Page 55 of Vienna Betrayal

That startled a laugh out of him. “I do know a place that will serve us breakfast. Where you can have your bags delivered. But—” He stopped to clear his throat. “But it is not a hotel.”

This is a bad idea. You’re going to scare her.

Alena’s mouth rounded in an “O” and he wanted to lean in and bite her bottom lip.

“You’re talking about your house.”

“I am.”

“Is that allowed?”

Alexander shrugged.

“Right, I forgot you said rules are for other people.”

“If you don’t feel comfortable, which is of course understandable—”

He spoke at the same time she did, saying “That would be lovely but I don’t want to impose.”

They stared at one another.

Her lips twitched. “I must admit I find the idea of a third night with you slightly appealing.”

“You are the one who first suggested it,” he said dryly, while enjoying the way her eyes sparkled as she teased him.

“As long as you promise there will be a chaperone, and that my bedroom door will have a lock…”

Alexander couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed a conversation so much. Still, he had to make sure he wasn’t manipulating her. “I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“I don’t. I trust you, Alexander.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“And maybe you shouldn’t trust me.” She winked.

Alexander took out his phone and called his driver, speaking to him quickly in German. He hung up and looked at her. “If you’d feel safer taking your own vehicle, I can give you the address.”

Alena slid her arm around his. “Alexander Wagner, correct? With a W? I’ll send myself an email saying that if I disappear, you’re the primary suspect.”

“I’m not entirely sure you’re joking.”

“Oh, I am. I’m going to email my assistant and say that if I disappear she should send the police after Vienna resident Alexander Wagner.” She grinned.

“Is that a yes or no to wanting your own car?”

“I want to ride with you.” She looked at him through her lashes. “I plan to make you feel very guilty as I wince while sitting on my abused ass.”

“Guilty, or aroused?”

“Will the fact that it hurts to sit, and that the hurt makes me remember what it felt like to have you spanking me, arouse you?”

His slacks wouldn’t hide a hard-on the way his leathers did. “Keep teasing me, and I will feel far less guilty than I should.”

Arm in arm they walked to the front doors. A club staff member waited silently, and when a black car pulled up out front, he unlocked the doors to let them out.

Alexander opened the rear car door for Alena, chuckling softly at her exaggerated wince when she sat.

He slid in on the other side, greeted his driver, and then turned to her.

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