Page 2 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

How could she have been so na?ve? Alexander Stone wouldn’t miss any detail, especially one as crucial as security.

An empty hallway leading to his room reeked of entrapment, yet she had giddily congratulated herself instead of deducing his game.

Every moment of her night had been orchestrated by this masterful man.

What else did he have planned? “You set me up.”

“You let yourself in. I just made it convenient.” He looked down at her, and for an instant, his eyes betrayed surprise. “You’re not very easy to read,” he murmured.

What did that mean?

“I’m not certain I should let you go.” The words were nonchalant, as if he wasn’t pondering whether to claim her as his prisoner. “You broke into my home, after all. Who knows what you’re up to?”

Everleigh narrowed her eyes as she looked up… and up… and up… to his chest. Yeah, she was as dangerous to him as a fly to an elephant. “If you know who I am, isn’t it obvious?”

He glanced at the room, then back at her. He stared at the shoes in her hand. “Were you undressing in my bedroom?”

Heat crawled up her neck. “Of course not.”

“Are you sure that’s not why you’re here?” His gaze darkened. “To convince me of something?”

Something… intimate?

Desire. It hit suddenly and swiftly, yet it turned all-encompassing in an instant. An image flashed – of him, of her, together on that bed. He would be holding her, only not like now, but touching, caressing…

Sweat broke out under her bra.

“Everleigh?” The word was low, husky.

She fought for air. This man was her enemy, the billionaire who would steal what was hers.

It was obvious why people claimed he had supernatural powers.

Why he always emerged victorious, vanquished every adversary.

Even though he wasn’t physically holding her, he held her in thrall. She had to break free.

She stood up as tall as she could. “I would never consider anything of the sort.”

His eyes narrowed – in challenge? “Do you realize how dangerous it is to sneak into a man’s bedroom, especially one you don’t know? You’re fortunate I’m a gentleman.”

She stiffened. “I can take care of myself. And I removed my shoes because it was difficult to walk on the thick carpet.” She lifted her chin. “I came to talk.”

The corners of his lips curved. “Did you? I suppose it will do no harm. You cannot get away, not until I decide what to do with you.” The air turned dangerous. “You broke into my house. That’s a felony.”

“You’d have me arrested?” she demanded.

He shrugged. “It would teach you to be more careful.”

“How dare you patronize me.” She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms. “Don’t pretend to care about me. I know what you’ve done.”

“If we’re going to talk, we should be somewhere more comfortable.

Come.” He put a hand on the small of her back, luring her further into his lair.

She breathed out when they bypassed the bed, whether in relief or something less innocent.

They reached a gleaming cherry wood desk, long and wide, and topped with a state-of-the-art computer system.

Behind it, a massive picture window displayed views of the tumultuous sea.

He brought her to a deep burgundy throne chair with ornate clawed feet. The seat completely enveloped her in petal-like softness, its velvet fabric caressing her skin. He perched on the edge of his desk. “You have my full attention.”

She took a deep breath. Despite the difficult path, this was her opportunity, the moment that could change everything. “You are pursuing something of mine.”

Eyes flashed, yet no denial came. He folded his arms across his chest, his biceps bulging. An already dry throat turned as acrid as the desert. “You’ve been planning a takeover of my company, New Age Treasures. You can’t have it.”

Whether he would even recognize the name of her company, one of dozens or perhaps hundreds he sought, was uncertain.

Yet his eyes were knowing as he leaned forward, his suit stretching taut across his expansive chest. “That’s not your choice.

You’re not the only one with decision-making powers. You have investors.”

True. She never would have been able to afford the retail space if she hadn’t pursued additional sources of funding. She had the largest share of the individual investors, but together they had more. “They would never sell to you.”

“Perhaps–” Stone inclined his head. “Yet they have needs, too. Mortgages to pay, children to put through college, retirements to fund.”

True, true and true. But they wouldn’t possibly sabatoge the company… “I choose them for their loyalty. Not everyone can be bought.”

“Yet they’re not so emotionally involved to miss the truth.” He moved fractionally closer. “If Stone Holdings doesn’t buy New Age Treasures, it may not survive.”

She shot up. “That’s not true!”

He gazed down at her, completely composed, never relinquishing control. Even in the Armani suit, something untamed lurked, primitive, powerful. “I’m sure you’ve heard of New Age Riches."

Of course, she’d heard of the company that replicated her idea with cheap factory-made products and commercials laden with cheesy special effects.

With a nearly identical name, they offered a poor facsimile of her organization.

“We sell authentic items in a warm, personal environment. They are nothing like us.”

“Customers won’t realize that. If someone doesn’t buy you, New Age Riches will put you out of business.

Your opponent wields far greater resources, with the power to take control.

” His voice lowered. "They're coming after you, and nothing you say or do can stop them. If I don’t step in, another company will offer your investors a price they can’t refuse. You’re just too tempting.”

Double meanings swirled, clandestine implications asserting far more than business.

Her heart sped like the rain beating against the towering windows.

“Why would you want a company like mine? We offer holistic products, new age books and ancient relics, not something that typically interests Stone Holdings.”

“We own all sorts of companies,” he countered. “And while I don’t believe any of that supernatural nonsense, I can spot a good business deal.”

Everleigh bristled. “My company is not nonsense.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” His voice softened. “It’s just some people will believe anything – stones that heal, relics with powers, people with powers.”

She frowned. Too often, people like her were labeled conspiracy theorists, even though she believed in science and logic. “I don’t believe they’re walking among us, yet some mysteries in the world cannot be explained. There’s more to the universe than you can see with your own eyes.”

“I have twenty-twenty vision.” He shrugged. “I can see what is real.”

She glared. “Enough people believe in this nonsense to make my company interesting to a man like you. If meditation videos and aromatherapy candles help people, what’s the harm?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Alexander agreed. “But what about the supposed supernatural relics? If there was such a thing, I’d know about it.

Accept my offer.” He moved closer, casting the scent of expensive cologne and fiery heat.

Lightning flashed through the window, bathing his features in an almost supernatural glow.

“It’s only a matter of time before I get what I want. ”

No. "That's enough," she retuned crisply, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in her silky dress. “This time, you’re not going to win. You might as well give up now."

It was time to leave his overwhelming presence, depart while she still could.

She’d made her argument, thrown her gauntlet.

Without another word, she pivoted toward the door, away from the powerful man, the authoritarian who would dare assert control.

She pushed forward, even as the air seemed thicker, as if some force conspired to keep her. She nearly made it…

“You cannot win."

His voice was low, yet it didn’t mask his power, or his dominance. Her breath caught in her throat, as she spun back to the unapologetic man. "What does that mean?"

He strode to her, covering the entire room in a dozen long steps.

It took every ounce of willpower not to back up.

"I know what you're doing, and it won't work,” she hissed.

“You’re not going to intimidate me into selling my company.

" She reached out to push him away, yet when her hands connected with the muscles of his chest, she froze.

He was like sword's steel, so very warm, so very hard.

He grasped her wrists. “Should I add assault to the charges against you?”

Her hands seemed so tiny in his large ones. He encircled her completely, firm yet gentle. “Should I add false imprisonment to yours?”

A predatory smile said he wasn’t the least bit intimidated. “Don’t I have a right to defend myself?” he drawled. "Do you really think you can go against me? I never surrender what is mine."

Conscious thought shattered. He held her wrists physically, captured the rest of her with the power of his gaze.

"Your company needs mine to survive, and I won’t let you give it up because you can’t relinquish control.

” He leaned closer. “I’ve been talking to the board of directors.

I have the support I need. Soon you’ll become part of Stone Holdings. "

A gasp stole her breath. His words repeated in her mind, the nuances of his claim. " I won’t become part of anything.”

Challenge blazed. “I meant New Age Treasures, of course, although I assume you’ll be part of the deal.”

Breathe. It was semantics, nothing more. “No matter what happens to my company, the deal does not include me.”

He looked straight at her… and didn’t respond. Chills iced the veins under her skin as he released her. She rubbed her wrists, backed up. “I know you’re a ruthless businessman, but why would you do this? You don’t even know me.”