Page 72 of Lethal Torture

And if I’m being perfectly honest, my determination not to sleep with her is starting to seem extremely counterproductive to my own ability to function.

Zin drops her eyes, but I don’t miss the way her gaze lingers at the waistband of my sweats.

You’ve also never met a client with a drink in your hand and no shirt on, asshole.

“This conversation could have waited until the morning. Why did you want to come here tonight, Zinaida?”

Her head snaps up, her scarlet lips pursing in a way that hits my cock like a thunderbolt.

It’s only decades of training that keeps my voice low and controlled.

I might want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, but Zinaida isn’t the only one who knows how to run a torture room.

“You’ve been into more than one of my properties.” She looks up at me with a haughty expression that is belied by the hard nipples visible under her dress and the slight flush on her neck.

“That’s different.” I hold her eyes, daring her to look away. “Identifying holes in your security is my job.”

“Does that include spying on me, too?” She arches an eyebrow as she takes a very deliberate sip of her drink. “Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy the vibrator show that first day.”

Fuck.

For a moment I’m back in the penthouse, Zin’s swollen pussy taunting me like a forbidden banquet. The memory is as tantalizing as her scent, weaving around me until I’m close to losing my fucking mind.

But I don’t let a flicker of that show on my face.

“Let’s get something straight, Zinaida.” I lean close, enjoying the way her eyes flare, her sudden stillness. “I’ve run more surveillance operations than you have torture rooms. I watch and listen for anything that poses a risk. But outside of that?” I pull back, taking a long swallow of whiskey while still holding her eyes. “Your personal life is your own business, and none of mine.”

Keep saying it aloud, Luke, and you might believe it yourself.

Her eyes narrow as she scrutinizes me for weakness.

I stare right back at her. When it comes to control, I can play this game far better than she can begin to dream.

Although I’ll readily admit that I’m testing my own limits to the brink right now.

“I took a contract to protect you,” I go on. “Spying on you, as you put it, is my job. Nothing more.”Who are you trying to convince, Luke?“Are we clear on that?”

Her eyes are the dark cobalt of a dusk storm, her focus on my face laser sharp, her drink forgotten.

Then her fingers patter on the table, the fan-closing movement.

Her tell, for the second time tonight.

She doesn’t know what to do.

I can almost feel her uncertainty, her inner debate. Her eyes flicker to my bedroom.

What will you do if she pushes it, Luke?

Because even my legendary control is at risk of cracking at this point.

I’m not sure I even want to hold it together anymore.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to play the game to the edge.

I glare at her. “I said,are we clear on that,Zinaida?”

She stands up, slowly unfolding her elegant limbs like some kind of siren temptress. Every nerve in my body seizes with a desperate urge to pick her up, carry her into my bedroom, and drive us both to the fucking orgasm we clearly need.