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I made a mental note to start reading sleazy romance novels instead of crime and mystery.

“I know enough,” I said, raising my chin with false confidence. I was trying to hide how much of an amateur I really was, all while attempting to wrap my head around the fact he wanted me to play the starring role in some twisted sexual fantasy.

The simple fact was, I knew some stuff, but not a lot. And the more I thought about the subject, the more I realized how limited my knowledge was. Either way, if Alexander thought I would parade around looking like the English interpretation of a French housecleaner, he had another thing coming to him.

He eyed me up and down. His gaze was heated with desire, although I saw a flicker of uncertainty in the depths of his eyes as well.

“You think you know what I’m talking about?” he challenged. “We’ll see about that.”

Chapter Seventeen

Krystina

Alexander walked over to the corner of the living room to an elaborate entertainment center. After a moment, music filled my ears. It was a steady drumbeat mixed with guitar strings that were rough around the edges, the beginning notes sounding as if a first-year guitar student were playing them. Alexander turned to look at me, and his eyes were scorching.

“I don’t expect you to make a decision right now. However, I would like to have tonight with you. I want to give you a taste of my world,” he said, his voice hypnotic as he walked to me. “Will you let me, Krystina?”

My mouth suddenly went dry.

This is it. This is what I want, right? Then why am I fidgeting?

I stilled my hands immediately before he could see how nervous I truly was.

When he reached the table, he claimed a seat across from me, rather than sit next to me as he had before. I think he knew I needed that space between us to make a decision. The seconds ticked by as he waited for my answer.

I listened to the music as it evolved. Its harsh notes transitioned into something darker, and the singer’s voice revealed a slightly raw edge that was a potent jolt to my system. If Alexander was trying to persuade me with music, it was working. My pulse beat at a frenzied pace, the blood a loud drumming in my ears. The angel began to unroll a white flag of surrender, and the devil had invited a few friends to the Big Top. I was a goner.

“Yes,” I finally answered in a whisper.

“Come here, Krystina,” he said quietly. It was an order, one I felt compelled to obey, regardless of how nervous I was. I stood up and cautiously walked around to his side of the table.

“Sit down,” he said, patting his thighs with his hands.

“What is this song?” I asked as I hesitantly lowered myself down to his lap.

“Didn’t you listen to the music I loaded onto your phone?”

“No,” I breathed. Alexander ran his hand up my arm to cup the side of my neck, and my heart rate accelerated at his touch. I listened to the music, savoring the feel of his hands as they circled my neck. The song lyrics flowed through me, the words so apropos for my current situation.

“You’re a naughty girl,” he said and tsked at me. “You’ll need to learn how to follow instructions better if you want to be with me.”

“I’ve never been very good at following directions,” I murmured under the heat of his fingertips as they caressed my collarbone and shoulders. I knew I was in so far over my head, I was practically drowning. But I couldn’t shake my fierce desire. I wanted to learn more about his mysterious world. I was drawn to the unknown. I craved him like he was a drug, and I was the junkie who needed a fix.

“Such a beautiful mouth,” he said huskily, running the pad of his thumb across my lower lip.

“It’s, um…just a normal mouth.” I could barely say the words, my breathing coming out rapidly as his thumb continued to trace the outline of my lips. He was making it difficult to concentrate. “I always…thought…my lips were a little too thin.”

“You’re talking too much, Krystina,” he growled suddenly, grabbing my head in his hands and crushing his mouth to mine.

There was nothing easy about his kiss. His passion was demanding as he pushed his tongue past my oh-so-willing lips, taking what he needed. Our tongues danced to the titillating music, consuming me as his hands moved possessively up and down my back.

His grip progressed over my ribs and to my waist, grazing the sides of my breasts on the way down. I shivered at the contact, my desire building and causing a fervent ache between my legs.

Oh, God. What is happening to me?

I wanted this man like I’d never wanted anything else in my life.

I couldn’t think as his hand ran down my thigh, then up under my skirt. His breath was hot on my neck, lips nipping their way over the line of my jaw. When I felt the sharp tug of his teeth on my earlobe, I may as well have turned to putty, malleable and complaisant in his arms.