Dark Moon by REBECCA YORK Read Free Book Online Page A

code?”
    “No.”
    “Too bad.”
    “You do?”
    “Yeah. It can come in handy. Like to tap dots and dashes on a partner’s hand.”
    She grimaced. Too bad nobody had ever suggested she might need that communications method one day.”
    Cole’s voice turned reassuring. “It’s okay. We’ll have to decide how to talk in private after we get there.”
    She wished they could settle the problem now, but she knew that he was right. It was going to depend on the situation.
    Her throat was suddenly dry, but she managed to ask. “And how much are we going to have to participate in the fun and games?”
    “Do I know?”
    “I guess not.”
    He waited a beat before saying, “Obviously, I’m the dominant member in our relationship.”
    “Huh?”
    “I’m talking about the way we treat each other in our roles. I’m the one with the money and power. That means you do what you think will please me.”
    “Now wait a minute.”
    “I’m still talking about our cover story. How we treat each other on the ship in public—and in private.”
    She gave him a hard look. “And suppose you’ve come here with me because you like to play the submissive sometimes. And this is a place you feel comfortable letting your hair down, where you buddies won’t cotton to your secret desires.”
    His response was adamant. “Out of the question. I am not going to put myself in that position.”
    “You’re young and fit. Being submissive might make you seem less threatening to Del Conte.”
    He considered that. “You could be right, but I’m sure I wouldn’t be a very convincing bottom.”
    “What the hell is a bottom?”
    “A submissive.”
    “You’ve studied this stuff.”
    “I’ve studied a lot of stuff.”
    “And you think I’ll be a convincing—bottom?”
    “Let’s hope so.”
    She gave him a long look. “Do you have some reason to think I can play that role?”
    “Because of your father?”
    “What?” She heard the shock ring in her voice. “What about my father?” she managed to add. “You don’t think he and I ever . . .”
    “No. It wouldn’t have fit into his moral code. But he’s a very dominating man.”
    “How the hell do you know anything about him?”
    He signed. “I wouldn’t work with someone if I didn’t have a handle on their background.”
    “Pull over,” she ordered.
    “What?”
    “I said pull over.”
    He eased to the shoulder of the road, set the emergency brake, and turned to her. “What—are you backing out.”
    “No,” she said between gritted teeth. “But I want you to know that I don’t appreciate your digging into my private life.”
    “Noted.”
    “Too bad I didn’t check you out, too. What is it that you’re hiding about yourself?”
    “Nothing!”
    “That’s a lie.” She dragged in a breath and let it out before asking. “And what did Frank Decorah say to you that he didn’t want me to hear.”
    He waited a beat before answering. “That he was counting on my expertise to get Karen out.”
    “What expertise do you have that I don’t?”
    He kept his gaze steady. “An over-developed sense of smell.”
    “Jesus. If I even believe that—how is it going to help.”
    “I picked up her scent in her apartment. And in Temptation. I’ll know if she’s on the boat. And where to find her.”
    She glared at him, wondering if he was spinning her a line.
    When he covered her hand with his, she jumped.
    “This is a bad time to get into an argument,” he said in a low voice.
    She nodded.
    His hand tightened on hers. “We’re both tense. Under a lot of pressure. Feeling like we don’t have enough preparation. At least, that’s true for me.”
    “Agreed.”
    “We need to settle down. Be comfortable with each other. Our lives could depend on it.”
    “I know.”
    He swallowed hard. “You’re right. There’s stuff in my background that I don’t talk about. I’m from a very dysfunctional family. And when we get back to Maryland, I’ll tell you about