Page 11 of Royal Flush

As if I had any clue what that meant.

But I had to admit, his exotic aftershave was enough to lure any unsuspecting woman into his lair. And he was buff, his face chiseled like some aristocrat. With wavy dark hair I could envision running my fingers through and moss green eyes that absolutely penetrated my blackened soul, it was difficult for me to take my eyes off him.

And my core had instantly overheated.

Mr. Mystery Guy took that opportunity to rise to his feet, towering over me even in my heels by several inches. While I’d been right about his clothes, including the tight peach tee shirt, sitting hadn’t done his physique the appropriate justice.

I was momentarily taken aback, which was completely unlike me.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked rather coyly.

“The better question is why should I care?”

“My name is Braxton Royal, one-third owner of the resort where you faked your name, your identification, and your reason for being here. All while stealing from my guests.”

I shrugged as if it didn’t matter when a tiny trickle of fear skittered down my spine. A girlfriend of mine had mentioned the resort, commenting that hundreds of thousands of dollars were gambled away every day, the guests all rich and greedy bastards.

The personal lure had been impossible to ignore. My gal pal knew how much I adored a challenge. It eased the boredom and diplomatic living I’d endured every day, week, and year since I was born.

“Is that supposed to impress me?” I asked, yawning on purpose.

Braxton took the time to walk around the side of his desk, easing his carved butt onto the edge. “I don’t care if you’re impressed, Jane, or if you want to scratch out my eyes. The fact is that you’re in my world and you will do as I say.”

I walked closer, my hand itching to slap him, but the nagging voice inside of me told me my action would be just another bad decision. I normally did my homework, developing a complete dossier on anyone who had anything to do with the casino I was about to rob, but this time the horrific argument I’d had with my father had prevented me from doing so. Okay, I’d been impetuous in my decision to come here, but my father’s insistence I come with him and my mother for a year stint in America had been intolerable.

Let alone when he’d blurted out an American wedding would be fabulous.

I was no longer a child, but both my parents expected me to maintain my servitude as the dutiful daughter throughout my life.

“Oh, well,” I told Mr. Royal, even blowing the sexy man a kiss. I adored pushing every boundary and always had.

I’ll be damned if the rugged man didn’t invade my space, closing the distance until we were maybe two inches apart. If I were the kind of woman to swoon over a man, I would be doing so right about now.

Thankfully, I wasn’t.

That didn’t mean I couldn’t admire his sexual prowess or the hunger in his eyes. Whew. Was it possible he was undressing me with his sensual eyes?

Of course he was.

“Now that we’ve established my name, I think it’s about time you tell me yours.”

“You already know. Jane Smith.”

His laugh was to be expected. “You must think me a fool.”

“Why yes, yes, I do.”

He acted as if he was going to reach out, touching my face but curled his fingers a split second before. “While beautiful and intriguing, I don’t accept liars. I can easily gather your fingerprints. I know several people in various national and international law enforcement agencies. I assure you within twenty minutes I’ll learn your real identity. Make it easy on yourself. Your punishment might be a bit more lenient if you do.”

Punishment. The man was serious. “Just arrest me.” You bet I was pushing his buttons to see what he was made of. Why not?

He took a deep breath, cocking his head slightly before pulling a cellphone from his pocket, immediately dialing a number.

I sucked in my breath, still uncertain what to do. I didn’t know this man. While I believed his statement about who he was, that didn’t mean I’d succumb to whatever punishment he had in mind.

“Travis. Go ahead and bring in security to shackle and escort Ms. Smith to the airport. I’ll contact the police chief in New York City, the best location for our… guest to experience the less opulent side of life.”

Shit. The man was serious.

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