Page 18 of The Lieutenant

I’d been fortunate I hadn’t allowed my body to overtake my common sense the night before.

“You think you know me.” He made a statement. It wasn’t a question.

“I believe I do.”

“Then by all means, tell me about myself.” He folded his arms, clearly amused at the prospect of me reading him like a book.

Challenge accepted. Why not? I scrunched my nose as I gave him the same heated gaze he’d done to me before. “You hide behind your handmade Italian suits and if I had to guess, expensive cars. You need everyone else to feel the power you have from the moment you walk into a room. While you pretend to be sophisticated, all knowing, you cater to your bad boy personality, becoming reckless in your personal life. If I had to guess, I’d say you were in jail at some point and no, I’ve yet to spend any time searching for your name on the internet. Did I come close?”

“Surprisingly, you did. Although I’ve never been in jail. I applaud your efforts. Now, it’s my turn. That will help me determine if we move forward with our discussions.”

“Why not?” I sat back in my seat, crossing one leg over another and attempting to appear completely comfortable.

Meanwhile, my skin was glistening from the light perspiration, my core already overheated from being so close to him.

“You’re very studious and good at what you do, your tenaciousness is off-putting to colleagues and any man you consider decent enough to spend time with. Likely because you were badly deceived in a relationship. You enjoy the aspect of living dangerously while not actually being forced to take risks. That’s why you gravitated toward crime pieces. Your conservative persona, including the clothes, hair, and the little makeup, is nothing but a costume to keep others from knowing your true feelings. Meanwhile, underneath the buttoned-up blouse and shapeless slacks, you wear delicious and sinful lingerie in bold colors, which far better suits your personality. While you take control of every situation, you long for someone else to take the reins. Now, how am I doing?”

Damn him. Damn all of him, including his broad shoulders and long, muscular legs.

The rush of heat was explosive. So was the anger.

I almost lashed out, but that’s what he wanted. I’d wanted to play ball, so I’d better suck it up and act as if nothing he could say bothered me in the least. “Would you like a fashion show, Mr. Nomikos?”

He chuckled and dropped his gaze to my bust only briefly, but long enough for me to notice. “No one else will be allowed to see the special package you hide so very well.”

“You’re right about that.” Why did his statement feel as if he’d just laid claim to me?

“I’m curious, Kara. Is the fact your eyes are filled with excitement an indication of how titillating you find our conversation? If I would be so bold as to reach down the front of your slacks, would I find that your panties were soaking wet?”

That was it. I officially loathed the man. Any attraction I’d felt slipped far beneath the very darkness he’d mentioned several times. I cocked my head, providing him with a bright New York smile. “If you dared to make the attempt to touch me in the matter you described, I’d have no recourse but to cut your hand off with a butterknife. And I’d enjoy every second of hearing your agonizing screams.”

We remained locked in position for a full thirty seconds. I wasn’t entirely certain why the bastard was toying with me other than I hadn’t fallen at his feet. Whatever the case, he wouldn’t break me no matter the shit he threw at me. I was much tougher than he’d given me credit for. Besides, I had a strong feeling whenI broke down his defenses, the story I’d capture would send shockwaves throughout the world.

Dealing with his asinine arrogance was well worth the acclamations.

“I’ll agree to the interview, Kara, on one condition.”

A condition. Of course he would try to take back control. “Alright. What is this condition?”

“That you’ll eagerly agree to have dinner with me.”

“You mean a date?”

“Yes, a date.”

My stomach fluttered from the thought.

“Will Lurch be involved?”

“I assure you that we’ll be very much alone.” His forests of green were once again lighting up as if the man was prepared to trap me with his lure.

“And I assure you if I agree, it won’t be done with anything near eagerness. However, I have a condition of my own.”

He nodded toward me in acceptance. “What else?”

“That I ask to sit in on business meetings and conversations, see the facilities you own, and spend at least five days getting all the details and information I need for a successful article.” I knew I was pushing my luck in several ways, but why not shoot the moon at this point?

I was fairly certain he was going to say no or even worse, start laughing, but after another sweeping gaze, he finally spoke.

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