Page 34 of Hearts Of Darkness

He tips his head back and laughs. It’s a rich, delicious sound that echoes throughout the courtyard. “I don’t believe small talk is your strength, my angel, and neither is a casual repartee about our respective occupations. I suggest we stickto other topics.”

“Like the weather?”

“Oh, I think we can do better than that.” I catch him glancing at my breasts and the air between us sparks with illicit promise.

“Where did you learn to talk like that?” I ask him, curiously. “You sound more American than I do.”

“School.”

“Which school?”

He sits back in his chair and runs his teeth slowly along his lower lip. I feel an instant reaction in my core as I imagine those lips on every part of me. “I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Why? Do you think it might implicate you?”

He smirks. “Most likely. You’re a tenacious lady.”

My lust evaporates as a jolt of uneasiness zips through me. This man has the money and the means to find out everything about me. His mocking tone suggests he already knows about my job as a reporter.Shit.I stare down at the tablecloth, my head in riotous panic.

“I was educated in your country, Eve,” he concedes with a sigh.

“America?”

“Yes, the home of the Mustang convertible and beautiful, inquisitive women.”

My cheeks flood with color at his surprise compliment. A million questions line up like silver bullets on the tip of my tongue as Valentina appears and places a plate of seared scallops down in front of me. Iknewhe was educated from the moment we met. I wish I had access to the Internet… I could track down his surname in a matter of hours.

I glance up to find him watching me closely. It’s as if he can smell the thrill of the chase on my skin.

“That’ll be all, Valentina,” he says curtly, dismissing her with a wave. She flinches and disappears immediately. She’s nervous as hell around him, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

“That was a little abrupt,” I say, arching my eyebrows at him. “I thought you were shit-hot on manners?”

“Don’t cuss,” he says, picking up his fork. “It doesn’t suit you.”

“Fuck, shit, fuck. Anyway, I can’t eat this, I’m allergic to seafood.” I sit back in my chair and fold my arms. I’m not, but I’m feeling defiant again.

“You’re missing out. They’re delicious.” I watch his fork disappear into his sinful mouth.

Ugh. The scallops smell divine as well, all dripping in hot sage and butter. I’m so hungry I want to pick up the plate and inhale it.

“I really can’t tempt you?” he says, hovering another forkful under my nose.

Bastard.

“Sure, go ahead, if you want my death on your conscience, or lack of it.”

He smirks and doesn’t say a word. That’s when I remember he has access to my medical records. I have no allergies, and he already knows it.

“Is that girl Valentina part of your harem?”

The smirk dies on his lips. “Mywhat?”

“She’s part of your sex slave gang, isn’t she? Like I am. That’s why you kidnapped me.”

He drops his fork with a crash. “You arenothinglikethem.”

“But you have sex with her?”

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