Page 52 of Carnal Wagers

What else do I need to do to prove it?

Do you know what I do with the people who cross me?

Oh, chéri, I never deal with people I haven’t researched down to the very last dot.

My eye caught a darkened speck in a top corner of the room. Another camera. From that corner, the she-devil had a clear view of the entire room, especially my bed. I dragged a nightstand over to climb atop it but was interrupted as my phone rang.

“I dare you to leave this one.” Her breathy, melodic accent caressed me from navel to dick.

“Why?”

“I think you know why.”

“Say it.”

“I want your attention.”

“You have it. Not many people would say that’s a good thing.”

“Not many people would go through the lengths I have to get it.”

I smirked at that blasted camera. This woman was something else, something as twisted as the darkness inside me, and she wasn’t wrong. The interesting part was how exhilarated I felt now that I knew it was her.

“You bugged my place.”

“You wouldn’t be half as engrossed in our conversation otherwise.” She wasn’t wrong. I never cared for anything that was simple and easy.

I lowered myself to the edge of the bed, staring up at the camera.

“It doesn’t frustrate you that I found them?”

Her chuckle zipped down my spine. “That was the point.”

“I should hunt you down for what you’ve done.”

“But you won’t.”

“No?”

“No. Because I’m like all those outfits and accessories in that special room of yours. I’m new. I’m different. I’m exciting. Even if you won’t admit it, you’re curious.”

“About what?”

“About what you’re missing out on…me.”

“A little full of yourself.”

“Tell me I’m wrong.” Her voice husked into my ear. “Tell me I don’t get your blood pumping, at least a little. Tell me this doesn’t excite you.”

I shifted my jaw, my eyes drifting shut as I imagined dragging her body against mine, my hand wrapped around her throat. Fuck, she was doing my head in.

“I’m not a pastime, woman.”

“Oh, but mixing business with pleasure can be so much fun.”

I gritted my teeth. “I told you I don’t do easy.”

“It’s interesting how you always turn things back to sex.”