Chapter 28

"Yes, you want to have done with it," Harry said sardonically. "So you'll have nothing left to dread." Releasing her, he rolled away and stood, adjusting the front of his trousers with casual unconcern. Poppy's face flamed. "But I've decided to let you dread it a bit longer. Just remember that if you have any idea about requesting an annulment, I'll have you on your back and divested of your virginity before you can blink." He drew the covers over her and paused. "Tell me, Poppy . . . Did you think of him at all just now? Was his face, his name in your mind while I was touching you?"

Poppy shook her head, refusing to look at him.

"That's a start," he said softly. He extinguished the lamp and left.

She lay alone in the darkness, shamed and sated and confused.

Sleep was always difficult for Harry. Tonight it was impossible. His mind, accustomed to working on multiple problems simultaneously, now had a new and endlessly interesting subject to ponder.

His wife.