Had he taken her there to rot, to be locked up and forgotten? Could he have possibly killed her sister?
EARLY MORNING SHADOWS bathed the cabin as Miles watched the emotions play on the womansCaitlinsface. He had to call her Caitlin just to give her a name, although he realized she might be lying, that she might be the other twin, Nora.
Confusion, fear and wariness riddled her features, triggering his own questions and distrust. One glance downward and shed realized she was naked. Another second and she knew he had undressed her. And she didnt like it.
You were going into shock, he said. I had to warm you up.
And thats all that happened?
He grunted. You think Id take advantage of a woman who passed out?
Yousaid we were married?
His gaze met hers, the undeniable flare of uncertainty in her tone hitting him. She didnt believe him.
I married Caitlin, he said coldly. Whether you are her or a look-alike, Im not convinced yet.
His hands balled into fists as he remembered her tone the day shed walked out on him. He shouldnt want to protect her now, but he did. And that wasnt all he wanted.
We need to talk. Ignoring her glassy stare and the tension humming between them, he rose and poked at the fire in the adjoining room, well aware her gaze was glued to his back. Sometime during the night, hed shed his clothes, the heat from the cabin and his own desires making him break into a sweat. He wasnt a man who cared about his body or what anyone thoughtexcept for the fear he put into their eyes when he unleashed his temper.
Willing his morning erection at bay, he dragged
on a pair of boxers, strode to the kitchen, made coffee, then carried two mugs back to the bedroom. Caitlin still lay curled on her side, but shed grabbed his shirt and had shrugged into it. The sight resurrected memories of long sexy nights with her naked beneath him, her long legs wrapped around him. Nights filled with passionin the beginning.
But their relationship had obviously been built on sex. An illusion of love.
He wouldnt allow his libido to sway him under her spell again. But if their argument had put her in danger, hed never forgive himself.
He handed her the cup but kept his distance as she propped herself against the pillows. Hed seen the fear on her face when she noticed his naked body in the predawn light. A ripple of alarm had lit her eyes at his jutting sex.
Caitlin had not been daunted by his size.
Tell me what happened the night we had that argument.
She practically inhaled the coffee, as if shed been starved for days, and guilt splintered through him. He should feed her first, let her bathe, get dressed, cover that silky skin and naked body from his hungry eyes.
A feeling of self-loathing assaulted him. He was obsessed with wanting her, while she looked as if shed been through hell and back.
She licked her lips, her voice not quite steady when she spoke. I dont know what youre talking about.
Listen, Caitlin he hesitated for emphasis if you are Caitlin. We were married for three weeks, we had great sex, we had an argument. You walked out. I want to know why.
She tensed at the mention of great sex. At least he had her attention.
But she sipped the coffee again, stalling. He knew it. So did she. Then her gaze landed on the aquarium and her face twisted in thought. Tigger. Pooh. Her haunted eyes rose to meet his.
You remember your fish, but not me? Anger sharpened his words, and she flinched. Great. He was frightening his own wife. And remembering the fish but not him proved just how important hed been to her.
She stuttered an apology, but she had no explanation. Im sorry. I dont understand, either, but I dont remember you or that night, she whispered. Ijust know I woke up a few daysa couple of weeks ago in a psychiatric ward, and I was being drugged. She raked her hair over her shoulder, making his fingers itch to comb through the mass. I didnt sign myself in to that hellhole, so you must have.
What? Her accusation stung. I told you, you walked out on me. Ive been searching for you for weeks.
She chewed her lower lip, scrutinizing him, yet he didnt think she was lying. Not completely, anyway. Something traumatic had obviously happened to her and he had to get to the bottom of it. How did you get the track marks?
She yanked the shirt sleeves over her arms self-consciously. II told youthey drugged me.
You expect me to believe that? He scrubbed his hand over the back of his neck. Listen, Caitlin. This is what I know. You married me, then walked out on me. Two days after you left, I found out youd hooked up with some guy in a honky-tonk. Maybe he got you strung out, and now youre scared, running back to me for help.
She shook her head, her eyes blurring with tears. No, thats not true. I wouldnt do drugs, I swear. And I wish I did remember you. Her lips quivered. Besides, how do I know youre not lying? That you didnt marry Nora and then kill her? That you wont send me back to that awful place?
He crossed the room to her, studied her with a frown. But the bruises on her skin softened his resolve, and he ended up stroking her palm with his thumb. Im not sending you anywhere, not until I learn the truth.