by Leah Brooke
“Then who the hell—oh!”
“Yeah. We’ll talk in the car.”
“But we didn’t get a chance to talk to—”
“Shit. Carello’s man.” He yanked her against him, wrapping his arms around her.
Carello’s man came around the corner, stopping abruptly when he saw them, his jaw clenching when Alastair bent and nuzzled her jaw.
Pulling her closer, Alastair scraped his teeth over her neck. “Be still.” Nibbling at her earlobe, he chuckled softly when she shivered. “You know, I’m beginning to really appreciate the benefits of having a partner. You smell delicious. Your nipples are hard. Are you aroused, darling?” He rubbed his chest against her beaded nipples, groaning when she gasped. “Hmm, the benefits just keep adding up.”
Lifting his head, he ran a hand over her hair, speaking in a normal tone that Carello’s man would have no trouble hearing. “Don’t be so impatient. We’ll be home soon, darling.”
Smiling up at him, she cupped his jaw, determined to beat him at his own game. “I think you’re the one who’s impatient. We just got here, darling.” She wanted to laugh when his eyes narrowed dangerously, but rubbed against him instead. She wanted to get back inside and see what she could do about finding out what Anthony Carello had planned.
Straightening to his full height, he towered over her, his eyes gleaming with the promise of retribution, and to her surprise, apology. “So we did. Come on. Let’s dance. I want to hold you in my arms.”
As they entered the large ballroom again, Alastair tightened his arm around her, turning her sharply to the left.
“Carello’s very worried about you and your abilities. He can’t keep his eyes off of you and looked very upset when we walked in. He looks a little relieved, but not much. He’s trying to work his way closer without being too obvious about it.”
Feeling Carello’s attention, Serena laughed softly and ran a hand over her arm against the chill that went through her. “Yes, and he’s even more frustrated. He can’t figure out what to offer me to lure me away from you. He has a plan, though.”
Frowning, she stilled. “I can’t quite focus on it. There’s too many people around, but he’s furious with Elise.” Gripping Alastair’s lapels, she got to her toes. “I’m scared for her. I know you think she can take care of herself, but he’s really evil.”
“I know, darling. The sooner we get him put away, the better. Now, smile. Carello’s watching you.”
Keeping her smile in place, she leaned closer, looking around. “So is everyone else. What the hell? Why is everyone staring at me? You picked out the dress so it can’t be that. It’s the shoes, isn’t it? Maybe they’re not right for this dress.”
Alastair laughed softly, his gaze always moving as he grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. Turning toward her, he handed her one of the glasses, capturing her fingers with his when she reached for it.
“People have been staring at you since we got here. Didn’t you notice the valet who closed his hand in the car door because he couldn’t take his eyes off of you? Every man here is mesmerized by your beauty and doing the same thing I did the first time I saw you.”
Eyeing him warily, she couldn’t prevent a smile. “I’m sure I’m going to regret asking. What did you do the first time you saw me?”
He lifted his glass, unobtrusively letting the base of the glass trail over her nipple, smiling at the moan she couldn’t contain.
“I imagined that dark, silky hair spread over my pillow. The difference is, the men here will have to go on imagining.”
Unfamiliar with his tone, Serena narrowed her eyes at him. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
Running a possessive hand over her hip, Alastair glared at someone over her shoulder. “No, darling. I’m not. Every man here seems determined to piss me off by undressing you with his eyes. As for your shoes, my guess is that we’ll see several women wearing the same style at the next party.”
Taking a sip of champagne, Serena looked away, suddenly depressed. “I’m not exactly a party girl. Besides, I’m sure I’ll be gone before then.”
Stiffening at the rush of thoughts and mental images that began to creep in, Serena struggled not to panic. It seemed that every time she let her guard down, the mental block started to fall, and it took a conscious effort on her part to keep it in place, one that exhausted her.
Focusing on raising it into place again, she clenched her jaw, fighting the beginning of a headache.
Alastair frowned and pulled her closer, locking the impenetrable barrier with an ease that astounded her. “Sure you will. Smile. Carello’s headed straight for us.”
Looking up into Alastair’s eyes, and touched at the concern in them, she forced a smile in gratitude. “Thank you. I wish I could learn to do that.”
Running a hand over her hair, Alastair bent, touching his lips to hers. “You will. In the meantime, I’m here for you, Serena. Never forget that.” Lifting his head, he smiled, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Smile. Carello’s moving closer.”
She already knew where Carello had been standing and slid a glance in his direction. Alarmed at the way he pushed his way through the crowd toward them, Serena glanced back up at Alastair, stiffening at the tension in his big body. “He looks upset.”
Alastair smiled and turned her into his arms, leading her onto the dance floor and into a slow dance of seduction. “No, he looks furious. He won’t be able to approach you here, which will just piss him off even more.”
Serena stepped on his foot, stumbling against him. Mortified, she mumbled an apology and tried to concentrate on keeping her feet out of the way of his.
Alastair pulled her closer. “Don’t be nervous. He can’t hurt you here.”
Thankful for the low lights on the dance floor that she hoped hid her burning face, she stared at a button on the front of his shirt. “It’s not because I’m nervous.” Cursing, she jumped out of the way of his large foot. “I can’t dance.”
Alastair stilled, coming to a stop right there in the middle of the dance floor. “What did you say?”
Poking him in the stomach, Serena glared up at him, her face still burning. “You heard me.”
“How the hell can a woman go through life and not know how to dance? Never mind. You didn’t exactly live a normal life back in North Carolina, did you?”
She looked up at him through her lashes. “Yeah. I’m living such a normal life here.”
Chuckling softly, he bent over her again, moving his body against hers. “Dancing is like making love. All you have to do, darling, is let me lead you. Guide you. Just trust me.”
If he ever found out what it did to her when he talked to her in that tone, she’d never have any defense against him at all.
He moved with incredible grace for such a big man, holding her close, his breath warm against her ear.
“You’re so tiny. Sometimes, I’m afraid of breaking you.”
Serena relaxed against him, warmed by the feel of his hand moving up and down her spine. Lifting her head from his chest, she leaned back to look into his eyes, smiling. “You didn’t seem to feel that way when you had sex with me.”
Alastair smiled and tugged her ponytail. “Then it was even worse. I was afraid I was going to crush you. Maybe next time, you can be on top.”
Blushing, she looked away, stumbling. “Damn it. Stop saying things like that.”
He caught her easily, laughing softly. “Not a chance. It always gets such a rise out of you, and I love watching you blush. It makes it even more exciting when those inhibitions melt away.”
Sliding her hands up to his shoulders, she moved with him, each brush of his thigh against hers sending another of those thrills through her.
Staring into his eyes, she couldn’t resist brushing her nipples against his hard stomach. “We probably look ridiculous. Without heels, I’m over a foot shorter than you.”
Smiling, Alastair pulled her closer
and led her into the center of the dance floor, his golden eyes twinkling.
“Anytime you want to climb me, you’re more than welcome. I’d rather you do it at home, though, preferably when you’re naked.”
Amused, and aware of the way he thwarted Carello’s attempts to get closer, Serena wrinkled her nose at him, unable to hold back a giggle.
“Cute.”
Alastair wrapped both arms around her and pulled her even closer, pressing his hard cock against her belly.
“Cute isn’t the word I would have used. The mental image of lying in bed while your naked body crawls up mine is creating a very uncomfortable situation.”
She’d been imagining the same thing, her body humming with arousal. Wary now, she looked up at him through her lashes, uneasy at the look of amusement in his eyes.
Laughing softly, he ran a hand up and down her spine.
“No, darling. I don’t have to read your mind to know what you’re thinking. Those beautiful eyes are very expressive.”
Turning her in his arms, he bent and kissed her forehead. “Don’t look now, darling, but you’re dancing—as beautifully as you make love.”
Surprised to find that she was, she smiled, enjoying being in his arms. “You’re too charming for your own good. Do women around here actually fall for your lines?”
With another soft laugh, Alastair turned, using his big body to block her view of Anthony Carello as the other man kept getting into her line of vision.
“That sounds like a loaded question. Let’s change the subject.”
“Such as why you keep putting your body between mine and his?” She didn’t want to use any names, not with others dancing so closely, and knew that Alastair would know that she meant Carello.
His lips twitched as he turned her again, somehow knowing Anthony Carello’s whereabouts at all times.
“How about something a little more interesting?” Lowering his voice, he bent closer. “While I’m holding you, can you get anything from the people around us?”
She snuck a glance at Carello, unsurprised to see that he looked even angrier than he had the last time she’d seen him. “You can certainly multitask, can’t you? Keeping him from getting close to me while pissing him off, which I’m assuming will stop once you think he’s angry enough, while seducing me and teaching me to dance at the same time isn’t enough for you. No, you also have to see how much you can learn about me and…you know who, while fishing for information about…them.”
With a sly grin, Alastair bent to nuzzle her neck. “I can definitely multitask, darling. I thought I’d already proved that to you, but maybe I need to show you again.”
“Damn it, Al—Wyn.” Dancing with him, she paid little attention to the people dancing around them, all of her attention focused on him.
“Very good, darling.”
Blowing out a breath, she pushed against his chest. “When you talk like that, I can’t think.”
“Exactly. Now, tell me what you know.”
Hurt, she glared up at him. “So you’re only flirting with me to take my mind off of…other things.”
Sliding his hands upward, he reached out a thumb, teasing her nipple out of view of the others. “Not entirely. In case you haven’t noticed, the bulge pressing against you isn’t my gun. Is the headache gone?”
Surprised to find that it was, Serena blinked. “Yes, thank you.” Looking around, she kept her voice low. “You blocked everything, and I didn’t even notice.”
Alastair chuckled softly, moving them toward the edge of the dance floor.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Why don’t you try? Nothing hard or specific, just something.”
Narrowing her eyes, she studied him warily. “Is this some sort of test?”
“Perhaps. I’m not blocking anything now, darling. I haven’t been for several minutes. You’re doing it all by yourself.”
Serena stilled, blinking up at him as he led her off of the dance floor, warmed at the pride in his tone. Her eyes filled with tears, tears of happiness and relief at her progress.
“Really?”
Alastair cupped her cheek, his smile widening. “Really. Now, no crying. Show me what you can do.”
Lighthearted, Serena laughed out loud, her laughter trailing off at the flare of heat in his eyes.
“Okay.”
Lifting her gaze to his, she opened herself up by small increments, a little afraid of letting too much in and having it take over. She couldn’t look away from the glittering gold in his eyes, the affection and caring that she promised herself she wouldn’t get used to grounding her.
When information started to trickle through, she got to her toes, gripping the lapels of his jacket to steady herself, and smiled playfully.
“Do you know there’s a thief in this room?”
With his hands at her waist, he bent to whisper in her ear. “Do you mean, other than me?”
Keeping her voice at a low whisper, Serena dropped to her heels and released his jacket to poke him in the stomach.
“Don’t say things like that to me! If you break the law, I don’t want to know about it.”
Alastair’s eyes lit with amusement. Bending low, he nuzzled her ear, sending a shiver of delight through her, one that made her nipples ache for attention.
“I take what thieves have stolen away from them, and give it back to the rightful owners. The rest, I won’t tell you.”
“But, how can you do that?”
“Because I’m better at it than they are.” Straightening, he smiled. “Feel better?”
Struggling to hide her reaction to the feel of his hot hand caressing her hip, Serena lifted a brow.
“And I suppose you do that out of the goodness of your heart?”
Grinning, he tightened his hands on her waist. “Not likely. It’s very lucrative.”
Shaking his head when she would have asked him about it, he glanced meaningfully toward the couples dancing around them.
“We can talk about this later.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he grinned again, his eyes dancing. “Can you tell me who it is?”
Seduced by the low huskiness in his tone, Serena shivered and leaned closer. “What do I get if I do?”
Alastair’s eyes flashed with heat and challenge. “Hmm. Interesting. What would you like?” He led her to a small table, keeping her hand in his as he seated her before folding his big frame into the chair next to her.
Serena could think of a number of things she’d like him to do with her, but didn’t have the courage or confidence to name them. “How about a foot massage?”
“Coward. I’ll have to work on that. Deal. Now, would you like to know what I get if you get it wrong, or would you rather I surprise you?”
Her stomach muscles quivered at the surge of arousal. “No surprises. Before I make a bet with you, I want to know what the wager is.”
“Very smart. If I win, I get to tie you to the bed and have my way with you.”
He said it so calmly that it took several seconds before his words penetrated. When they did, she gasped at the surge of lust that washed over her, one that tightened her nipples and sent a fresh rush of moisture to dampen her panties.
The thought of being tied up and at his mercy sent her reeling into a world of erotic wonder. The need to explore the new world she’d found herself in was as strong as the need to explore her abilities and her skill in controlling them.
She had lovers now, men she admired and trusted. She wanted to live this life to the fullest.
Careful to keep her expression cool, she raised a brow and ran a hand over his arm.
“Okay.”
She already knew who the thief was, which made it easier to agree, but she didn’t want to close the door on future opportunities to play before she left.
“This is a great way to test myself. I have to learn how to do this on my own before I leave.”
With a strong jerk, he yanked her close, his hooded gaze gleaming with wicked inte
nt. “I’m not ready to let you go, Serena. I like having you as my prisoner. The thought of tying you to my bed and pleasuring you until you beg for mercy has my cock hard enough to rip through my trousers. You agreed to my bet, which means you’re thinking about it, too, aren’t you?”
She couldn’t help but stare at him. From his tawny hair, which he’d tied back for the evening, to his unreadable golden eyes, eyes that had darkened and narrowed, he looked every inch the predator.
A lion.
His handsome good looks did nothing to hide the danger surrounding him, an aura that kept others from approaching with nothing more than a dark look from him.
His image faded and blurred, only to return as a real lion, complete with mane and razor-sharp teeth. With a gasp, she pushed away from him, only to have her hands caught in his. Panicking now, she began to struggle.
“No. Oh, God, what’s happening?”
“Serena!”
The image disappeared, leaving her staring in horror at Alastair, who wrapped an arm around her, shielding her from the crowd.
“What is it, honey? What’s wrong? What did you see?” He grabbed another glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and held it to her lips. “Here. Take a sip of this and tell me what you saw.”
Her hands shook as she took the glass from him, so badly that she would have spilled it if not for his hand over hers.
Lowering the glass, she took a shaky breath. “A lion. You turned into a lion.”
“Excuse me?”
Setting the glass on the table, Serena shook her head. “I was looking up at you and thinking that with your coloring, you look like a lion. The look in your eyes gave you a predatory look. The next thing I knew, I was staring into the face of a lion.”
He tightened his arms around her, bending over her to rub his cheek over the top of her head, protectively surrounding her, his voice low and soothing. “You’re kidding! A lion? That must have been a little scary. It’s gone now, darling. Just your imagination.”
Straightening, he lifted her chin, running his fingers over her cheek as he searched her features, the concern in his eyes and the strong arms wrapped around her making her feel protected—and foolish. He ran a hand up and down her spine as though to give her his strength.
