Kate’s jaw tightened visibly and she stared at him. It was obvious she had no comeback and now sought to wear him down by glowering at him. He stared her down, his blood pumping through his veins with heated life. He examined her, plumbed the depths of her eyes, just as he did when first approaching a wounded animal. He called on his deepest instincts to tell him what was real about her. He saw inside, as he’d done with Gracie and so many other creatures who been damaged by life. He saw it in her—the heartbreak, the mistrust, and the hunger for love. He felt her heart as if it beat in his own chest. Her father was right.
“If you don’t like it, Kate, why don’t you get the hell out of here?” Peter folded his arms.
“I’m not going anywhere, Mr. Manning. This is my father’s office, not yours.
