Her lashes fluttered, her lips parting. "You… you do?" The barest crack in her voice pierced his anger. Despite his irritation, protectiveness surged. What the devil had happened to Marianne to make her a stranger to trust?
"It's a bloody coincidence that you happened to be in his office the night he was killed," Ambrose said grimly. "What did Leach know about you, Marianne? What is thisinformationyou wanted back?"
Her gaze shuttered, but not before he saw fear flare in her eyes. "That is none of your business."
"The hell it isn't." He advanced upon her, and the stubborn thing did not move or yield any ground even when he stopped mere inches away. Close enough to smell her jasmine-scented skin, to sense the tremor of awareness that passed through her. "I have participated in a crime to help you. I have compromised my principles because I cannot stand the notion of you being hurt."I've endangered my family's future because I can't believe you're as wicked as you pretend to be.His hand shot out, cupping the back of her head, holding her steady to his gaze. "Now you will give me the courtesy of the truth."
"Or what?"
The challenge brought his simmering blood to a boil. His rationality dissolved in a molten wave of anger and lust. "Or this," he rasped and yanked her to him.
His lips claimed hers in a kiss that was anything but gentle. His fingers dug into her silken scalp, and her lips softened on a moan, welcoming him inside. He slanted his mouth across hers, his tongue driving into her heat. Spicy and sweet, a woman to feast upon. By God, he would have his fill—and his answers. He was done with being treated like some accommodating lackey. Clamping his hands on her hips, he lifted her onto the table and stepped between her dangling legs, spreading them wider. He grasped the neckline of her shift, and with one savage movement ripped the flimsy material from her body.
She gasped—not from fear, but arousal. He could see it in the swirling depths of her eyes. For a moment, she made a token effort to stop him.
"You're a brute," she said breathlessly, her hands splaying across his chest.
"I begin to think it's what you want from me." With ruthless precision, he reached for her sex. Primal satisfaction tightened his balls to find her slick and ready for him. "Why else would you be this wet, this hot?"
An unrecognizable sound left her as he continued to play with her lush folds. And she allowed it. Nay, welcomed it. Her hands planted upon the table, she arched herself against his touch, her eyes dazed and heavy-lidded as he petted her. His breathing grew harsh as her dew coated his fingers, flowed into his palm.
"That's my girl. Work yourself against my hand. Show me how badly you want this," he commanded.
A strangled noise left her. Her hips moved, and her wanton obedience sent another blast of heat to his groin. His cockstand strained, pushing against the thin wool of his trousers, eager to feel the pussy rubbing so sweetly against his hand. She was drenched, and he knew from her desperate wriggling exactly what she wanted. But he wouldn't oblige her that easily. Not without some give and take.
"Kent, I can't stand it," she gasped. "Lud, touch me…"
"Where?"
Her pelvis titled in answer, nudging his finger toward her straining peak. Toward that lovely bud beneath her silky floss. He circled the hood, but did not touch her where she wanted.
"Damn you, Kent. Stop teasing me," she said through panted breaths.
"You'll have your satisfaction when I have mine," he said. "What information did you want from Leach?"
Her lashes flew upward. Anger and arousal glittered in her gaze. "How dare you?"
He was quicker than she. He caught the hand that came flying toward his face. In the next heartbeat, he shoved aside the table's contents, pushing her flat onto her back. With one hand, he pinned both her wrists above her head. With the other, he continued to stroke her quim.
"Now tell me what I want to know," he said.
Her hair spread like a moon burst, she glared up at him. "Go to hell."
He pressed his thumb lightly to her pearl, and a whimper escaped her. Her breasts rose and fell with heaving breaths. "Tell me," he repeated.
When she shot him a mutinous look, he bent his head and captured one ruby nipple in his lips. He suckled hard. She moaned, her pussy pleading against his hand as he used his lips and teeth to torment her. He drew away the instant she teetered on the brink.
"I'll let you come when you tell me what you wanted from Leach."
Her eyes were glossy, her cheeks flushed. "I hate you."
"Perhaps. But you still owe me the truth, sweeting." He circled her pearl again and felt the shudder run through her body.
"The information is private." The words were filtered through her teeth.
He flicked his finger. Did it again and again, keeping her on the razor's edge.
"Something was taken from me," she gasped out, writhing against his hand. "Damn you, Kent, I'm owed, and I want what's mine."
