Grievous (Wanted Men Book 5) by Nancy Haviland Read Free Book Online Page B

came up to lock on her, and the blast of desire that smoked through her body nearly had her hair rising as if an electrical current was passing through her.
    Jesus. What the hell was that? It had been there from the moment they’d met. She’d been on her way home from a job interview, discouraged because she’d already known she would be passed over for an applicant with more experience. She’d dropped in at the gallery she now worked in and had turned from staring too long at a particular painting that had reflected her mood. Lucian had been standing ten feet behind her, his gaze lazy but intent, and not on the art surrounding them.
    He'd approached her and had drawn her in with so few words it was shameful. She’d lost herself in his subdued charm and quiet authority, and hadn’t even considered refusing when he’d asked her to have dinner with him. They’d gone to an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan that she’d only ever read about, where she’d learned he was a successful businessman with a shady side he’d been at ease mentioning. He admitted to having some knowledge about wine, which came from owning four vineyards; two in France, one in Italy, and one in California. Before dessert, she’d excused herself to use the restroom. When she’d come out, he’d been waiting outside the door, just as he was now. Within the hour, they’d been naked, and she was orgasming into his mouth as the lights of Manhattan twinkled merrily through the wall of glass behind the king size bed in his penthouse. As a lover, he’d been fierce and demanding. She’d been in heaven.
    “Déjà vu?”
    Her pulse thumped between her legs. Yes, she thought, looking into his eyes. The loss of his brother had done something to him. Something terrible. She wanted to comfort him. But at the same time she didn’t. Mainly, because he’d drugged and kidnapped her. Taken her choices from her. And, aside from that being irrational and illegal, it was unforgivable.
    “I was just thinking about the impression I must have left you with when we met the first time.” So often she’d wondered if he hadn’t contacted her again because he’d assumed she was a slut who banged on every first date she went on.
    “If you are referring to the impression you left in my mattress, I often think of it as well. Come.”
    It cost her no effort to ignore his hand that time and look in the direction of the stairs as her cheeks went hot. How did he make her pussy wet and leave her wanting to box him in the ear at the same time?
    “Yasmeen.” He snapped his fingers impatiently. “I find it very annoying when I have to repeat myself. Let us do away with the need, yes?”
    She gaped at him. “Lucian!” She laughed. She had to because the alternative was to kick him in the shin, and not even she was brave enough to do something so dumb. “That was a crass thing you just said. The least you can do is give me a moment to swallow the urge to spank you for it. Your arrogance is astounding,” she rushed out when his brow inched up. “How did you get like this? To the point where you think it’s acceptable to treat people the way you’re treating me. You’ve stolen my life. I get that you’ll eventually bring me home, but I also know you have no plans to do so right now so stop pretending. And while you’re at it, don’t snap your fingers at me like I’m a dog. I don’t care how you referred to me outside; I am not your pet.”
    He silently approached her. Didn’t defend himself. Didn’t refute what she was saying. Just like at the Waldorf, it was as if he wasn’t hearing her talk.
    Or her words meant so little he didn’t feel the need to acknowledge them.
    “I’ve yet to come across a body so perfectly proportioned as yours. The size of your breasts, this curve,” he trailed his fingers down her side. “These hips I remember gripping as I filled your pussy. I could have fucked you for days and not grown tired of it. But you escaped before I