LITMIR.BIZ

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eyes narrowed. ‘But why come after me? Why not go after the man I’ve put in place to head NMC?’

      ‘You think I haven’t tried? No one would take my calls.’

      ‘Really? No one in a company with over a thousand employees?’

      ‘No. Trust me, I have the phone bill to prove it.’

      ‘Well, clearly, I need to hire better staff.’

      ‘I don’t like your tone,’ Ruby snapped. She sidled towards the edge of the bed.

      He caught her and placed her back in front of him, keeping her captive with one large hand on her waist.

      ‘What tone do you mean?’ Silver eyes gleamed with cynical amusement.

      With every breath she took, the imprint of his hand seared her skin. ‘You obviously don’t believe me. Why would I travel thousands of miles unless it was because I’d hit a brick wall?’

      ‘Or you’d hoped an extra tight dress and body that won’t quit would get you an even better deal?’

      The image his words conjured up made blood leach from her face. It was one she’d vowed never to portray. ‘I understand you don’t know me, Mr Valentino, but I’ve never used sex or my sexuality to further my career. You can be as offensive and as delusional as you want. The simple fact is Nigel Stone never took my call in the two dozen times I tried to reach him.’

      His eyes narrowed at her furious words but he kept silent.

      ‘We can resolve this very quickly. Call him now, get him to talk to me. Then I’ll get out of your hair.’

      ‘It’s Saturday morning back in the States. I make it a point never to disturb my employees during the weekend.’

      Anger stiffened her spine. ‘Yeah, right.’

      His cynical smile widened. ‘You don’t believe me?’

      ‘I believe you do exactly what you want when you want. If it suited you, you’d be on the phone right now.’

      His shrug outlined sleek muscle beneath his skin. He moved with an innate grace that made Ruby’s pulse race shamefully. ‘Fine. I admit I ride my employees hard when I have to. But I also recognise their need for down time the same way I recognise the need for mine.’

      ‘You’re telling me you need your beauty sleep to function?’ she snapped.

      ‘Down time doesn’t necessarily mean sleep, amante. Tonight, I was counting on wild, unfettered sex,’ he delivered smoothly.

      She flung herself away from him, from the temptation his words dredged up inside her, before that Trevelli gene she so feared could be fully activated.

      Far too often since she’d clapped eyes on him, she’d found herself imagining what sex would be like. Her roommate had referred to the best sex as sheet-clawing, toe-curling. At the time Ruby had silently scoffed at how anything besides the best, decadently prepared dessert would feel that great.

      Now she couldn’t stop herself from wondering...

      Disgust at herself propelled her off the bed. She refused to sink into the quagmire of rampant promiscuity.

      Her feet hit the luxurious carpet, bringing a much-needed return to reality. She darted out of the door and hurried along the long hallway towards the main suite doors.

      With relief, she grasped the door handle and yanked it down. Nothing happened. She pulled harder.

      Glancing around wildly, she spotted the electronic panel and pressed the most obvious-looking button.

      Nothing.

      ‘You can’t get out unless I allow you out.’

      She whirled. He casually leaned one shoulder against the hallway wall. The sight of him standing there, looking sexily tousled and half naked, made panic flare anew inside her.

      ‘Then let me out.’

      ‘I could. But once I do, any hope of a discussion about why you’re here ends. My company, if it’s liable as you say, owes you nothing the minute you walk out of here.’

      ‘That’s preposterous! I signed a contract. You signed a contract. You can’t just back out on a whim.’

      ‘Think about it, Ruby. You’ve travelled thousands of miles to get my attention. I intend to give you that attention. Do you think it prudent to walk out now, when you could be so close?’

      ‘I...’ She sucked in a breath as overwhelming feelings swamped her. ‘Why can’t we discuss it now?’

      ‘Because I don’t like to discuss business without a clear head. And since you’ve plied me with exquisite cocktails all evening, I’d be making those decisions under severe influence.’ He tilted his head again in that alarmingly endearing way and a lock of hair fell over his eyes.

      Dear God. This man was truly lethal. He oozed sex and sensuality without so much as lifting a finger.

      ‘You didn’t ply me with all those drinks in order to take advantage of me, did you? Because that would be horrifyingly disappointing.’

      Outraged, she gasped. ‘I most certainly did not.’

      Slowly, he extended a hand to her. ‘In that case, Ruby Trevelli, there’s no earthly reason not to stay. Is there?’

      * * *

      Narciso was doing his best to stop his fury from showing. The same way he was doing his best to keep from kicking himself for ignoring the alarm bells.

      Usually he could spot chancers and gold-diggers a mile away, be they tuxedo-clad or dressed in designer gowns that looked too small for them.

      For a moment he wished she’d kept her mouth shut until after he’d slept with her to make her avarice known. He would’ve been a lot more generous than he was feeling now.

      He would also have felt used.

      Fury mounted and his frustrated erection threatened to cut him in half as she stayed out of his reach. Out of his arms.

      Recalling her responsiveness, the gut-clenching potency of her kiss, he nearly growled.

      She kissed as if she were born for it. Narciso wondered how many men she’d kissed like that in the past and felt a red haze wash over his fury.

      Dio, what was wrong with him? He should find the nearest phone and report her to management.

      Zeus, his host and owner of the club, had so far excelled in keeping people like Ruby away from Q Virtus guests. Sure, most Petit Qs would accept a generous gift from a guest, but blatant stalking wasn’t tolerated.

      Except, his stalker seemed eager to get away from him, her catlike blue eyes apprehensive as she glanced at his outstretched hand.

      ‘Come here,’ he commanded.

      She swayed towards him, then abruptly halted her forward momentum. ‘If you’re too drunk to talk, what other reason is there for me to stay? And don’t mention wild sex. Because that’s not going to happen.’

      Contrary to what he’d said, his mind was as clear and as sharp as a fillet knife. And it sensed a curious dichotomy in her words and actions. The dress, make-up and screw-me stilettos said one thing. Her words indicated another.

      He intended to burrow until he found the truth.

      Nice choice of words, Narciso, he thought as arousal spiked higher in his blood. Lowering his hand, he turned abruptly.

      ‘I’m returning to the bedroom. If you’re not there within the next minute, I’ll take it that our business is concluded,’ he said over his shoulder.

      ‘Wait! You can’t do that...’

      Narciso smiled with satisfaction at her frustration. Whether she followed him or not, there was no way he was letting

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