Man with a past by Jayne Ann Krentz Page B

careful what you say next.“
    „Have you stolen anything, Cole?“ she asked stonily. „I saw you looking at the printouts that were in that case.“
    His gray eyes chilled. „Do you believe I’d take them from you?“
    „I’m asking because, as usual with you, I don’t know what to believe!“
    Cole reached for the silver coffeepot that had been set on the table. „Are you ever going to trust me, Kelsey?“
    „I told you once you couldn’t have trust without genuine communication,“ she bit out tightly. Kelsey leaned forward. „I want that case back. I have a responsibility to deliver it. I do not want to have to admit to myself or to Walt Gladwin that I allowed a man who had seduced me to make off with those printouts. If you have any respect or…
    affection for me at all, Cole, you will stop playing games and give me back that case.“
    He stared at her intently for a long moment, studying her tense features. „And if you trusted me at all you wouldn’t accuse me of industrial espionage.“
    Kelsey paled, but her voice stayed even. „I guess we know where we stand with each other, then, don’t we? All the evidence would seem to indicate you’ve taken advantage of me.“
    „Do you truly believe that? Last week you accused me of blackmailing your stepfather. Now I’m supposedly a thief. Last night you didn’t think so badly of me. But if you are prepared to make accusations this morning why don’t you call a ship’s officer and do it right?“
    Kelsey bit her lip and shifted restlessly in the chair. „I don’t think there’s any need to go that far. Just give me back the case and we’ll forget about the whole thing.“
    „No, we will not forget about the whole thing. If you honestly believe I’ve stolen those printouts, then do something about it. Call an officer and report it. A search will be made of my room and the case will be found. You will identify it and that will be that. You’ll probably be able to press charges when we get home.“ Cole smiled one of his rare smiles, but his eyes were colder than ever. „Go ahead, Kelsey. Act on your beliefs. Make a formal accusation.“
    „Stop it,“ she told him, infuriated at the way he was pushing her. She couldn’t report him, and he must have known that. „I don’t want any dramatic scenes. I just want that case. If it’s in your room we can go and get it after breakfast. I won’t ask you why you took it – “
    „How forebearing of you,“ he mocked.
    „Damn it, how would you feel this morning if the situation were reversed? If you’d seen me going through the contents of that case in the middle of the night and then awakened to find it gone?“
    „This reminds me of the conversation we had last week,“ he mused as a chilled grapefruit was set in front of him.
    „At that time you were asking me how I’d react if I discovered someone was blackmailing one of my relatives.“
    „I’m trying to make you understand how ridiculous it is of you to keep demanding that I take everything you say or won’t say on trust!“
    „Are you going to order breakfast?“ he interrupted gently as the steward hovered.
    „The last thing I’m thinking about at the moment is breakfast!“ she raged stiffly.
    Cole glanced up at the waiter. „You can bring her some poached eggs and toast. She was a little seasick last night, so I think we’ll keep it simple.“
    „Yes, sir,“ the man responded respectfully.
    „Cole,“ Kelsey began as the steward disappeared. „Please stop harassing me. I don’t understand you. What do you want from me?“
    „You know what I want from you.“ He calmly started eating the pink grapefruit.
    „The printouts?“ she challenged.
    With great care he put down his spoon. „No, Kelsey, I do not want the printouts. I want you.“
    „Really?“ she retorted sardonically. „Then why take the printouts instead?“
    He looked at her with steel in his eyes. „I’ve told you that if you think I’ve stolen those