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‘Don’t flatter yourself!’
‘Ah! Denial is such a powerful force, is it not?’ he mused. ‘Especially in women.’
As well as weaving subtle mazes with his clever words, was he telling the truth? Did she want him still? Maybe physically, yes. But emotionally—never! Just because you know which buttons to press, and all the ways to seduce a woman—’
‘Now you are flattering me,’ he interposed cruelly.
‘It doesn’t mean she necessarily wants you,’ she stormed. ‘It just means that her body is reacting as it has been conditioned to do by nature—there’s a world of difference.’
‘And do you turn on so easily for all men?’
‘You’re disgusting!’
‘You have grown fiery,’ he observed, noticing that she had chosen not to answer the question—though his arrogant pride would not allow him to believe that she would melt for another man in quite the way she did for him. ‘Very fiery. Yes. I like that in a woman.’
‘But I’m not looking for your approval. I have grown up, Hashim—I’m no longer the docile young girl who thought you were the greatest thing since sliced bread!’
It was both the right thing and the wrong thing to say, for while it burst the strangely seductive bubble of thwarted desire, it reminded him of her lying and cheating and duplicity.
‘Yes, so docile,’ he hissed like a rattlesnake. ‘So young and so innocent! Like hell you were.’
She stared at the stark condemnation which was sparking from his eyes. He had judged her, and found her wanting. And, damn him, he was right—she was still wanting. Wanting him. ‘Oh, Hashim, I was innocent in so many ways,’ she said, her voice sad now. ‘Why don’t we forget the whole thing? Let me just walk out of this door right now and out of your life for ever.’
Was she mad? Did she not recognise his intent, nor realise that when he desired something it was always his for the taking? His mouth hardened. No, of course she hadn’t recognised it—how could she when she had never seen it before? Her experience with him had been bizarre—and unique. Five years ago he had found himself bewitched by her and he had tempered his usual autocratic wishes—except that it had seemed to happen without any conscious effort on his part.
Now let her see the real Hashim! Who treated women as they liked to be treated! If you were cold and disdainful it seemed to make them want you more—never was a woman more giving in the bedroom than to a man who had treated her with contempt.
‘I think you forget yourself,’ he said icily. ‘I have hired your services and therefore you will behave as such. You will show me respect and listen to my wishes.’
‘Respect?’ she echoed. ‘Are you out of your mind?’
‘Yes, respect,’ he ground out. ‘That is if you know the meaning of the word.’
Sienna blinked as a tremor of fear ran through her. Surely he didn’t think…didn’t think…She drew in a deep breath. Appeal to his sense of reason, she told herself. He is a powerful and successful man, and surely he will understand that it would be folly to extend this torturous interview for a second longer than necessary.
‘Hashim,’ she said quietly. ‘You can’t honestly expect me to organise a party for you.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because…because there’s too much history between us!’
‘Now you flatter yourself,’ he bit back. ‘A few shared outings does not qualify as history. Nor does the fact that you opened your legs for me.’ He saw her face drain of all colour, but he pressed on ruthlessly. ‘But it is your reputation that has excited my interest.’ He paused deliberately. ‘Your reputation is admirable, Sienna—at least in a purely professional sense. Your work is highly regarded and I want you to organise a party for me.’
‘Want or demand?’ she questioned.
‘The interpretation is yours.’
‘And if I refuse?’ she questioned quietly.
‘Don’t go there,’ he warned softly.
‘I have nothing to lose by turning you down.’ And everything to gain. Like her sanity.
‘You don’t think so? On what grounds? And could you cope with the consequences of your action?’
Sienna wrinkled her nose. ‘Consequences?’
‘Sure. I would inform the manager here of my extreme displeasure that you had reneged on an agreement. How would you explain it to him? Do tell, for it fascinates me.’ The black eyes challenged her.
