Page 17 of Seductive Secrets

James was the last to enter the room. “Who lives here?”

Dash roamed around the triangular kitchen island. “I rented it through one of my company shell corporations. No one can trace either of you back here.”

James nodded and seemed to relax. “Thank you,” he replied.

Callum eyed the group, noted the tension around the two newcomers and stepped forward.

“Dash, I know you’re chomping at the bit to dig right in. However, it’s pretty late and it looks like Angela and James are worn out. Why don’t we get some sleep tonight and we can brainstorm in the morning?”

Dash saw Angela’s shoulders drop ever so slightly and nodded sharply. “Fine. There are enough bedrooms for everyone.” He glanced at James. “You’ll be next to me.”

James rolled his eyes, but didn’t argue. “Until the morning then,” he agreed with a curt nod.

Angela felt his eyes follow her as they all moved to the various bedrooms in the house. It was a big house – which it would have to be because they needed space not just for each couple, but space for Kasim’s bodyguards as well. He never traveled alone. As a world leader, it would be impossible for him to travel by himself. Even Rosalee normally had her own personal guard. But they’d worked it out that those guards would come with them, but would be stationed a bit further away.

Sighing, Angela paused in the bedroom doorway and looked down the hallway – right into James’ eyes. His gaze was intense. She could feel his need reverberate through her. He was…James. Yep, his name somehow wrapped up all of his power and intensity, his scent and the throbbing need that pulsated between them.

They lingered in their respective doorways, neither ready to lose the connection, even if it was only visual.

The noise from the others coming up the stairs broke the spell and they stepped into their individual rooms for the night.

Chapter 3

Angela woke to the smell of something cooking. She had no idea what it was, but if Callum and Dash were around, she knew that it would be delicious! Those two loved to cook and they seemed to thrive on cooking for large groups.

Unfortunately, she only had the clothes she’d worn last night, but she showered and felt enormously better. Thankfully, the people who owned the house kept shampoo and conditioner, as well as some wonderful, handmade soaps for the guests. She didn’t have makeup, but she twisted her mass of curls up on top of her head and pinned it there with a pen from her purse.

Stepping out into the hallway, she glanced around and sighed with relief when she was the only one there. She’d had some particularly vivid dreams last night starring herself, James, and a bed. Angela wasn’t even sure if some of the activities they’d enjoyed during her dream were physically possible, but she’d sure love to try!

Shaking her head, she tried to banish the distracting images.

“Crazy,” she whispered.

“What’s crazy?” a deep voice asked.

She looked up to find James stepping out into the hallway.

Angela smiled at him, wondering if he’d dreamed of her too. After last night’s kiss, she desperately wanted to explore this wild passion he, and only he, was able to ignite within her. But was last night’s kiss just the passion of the moment? Or was it something more? Something that had been burning,simmering, since last October. She knew that she felt it, but did he?

“I want you,” he whispered, reaching for her. His hands encircled her waist, pulling her against him. Somehow, he swiveled, literally lifting her off her feet and pinning her against the wall. He stepped forward, pressing himself against her front.

“I want you too,” she whispered, then gasped, shocked that she’d admitted it out loud. She’d never said that to anyone, never given them that kind of power over her. Angela had always needed the power, needed the control. But she doubted she’d ever truly have control where James was concerned.

And that was an issue for her.

Pulling back, wary now after such an admission, she gently pressed against his chest, silently asking him to give her time. “Let’s go downstairs for breakfast. We need to figure out what’s going on with Mark and my company.”

His fingers clenched as he nodded. “I know. Just…give me another moment. Today is going to be busy and possibly dangerous. After the car chase through downtown Baltimore last night, I think that someone doesn’t want us to figure out what’s going on.”

“I agree,” she replied and couldn’t stop her hands from sliding up his arms. She liked touching him. She loved feeling his muscles tighten under her fingertips. That gave her the power she needed.

His hands moved over her waist and she gasped, her body stiffening with the sharp increase in need. Just that small movement and the balance of power shifted. Her eyes widened, her mind blanked.

Angela needed that power, the control, so her hand moved higher, her fingertips touching the bare skin on his neck. There was a tiny groan and she smiled, relieved that the power was back in her hands, literally.

Someone cleared his throat and said, “I don’t mean to interrupt this…uh…impressive interlude,” Marco said, “but Dash and Callum have probably cooked up a feast by now and I’m starving.” There was a soft, feminine laugh and Angela blinked, noticing Chloe beside Marco, their fingers interlaced.

Angela pushed away from James, pulling her blouse back in place. She touched her hair to make sure it was still controlled by the meager clip and nodded. “Sorry,” she whispered, walking around James towards the stairs.

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