Page 30 of Watch Me

I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I want desperately to be with him. At the same time, I don’t. It’s so unlike me to be indecisive and conflicted. I have to regain balance, get a grip on my control.

“Fine,” I announce. “I’ll turn up around eight. We’ll commence at eight-thirty. I need to be home by ten.”

Turning away with a dismissive whirl, I reach for the remote control, intent on starting the music, resuming practice…and ignoring Alejandro before he notices my trembling and makes me completely insane with his hungry stare.

Instead, he grabs my arm and turns me back to face him. “You’ll turn up at eight-thirty. We’ll commence at nine. If it takes a whole night of public performances, you'll stay until we know who and what we’re dealing with.”

I jerk from his grasp. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Shanna, can you really afford to wear your bitch armor with me?”

No.

“I know that's not you,” he murmurs. “And I only want to help you.”

He's getting uncomfortably close, and I'm feeling so very weak. “Whatever. If it amuses you to play the caveman?—”

“It doesn’t.” He leans close and whispers for my ears only, “But it intrigues me to see you hide from the pleasure you know I'm going to give you when I have you naked and under me again.”

15

Hours later, I’ve showered, changed, and run errands. Life is normal…and yet I’m still seething and overheated by Alejandro’s parting shot. How can one man irritate and arouse me in a single sentence?

Argh!I need to forget him.

My doorbell rings, and I scowl. I’m not expecting anyone. It’s probably someone trying to sell me something, maybe Girl Scout cookies. One of the neighbor kids was hocking them yesterday, and the thought of indulging in mindless sugar the minute competition season is over is tempting.

It’s for the kids,I tell myself as I open the door.

Someone stands on the other side, all right. It’s definitely not a Girl Scout.

“Alejandro.” His name slips out as a whisper.

“Good evening,querida.”

When he murmurs that endearment, I melt. Every time. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why does it bother you when I call you darling?”

“Because I’m not your darling. We’re working together to solve a common problem.”

“We are. But I fail to see why that has to be the end of it.” I open my mouth to set him straight, but Alejandro bulldozes on. “I’m sure you'll invent some reason soon, but for now, let’s not argue. I came to talk.”

“Talk?” About what? I'm hoping he has a new clue about the blackmailer, but his face says he’s got something more personal on his mind.

“Nothing more,” he promises.

I’m not sure I believe him, but he’s roused my curiosity…and my libido. But he does that just by being near me.

“All right. Come in.” I step back to admit him.

Alejandro shakes his head and holds out his hand. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Not the club,” I warn him.

---