Page 47 of Beguiled

The shame was beginning to fade, drifting into outrage. “Don’t you have other things to do than drive me crazy?” No one entered my bedroom. No one except for Tawny. But she was my best friend. I’d lived in the city since entering college and I hadn’t even allowed my boyfriend to visit my dorm room. We’d used his car.

“I need to be thorough. You wouldn’t want to fall asleep only to realize a monster lurked under your bed.” He rose to his knees and I could tell he had something in his hands.

“The only monster in my apartment is you.” I certainly wasn’t being a grateful employee. I’d reminded myself more than once that he had saved my life, so I needed to give him a little breathing room. He obviously couldn’t stand anyone whoconfronted him. We were the same in that respect, especially with my private things.

Why had I left the handcuffs there for any prying eyes? Because they’d been a birthday joke from Tawny. We’d both laughed and she’d been the one to slip them over the post, claiming doing so might be a good incentive for going out on a date every so often.

Months had gone by and so far, it hadn’t worked.

“Maybe you’re right.” He turned, allowing me to see what was in his hand.

Oh, my God. The night was getting worse and worse. I’d forgotten I’d shoved the last book I’d been reading under the bed by accident. I blamed the vacuum. When I took a single stride closer to snatch it away, he lifted it out of my reach.

“Interesting title.Dark Confessions. I wonder how many of those you have,chastnaya tantsovshchitsa.”

He obviously thought what we’d endured afforded him to bypass the thin line of professionalism we’d shared. Now he seemed perfectly comfortable calling me a cutesy name. Damn it. If I said anything, he’d just remind me of our night of passion. “Several. But they’re not about what you might think. I have skeletons alright, all from my creative hands.”

His laugh was deep, throaty, and held a tone of disbelief. He tossed the book then pocketed his weapon. The tension between us was even more awkward, but he dropped his gaze and I was reminded I’d yanked off his coat and dropped my purse when I’d walked inside. At this moment, I felt more naked than I would have had I been wearing just my birthday suit.

He turned the book over, taking deep breaths as he read the synopsis. “Where discipline is the only thing that brings her joy. Is that true?”

“Hell, no.” My words were stilted. I forced myself to look away for fear he would see right through me. How utterly embarrassing.

“Interesting. You’re going to need to learn that my directions must be followed to the letter.”

“That was one of the first things you told me when I came to work for you. Along with that you didn’t tolerate tardiness, didn’t accept anyone wasting company time, and what did I forget?” I tapped my lip. “Oh, yes. That if I dared share a single financial transaction with anyone, not only would I be fired but I’d be up on charges of extortion or blackmail. Why I didn’t run screaming at that point is beyond me.”

“That would be because you like a challenge, Ms. Mitchell.”

Without saying anything else, he walked past me and into the hallway. Was he leaving? Why did I have a feeling my luck hadn’t changed? I trailed behind him to the living room, watching as he headed to my picture window overlooking the street. He leaned against the corner, studying the street and I honestly believed he was certain he’d see some gun-wielding asshole ready to attack. That’s how tense he was.

“Does this mean you’re staying?”

“For now.” His answer was short, sweet, and to the point.

“Fine. Stay there like a statue. I’m getting out of these… clothes. And you will not torture my cat. Wolf.”

Ooohh! Fury rushed through me as I spun around, heading back to my bedroom and giving the ceremonial slam of the door. With both hands fisted, I swung a few air punches to try to make myself feel better.

They didn’t. I flew into the bathroom, grabbing my robe off the hook on the back of the door and ripping off the costume. I wanted to shred the damn thing into tiny strips and would if I owned it. Once I managed to hop from the last leg hole, I tossed the glorified leotard aside and yanked on the robe.

By the time the sash was tied, I was standing in front of the mirror, the grimace capturing my attention. But it slowly faded as the reality of how close I’d come to dying hit me harder than I’d thought it would. Maybe I’d thought myself impervious after living in New York for so long. I’d seen it all, I’d told myself time and time again.

Muggings. Burglaries. An attempted rape. Now murder. Without blinking, I stared at myself, thankful I couldn’t recognize the face staring back at me. I’d done a damn good job of hiding who I was. Thank God for small favors. I traced the lines on my face, much like I’d wanted to do with the tattoo on Stash’s back. Plus, he had another one on his arm.

Neither of which I’d seen before since I’d rarely seen him without a jacket, his sleeves rolling only to the base of his forearms. I doubted a man of such power was worried about what anyone else thought.

With a nagging group of sensations continuing to pool in my stomach, I turned on the water. I never wanted to appear as the card girl ever again. I scrubbed my face until my skin tingled, remaining tense and cursing under my breath the entire time. How long was he planning on staying? All night?

A week?

Was he moving in with me?

It was crazy for him to think I couldn’t take care of myself.

Right, private dancer. Against men with guns.

Maybe I was a little more frightened than I wanted to let on. What if the bad men hunted me down? What then? I didn’t even have a sharp knife to protect myself with. Most of what I owned was secondhand and not the best quality. This fabulous job was a steppingstone into making enough money to break the cycle of my family.