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And she laughed at herself She was letting her iination run riot Cass wasn't seriously interested in her He had taken her out tonight to et how he had been jilted, to soothe his ego over the hu left at the altar She was just a means to an end, and if he see it was only because he was a clever, shrewd s, not merely women

While she was arguing with herself over whether she wanted him or not, Cass was blissfully unaware of her If he knehat she was thinking he would laugh at her, and she would deserve it For a while, she had forgotten Annette—but he had wanted to marry Annette, and he one to so much trouble for her, even after she had left him at the altar

Sian turned her head away, biting her lip What a fool you are! she told herself Grow up!

Cass pulled up outside her flat and turned to s'

'I hope it achieved what you wanted it to achieve,' Sian said tartly, and he laughed, as though not hearing the angry note in her voice

'I saw one gossip coluh'

'More than enough, I'd say,' Sian ht her shoulder and casually pulled her back towards him before she knehat he was up to

As he bent to kiss her she wildly hit out,only to push him away The sound of the slap as it landed on his cheek made both of them jump, but especially Sian, even more surprised than he was, since she hadn't intended to slap his face

There was a dangerous pause, while she stared, aghast, at the spreading redness on his skin, and he stared back at her as if he couldn't believe she had actually dared to hit him

Then he slaainst the seat, and kept her there with the weight of his body while he began to kiss her forcibly, his led uselessly; he was far too strong for her and the kiss was no pleasure

'I hate you, stop it!' she tried to say, but the words were muffled by his hard mouth

Frustration and rage made her shake; a tear trickled from under her lids and then another She ith fury because she understood why he was so violent It had nothing to do with her personally—her slap had simply reminded him of Annette and his hue on Sian as the nearest female and she bitterly resented it

At last, breathing thickly, Cass lifted his head and she glared up at him 'You make me sick,' she said, and he turned pale himself

'I'm sorry, I lost my temper'

'Don't bother to make excuses,' Sian said shakily, white and tear-stained and in a mood to bite hih of you and your dao! Why should I have to carry the can for Annette? It wasn't my fault she walked out on you, and I don't want to listen to any et away froain'