“Oh, yes he did.” Tucking the end of the wrapped towel under an arm, Sacha used the free hand to wring dripping locks between the fingers. “Thanks for the dry clothes. Give me a few seconds and I’ll be finished. And thanks for not bursting in, unlike your rude boss—or whatever he is.”
Chapter 8
Fin
Hesatwithsteepledfingers at the head of the long, yet simple, wooden table. It had been fifteen minutes since he’d barged in on Sacha. It was a bastard thing to do, but something about her made him reckless and antsy.
She’d been in his home for less than an hour, but he couldn’t keep his mind off her and what she represented—ifshe was who she claimed.
Light footsteps sounded around the corner and stopped short of crossing the threshold.
When she came into view, she hesitated, as if unable to decide whether to head farther in or run toward the front door. She stepped into the warm glow of the candles and firelight, and then straightened her shoulders..
The dark blue velvet dress hugged her curvy waist and fell to her knees. Her exposed legs were smooth, with firm calves and delicate ankles. Raven curls rested on her shoulders and wrapped themselves over her chest.
Fin bit the inside of a cheek and tried to force his breathing to a regular, unhurried rate. An image of her naked thighs wrapped around his waist sent a hot spike of blood throughout his body.
Repositioning his legs, the manacles in his pocket jingled, sending another tempting vision of her spread out beneath him, bared and bound.
Get a grip, man.
He drew a deep breath. If she could read his thoughts, she’d head out and never look back. Lucky for him, she was unaware of his machinations.
When he reached her eyes, a wary gaze followed him.
Her upturned nose scrunched a second before she schooled her face into a blasé mask.
“Well, I must say”—he rose, stepped to the setting next to his, and pulled out a chair—“you definitely look more likePrincessScabbers thanPauperScabbers now.”
She raised her eyebrows and gave him a pointed look.
The smile he beamed her way was genuine, and he felt himself relaxing.
Mouth set in a hard line, she plopped into the chair.
“You’re a rude creep.” Her brown eyes shot daggers. “If it wasn’t so nasty outside, I’d be on my way to the police station instead of sitting to dine with Mr. Whack Job.”
He chuckled, and pleasure coursed through his mind and heart. “Ah, but I’m a creep who’s ensuring your needs are met on this perilous, dark night.”
Goosebumps pimpled the skin of her shoulders, and a visible shiver ran across her arms. Without a word, she faced forward again and ignored him.
Normally, he didn’t care much for the company of the opposite sex—oranyguests, for that matter. The burning need to charge the ring and leave this place had kept his focus on nothing else. How fitting this female—thisNinettegirl—would provide him with vengeance, power, and pleasure.
Sacha scooted her seat forward, scraping the floor with its legs.
Leaning in from behind, he inhaled. She was a mixture of fresh rain and sweet pea blossoms. He closed his eyes and drank in her scent again. The aroma was like a heady potion, and it was a struggle to keep his breathing normal.
An intense urge to take her into his arms shook him to his core.
No.I can’t risk jeopardizing the test.
It was imperative she lie on the enchanted mattress for the entire night—it was the only way to free him from this miserable world.
Perhaps, he lingered too long, because her head angled to the side. “Are yousniffingme?”
Well, damn. This is awkward. Get it together, Fin.
“I was just curious”—straightening, he dipped his chin and met her eyes—“if you soaked long enough to rid yourself of the dreadful smell.”
