Page 107 of Seducer

A dangerous yet enchanting combination that I’d found irresistible.

They were her weapons, truly more powerful than any of my firearms.

“You knew I’d attempt to escape. Didn’t you? You goaded me to do so.”

Her words were terse, laced with anger and hatred. She was a damn good actress and had been from the start. “Attempt and contemplate are entirely different. Don’t you agree? If you’d wanted to climb down the trellis, you would have. Then you would have checked the doors on my Charger, finding them unlocked and the keys in the ignition. From there, you’d have gone to the main road, which is only a half mile down a long driveway. After a little navigation, you’d have discovered the built-in GPS system where you would have easily located the nearest police station. How am I doing?”

She huffed. “Damn you.”

“The fact is that you wanted to be here. You were ready to be captured. You played right into my hands, luring the predator right to you. I do wonder why you gave up so easily.”

“Trust me. I never give up.”

“Then I overestimated your abilities.”

“No, Zach. You underestimated them. But I can truly understand why you call yourself the Seducer.”

Seducer. The name truly did suit me, only around her, there seemed to be an entirely different meaning to it.

“I am curious. How many women?”

“How many women what?”

“Have you seduced?”

She’d almost been killed by some unknown assailant, yet she was grilling me. Interesting.

I turned around to face her, momentarily stunned by the dress hugging every inch of her voluptuous body. I’d chosen wisely, the color perfect for her complexion, the material soft and pliable. Just like the woman. Sighing, I glanced away, almost irritated with myself I was so totally aroused. “I’ve been with other women as you have with other men, Sara. No one has ever been to my home. No one has ever captured my attention the way you have.”

“Why me?”

“To be honest with you, I’m not completely certain. You’re beautiful, more so than any woman I’ve ever met, but I was drawn to your curiosity and your intelligence, your willingness to keep going no matter the odds. Your beauty is also inside and out. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth.” Admitting all the things to her felt… more honest than I’d been in a long time.

“It does sound cliché, but… When we were in that diner, you were so real, so different, but the same. Does that make any sense?”

“Some. I wasn’t playing with you. I had no idea who you were other than an incredible dancer. Yes, I did entertain the idea of you being an amazing candidate for the game, but I was genuinely concerned about you.”

“Because of my car.”

I nodded. “And Jerry.”

“Did you kill him?”

“No, but someone did. That someone I think hired the driver to run you down, perhaps even stalk you.”

“Pretending to be you,” she mostly whispered.

“Pretending to be me.”

She took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. “I’m curious. What would have happened had I escaped and taken your car?”

“To your delight, you would have discovered the nearest police station is about two miles down on the left. At that point, you would have spun a perfectly plausible tale of woe and fear, leading the police right to my doorstep. They would have bought it given the recent accusations. But you didn’t. Instead, you chose to take me up on my proclamation that I’m the only man to keep you safe.” I lifted my glass, offering her a toast. “To my beautiful companion.”

CHAPTER 26

Zach

The expression on Sara’s face was full of desire, but she was fighting her feelings. I couldn’t say I blamed her in the least.

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