When the Devil Drives

thought about us. She assumed that we—loved each other too, that wewere looking for a real home together. She had no idea of the actualdisgustingtruth. I felt ghastly. A sham—a total hypocrite.'There was a pause. 'I think you're overreacting,' Cal said with a slightfrown.'Perhaps,' she said. 'But I've no intention of degrading everything theOsbornes created with the sordid arrangement you're forcing me into.'She took a breath. 'I will not live in that house, or sleep in that bedwith you!''An ultimatum, no less,' Cal remarked mockingly. 'Do you reallythink you're in a position to issue one?''I neither know nor care.' Joanna's voice was low and angry. 'I meanit. If I have to share a roof with you at some stage, it won't be thatone.'There was another, even longer pause. 'Then we'll just have to findsomewhere else,' said Cal, shrugging. 'I've got details of several otherproperties in the area.'She stared at him. She was still angry, but mingled with the upset wasa curious sensation, almost like disappointment. She hadn't expectedhim to give way so easily. She'd wanted—what? Cal to fight withher— persuade her—override her protests. She wasn't sure.He was speaking again. 'I'll talk to the agents, and call you later.''Oh, spare me, please,' Joanna said tautly, and got to her feet. 'I'mgoing now.'Cal rose too, his frown deepening. 'Without anything to eat?'