Page 81 of Forbidden Want

“And you came running,” she said. “Eager to please.”

“Looks like you did too. Nice of him to bring us together.” She went to the closest end of the desk as she sipped her whiskey. “Getting a taste for the Irish?” From the smirk on his face, he wasn’t talking about the whiskey. “I should get you some Italian wines.”

“I prefer something harder,” she said, resting the glass by her throat.

He came strolling over. “I can deliver on that too.”

Usually, when he got close, she got tense and nervous. But even when he stopped a foot in front of her, she didn’t flinch. The challenge in his stare was playful, eager even, yet there was intrigue, familiarity.

His hand rose, she saw it coming.

Before he made contact, she spoke. “Touch me with that and he’ll relieve you of it.”

His lips curved. “Don’t be so sure. Our deal’s important.”

“Not that important.”

Connel.

Both she and Evander turned toward his voice. There he stood in front of the curtain, Niall at his flank.

“She’s a tempting woman,” Evander said with teasing mischief, his hand still close.

She couldn’t see it lingering behind her, but it was definitely there.

“Anything you touch her with, you’ll leave this room without.”

“Might be worth it if I get to touch her with it first.”

“Upstairs.”

Leaving Evander, she chose to go back around behind the desk to head for the curtain. She didn’t intend to look at Connel, to distract him from pinning Evander under that intense glare. Lucky guy.

But her lover’s arm came across her body, stalling her at his side.

His attention arced down to her. What did he want to say? To ask? Was he worried? Indifferent? Was this the same man who’d fed and cared for her?

Offering the glass to him, he freed her hand when he took it, allowing her to curve a hand around the back of his neck to pull him down.

Did he want to mark her in front of Evander? Maybe. But as their lips met, a surge of need tightened her grip. She needed to mark herself in front of Evander. It might not make sense, but she’d never had this before. Never been involved with anyone she didn’t fear Evander taking down.

Connel swept her hair from her face, cradling the side of her head to angle it for a deeper connection. Yet it was him, when their tongues touched, who parted their lips.

“You like anything you’re wearing…” he growled.

Her smile came with the whisper of a laugh. “I’ll lose it.”

“Good girl,” he said, his hand dropping from her head to squeeze her ass as she walked past Niall and through the curtain he held for her.

“What is it about her that gets guys by the balls?” Evander asked.

Halfway up the stairs, she crouched to sit and listen.

“We’re here for business.”

“You brought her here. Put her between us.”

“Sersha comes and goes as she pleases.”

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