Page 101 of Hidden Agendas (Tempting SEALs 4)

“I think Kell’s smarter than that, Tabby,” Emily pointed out. “He rarely falls for anything, as we both know.”

Just as he evidently hadn’t fallen for the other woman or her carefully practiced sexuality.

Tabby flashed her a hostile look then slid her hand over Kell’s opposite arm. “You should dance with me. It’s been a very long time since we’ve danced.”

Oh geez, give her a break.

“Tabby, I think you know that’s not going to happen.” Kell’s voice was a hell of a lot nicer than the other woman deserved. Of course, Emily knew the enmity between her and Tabby might have something to do with her feelings on the matter.

Fury flashed in the other woman’s eyes then. “Poor Kell.” She sighed. “It’s obvious you’re still drawn to the poor little creatures outside your own social class. My parents were so certain you would grow out of that habit.”

The little bitch.

“Excuse us, Tabby.” Kell’s voice was ice now. “But I think Emily needs some fresh air. Good night.”

Kell drew her quickly away from the other woman, but not before Emily turned back, her gaze connecting with Tabby’s in a look of promised retaliation. She may not attend the parties often, but she had her own friends. Friends who could make certain portions of Tabby’s life uncomfortable.

“Bet me that Drage Masters rescinds her membership in his clubs for the rest of the year,” she muttered, remembering the times she had seen the other woman at the clubs when she had gone to them for research into the BDSM fringe societies.

Kell drew her quickly along the wall, glancing down at her in shock. “How do you know Drage?”

“Drage likes me.” She shrugged. “When I wanted to use his clubs for research I made an appointment with him and Jayne Doe first thing rather than just barging in. He thought I was very polite. He even offered to let me downstairs if I was willing to pretend to be his sub.”

He muttered something. Something along the lines of death, dismemberment, and Drage in the same sentence.

“He’s charming.” She shrugged.

“He’s an alleycat,” he argued back.

“They are the most charming of all,” she assured him with a smile. “They appreciate the attention.”

And the byplay was doing nothing to help her forget the fact that Tabby and Deuter were here. Together.

Damn Tabby and Deuter Meyers. She didn’t need this. She still hadn’t gotten over the nightmares that little event had produced before Fuentes had kidnapped her. She didn’t need to meet that bastard again, especially not while Kell was anywhere around.

“Want to tell me about Meyers?” he asked as they once again began to move and headed through the open French doors into the candlelit gardens beyond.

“There’s nothing to tell,” she assured him before sipping at her wine again and wishing she had thought to get a refill.

“You know, Em, I’ve known you a long time,” he drawled. “I could tell when you were lying even as a kid. That hasn’t changed.”

“Then maybe it’s just none of your business.” She had managed to keep that little event quiet for the most part. Few people knew about it, and even her father hadn’t so much as heard a muttered rumor.

“I might have accepted that if it weren’t for the fact that I could almost smell the hatred and anger rising off you,” he growled. “You hid it damned well while Tabby was there, but I know you a hell of a lot better than she does. Should I ask Deuter about it?”

God forbid.

“You know, Kell, I don’t go around questioning your ex-lovers,” she pointed out. “Why should you question men that you should have enough sense to know aren’t my ex-lovers?”

He was silent for long moments, drawing her through the crowds as she stared at faces and tried to place names to them.

“Because they frighten you,” he finally said. “I want to know why.”

“Maybe he was just weird.”

“And maybe I know weird doesn’t frighten you,” he snapped. “It takes a hell of a lot more than weird to even faze you and I know it. So what the fuck happened?”

Emily flinched. He was working himself into a seriously pissed mood. Not that she really cared if Kell got pissed; there wasn’t a chance he would hurt her. But if they came face-to-face with Deuter, she couldn’t exactly predict what he might do.

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