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So infuriatingly captivating.
‘I’ve never invited a woman to my penthouse. Ever.’
‘Oh, then I’ll consider myself one lucky woman. Don’t worry, I’ll try not to skip with joy and ruin your priceless floors.’ She quickened her steps towards the lift, eager to be out of his sight and escape that merciless tongue. The plastic key slid soundlessly into the designated slot and the lift whispered open. She turned and faced the office, not in the least bit surprised to find Arion’s gaze fixed squarely on her.
She wriggled her fingers in a careless wave. ‘See you in a few hours, charmer.’
He didn’t take his eyes off her, nor did he respond to her mockery as the lift door shut. But the look in his eyes sent a shiver of unease through her.
And with every hour that passed, despite having been whisked up into what felt like the lap of luxury—Ari’s personal chef had served her the most delicious three-course meal, after which she’d had a call from the concierge to find out whether she wanted a facial or pedicure while she waited—her tension escalated.
So much so that when she heard the lift whisper open she stopped breathing. She jerked up from the suede sofa and her feet hit the floor with a thud. The magazine she’d been reading—one of many supplied by the concierge—spilled onto the floor. She bent to pick it up and straightened to find him a foot away, those piercing hazel eyes pinned on her.
‘You...uh, do you have news for me?’ she blurted, more to stem the overwhelming force of his presence than a need for immediate answers.
But then she didn’t see the need for pleasantries. They weren’t friends. Hell, they weren’t even lovers. They were two strangers who’d given in to a mad moment that had returned to haunt them with merciless cruelty.
‘Is that how you greeted your husband when he returned from work?’ he rasped.
Her shocked gasp made him freeze. She watched a contrite grimace cross his face.
‘Forgive me, that was beyond tasteless,’ he rasped.
‘Not to mention extremely disrespectful. You know nothing about my life with Morgan.’ And she intended it to remain that way.
He clawed a hand through his hair. ‘No, I didn’t. I’m sorry.’
With jerky movements, he loosened then yanked his tie off and flung it on the sofa where she’d been sitting.
Not expecting his immediate apology, Perla was left floundering. ‘Apology accepted,’ she murmured, a little absently because suddenly she found herself wondering what it would be like to have a real husband come home to her.
A husband like...Arion?
Hell, no. They would drive each other homicidal within weeks.
But during that time too they would have hot, exquisite, mind-melting sex.
The heat that rushed over her made her take a step back and give herself a mental slap. She wasn’t here to reminisce over dreams that wouldn’t come true in a million years. She was here to save Terry and Sarah’s home—her home—before the bank made good on their threat of repossession.
Focus.
But then how could she, when Arion, having discarded his tie, was now in the process of undoing his top buttons, revealing the gloriously sleek muscled chest she’d explored without shame or inhibition a little over three months ago?
He caught her stare and a look passed through his eyes. One she didn’t want to interpret. One that made her rush to speech.
‘I’m sorry if I seem to be rushing you but I’m hoping to catch the last train back to Bath tonight.’
He sauntered over to the drinks cabinet and poured a large whisky. She shook her head when he indicated the extensive array of drinks with a lifted brow.
She needed to keep her wits about her. The memory of what had happened the last time she’d shared a drink with him was a reminder never to indulge around him. Ever.
‘I had Sakis’s people look into it.’
‘And?’
He knocked back the drink without taking his eyes off her. ‘You said he signed the part of his contract that allows you to receive spousal income on his death?’
‘Yes.’
‘So you’re not aware he signed the Under-Forty waiver thereafter?’ he asked.
Unease dredged through her stomach. ‘What’s an Under-Forty waiver?’
‘All employees under forty can take the option of death insurance or a yearly double bonus in place of compensation to family on death. Once an employee turns forty the option is no longer available. Your husband was—’
