Eve looked up and clashed with Reynner’s stony gaze. He already knew.
Last night, inviting David over hadn’t been one of her most brilliant ideas, but the pain of rejection had her doing stupid things.
Tired of the contradictions when it came to him, tired of hoping and longing, Eve ignored the ringing cell and asked him outright, “Is that what you want?”
A tic pulsed on his clenched jaw. Silently, he stared at her.
Well, then, guess she had her answer. Why did she even bother asking?
As they stepped into the waiting elevator, Eve firmed her chin, ignoring the painful crater opening in her stomach. No matter the attraction that existed between them, point was he refused to do anything about it. The ringing stopped, only to start up again. She answered. “David, hi.”
“Been trying to get ahold of you—are you okay?” David asked her.
“I’m fine—I’m sorry about last night.” She hoped he wouldn’t ask awkward questions. He didn’t. But then David’s mind didn’t run along sex like most guys, he probably thought she wanted to talk work.
“That’s all right. You’re busy now?”
She rubbed her temple at the headache that had started. “A bit. I’m at the gallery.”
“Aw, man. I was there earlier. I must have just missed you. Anyway, I’ve been thinking, about dinner. Instead of going out, would you like to… Would you like to come over to my place tonight?”
Her stomach dipped. Her grip tightened around her cell, and her gaze dropped to the scarred floor. Showed what she knew. Davidwasasking. And especially after her seductive phone call in the early parts of the morning. It was the damn scroll’s fault she was in this mess!
“Your place—”
Reynner moved like lightning, trapping her against the steel wall with his body, palms slapping beside her head. Her cell fell to the ground with a loud clatter.
“Don’t taunt me, Eve.”
“Taunt you?” A harsh breath rushed out of her. “Christ, you’re a selfish jerk.”
Fury tightened his face. “You think I want this? Hurting you this way?”
“I have no idea what you want.” She shoved him hard, unable to bear having him so close. But he didn’t budge. He grabbed her hands and pinned them to her back, reached out and jabbed the Stop button with a vicious finger. The elevator came to a jarring halt.
“Let me go!”
“No.”
“Why are you doing this?” she cried. When he didn’t answer, tears of despair thickened her voice. “Goddamn you, Reynner.”
His eyelids squeezed tight for a brief second before they snapped open. Tortured blue eyes met hers. The pain there nearly stopped her heart. “I have been dammed, Eve. So many times over.”
Then he kissed her.
Shocked, she remained still for a second. The hand shackling her wrists to her back pulled her close, every warm, tough inch of him pressing against hers. He held her like she mattered. Tears misted her eyes. She’d waited so long for this moment, for him to kiss her because it was what he wanted, too. The kiss at the museum didn’t count. It was just the scroll affecting them. But here, this was all she’d dreamed of.
Reynner’s lips slid over hers, nipping, tasting, and finally, demanding entry. He wrapped his other hand around her ponytail as he took possession of her mouth. Made it his own. Hot, possessive, he branded her with his lips, his touch and taste.
Eve moaned. Her head spun as unbelievable sensations tore through her. She tried to free her hands, wanted to hold him, but he wouldn’t let go.
***
Reynner explored the lush mouth beneath his. Her warm, soft body wiggled against him and his sex strained against his fly. The urge to rip off her clothes and slide into her silky warmth grew. The kiss from the museum still haunted him.
She tugged again, trying to free her wrists, but he didn’t dare let her touch him. Too afraid of what he’d do. His needs too dark—too twisted, and she was far too pure and innocent for one like him.
Take her. It’s what you want, but don’t trust her. Never trust any of them.
