Beyond the Edge by Susan Kearney Read Free Book Online Page B

make a bargain.”
    “I’m listening.” She exaggerated a yawn, contradicting her words. “Sorry. Go on.”
    He set down his glass. “It’s late. Tomorrow will be time enough for explanations. Why don’t you turn in for the night?”
    “How could I possibly sleep without hearing your bargain?”
    “All right.” He kept his tone even, although his excitement leaped. “I’d like your full cooperation and help to catch Nigel and reclaim what he has stolen from my government.”
    “And in return, what will you do for me?”
    “I’ll give you your complete fantasy.” He held his breath. Her reply mattered to him but he had his emotions under control. He would satisfy her and then walk away.
    She sucked in her bottom lip. Her hands shook and she had to put down her wine as if fearing she’d spill it. “Be more specific.”
    He didn’t hold back a wolfish grin. “I’d rather show you. However, once we agree there’s no goingback. As long as I’m here, we’ll do this on my terms.”
    “And suppose I accept and then change my mind?”
    “You won’t want to—I’ll make certain of that.”
    She eyed him, her head cocked to the side, clearly interested. Her pulse beat a quick tattoo at her neck. Her eyes dilated slightly, but she held his gaze with a courage that was going to make her ultimate submission such a pleasure. A weak woman was no challenge, but Fallon Hanover was strong and her strength excited him, taunted him, dared him.
    Although it was unusual for him to be drawn so quickly to a woman, Fallon was special. Besides, it had been way too long since he’d satisfied the demands of his body. He’d let the past haunt him for too long. It was time for him to let go of his past mistakes—ones he wouldn’t repeat. While he yearned to explore the passion that pulsed between them, he would be certain not to engage his emotions. He’d love to maintain strict control over what happened between them. He hadn’t known Fallon long enough to become deeply involved and he wouldn’t stay long enough for more than a physical fling.
    “You’re arrogant.”
    He didn’t deny it. He was as certain that he’d catch his thief and place him under custody as he was that their time together would be very erotic, very exotic and very special. “Only because I know I will give you pleasure you’ve never experienced before. Now we’ll begin.”

4
    “I’ LL CONSIDER your bargain,” she said, hoping he couldn’t hear the desire in her tone, her yen to completely give up control to him. For a change, it would be so lovely not to think or plan or be responsible, just give up all control and let him take over. “But, right now, I think it’s time to retire.”
    It didn’t matter how damn sexily he’d couched his words. It didn’t matter that she found him exciting or his idea tempting. Damn tempting. What were his intentions? She restrained the urge to drum her fingers on the table, unwilling to reveal her raw nerves. Instead, she watched him with as neutral an expression as she could manage.
    His eyes flashed with disappointment. “Go on up to bed.”
    She placed her hands on her hips and bolstered her courage to ask, “What about you?”
    He gave her a look hot enough to melt an icicle on a subzero day. “Is that an invitation?”
    She almost said yes, just barely refraining. But oh how she wanted to let him take control over what happened next. “I’ll let you know in the morning.”
    She left him to fend for himself, wondering how she could barricade her bedroom door—or if she even wanted to. If the locks and security systems at the Institute couldn’t keep him out, she doubted a chair wedged beneath the doorknob would do the trick.
    No matter how much she ached to throw caution to the wind, Fallon was too level-headed to take such chances. If she’d only had herself to think about, she might have immediately said yes. But she had responsibilities to her parents, her siblings and her stockholders.