Okay. Easy boy." She held up a hand as if to ward off his temper. "I bet she was like..." He stared in shock as she screwed up her face and pouted, bottom lip pursing and did an incredible imitation of Carly's voice. "'Darling, I don't think I can bear it any longer, you're living in the same house with her. I know you're in separate suites, but what if...'"
She drew in her breath in a dramatic motion and waved her hand, blinking her eyes. "'What if one night she crawls into bed with you. I mean look at you! So manly and beautiful with all that golden skin and burnished hair. I know she's not your type and you're totally in love with me, but she would be naked andbeing a man, you might be unable to resist her. Oh, I can't stand it!'"
She finished with a flair; the back of her left hand pressed to her forehead. Dropping her hand, she gave him a smug smile, while he stood there staring at her speechless.
"So, how did I do?"
Her question stirred him out of his shock. He had to fight the urge to laugh. And had to admit that she had lifted his black mood considerably. Bringing the bottle to his mouth to hide the grin, he glugged water and continued to stare at her.
"You're an idiot."
She grinned at his tone and nodded. "High school plays. I was Katherine in Shakespeare's 'The taming of the shrew.'"
"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" He asked dryly and found himself moving to sit across from her. Rolling the bottle between his palms, he regarded her in silence before blurting out. "I ended things with her."
Ingrid's eyes widened. Putting the cup down with the utmost care, she ignored the slamming of her heart against her ribs. It had nothing to do with her, why should it?
"Why?" She found herself asking.
He had no idea why it came out of his mouth, but he had come so far, he might as well go all the way. "She deserves better than to be someone's mistress."
She had to fight not to reach out a hand to cover his. He looked so forlorn, and she had to speculate that he really must love her. She had no idea how to feel about that.
"I take it that she was quite broken up about your decision."
He shrugged. "I had to face reality." His eyes met hers. "It had to be done."
"Uhm..." She shook her head. "I don't know if I should apologize for my performance earlier."
His lips quirked. "Would you mean it?"
She considered for a bit. "I don't think so."
"Then you shouldn't." They lapsed into silence again, each busy with their own thoughts.
"Matthew has a guy. Some lawyer he met several months ago." She had no idea why she was telling him this but considering he had just confided in her about his break-up, it seemed the right thing to do.
He gave her a surprised look and could not help but feel pleased she was talking to him about it. "I only discovered he was gay a few years ago."
"A well kept secret," she said lightly.
"It must be tough on him."
It was her turn to look surprised.
"What? You think because I'm not into men, I cannot relate?"
"No." Shaking her head, she sent the coils tumbling around her shoulders. "You do not strike me as being someone with empathy."
His eyes flared, but he managed to tamp down the annoyance. "You don't know me." He pointed out coolly.
"You're right." Her quiet acceptance dampened his anger. "And it's not right for me to judge." She sipped her tea slowly. "I am a very suspicious person and when someone steps into my brother's life, I tend to be wary." She shrugged. "We've both been through a lot where relationships are concerned."
