Page 110 of Lethal Torture

Charlie windsdown the window as Luke comes down the stairs.

“Blimey, McTasty. I leave her with you for one day, and you break her?”

Luke looks momentarily confused.

Ankle,I mouth to him from the back seat. I’m still faking the injury.

He bites down on his grin and gives Charlie a mock glare. “Call me McTasty one more time, and I’ll put you in the Viewing Gallery and let Paddy loose on you while the whole security team watches.”

Charlie gives a bark of laughter as he opens the rear door. “You know how to turn a girl on.”

“I do my best.” He stands in the door, his fingers, hidden from sight, trailing up my thigh.

“Uh,” I gasp, shooting him a death look.

“I’m going to ride in the back,” he tells Charlie, grinning at me, unrepentant, as he lowers himself into the limo. “Take us back to the Lowndes Square apartment. It’s been a long day or two, so neither of us will be going into the Quartier tonight. We need to go through a few things, and Zin needs to rest that foot.”

“Alrighty, then.” Giving the Cockney equivalent ofcopy that, Charlie inclines her head. If she’s remotely suspicious, she does a good job of hiding it.

“Keep your feet to yourself,” Luke murmurs from the seat opposite me. “They’re a legitimate risk to my workplace safety.”

A gurgle of laughter escapes me, a sound I’m not sure I’ve ever heard myself make. Luke’s eyes settle on me, his slow smile making my stomach turn over. “I do actually have some business I need to go through with you.”

“Business?” I watch him with a twinge of unease. “What’s so urgent it can’t wait?”

“Nothing that won’t keep until we’re home.”

Home.The way he says it gives me an odd sensation I’m not ready to think through just yet.

Feeling color heat my face, not to mention every other part of me, I turn toward the window.

“You know,” he says casually, “your fingers just gave you away.” He nods at my hand. “Your tell,” he says, his eyes roaming my body with a slow, languorous anticipation that has me semibreathless. “The way your fingers just fanned on your leg. Did I say something to disturb your peace, Zinaida?”

Oh, and now you’re using my full name, in that low, raspy voice that makes me want to climb you like a fucking jungle gym right here in the back seat?

I glare at him, but he doesn’t even attempt to hide his amusement as we travel the cozy lights of London’s winter. Charlie pulls into the basement garage and goes to help us withthe groceries, but Luke waves her away. “I’ve got it from here, cheers.”

She looks rather surprised. Her eyes shift between Luke and me, narrowing slightly. We both smile pleasantly back at her, poker faces intact.

Wisely, she chooses not to comment. “Tomorrow, then,” she says, though by the quirk at the corner of her mouth, I’m guessing the gossip mill will be rife at the Quartier tonight.

I nod at her with as much dignity as I can muster. “Thanks, Charlie.”

We walk into the elevator and wait until the doors close, then I finally straighten up, groaning. “Do you know, I think it’s actually more painfulpretendingto have an injury than actually having one.”

Luke’s arm snakes around my back, and he pulls me close, kissing the top of my head. “If that means I have to keep you in bed for the duration of the recovery, then I’m good with it.”

For a moment I melt against him, and it feels so fucking good I never want the moment to end.

Then the elevator dings, and the doors open onto my apartment. My heart lurches uncomfortably.

I have no idea how to play this.

I step inside, and I’m suddenly incredibly self-conscious.

This isn’t Luke being here for a security assessment or to check for an intruder. He’s inside my home, the one place I don’t share with anyone, the only place that is truly me. I’ve never entertained a man in this apartment, let alone had one in my bed here.

“So.” I cast him a look over my shoulder, doing my best to conceal my nerves behind seduction. “Is it business first or...?”