was a pawn in your attempt to control a family? It seems that, as with me, you assumed ownership of those around you.”
Again, Tate’s face changed, only this time he went from anger to what appeared to be amusement. “I have never owned you, even though you first appeared to me in a nightdress that was from a child’s fairy tale. Was your intent to seduce me into an illicit liaison?”
Casey’s anger increased. “Seduce you? Why you vain, arrogant—” She glared at him. He was
not
going to make her forget where she was! “You, sir, are the villain in this. When you first showed yourself to me, you were as bare as the day you were born. You conjured rain from above and soaped parts an unmarried woman should not see.”
Tate almost smiled. “Then why did you not make yourself known? Why did you not flee the scene?”
“It was a matter of fear. Does not the maiden fear the attacker?”
“That you held still in utter silence to watch said soaping makes me question your maidenhood.”
Casey’s lips curled up in a snarl. “Shall we compare the multiple losses of physical virtue? Perhaps a recording of names would suffice. Is there enough paper in this small town for such a long list as yours would be?”
For a moment he turned away from the audience. Only Casey could see that he was truly enjoying himself. When he turned back, the audience saw “that” look, the one he used onscreen. His dark eyes seemed to exude lust and desire. His voice was a low, seductive rumble. “Perhaps your protests are intended to add yourself to that number.” He reached out to touch her cheek.
But Casey lifted her hands and blocked his touch. “I wouldn’t have you if—”
Tate had taken both her wrists in his hands. Slowly and seductively, he kissed her palms. He looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes, as though he expected her to fall into his arms and forgive him all.
Casey felt nothing. His action was so false, so meant-to-impress, that she had no response. She gave him a cool gaze. “Sir! I demand that you release me.”
Tate was so shocked that she knew she’d struck home. He’d used his most seductive acting maneuvers on her and had failed.
He dropped her hands and stood there staring at her, seeming to have no reply.
Casey couldn’t resist an extra punch. “Tonight I will enjoy dining with the brother-in-law you have discarded.” When she saw that she’d rendered him speechless, she went back to the script—and there was genuine venom in her voice. “ ‘From the first moment I heard you speak, I have seen your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain for others—all of which have built within me an unbreakable dislike of you.’ ”
She stepped so close to him that her breasts were almost touching his chest, and she looked up into his eyes. She was glad to see that she’d erased the smugness from them. “ ‘Sir! If you were the last man on earth, I would not marry you.’ ”
Tate stepped back from her. “ ‘That is enough! I understand your feelings and am now fully ashamed of my own. Forgive me for taking so much of your time. I wish you health and happiness in your life.’ ” Turning, he left the stage.
Casey stood where she was, watching him walk away, his steps angry, then she started to walk toward the other side to leave.
That’s when the cheering erupted. Startled, she turned toward the audience and saw that everyone was applauding and calling out. Electricians in the rafters, gardeners from outside, all the women, everyone was clapping and shouting.
“You go, Casey!” they yelled.
“Tell him for us!”
“Brilliant!”
Casey felt blood rushing to her face. During the…whatever it had been, she’d forgotten about the people watching. She had only been aware of shooting barbs back and forth with that detestable man.
However, the applause and the cheers did feel good. She gave a bit of a curtsy, then ran off the stage.
Jack opened the door of the Big
Again, Tate’s face changed, only this time he went from anger to what appeared to be amusement. “I have never owned you, even though you first appeared to me in a nightdress that was from a child’s fairy tale. Was your intent to seduce me into an illicit liaison?”
Casey’s anger increased. “Seduce you? Why you vain, arrogant—” She glared at him. He was
not
going to make her forget where she was! “You, sir, are the villain in this. When you first showed yourself to me, you were as bare as the day you were born. You conjured rain from above and soaped parts an unmarried woman should not see.”
Tate almost smiled. “Then why did you not make yourself known? Why did you not flee the scene?”
“It was a matter of fear. Does not the maiden fear the attacker?”
“That you held still in utter silence to watch said soaping makes me question your maidenhood.”
Casey’s lips curled up in a snarl. “Shall we compare the multiple losses of physical virtue? Perhaps a recording of names would suffice. Is there enough paper in this small town for such a long list as yours would be?”
For a moment he turned away from the audience. Only Casey could see that he was truly enjoying himself. When he turned back, the audience saw “that” look, the one he used onscreen. His dark eyes seemed to exude lust and desire. His voice was a low, seductive rumble. “Perhaps your protests are intended to add yourself to that number.” He reached out to touch her cheek.
But Casey lifted her hands and blocked his touch. “I wouldn’t have you if—”
Tate had taken both her wrists in his hands. Slowly and seductively, he kissed her palms. He looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes, as though he expected her to fall into his arms and forgive him all.
Casey felt nothing. His action was so false, so meant-to-impress, that she had no response. She gave him a cool gaze. “Sir! I demand that you release me.”
Tate was so shocked that she knew she’d struck home. He’d used his most seductive acting maneuvers on her and had failed.
He dropped her hands and stood there staring at her, seeming to have no reply.
Casey couldn’t resist an extra punch. “Tonight I will enjoy dining with the brother-in-law you have discarded.” When she saw that she’d rendered him speechless, she went back to the script—and there was genuine venom in her voice. “ ‘From the first moment I heard you speak, I have seen your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain for others—all of which have built within me an unbreakable dislike of you.’ ”
She stepped so close to him that her breasts were almost touching his chest, and she looked up into his eyes. She was glad to see that she’d erased the smugness from them. “ ‘Sir! If you were the last man on earth, I would not marry you.’ ”
Tate stepped back from her. “ ‘That is enough! I understand your feelings and am now fully ashamed of my own. Forgive me for taking so much of your time. I wish you health and happiness in your life.’ ” Turning, he left the stage.
Casey stood where she was, watching him walk away, his steps angry, then she started to walk toward the other side to leave.
That’s when the cheering erupted. Startled, she turned toward the audience and saw that everyone was applauding and calling out. Electricians in the rafters, gardeners from outside, all the women, everyone was clapping and shouting.
“You go, Casey!” they yelled.
“Tell him for us!”
“Brilliant!”
Casey felt blood rushing to her face. During the…whatever it had been, she’d forgotten about the people watching. She had only been aware of shooting barbs back and forth with that detestable man.
However, the applause and the cheers did feel good. She gave a bit of a curtsy, then ran off the stage.
Jack opened the door of the Big
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