“It was compromised from the beginning,” he said. “The way my attorney explained it, the grounds for a legal annulment are misrepresentation or duress. I figured you could claim duress. I sure wasn’t going to argue.”

“But the fact that we’re together now makes that doubtful.”

“Big deal. We’ll get a divorce instead. It might take a little longer, but it’ll accomplish the same thing.”

She rose from the glider. “I still don’t want you to stay here.”

“It’s my cottage.”

“I have renter’s rights.”

His voice slid over her, soft and sexy. “I think being around me just makes you nervous.”

“Yeah, right.” She managed a yawn.

Amused, he nodded toward her wineglass. “You’re drinking. Aren’t you afraid you’ll attack me again in my sleep?”

“Oops. Relapse. And I didn’t even realize it.”

“Or maybe you’re afraid I’ll attack you.”

Something licked at her deep inside, but she played Ms. Cool, wandering over to the table to wipe up a few bread crumbs with the napkin she’d left there. “Why should I be? You’re not attracted to me.”

He waited just long enough before he replied to make her nervous. “How do you know who I’m attracted to?”

Her heart did a provoking little skipper-dee. “Oh, my gosh! And here I thought my command of the English language would drive us apart.”

“You’re such a wise-ass.”

“Sorry, but I like my men with more depth of character.”

“Are you trying to say you think I’m shallow?”

“As a sidewalk puddle. But you’re rich and gorgeous, so it’s okay.”

“I am not shallow!”

“Fill in the blank: The most important thing in Kevin Tucker’s life is—”

“Football is my career. That hardly makes me shallow.”

“The second, third, and fourth most important things in Kevin Tucker’s life are football, football, and oh my god, football.”

“I’m the best at what I do, and I’m not apologizing.”

“The fifth most important thing in Kevin Tucker’s life is—Oh, wait now, that would be women, wouldn’t it?”

“Quiet ones, so that leaves you out!”

She was halfway to a great comeback when it hit her. “I get it. All the foreign women …” He looked wary. “You don’t want someone you can truly communicate with. That might get in the way of your primary obsession.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. I keep telling you: I date lots of American women.”

“And I’ll bet they’re interchangeable. Beautiful, not too bright, and—as soon as they turn demanding—out the door.”

“The good old days.”

“I insulted you, in case you didn’t realize it.”

“I insulted you back, in case you didn’t realize it.”

She smiled. “I’m sure you don’t want to stay under the same roof with someone who’s so demanding.”