Page 47 of Queen Of Dark Money

Iignored her question and tried to steer the conversation elsewhere asIcleaned up the rest of the supplies and repacked them in the kit—anything to keep my hands busy.

“So,”Imuttered cheerfully asIwound up the rest of the ace wrap, “you hungry?Imake a mean breakfastBLT.”

Shecocked her head to the side, a slow smile spreading on her face. “Ididn’t see any eggs, bacon, or tomato in your fridge whenIwent looking for milk,” she pointed out, admitting to snooping with a shameless wink. “So, where exactly are you going to materialize that sandwich from?”

“TheYellowPages.”Whenshe simply stared at me,Ichuckled. “Oh, come on,I’mnot that old.Surelyyou know what the fuck a phone book is.”

“Sure, but like,Ihaven’t heard anyone mention one in years.”Hergaze was thoughtful as she took me in again, her eyes barely skimming over the clothed parts of me as she focused in on my toned definition. “Youdon’t look very old,” she pointed out andlicked her lips in that seductive way women had about them that spelled trouble.

Iknew that look.Iwanted no part of it.

“I’mnot.”Mybrain scrambled for a second asIpaused, trying to remember how old exactlyIturned this year. “I’mthirty-three–no, thirty-four.I’mthirty-four this year.”Igave her a once-over and cocked a brow, my eyes lingering almost annoyingly on her long, tanned legs. “You?”

“Ballsy,” she quipped, “asking a lady her age.Isn’tthat still taboo?”

“Honey,Iinterview a hundred women a month for the poles downstairs, and the least invasive question in the interview process is how old they are.”

Sheleaned back, and that sassy grin widened as she draped her feet in my lap, pinning me in place. “Astrip club, huh?Whatkind of strip club has a hall full of private rooms with soundproofing?”

Damn, she was attentive.Howdid she know they were soundproofed?Stone’suppity ass definitely didnot take her into one. “Idon’t know what you mean.”

Hertinkling laughter scraped along my spine and sent shivers down my back. “Sure, honey, andI’mreally a swamp monster under this skinsuit.”Hereyes flashed with a steely determination, and she leaned in, all business now. “Realtalk, bud.Howmuch money do your girls pull in here, doing their little private shows?”

“Wedon’t do private shows,”Istarted, but once again, she cut me off, removed her hands, and slid into my lap instead.

Oh, boy,Iwas in big fucking trouble.

Hernails ran down my bare chest as she purred for me, that voice like fucking satin against my skin with every word that fell from her lips.Ifelt my sanity evaporating and my willpower fizzling out as she leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“Ido private shows if you’re interested.I’meven willing to negotiate a fair price.”

Ishot up so fastIthought the room was spinning.Shefell to the floor, her ass landing with a muffledoofasIput the couch between myself and her. “No.”

Shecocked her pretty head and stared at me. “No?”

“No.”Icleared my throat, trying to maintain my composure. “No.”

“Idon’t like that word.”

Mylaughter was strained as that pretty smile turned into a pout, those eyes turned up in thatbegging fucking doe-eyed lookthat made me hard.Iloved it when a woman fought me, even more when she pulled out all the stops in her arsenal.Icouldn’t respect an adversary who didn’t use every weapon at their disposal.

“Well, sweetheart,I’mafraid you’d better get used to it.”Ipointed at the couch, my lips pursed, teeth clenched so hardIfearedI’dcrack one. “Getup here and behave.Idon’t have time to play grab-ass with a socialite brat who’s used to getting her way.Probablyget your dick served on a silver fucking platter.”

“I’mnot a socialite,” she started, her voice breaking. “I’mher twin.Youall thinkI’mmy sister, butI’mnot.”

“CatrionaSinclairdoesn’t have a sister, let alone a twin,”Iinformed her, trying to parse out the angle she was shooting for.Shedidn’t think we were that gullible, did she? “Iassume you toldStonethis, as well?”

“Hedidn’t believe me.”

Mybrows were beginning to take up permanent residence in my hairline. “Shocker.”

Herhands balled up into fists, her face red from frustration, and not embarrassment this time. “Idon’t understand why this is so hard.Whydon’t you guys just call my–callEddyand fucking ask him.He’lltell you.”Shehalted in her tracks, her eyesunfocused as she processed what she’d just said. “Oh, or maybe he won’t.Buteither way,I'msure he’ll want me back.”

Shedidn’t seem too convinced of her own words.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

KENZIE