But now, the image of her in that dress was burned deep, so deep, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to remove it. The silk hugged every curve and framed her shoulders, straight and proud. The red juxtaposed her olive skin and jet-black hair.
I waited outside the door of her room. Being late hadn’t been on my itinerary, but it seemed to be on hers. Mentally, I tapped my foot, outside, I stood still braced against the wall across from her doorway.
Two more minutes and I’d barge in and carry her out. I watched the time slip by until ten seconds remained. As I leaned forward, about to strike, the door opened and she stepped out in a swath of silk and glittering jewels. Did I pay for those too, or did she bring them with her?
“You’re Late.”You’re stunning. Sexy. And I want to rip the silk off your body.
“I usually have help with all this,” she gestured at her body, and then closed her bedroom door.
I held my arm toward her, but she only glared at it before brushing past me. It doesn’t matter, I didn’t care, I merely offered the support as she towered four inches higher than usual in the heels I caught peeking out from the edge of her dress.
She stopped at the door to the elevator. “Where are we going? We need to make an entrance.”
I knew the power of a good entrance, but my plans tonight hadn’t included one. There was a subtlety to what I needed done this evening. “An entrance is off the table.”
I led her into the elevator. The party had already begun one floor below us. A short ride, and the doors slid open to crystal chandeliers and silk drapes. We exited; she stopped me and turned me by the bicep to face her. I could have dragged her along, or stopped her from touching me, but curiosity kept me still. She jerked my tux jacket down from the hem, and adjusted my bow tie, as if she were a concerned partner rather than a forced accomplice.
Once she let out a satisfied sigh, she looked me in the eye and blinked like she’d come awake abruptly. I seized the moment and backed her toward the opposite wall, one hand on her flat stomach, the other on her elbow so she didn’t careen off her towering heels. When her back met the wallpaper, I stared down into her eyes. “You have no friends here. So don’t think to make an ally and use them to your advantage.”
Her lips twisted into a mocking smile. “It’s almost as if you know me.”
“I know you better than most.” I caught myself and added, “I research my captives very thoroughly.”
“And what do you think you know?”
I shifted my grip to her hips and ran my hands up her waist to her bare arms slowly. No weapons I could find. She was starting to learn. “Because I’m just going to stand here and spill my bad guy plans. Do anything stupid,” I lowered my voice and my face toward hers. “I won’t bother playing nice anymore. I’ll just kill you.”
She jerked out of my grip and pushed my chest, ineffectively. “If you did your research you’ll have leaned I always keep my word.”
“Did you give your word to your brother, or your fiancé?” A low blow, but my words pierced the mark.
“Are you trying to be a dick? Is that your big plan? Cow everyone into doing what you want?”
I took another step forward crowding her, forcing her back, pressing in. “It’s how I operate,Passerotto. I know you do your research as well. You know intimidation and force are two of my favorite hobbies.”
She exhaled slowly, her face a mask of calm belied by the thump thump thump her heart against my chest. “We should go in.”
“Are we on the same page?”
She threw her chin up. “I always keep my word.”
I stepped back and offered my elbow. “Then let’s go.”
Her posture was stiffer now, but she rested the tips of her fingers on the crook of my arm. Destroying any tender moments mid-bloom would save us both in the end. She’d see that soon enough.
I led her into the lion’s den with no preamble. As I expected, men, and their mistresses, turned to look. Some part of me must still feel something, since I leaned down and asked, “drink?”
Not waiting for an answer, I steered her toward the bar in the corner. She used the opportunity to let go of my arm. The heat of where her hand sat still radiating through my sleeve. Something floral and sexy wafted from her hair as she spun. No everyday petunias or whatever the fuck women usually wore. She smelled sexy, alluring, exotic, like night blooming jasmine. A scent meant to ensnare and intrigue a man.
She ordered a scotch on the rocks and I pulled my God damned head out of my ass and focused on the purpose of this party: get the lay of the land. And show a bunch of career criminals that no one is safe.
“Did you attack my domain first because I’m a woman?” Her question came out of nowhere. I surveyed her again. That dress disturbed me in ways I couldn’t articulate, if not the woman wearing it.
“No, I attacked you first because your territory is the largest, and most organized. Rather like we are doing now. I’m showing them who I am.”
She spun to face the room. “What now? I’m not stripping for these fools.”
The soft tender expanse of her thigh, I caught a glimpse of earlier, hit my mind. And like a derailed train the rest of her bare skin, I’d seen since she’d entered my home, toppled behind.
