The moment she’d seen him, her body quickened, but now doubt flickered in her mind. Tonight, he wore his cruelty like his cloak, but Hailey remembered when she first walked in and their gazes locked. Anticipation gleamed within those navy-blue depths. Along with a tendril of fear. The emotion was easy to recognize; she felt the same mixture.
He smoked his cigarette with leisure, refusing to turn and look at her. His shoulders remained stiff and unyielding. Hailey turned to go, half relieved at her dismissal, but paused with her hand on the knob. Her Phantom was not so invulnerable to the game. Somehow, feelings had begun to develop, and Hailey refused to cower before them. She had made her bargain. Truth at all costs.
She crossed the room, reached out, and lay one hand on his upper arm. The muscles jumped beneath her touch. He spun around in a whirl of black, his mouth turned down in a sneer. “Why are you still here? I said I don’t desire you tonight.”
His obvious anger soothed her. If he didn’t care, he’d show mercy. “Then I’ll wait until you do.”
He muttered something under his breath. “What are you trying to prove? I’m the one who makes the rules of this game. You obey me, no matter what. And I’m choosing to dismiss you.”
Hailey lifted her chin in the air. “I will obey, because we made a bargain, Phantom. But we’re also supposed to tell the truth to each other. You’re breaking our pact. I had no idea you were a coward.”
He grabbed her arms and lifted up, yanking her against him. His warm breath struck her lips. “You dare to call me a coward? Perhaps, you don’t want to hear your own truth. That I don’t want you anymore. That you now bore me, and I crave another woman.”
Her hands automatically clenched around the folds of his cloak as she hung on. Hailey prayed her bluff would work. “Then I call you a liar. And if you must prove something to yourself, I’ll wait while you take another woman, and join you after. Because I made a promise. I want to be with you tonight, no matter what the cost.”
A vicious curse cut through the air. “Damn you!”
His mouth stamped over hers. With one quick thrust, his tongue parted her lips and conquered her with dominant, hard strokes, exploring every damp, hidden crevice, claiming her for his own.
She gave it all back to him. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she wrapped her legs around his waist and hung on. He thrust all ten fingers into the heavy weight of her hair to hold her head still, as he took more of her, his tongue battling with hers. His taste and the male scent of him swamped her senses. He nipped at her lower lip, then drew it deep into his mouth to suck hard. When he finally pulled away, she struggled for breath.
Slowly, he allowed her to slide back down his body until her feet once again touched the floor.
“Phantom?”
He closed his eyes in defeat. Then took her gently in his arms. “I’m sorry, Hailey.” She glanced up at him. Disgust carved out his features. “I wanted to hurt you.”
“Why?” He remained silent. She pulled away and looked into his face. Then ran her fingers over the sculpted curve of his lower lip, his chiseled jawline, his cheekbone. “You didn’t hurt me. I hear your voice and my body becomes ready instantly. I close my eyes and all I can imagine is your hands on me. I want you all the time. But tonight you seem so angry.”
“I was angry at myself.”
“But you’re not going to tell me why.”
“I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you. I’ve never enjoyed a woman’s company as I do yours. I hate when you leave at the night’s end, and I wish I could sleep with you and wake up to your smile. That’s why I’m angry.”
Her heart lightened and expanded like a balloon. A husky laugh escaped her lips, and she reached up to kiss him. Her lips moved over his and savored the taste of smoke, the sting of cognac, and the arousal of male hunger. Her tongue slipped inward, touching the tip of his in a teasing caress, then drank deeply of him. When she finally raised her head, she couldn’t hide her delight.
“Let me give you some advice. When a woman hears words like that from her lover, it means everything. I’m inexperienced, so to know I made such an impression fills me up.” She paused. “I feel the same way about you.”
“We shouldn’t complicate matters.” His hand cupped her jaw. “We’ve made a bargain. But there are no guarantees for a future unless we decide to unmask. Are you ready for the fantasy to end?”
The light died within her eyes, but she forced a smile. “I intend to enjoy these last nights with you. Because you make me happy.”
Theo stared at her in astonishment. Her words and raw honesty humbled him. She’d always been his best friend, but now he realized the extent of how much she meant to him in every role.
Lover. Wife. Mother.
His.
Tomorrow night, she’d finally know the truth. Maybe she’d reject him. Maybe his bold move would ruin their friendship and she’d never forgive him. There was so much risk involved, but Theo had to follow this path to the end.
He pushed the disturbing thought aside and cradled her in his arms. “I can’t argue with you. I love how direct you are.”
“Why, have you met many women who aren’t?”
He thought of his ex and how she’d betrayed him. All that time she’d held him to a higher standard, demanding perfection, when she was cheating the whole time. Theo was glad the wound had finally healed after all these years. Hailey had been the key to finally letting go of such bitterness, even though she still believed he held on to the betrayal. He wondered if she also used his past as an excuse to keep him in the category of friend, with no hope of crossing over. “Yes. I’ve met women who lied and betrayed me. Women who pretend they want something they don’t.”
She reached out and ran her palm down his chest. Theo stilled and allowed her to touch him freely, exploring his abs, then moving downward. With one quick movement, her fingers grasped his dick, squeezing carefully. He sucked in a breath as he grew harder to the point of pain. Her actions contradicted her teasing tone. “I know exactly what I want. There’s no pretending here.”
