21

“And why is that, Selena? Is it that you have a boyfriend? Oh, no. Matt broke up with you. Isn’t that correct, not hesitating to remove you from every one of his social media platforms? By theway, you’re better off without him. He’s fucking everything in a skirt in the city.”

“Damn you,” she hissed. “You are a fucking son of a bitch. You’ve been spying on me. Did you seduce me figuring out the fastest rising prosecutor in this city would be your greatest alibi?”

“You both over- and underestimate my capabilities. I didn’t know who you were when I sat down at that bar just like you didn’t know a damn thing about me. However, as soon as I tasted you, I wanted to learn everything I could about your life, your passions, and your needs.” I allowed my heated gaze to fall slowly, leaning in so I could catch another whiff of her exotic scent. My balls were tight as drums.

“Why, so you could blackmail me? I assure you I don’t have any money. I’m also not that powerful in this city.”

I leaned forward, rolling my finger around the rim of my glass as I stared deeply into her eyes. “Is that what you think this is about, blackmail? I assure you that I don’t need anything, especially money. And I find it hard to believe you haven’t delved into my background thoroughly.”

She pursed her lips. “I don’t know what this is other than a fucking disaster. Yes, I’ve researched you as much as your secret world would allow.”

At least she’d allowed some of her guard to fall. “My secret world. An interesting phrase. What we shared doesn’t need to be a disaster for either one of us. However, you’re well aware I’m being framed. That’s why you’re so angry.”

“I’m angry because I made a mistake.” She looked away. “If you’re innocent, I don’t want to see you put in prison.”

“I assure you one way or the other, that’s not going to happen.”

“Why does that sound like a threat?”

Laughing, I leaned in even further, eager to taste her sweet lips. “I don’t threaten, my lovely one. I make promises.”

Selena huffed, pulling as far away from me as the chair would allow. “Okay, Joshua, since you’re insistent on us talking, then who do you think is behind framing you? You must have some idea since you went to great lengths to find out everything you could about my life. Who is your greatest enemy, besides the Voltair family?”

“Your life is a glorious open book, Selena. The people in my world aren’t always that way.”

“Wow. As if that surprises me. Answer the question. Did you consider the Voltairs one of your many enemies?”

“No, I did not. As a matter of fact, I was attempting to form an alliance with them.”

“How fascinating. Well, you might want to reconsider your options given it would seem the younger brother Liam is on the warpath.” She dropped the carrot as if it was news to me.

“That much I already know. However, Liam wasn’t the person responsible for framing me.”

She swirled her finger around her glass, studying me as intently as if I was inside a courtroom. “It would have been the perfect opportunity for him to gain control of his brother’s power, the phenomenal hold he had on Louisville.”

“While you’ve obviously been doing your homework, you don’t understand how close some families can be. The Voltairs are such a family, especially given their heritage.”

She laughed bitterly. “No. You’re right in that I’ve never been forced into a situation dealing with members of organized crime. I guess I’ve lived a far too sheltered life. Good, law-abiding parents, a fabulous upbringing.”

Even with her nasty tone, I craved her. All of her.

And I’d meant what I said to her before.

“Don’t fool yourself, Selena. You’re a brilliant, savvy woman. You sense a larger crime is occurring. That’s why you’re taking out your anger on me. You’re far too intelligent to let this go. Aren’t you?”

“Compliments now, Joshua? Isn’t that a little beneath you?”

We were both forced to sit back when a waiter brought a tray full of oysters on the half shell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had someone joining you. I’ll bring another set of silverware,” the young girl said.

“Don’t bother. He was just leaving,” Selena said tartly.

“I’ll have another Macallan, no ice. And make certain and put everything on my tab,” I told the girl instead.

“Yes, sir. Coming right up.”

Selena twisted her lips and so help me God, it was all I could do not to grab her by the throat and crush my mouth over hers.

“You can’t do that,” she said.

“What exactly am I doing?”

“Trying to act as if we have something going on.”

“Don’t we? Did you not feel the rush of electricity between us, the undeniable connection?”

She was completely frustrated, doing everything in her power to keep from enjoying the moment, or allowing the fact she was extremely excited to show. She was nervous over being seen, but I didn’t blame her.

I grabbed one of the oysters, bringing it to my mouth and purposely making a sucking sound as I slurped the delicate seafood from the shell. She watched me intently, the same nervous tic reappearing once again. After swallowing, I sucked on my fingers. “Did you know that oysters are considered powerful aphrodisiacs?”

“Why would I care?”

“True. There’s no need given our extreme chemistry.” I selected another, this time bringing it to her lips. When she kept her lips tightly shut, I lifted a single eyebrow. “Open your mouth, Selena.” With my voice dark and commanding, I knew I was pushing my luck. Yet when she opened her mouth, her eyes rolling in the back of her head as I allowed the oyster to slide into her mouth, my cock immediately started to throb.

She chewed the tender meat, taking her time to relish the flavor as she’d done when she’d sucked my cock. I could watch her eat oysters for hours, the seductive method of eating her food a tremendous turn-on.

“Good girl. Yes, you can be my very good girl. Can’t you?”

After taking a sip of her wine, she placed her arms on the table. “What do you want, Joshua? Your act of seduction isn’t going to work on me this time.”

“That’s a loaded question. Freedom. The ability to get back to my job and my family in Montreal.” I was baiting her, but I couldn’t help myself. I enjoyed the game of seduction more than I should, especially under the circumstances. “It’s not such a bad world,cherie. You should come join me.”

“Please. Is that all you want?” She mirrored my move of rolling her index finger around the rim of her glass, using just enough force the crystal began to sing.

“No, that’s not all,” I told her as leaned far enough over the table we were inches apart. “I want you. All of you. And that’s exactly what I’m going to have. Whether you like it or not.”

“You can try but I assure you that you’ll fail.”

Granted, she was also toying with me, but I sensed the ice shield she’d placed around herself with regard to me fissuring. Soon it would crack into multiple pieces.

That’s the moment I would make her all mine.

Until the end of time.