A long moment passed, and he was encouraged by the indecision he felt in her. At least she was considering it, which was a giant step from the sharp rejection she'd given him the day of their wedding.
"Why?"
If she needed a little inducement, Riley was more than willing to supply it. "I'm going to be away six weeks. That's a hell of a long time for a husband to be without his wife---"
"No," she said flatly, and pushed herself free from his grasp. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, she brushed the hair away from her face, using both hands. He was surprised to realize she was trembling.
"Hannah, for the love of heaven, we're married!"
"Six weeks without making love must be some sort of record for you. Your pressure tactics aren't going to work with me."
"Pressure tactics!" Riley exploded. He could have had her, could skillfully have brought her to the point of desperate physical need. Instead he'd taken a more direct route and in the process robbed himself of the very love he craved. "Before you start accusing me of anything, you'd best examine yourself."
She blushed and looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"My breasts are fuller," he mimicked in a high falsetto voice. "Sweetheart, you were asking for it."
Hannah's face went fire-engine red. "That's ridiculous!"
Riley gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "What's so wrong about us making love? I don't know of any place where it's a crime to sleep with one's wife."
Her gaze narrowed. "If I'm your wife why didn't you tell me you were leaving? A… a stranger comes to my door and tells me my own husband will be gone for several weeks – a stranger, for the love of heaven."
"I thought I was doing you a favor."
"Spare me any more of your favors."