“What are you doing in here?” I take a step toward her, and she shrinks back a little more. “Don’t lie to me.”
She’s fully awake now, and her eyes are filled with the recognition of who I am and the terror she’s trying to swallow down.
“What were you doing here?” My tone stays soft. Too soft. Predatory. “Looking to finish the job you started? Find a story you can sell?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Absolutely not.”
“Or is it money? I have personal effects in this room that are worth more than you’ll see in five years.” I tilt my head, letting the silence slice into her.
To my surprise, fury blazes in her eyes. Is she reckless?
“I’ll call security. You can answer them if you don’t want to speak to me.”
“Security? Why? You know damn well I didn’t touch your belongings, Black—Blackwell.”
“You know who I am.” I catch her wrist before she can bolt. Her pulse falters under my thumb.
To her credit, she doesn’t deny it. She’s brave. Always has been. Brave enough to stand in front of my board and call me out. Brave enough to lie down in the devil’s bed and pray he wouldn’t catch her.
My pretty little captive attempts to rip her wrist free, but I won’t let her go. She’ll need a lot more strength than that to get away from me.
Ever so slightly, she trembles. Good. “The truth, Ms. Hollis. Now.”
She squeezes her eyes shut briefly, then meets my gaze. “Look… I know you don’t want to believe me. I picked up a shift to cover for a friend.”
Possible. Deception has consequences.
And yet…I know it’s the first time she’s done this, at least to me. If Seraphina was in my room before, I’d know it. Her feminine, vanilla scent is unmistakable and sweet, much like the memory of ruin. Like a forbidden taste I shouldn’t crave.
“If anyone finds out, she could lose her job.”
Celeste would tell me this isn’t my problem, that I should call security and be done with her. That standing here is a headline waiting to happen. “You can’t afford any fuckups, Xavier. Keep your dick in your pants.”
I should listen.
Should.
I lift her wrist to my mouth. Let her feel my breath. And the shiver that races through her when my lips graze that frantic pulse. “You fell asleep in my bed.”
“It was an accident.”
“Was it?”
I let her wrist slide from my grip. Then I lightly drag my knuckles over the inside of her forearm.
She shivers again. Good.
I drop my gaze to her skirt, rumpled high on her thighs. “You know what happens now?”
She shakes her head, breathless. “No.”
“You have a choice, little troublemaker.” I lean in, my mouth grazing her ear. “You can leave, and I’ll make the call to security. Your friend loses her job. And you’ll be banned from all Sterling Hotels for life.” I shrug. “Maybe go to jail.” I’d never let it get that far. “Or…”
Her voice is a soft, soft whisper. “Bastard.”
“You pay the debt you owe me.” I let my offer slide under her skin.
Her eyes narrow. “Pay? How?”
