Page 34 of Cruel Longing

“You made it.” Amara stood. Her long legs, revealed by the opening of her dress. Or was it a robe? It was flowy fabric that cut in a deep V and tied with a belt. I’d always been amazed at how she could pull off elegant, casual, and sexy at the same time. Tonight, was no different. I had to drag my eyes away from her legs.

“You do realize there’s a tropical depression out there?” I shoved my hands in pockets, realizing too late that even they were soaked.

“Maybe you should change.” Her eyes canvassed my clothes. “It looks like you’ve been in the pool.”

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes,” I stated.

She shrugged. “I have something I’m sure.” She crossed the room with graceful movements and began searching through awalk-in closet. She emerged with a set of dry clothes. “Here. You can change in the next room.” She pointed me to the bathroom.

“I don’t think I need to change,” I argued.

“You should.” There was no room for disagreement. “I’ll give you a minute.”

I clasped the folded clothes. I didn’t want to know who they belonged to. Did she keep a closet of men’s clothes? The jealousy burned in my palms. A few minutes later I was at least dry. I hung the wet shirt and pants over the tub.

“Better?” I asked.

The wind howled outside the window. It was possible the storm was picking up speed. The wind gusts seemed stronger and more sustained.

“Yes.” I saw the way her eyes flickered quickly before she looked away.

“I’m glad you wanted to talk. I didn’t expect it to be in the middle of this storm.”

“Why wait?” She smiled. “I don’t think business should be put off.”

“All right. Let’s put it all out there.”

She made her way to the bar across the room. The fabric caught the tops of her thighs when she walked.

“Drink?” she offered.

It was clear I wasn’t going anywhere. “I’ll have whatever you’re pouring.”

I studied her back while she dropped ice cubes into the glasses. “What rooms are these?” I asked.

“I did some remodeling a few years ago,” she explained, turning to present the drinks. “I combined two suites to make this apartment.”

“It’s nice. It suits you.”

“Does it?” Her eyebrows raised.

“Sophisticated. Feminine. Expensive.” I smirked. “I think so.”

“Thank you.” Her pink lips raked over the glass when she took a sip.

“I got your note the other morning when you left.” Her eyes shot to mine. “And the necklace,” I added.

“I’m glad you brought up BONO,” she snarled.

I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about the PAC. I want to apologize for how you found out about it. We could talk about that part.” I knew I was lucky the only thing she had discovered was Viktor’s clever way to construct the LLC as quickly as he did. If she learned anything else, there would be no way forward. No path for us.

I had replayed the kidnapping in my head, nearly step by step. Day by day. I pictured Amara locked up in that room, refusing to eat. Barely sleeping. My prisoner for days while I had her father killed. If that secret ever came to life I would walk this earth unforgiven and damned.

Her eyes narrowed. “Apologize? How are you going to do that?”

“I just did. I’m sorry. I need those senators for one of my projects. It wasn’t supposed to be personal. I see how you took it that way.”

She laughed. It caught me off-guard. “If I took every backroom business deal personally, I wouldn’t have the position I do.”

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