e made an abrupt movement with his hand.

"I've never mentioned marriage to you, Jessica. Don't delude yourself. I'm not that big a fool."

Jessica felt the blood draining from her face and she was glad of the darkness. No, he wasn't a fool, but she was. When she spoke, her tone was even, almost cool. "That's odd. I thought marriage was a natural result of love. But then, you've never actually said that you love me, have you, Nikolas?"

His mouth twisted and he got out of bed, walking to the window to stand looking out, his splendid body revealed to her. He wasn't concerned with his lack of dress, standing there as casually as if he wore a suit and tie. "I've never lied to you, Jessica," he said brutally. "I want you as I've never wanted another woman, but you're not the type of woman I would ever take as my wife."