Perhaps the Ever Randy had done the planning. Perhaps he’d hidden behind a mask. Either way, Sunny lost everything, even the survivors, because they’d agreed to split up and better the odds of hiding their origins.
She and Sable were together now only because Sunny reached out to ask for assistance.
Fingers snapped in front of her face, yanking her back to the present. She was panting, her limbs ice cold. William watched her with a frown.
She re-pasted the smile and forged ahead. “Ever Randy, hmm? Does anyone call you ER for short?”
“Only if they wish to die,” he replied, his tone dry. Despite the dryness, he thrummed with tension. Did her nearness rattle him?
“So, he’s cute and ferocious. Good job, Sunny.” She patted herself on the shoulder, playing her role. “I picked the best slab of beef in the deli.”
He arched a brow. “So, I’m a piece of meat to you?”
“Yes, pork chop. Yes.” She reached over to pat his cheek, the urge to slap him almost impossible to ignore. Almost. “You should come with a warning label. Or eyeball condoms.”
“Why? Do you plan to stuff your eyes inside my sockets?”
“Maybe?”
“Sorry, but I think I’ll pass.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, his shirt pulling taut over deliciously flexed muscles. “No, you know what? I’m feeling daring today. Let’s go for it. Gotta try everything once, right?”
A laugh burst from her, only to end abruptly. A prince of darkness would not amuse her, and that was that. “Sorry not sorry I sent your companions away. When I want something, I go for it.” Truth!
He winged up one brow. “And you decided you want me?”
His tone…she thought she detected a hint of certainty and uncertainty. How odd. “I spent five whole minutes planning your seduction. That’s five minutes longer than usual.” Another truth.
“Five whole minutes? That means you’re only twenty-four hours behind me.”
A joke…or a statement of fact? Did he just admit to attending the conference to find her?
So. I was wrong. He knew who she was, or at least suspected, and he’d come to stop her—forever. Rage flared anew, but so did lust. The two scorched every inch of her. Soon, the rage would be appeased…
She forced another smile. So far, William hadn’t invited her to join him at the table, much less issued a desire to leave the bar with her. Time to take their banter to the next level and give him an excuse to act. “If you were a pizza topping, you’d be hamburger and jalapeno, because you’re grade A beef and hot. I’d be ham and pineapple because I’m salty and sweet.” No. No way I just compared us to pizza toppings like a Facebook quiz.
Okay, so, she didn’t just suck at flirting. She sucked, period. But wait! He smiled a genuine smile, as if she’d truly amused him, and her belly quivered. Then he jerked as if she’d punched him, the smile vanishing. He tossed back the remains of his drink, his movements powerful, aggressive, and seductive, making her belly quiver a thousand times harder.
As he slammed down the glass, a blank mask descended over his features. “You may go.” He blanked his tone, too. “We’ll chat again later, when it’s your turn.”
Her turn for what? Interrogation? Maybe he suspected every female code breaker of being the one hunting his family. And leave him? Hardly. Now, having breathed in his magnificent scent, experienced the of seduction of his voice and beheld the lethal seduction in his gaze, she wanted him dead sooner rather than later. Dangerous.
There had to be a way to move to the top of his suspect list. Oh! Oh! She’d convince him to take a break. “Your loss, baby. I’m super horny.” Horny to end his life! “I’m probably dying and only an orgasm will save me. I’d planned to invite you to my room for a couple hours of thought and reflection.” She leaned closer, as if she had a secret to impart, and whispered, “I heard you say you do your best thinking naked.”
His pupils enlarged, spilling over all that baby blue. A sign of sexual yearning. But he didn’t null and void his demand.
Daisy! She had one last ace to play. If he still turned her down, she’d hide out, then follow him to his hotel room. “Fine, I’ll go. Thankfully, you aren’t the only slice of beefcake on the menu. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. King. I know I will.” She blew him a kiss and pivoted, revealing her best feature: a rounded aster. Argh! A rounded ass-ter. Freesia! Stupid magic filter. She had a freaking rounded butt, okay?
He sucked in a breath. “Or stay for a few minutes,” he croaked.
Relief washed over her, cool and soothing. As hoped, her butt had succeeded where her wit had failed.
Tremors plagued Sunny as she eased into the chair across from him. He watched her every move while tracing a finger around the rim of his glass. His intensity drew goose bumps to the surface of her heated skin. Ignore the tingle of awareness. Ignore the crackle of need. Ignore the sizzle of want.
Without looking away, he raised an arm and snapped his fingers. A waitress came running, offering him a fresh glass of whisky. One he polished off in seconds.
She said, “What shall we—”
He slammed the glass onto the table, silencing her. Then he stood and extended a helping hand. “I’d already selected the night’s entertainment, and I never rearrange my plans. On the other hand, I’m a giver, incredibly generous, and your life hangs in the balance. So, I will do this for you.” He waved his fingers at her. “Come. Let’s go to my room.”
“My room,” she insisted, smiling again.
Silence. One beat, two. Then, he said, “Very well. Your room. I’ll ensure you survive the night.”
****
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