Once we were outside, Nyla breathed a sigh of relief. "You know what, it’s good to see Denning slapped in the face like that, but he's my boss. And you can't just antagonize him.” Her lips twitched as she did her level best to not smile.
I shrugged at that. "I can, and I will. He's a twat. And he's discourteous with women. So, what do you say we go and meet the forger now?”
Nyla
Outside in the foggy London gray, I paused on the sidewalk on my way to the sleek black sedan that was waiting at the curb. "I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me where we're going."
East's lips curved into a wry smile. "You never do anything the easy way, do you?"
"Nope. I don't." I folded my arms across my chest. Then I realized that it probably amplified my breasts, and I dropped them. Meeting his gaze, I said, "What are you doing here?"
"I already told you. I'm here to help you with your case."
"Yeah, but why?"
He tucked his hands into the pockets of his fitted suit. Three pieces with some kind of plaid design. There were vibrant strips in the plaid of green and blue. It brought out the color in his eyes. His shirt was crisp white, and he wore no tie. He could have easily been headed out to conquer Fleet Street, or on a date, or on a night out with the lads. He looked casual and sexy. Which was bad for me.
He was basically sex on a stick.
I was not going to be tempted. Just because I’d been weak in Monaco, that didn’t mean I had no willpower. "Look, I don't need your help."
"Yes you do. You needed it before Monaco. You need it now."
I resented him being right. "Fine, I did need your help. And I appreciate it. I didn't anticipate any help beyond the introduction to your sister."
He approached me, and ever wary, I took a step back. When he was close it was harder to focus. But he wouldn’t be deterred. He reached out and touched my elbow, gently trying to guide me to the car. "Nyla take the help, okay?"
"Maybe I’m wary because I don't know what strings come with it. One day in Monaco with you, and we were attacked. People are telling me to stop looking into my case. Something is up with you, and I'm caught in the crosshairs. The question is why?"
He nodded slowly. "I see someone who clearly needs help. But you know what? I’ll tell you the truth. What's up is that I can't get you out of my head. You know what else is up? That despite myself, despite how bad it will be for me, I can't seem to stop thinking about you. So, instead of being smart, instead of doing what is wise and prudent, I'm here trying to help you." He emphasized that you by pointing at me. He did not look pleased about it.
"Tell me what's going on. Who are the London Lords?"
He gave me a brusque nod. "We are hotel magnates."
"Yeah, but who are you really?"
He flashed a grin. "Hotel magnates. If you think the answer's going to change just because you keep asking the question, you would be incorrect. So ask again, and again, and again. Because then I will say the words hotel magnates until you learn to scream them in bed. That is who we are."
"You think I don't realize you helped me with my last case because it served your purposes?"
"Or maybe it's always good to play nice with law enforcement. You never know when you'll be in a spot and need a friend."
"Is that really it?" I narrowed my gaze at him.
"My God, you are persistent, obstinate, tenacious."
"Those all mean the same thing." I barely resisted the temptation to stick my tongue out at him.
He grinned again, and my resolve nearly dissipated. Jesus Christ, he was sexy. And I could remember the slide of his tongue into my mouth. The way he coaxed it. The way he'd gripped my hips with those big hands as he rocked me over him. The low rumble in his chest when he knew that I was getting off.
I wanted him. I also knew he was absolutely dangerous.
So then why can't you stay away?
That was the thing about bad boys, right? They were enticing because you knew you shouldn't. And I knew I shouldn't. East Hale was going to be a problem. He was up to something. And I needed to find out what it was.
But that smaller voice deep down inside said that if he wanted to really hurt me, he would've done it by now. He’d had an opportunity in Monaco.
I could choose to trust him now. The choice was mine to make.
“One thing…” I inhaled sharply. "If you want to watch me, tell me the cameras are on. Don't be a creeper."
He lifted a brow. "You want me to watch you?" His voice was low and barely a feral growl.
Excellent. "I just want to know when I'm being watched. Who knows, you might get a show."
And then I eased past him to the car. The driver had already opened the door, waiting for me to slip in.
When East turned around, my gaze slid down that very fine form in that gorgeous suit to the very noticeable bulge in his trousers.
Yeah well, if I was feeling needy, then he should feel it too.
When he slipped into the seat behind me, he muttered instructions to the driver and settled back into his seat. "Nyla Kincade, you are trouble."
"You are not the first man to tell me that."
"I will be the last though."
I chuckled at that. "You wish."
He groaned and shifted in his seat. "Yeah, I do."
I had no idea what to make of that. For most of the short fifteen-minute drive, I was running over our interactions in my head. And
