Page 6 of Forever Fake

Because she’s in trouble now.

“I believe you have something of mine,” I drawl, leaning one shoulder against the wall. As casual as my stance is, my gaze never leaves hers.

“I…” She summons a blindingly bright smile that shows straight white teeth, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Baron.” Her voice is smooth and thick as honey. It oozes over me, filling in all of my crevices, and for a moment I believe her lie—even though I saw her steal the figurine with my own eyes. She’s that convincing.

“I’m talking about the crystal magpie figurine you have in your purse. It’s small, decorated with black and blue-green diamonds. Normally, I wouldn’t give a shit, but that particular piece happens to be a family heirloom. So, I must insist that you return it.”

She blinks, not giving any ground. Audacious.

Then she holds out her little purse. “I swear I don’t have it. You can search my clutch if you’d like, sir.” Again she shoots me that disarming grin. My chest tingles with the strangest sensation, and I shake it off.

I eye her purse. So, she wants to play games? Game on, sweetheart.

I certainly won’t be outsmarted, or duped, by one barely adult girl. I have years of experience on her, which she’ll learn soon enough.

Stepping closer to her, I take the clutch. It’s soft and shiny. A blue satin that perfectly matches the color of her evening gown.

I upend it, emptying the contents on a side table. She lets out a surprised gasp as her belongings scatter. A whole bunch of girly crap falls onto the polished wooden top, but notably missing is my figurine.

Just as I thought. Was it sleight of hand? There’s no way she’d incriminate herself. I know she has the diamond magpie.Whereis the only question.

I glance at her, my gaze skims the skin-tight sparkly dress that dips low in the front to reveal her ample cleavage. Anyfool would say there’s nowhere else she could have hidden the figurine except for in the bag.

Luckily, I’m no fool.

“See?” she says. “I don’t have whatever you think I stole.”

A wolfish grin spreads across my lips. “Oh, I’m not done searching for it yet.”

“But you emptied my clutch. You can see there’s nothing in there except for what’s mine.”

“I’m done searching your bag, but I’m not done searchingyou.”

Her smooth brow pinches with confusion. I step closer, until I’m towering over her and then I finally see it, the flicker of comprehension in her eyes. Her lips part as if she’s shocked or perhaps it’s the beginning of a silent protest.

Either way, it doesn’t matter. She brought this on herself.

“Turn around and put your hands on the wall. Now.”

She visibly shivers under my commanding tone. Then lifts her chin and pins me with a glare.

“Go to hell. I’m not going to?—”

“Right now,” I warn.

“You can’t make me?—”

I grab her hips and spin us so her back’s against the wall. Holding her there, I cage her in with my much larger frame. She’s not going anywhere until I’ve thoroughly searched her. My cock stirs at that idea and the heat of her supple body beneath my palms.

“Don’t move.” I run my hands down her hips. The dress ends mid-thigh and below that she’s wearing a pair of strappy gold heels. Certainly nothing’s hiding in her shoes.

Wedging one hand between her legs, and the other on the outside, I slide my palms up her thigh. She stiffens. Her breath catches and she swallows hard. I let my hands do the searching, never dropping my gaze from hers. When I reach the apex of herthighs, I expect to encounter the barrier of her underwear. But there’s no tiny scrap of fabric. She’s bare and smooth beneath her dress.

Fuck me.

Her breath hitches, and my cock grows harder. A mix of desire and fear swims in her brown eyes. Now I have her full attention.

I drop my hands, only to slide them up her other leg, still under the guise of searching for what she stole. A completely unnecessary move at this point. Logically I know that, and I don’t care. The feel of her soft skin beneath my rough palms is too alluring to resist.

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