Page 35 of Beguiled

Standing, he acted like he was going to run after her until I threw my arm out.

“The man was all over her. You have a new girl.” I was curious as to his reaction.

“Yeah, she is. A one-time-only thing. That’s why I need to talk to her.”

A chuckle rumbled in my chest.

“Why don’t you let me do that.” For whatever reason, I liked having her in my arms. Plus, I wanted to prove a point without him finding out. The night had turned very interesting.

What a fascinating young woman.

He cocked his head, grinning. “Fine by me.”

“Tell Sean I’ll give him a call tomorrow. Early.”

“Will do.”

With a heavy sigh, I left the room. This was supposed to be an easy night.

So much for wishful thinking.

I also realized I had a dilemma to handle, the kind that wasn’t typical for my day-to-day activities. As such, I’d need to be careful.

In determining how best to deal with the situation, I’d need to be conscientious that my appetite could turn into a full-blown obsession.

CHAPTER 8

Saige

Oh, God. Oh…

What had I done?

Why had I stumbled into this nightmare?

My boss was a brutal killer. Yet he didn’t need to use a gun. He was a weapon wrapped in Tom Ford suits and Clark Kent eyeglasses.

He was a man I’d thought devious but tonight proved on an entirely different level.

He rode the line between savage violence and high tension artistic danger.

And did so with utter perfection.

He’d been gleeful about beating the men, breaking fingers and savoring every crack of bone. He’d kept his voice low with thefew words he’d spoken, the husky tone low and far too seductive to be engaged in eliminating lives.

His chiseled features had been on full display.

Except when he’d turned to me. His eyes had softened, searching mine as if deeply concerned for my welfare. Like the night at the party. The darkness hadn’t been able to completely hide both his concern and his rage.

I must have been in a state of shock then and even now because instead of being terrified of him or loathing what he’d done, I was grateful. And I’d cheered him on. What kind of woman was lurking inside?

Yet he’d rescued me, a man I’d believed thought me little more than an annoyance. A brilliant businessman by day, a dark angel by night. The complex imagery was sparking an unusual wave of heat between my legs.

I couldn’t breathe, my mind spinning from details. Forget about my heart being in my throat. It was pumping outside my body.

My legs were wobbly, barely carrying me as I raced to get away from the carnage. He’d saved me. He’d come to my rescue. He’d killed goons for me.

Then I’d…