Page 7 of Unexpected Union

“I’m not moving, I’m all unpacked.”

“So am I.”

He must have by chance taken the availablebedroom. Had he seen her clothes earlier would he still be sosurprised to see her?

Impasse.

Out of nowhere, Mitch raised his left handto his forehead shakily and tried to look injured. “I’m recoveringfrom a serious automobile crash.”

Audra burst out laughing.

“I don’t believe it. Surely you’re nottrying to play on my sympathies?” she asked. “That doesn’t soundlike you at all.”

At least not the man she’d married echoed inthe silence.

“Not working, huh?”

He frowned, he couldn’t imagine what had ledto that pathetic attempt at humor.

“Not a chance. You’ll do a lot to get yourown way, but I’m not leaving. You’ll have to find otheraccommodations.”

The light discussion was a relief after theintensity of his emotions. It would take a while to adjust to thecoming change in his life. Seeing her balanced on the edge of thechair reminded him how he’d missed her when she first left. Howempty the apartment had seemed. How long the nights.

“I’m sure there’s some legal precedence formy staying,” he said slowly, feeling the anger gradually dissipate.He had a lot to think about, but first, he wanted to get theirlodging settled.

“If there were, I’m sure you’d find it. Wecould draw straws,” she suggested, ignoring his feeble attempt tobluff.

“Or I could just stay.”

“I’mstaying,” she retortedfirmly.

She hadn’t moved an inch but for some reasonMitch felt as if she were digging in for the long haul. He knew shecould be tenacious and stubborn. Hadn’t he seen her going toe totoe with the senior members of her firm when she felt stronglyabout something?

And watched her win her point.

And hadn’t she walked out exactly as she’dthreatened when he hadn’t changed his lifestyle to suit her?

For a long moment they stared at each other.Mitch wasn’t a top-notch assistant district attorney for nothing.He had years of experience in negotiation, in cutting deals withcriminals to appear to cooperate while getting them—and others oftheir like—off the streets.

He’d call her bluff.

“All right, we both stay.”

Audra blinked. “Both?” It was almost asqueak.

“I could say, all three. Or you canleave.”

The gauntlet was thrown. Mitch was curiousto find out what she’d do now.

Leaning back in her chair, Audra stared atthe man. Was he out of his mind? A husband and wife who hadseparated didn’t share a house together. Audra had come to theresort to make plans for the future and enjoy the serenity of theplace.

She didn’t want to have Mitch around whileshe made that tough decision–whether to ask for a divorce ornot.

She had never been able to ignore him. Therewas too much energy surrounding the man, too much sex appeal.

She frowned and dropped her gaze. She had nobusiness feeling anything. Their marriage had ended six months ago.She was doing fine on her own. And soon she’d have her preciousbaby. She had to get things settled in her life so she’d be readyto focus on her baby when he or she arrived.

“I was planning to stay the three weeksThomas and Tessa booked,” she said slowly.

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