Page 40 of Betrayed

After they left, they strolled in the much cooler evening air, back down the sidewalk to where he had parked. Before he opened the door for her, he stepped close, pinning her against the car with his hard body.

“I want you again, Mari. I’ll give you the choice of where, my suite at the Four Seasons downtown, or we can go to your place.”

Blinking up at him, her body thrilled at the idea of being possessed by him again. Her house was closer and would be more private, but she’d never stayed at the Four Seasons before, let alone a luxury suite. Decision made, she blurted out eagerly, “Your suite, sir.”

“Very well,” was his gruff reply as his lips claimed hers briefly, with a fire that spoke of his need. “Hop in. We’ll worry about your car later.”

He opened her door, and as she slipped into the sleek black sports car with its crimson interior, she noticed the Porsche emblem on the steering wheel. Perhaps it was the two full glasses of French wine at the French bistro, and the French dessert. More likely, it was the combination of all of it on top of his Givenchy suit and Italian loafers. But she giggled, wondering if his socks and underwear were imported, too. She was still giggling when he folded his long body into the driver’s seat.

“What’s funny?” he asked as he quirked a brow her way.

“Your car. Of course, it’s European, like everything else. I believe you are like a fish out of water in Texas.”

He didn’t reply but held her gaze as he turned the key. The engine roared to life, and she felt the surge of its power, along with a sensual thrill of excitement, not unlike how Arturo made her feel himself. As it settled into a low rumble and the seat beneath her vibrated deliciously, she shifted ever so slightly on the buttery-soft leather.

His lips curling up into a knowing smile. Of course, he would notice.

“I’m not anti-American,” he said as his eyes dipped to her mouth then lower to linger on the hint of cleavage revealed by her neckline. “I do, however, have exceptional taste and insist on the very best in all things.”

Her grin slowly faded, and her voice locked in her throat as she realized he was referring to her, too, and looked completely sincere about it.

Then he murmured softly, “Buckle up, baby.”

When she did, he revved the engine, put the car in gear, and with complete control, sped away from the curb.

Chapter 13

AFTER SLIPPING THEkey card into its slot, when he opened the door and flipped on the lights, he surveyed the room with expert eyes before entering. Everything seemed in place, not that he’d expected otherwise, but it was a habit after twenty years in the field.

Arturo held the door open for Mari. The arm he had extended moved to her lower back as she passed. So far, the evening had been enjoyable, a wonderful meal, charming company, the same spark of attraction outside the club as in, although their interactions were much more reserved considering the setting. And now, for thepièce de résistance. The only thing marring their time together, and only for him, was the knowledge that as she gazed at him across the table, building trust as they shared smiles and laughter, touches and soft kisses, while getting to know one another better, men he’d hired were combing through her home, installing surveillance equipment, and looking for evidence she was complicit in arms deals to foreign governments.

The door locks engaging with a solid click behind him snapped him abruptly out of his troubled thoughts. He glanced up, finding Mari standing in front of the wall-to-ceiling windows staring out at the panoramic view of downtown Houston. Removing his coat, he tossed it over the back of a chair and crossed the room to join her.

As he moved in behind her, his hands slid up her bare arms, enjoying the feel of her skin, soft as the finest silk. He dipped his head, drawing in her seductive scent. Lightly floral, subtle and fresh smelling, it reminded him of orchids.

With his chin, he moved her hair aside and ran his nose along the delicate line of her neck up to the soft spot behind her ear. She angled her head to the side, a silent sign of approval and her willingness to go further, which prompted him to kiss the soft shell of her ear before tugging on the lobe lightly with his teeth.

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