Page 8 of Secret Pleasure (Bound Hearts 13)

“Come on, siren.” Sebastian was laughing at her again. “Invite us in. We just want to get to you know you.”

“Far more intimately than may be good for my peace of mind,” she muttered.

“Or ours,” Shane assured her as she stepped into the luxurious apartment behind them.

The Collier apartment lacked nothing. Every modern convenience had been added along with many comforts she wouldn’t have thought to include herself.

Placing the beach chair to the side of the stone entryway, Shane stared around the cool, spacious residence with an indefinable expression.

“The apartment belongs to a friend of my parents.…”

“Landra Collier.” Shane nodded. “My parents know her as well. Though she’s never offered us use of her apartment.”

“Your reputation has probably already reached her,” she assured him as she moved into the kitchen. “She seems to be a very down-to-earth person. I rather doubt she’d approve of some of the games you’d become involved in.”

She wasn’t judging them. She was the one finding amusement with them, now.

Opening the fridge, she pulled free the sweet tea she’d made that morning before collecting three glasses from the cabinet.

“My hand itches,” Sebastian muttered.

“I know the feeling,” his cousin agreed.

Removing his sunglasses, Shane turned those deep blue eyes on her, his sense of fun clearly reflected in them.

“Be nice now,” she cautioned them as she filled the glasses with ice. “I make iced tea that would bring shame to the finest southern belle. It would be a terrible thing if I decided not to share.”

Sebastian’s brow lifted as he brought one hand to scratch at his chest thoughtfully. “What if I don’t like tea?”

“Then Shane can have your share.” She shrugged. “A South Texas native? I bet his momma weaned him on sweet tea.”

“No truer words were ever spoken,” Shane agreed with her.

Handing out the glasses, she stood at the side of the counter separating the kitchen from the informal eating area and entryway.

“I kind of had plans tonight,” she told them as they found seats at the glass and metal table across from her. “Shall we make plans for you to begin your seduction next week maybe?”

They looked at each other. Sebastian lowered his head and shook it slowly.

“Love her heart,” Shane murmured. “She’s got no clue.”

“She’s actually rather good with clues.” Alyssa frowned back at them. “And I’m getting a clue that you two are about to seriously irritate me.”

“Irritate you?” Shane leaned back in his seat, stretched his legs out, and crossed his arms over his chest again. “Is that why those hard little nipples of yours are teasing the hell out of me? Or that vein jumping at your neck from the force of your racing heart?”

A flush rushed from her breasts to her hairline.

“It’s time for the two of you to go.” Straightening from the counter, she watched them warily now.

They’d just passed exasperation, and charm could only take a man so far.

“Excuse me?” Shane seemed a bit surprised by her announcement and not completely certain why she’d made it.

“There’s a difference between charm and offensive vulgarity Mr. Conner and you’re crossing. I might enjoy the little word games, and the friendly flirting, but I’m no toy, nor am I some trollop you picked up off the streets. And I won’t be spoken to as though I am. The two of you can leave now.” Alyssa had been raised to understand her worth, not just as a person, but as a woman. She was reckless, yes, and she loved to flirt and laugh and enjoyed the experiences of getting to know a wide variety of people. But she’d be damned if she’d let some over-confident male speak to her as though the interest and growing sensual curiosity was something to be ashamed of.

“Well, thank you, Cousin.” Sebastian grimaced as he leaned his elbows on the table and growled at Shane, “You just had to go and offend her, didn’t you?”

Shane didn’t take his eyes off her, though. And as aroused as she was, as curious as she was, she didn’t break his stare. She gave it right back to him, certain if she didn’t do it now, then the respect she knew she deserved would never be gained.