There was no hiding the look of desire on his face or the way his eyes undressed her, his gaze roaming all over every inch of her body. “You’re lucky I don’t punish you in front of our guests.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
He took two steps closer until he towered over her. “Would you like to try me?”
Sophia rubbed her wrist, finally holding out her other hand. She was quite cognizant that the drapes were fully open, several buildings within throwing distance and balconies full of people. There was something quite shameful in the concept of exhibitionism. “Uncuff me.”
“Do you really think that demanding is going to garner you any favors?” He visibly winced, shifting his hips as he brushed both hands through his disheveled hair.
“For an officer of the French police, you seem out of practice,” she countered. “Did my itty bitty push do the poor boy some damage? Do you need a medic?” She adored the way his entire body puffed up from her comment. The man certainly wasn’t used to being around a strong woman.
He muttered in another language and she could swear it was Italian and not French. All the little red flags that had kept her alive over the years were flying high.
While she adored toying with him, she couldn’t lose sight of the single reason she’d been sent to a foreign country on a whim.
“Who are you really, Pierre, if that’s even your real name?”
“Who am I?” he asked as he sauntered forward, removing a small key from his pocket. “The man who might keep you out of prison. That is, if you do exactly what I say.”
She’d challenged him and lost, regretting that she’d left her weapon in her hotel room safe. The night wasn’t supposed to turn out like this. Fuck. Fuck.Fuck!
“Are you going to obey me, or do I need to shackle you to the bed?” He grabbed her wrist, the force just enough she yelped.
“What do you want from me?”
“What do I want?” He chuckled darkly as he slipped the key into the small hole. The single click as the handcuff was released gave him a smile. Lifting her arm, he examined the wrist she’d removed herself. “Very cagey. Where did you learn that trick, in prison?”
“I have many skills, Officer Renier.” She yanked her wrist for the last time, almost tumbling over the corner of the couch. After reminding herself that she was a trained officer of the law, she scanned the room as casually as possible, looking for another way out.
“I assure you, Ms. Harper, that there is no way past me.” He took off his jacket, laughing the entire time.
Sophia watched him, marveling at his broad shoulders and thin waist, the way his shaggy hair held a slight curl. “Then name your terms. I have other business to attend to.”
He removed his jeweled cufflinks, carefully placing them on the coffee table, his eyes never leaving her. As he rolled up one sleeve then the other, he hummed a sinfully melodic tune.
“What are you doing?” she couldn’t refrain from asking. He seemed so casual about this, as if he did this kind of thing all the time.
“Preparing.”
“For?”
“Why, your punishment, of course.” His eyes sparkled when he was finally ready, taking a decided step closer. “Strip.”
There was no way she’d heard the single word. She had to be dreaming. A nervous laugh popped out of her mouth and she almost doubled over. “What did you say to me?”
“I think we need to get something straight, Ashley Harper. I caught a thief red-handed. You accepted the terms of your punishment without, I might add, asking a single question. Therefore, you will do exactly as I say. Now, given the fact you already attempted to escape, the punishment you receive will be severe.”
Heat rushed up from the swell in her breasts to her neck, creeping up ever so slowly to her cheeks. A slight ringing sound tickled her eardrums and her panties were now more than just damp. “I don’t understand.”
“Oh, I think you do. I will ask this one more time. If you don’t obey me, I’ll rip that lovely dress from your body. Strip.”
She blinked several times. Nothing in her career had ever prepared her for something like this. She’d been tossed into a cage by a nasty kingpin, thrown off a bridge, left in the trunk of a car for two days and suffered not one but two gunshots. But this was… deplorable. “I… can’t.” Her mouth was completely dry. Had she even spoken the words at all?
“I know you can. You’re a smart lady, beautiful and feisty but certainly very intelligent. I suggest you do as you’re told. I’ll be right over here, but I suggest that you do not keep me waiting for long.” He showed off his pearly whites as he passed, allowing his fingers to brush across her skin.
Another shiver tickled her spine, popping all the way down to her legs. She was shaking all over and her condition had nothing to do with the temperature in the room. This was beyond acceptable, but she could see no other way out.You can do this. You’re a professional.
Yeah, of what exactly?
