Page 39 of Dark Lover

“A hot-blooded woman of passion, trysting in my home with one of my guests—how could I truly object?” He murmured. “And I did promise you a private viewing.”

She could feel his lust, dark and thick. She reminded herself to be careful; she didn’t want to have to kill him. But she was not sleeping with him, no matter how far this game went. “I promise it won’t happen again…not with Maclean.”

His gaze gleamed. “I’m not sure I would mind, Samantha.”

Sam stared, wondering if he meant what she thought he did.

“You arouse so much passion in so many ways. But that is your nature, is it not? To take lovers, to enjoy them, to discard them as callously as a man?”

He was letting her know that he’d investigated her. How much did he know? To test him, she murmured, “You make me sound like a femme fatale, Rupert. A girl just wants to have some fun.”

He smiled. “But you are the definition of femme fatale—and you know it.”

She decided to give up. “Yeah, I know it. And it is fun…”

“Then let the fun begin. You’ll have a private viewing…but I need a private show, too.”

Sam kept silent. Now they were getting somewhere.

He touched her cheek. “I didn’t mind watching you put your tongue down Maclean’s throat, but I look forward to watching you put it elsewhere.”

Sam decided to divert him. “And if I say yes? What do I get out of the show?”

He laughed. “Other than the viewing? Fun.”

She refused to let her smile slip. He knew she wanted into that vault and he meant to make her pay to get in—with her body. “So invite us over, Rupert.”

“You’ll bring Maclean and provide the entertainment?”

“Why not? Maybe I’ll wind up with a case of the Rothschild if I make you really happy.”

“If you make me really happy, I’ll give you a painting.”

He knew she wouldn’t sell out for a price. She had no doubts now. This was bait and trap—and she was the prey.

“You seem taken aback. You made yourself clear at Becca’s party. I realized instantly that you’re an art aficionado, like I am. Surely you prefer a painting to jewels? Although most women love the trinkets I buy them.”

There was no point in trying to get him to think she wanted a Bulgari necklace in return for his using her. “I actually meant it when I said some girls just want to have fun. Hot sex works for me.”

He seemed amused. He touched the underside of her chin with his forefinger, then began sliding it slowly down her neck. Sam tensed, but she did not move. “And does it work for Maclean? I don’t think he will be as amenable to our arrangement as you are. How is your boyfriend, by the way?”

Her tension spiraled. “Boyfriends are for teenagers. The word isn’t even in my vocabulary.”

“What a clever woman,” he said, drawing an invisible line down her chest with his finger. He paused when his finger was between her breasts. “Clever, sexy and so secretive. I have something for you.”

She knew he wasn’t talking about sex, just as she knew that Maclean was right—Hemmer was dangerous. What she didn’t know was how dangerous. “Don’t you all?” She was wry.

“You’re not afraid of me.”

“Should I be?”

“You’re one of the most unusually beautiful women I have ever seen—and I have had my share.”

“I’m all for flattery. It turns a girl on.”

“You’re hardly a girl, Samantha. You lead a dangerous life. There are cameras in front of my building.” He smiled. “There are cameras everywhere. But you know that, don’t you?”

She couldn’t help glancing up at her ceiling. It was pristine, but she got his meaning. He’d seen her break up the other night’s Rampage and destroy the subs single-handedly. She was briefly surprised and then chilled.