Keep calm, keep calm, keep calm. Look at him—he wants you to lose your cool.
“Ratatouille is my favorite.” She wanted to dump it in his lap, dish and all, and leave.
A loud rumble of thunder clashed, making her flinch. It provided a reminder of why she remained in the tower of horrors, about to eat his stupid food in the first place.
“Well, it wasn’t a hard guess, Scabbers, considering . . .” He unlaced his hands and twisted the golden ring hanging from the chain around his neck.
Don’t lose your calm. Don’t give in to anger.
Instead of responding, she scooped a bite and avoided looking at him. “Mmm.”
A small snicker floated her way.
Out of the corner of her eye, his tall, lean body rose. Something reddish-gold slid across the back of his neck. A flash of golden-yellow eyes peeked above the robe’s collar.
Sacha blinked and stared again, but nothing was there.
His craziness is rubbing off on me, making me lose my damn mind.
Fin sidestepped to a cabinet next to the wall and opened a mahogany door, then bent and retrieved a bottle of wine.
“Uh, I’m only eighteen. Not old enough to legally drink.”
“So?” Underneath the robe, his shoulder rose. “How’s that my problem?”
How had she gotten stuck with such an ass? It wasn’t like she’d never drank wine before, but it was usually half a glass on special occasions with her father and extended family. This guy didn’t seem to have any qualms about disobeying the law.
He stooped in front of the wine rack. “One or two?” A crystal wine glass sat between his thumb and index finger.
Ah well, might as well live a little.“Two.”
Something glinted from the seat he’d vacated prior.
She leaned forward for a better look, and her breathing increased. It was the necklace and ring he toyed with.
A wicked thought came over her. In a flash, she stretched an arm and snatched it between her fingers. A quick glance in Fin’s direction showed him choosing wine glasses.
You do enjoy calling people names and making them uncomfortable at their most vulnerable, so let’s see how you like it when they decide to swipe your belongings. Maybe I can watch you squirm for a change.
Holding the precious jewelry in her fist filled her with glee. But where could she hide it?This dress has no pockets, and I can’t hold it in my lap all night. What if it falls?She was committed, though.
Her body broke out in a hot flush at the thought of being caught with the stolen loot in her palm, and she flashed another harried look in his direction.
One hand gripped the neck of the wine bottle, and the fingers of the other pinched the edges of two glasses. He was about to turn to the table.
In panic, she stuffed it in the only place available: her cleavage.
Sacha wanted to kick herself.
What the hell’s wrong with me?She’d never been a kleptomaniac before, but something about this man’s demeanor made her act without thinking.
Plus, she couldn’t help but wonder how he’d behave when he figured out it was missing.
A small thrill of excitement made her blood sing at the little act of defiance. Maybe, she’d give it back—maybe not. Depended on how the ass acted the rest of the night.
When he faced the table with the bottle of red wine, she beamed.
This little rat just stole your shiny and can’t wait to see how you act when you realize it’s gone.
