“But it seems like an exotic dancer might be privy to trafficking information.”
“Agreed. She hasn’t offered any information about it in the past, but you might be able to get her to talk. I know she gets taken in by pretty faces fairly easily.”
His brow lifted mischievously. “Are you telling me I have a pretty face, Harper?”
“You know damn well you have a pretty face, Malcolm.”
“That’s twice you’ve called me Malcolm in the last few minutes. Is that my clue that you’re pissed at me?”
“I’m not pissed.”
He gently grabbed my chin, holding his gaze on mine. “What happened to your no secrets rule?”
“I’m not keeping secrets.”
“Lyin’ is the same thing.”
“I’m not pissed,” I said, less forcefully. “But you know you’re good looking. I don’t know why you need to hear me say it.”
His voice turned husky. “Maybe because a man likes to know the woman he’s sleepin’ with finds him attractive.”
A wave of heat washed through me. “Would it help you to know that you are, by far, the most attractive man I’ve ever slept with?”
He dropped his hand, and a grin spread across his face. “That helps a little.”
I shook my head. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Keepin’ you on your toes.”
The waitress walked up behind James. “Ruby’s agreed to meet you. If you’ll follow me.”
James stood, then held his hand out to me like he was Prince Charming asking me to dance at the ball. I took his hand, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. When I stood, he wrapped an arm around my back, his hand resting on my hip. We followed the waitress through a curtain in the side wall and down a dark hallway to a curtain-covered doorway.
“You can go on in,” she said. “Ruby will be with you in a few minutes.”
James ushered me into the dimly lit room with a bench seat along the back wall. I couldn’t help wondering how often they cleaned the velveteen cushions.
The waitress lingered in the doorway, and James held out a folded bill. Grinning, she pointed to her cleavage.
James slowly slid the bill down the center of her bra, saying softly, “What’s your name, sweetheart? Next time I’ll be sure to request you.”
A grin spread across her face. “Breezy.”
“Until next time, Breezy…”
She gave him a saucy grin, then let the curtain fall and disappeared.
James turned back to me, and I lifted a brow. I knew he was doing what needed to be done, but I couldn’t help the irritation building in my gut.
“You must love that so many women are eager to drop their panties for you.”
His expression turned serious. “I know what I can have and what I want, Harper. Make no mistake—I want you.”
He definitely knew the right things to say, but he had a point. He had chosen to be with me, and I needed to trust in that. James Malcolm was an extraordinarily attractive man, and unless we moved to some remote location, women would always show their appreciation.
I walked over to him and held his gaze. “I need you to make me a promise.”
“If I can, I will.”
