Slowly but surely, he’d drawn out the information he needed. But now he had to know about her personal life. Since plan A hadn’t left her falling into his arms in gratitude when he took the company off her overworked hands, he needed to revert to plan B. Other than a loss of his freedom, it would be only a small personal sacrifice to blend his life with Darci’s. In fact, it was becoming more enticing with every passing minute.

“There must be a man somewhere who’s waiting at home for you to call.”

“There’s no one.”

Her words were clipped short, and he studied her carefully, noting the fresh pain reflected in her eyes. He should be celebrating, because physically she was free for the taking. But emotionally, he suspected she was still attached to someone. He’d just have to proceed as planned. His scheme didn’t require her love, just her cooperation.

“You won’t consider selling?”

She shook her head adamantly. “It’s my company, Cole.”

“Actually, it’s our company.” He waited for that assertion to soak in. “We own equal shares and equal rights.”

“But the board has appointed me president. I’m in charge until they change their minds.”

“That can be arranged, I’m sure.” He disliked the quiet threat, but he needed to back her into a corner, needed to force her to turn to him.

Her green eyes glared daggers at him. “Are you threatening me?”

“Just stating facts.” He leaned forward, trying to hold her gaze, but her look darted away. “Blackmore’s Gourmet Chocolates is my legacy, the only thing I’ve ever had from the old man.” His grip on the coffee cup tightened until his knuckles turned white. “I sure as hell never had his love.”

Without warning, her fingers curled around his wrist, offering an understanding he didn’t want.

“Your father was a hard man. And you made it very difficult for him to show you anything other than his anger.”

The years of arguing, of fighting to be his own man, haunted Cole. His father had never understood Cole’s need to make something on his own, to carve his own path. He hadn’t wanted just to inherit his father’s life and keep up with the image until retirement.

But after years of struggling, of more success in his chosen profession than he’d ever dreamed possible, Cole had no options left. He needed to come home, to take over the family gourmet candy business and make his father proud. Even if it was too late.

“Darci, I intend to take control of the company. Sell your shares and let me have what’s rightfully mine.”

She pulled away, and he felt a momentary sense of loss. Her warmth had lit a little patch of sunshine in his cold heart. He didn’t want to lose it, but knew he had no right to keep it.