As soon as Claudia left them and they were alone in Richard's car, Shantel turned to face him.
"What was that about?"
Richard didn't respond right away, instead he gave the driver a short nod. "Drive," he said quietly.
As the vehicle eased into motion, Shantel didn't look away. "So?" She prompted again.
He released a slow, deep breath, then glanced sideways at her. "What part?"
"You calling me your woman and then telling Mrs. Spencer you'd rather be destroyed by me than saved by anyone else," she said in a low but even voice. "That didn't sound like acting."
Richard's jaw flexed. "Maybe it wasn't."
She blinked. "You can't…"she began but stopped. "You shouldn't have said it."
"Why?" His eyes flicked to hers again, this time blazing with unmasked curiosity. "Because it sounded too much like the truth?"
"Yes," she snapped. "Because we're not supposed to be playing that kind of game."
