Page 106 of Seducer

Maybe the best thing to do was to tell him I wasn’t interested in the game any longer. If I didn’t go now, he’d have me thoroughly enchanted by his spell by the end of day.

But was it safe to leave? I wasn’t certain of anything, but I was determined to find out.

I gingerly placed my feet on the hardwood floor, stretching my aching muscles before attempting to stand. Wobbly, I held onto the bedpost for a few seconds before becoming determined to make it to the set of French doors.

I glanced over my shoulder, still expecting he’d be watching me like the hawk I knew him to be. There was no one standing in the shadows. There were no boogeymen hiding in the darkened corners.

There didn’t need to be.

Monsters hid in plain sight.

I moved more quickly, ignoring the aches and pains from the earlier chase. There was no way of knowing how long I’d been out, but it was still dark outside, the limited moonlight now hidden by clouds. I shivered as I placed my hand on the handle of the door, counting to five while praying it was unlocked.

When the latch turned, I was giddy inside. I hadn’t been imagining it. As soon as I opened the door, I was struck with a half dozen amazing scents. Night-blooming jasmine and coriander, lavender and honeysuckle. The fragrances infused my nostrils, leaving me with another kind of ache altogether.

One longing to be touched and tasted.

No. My thoughts were crazy, nothing a sane person would ever consider. I stepped onto the balcony, shocked to see I was on the second floor. Leaning over, I noticed the trellis positioned right under the balcony, thick bushes off to the side that could easily break the drop if I climbed over.

Even better was the car placed right there only a few feet away. And I could swear I heard traffic, which meant the house wasn’t far off the road.

I could easily escape. My mind was crazed with a half dozen emotions and I instantly moved to the railing, taking one last look before throwing my leg over.

Run, baby girl. Run. Only then you’ll be free.

As I swung my other leg over, another thought entered my mind.

Would I ever truly be free?

More important, hadn’t I craved being captured by this man, this gorgeously stunning yet wicked man?

Zach

“Welcome to my home, sweet Sara.”

Now I sensed her uncertainty as well as continued determination. The girl didn’t quit. She was a fireball and then some. The game had taken a different turn, my personal take on how it should go bypassing the established rules. While I’d never cared about rules, no one else was allowed to alter them with the exception of my brothers.

A bitter laugh bubbled to the surface. I’d already had three calls from the two men, Xander demanding I let him know what the hell I was doing.

I hadn’t returned his call.

I had talked to Wilder who’d mentioned the reporter in St. Louis was nothing special. He’d used some people he knew to put pressure on the man and had been told exactly what Brant had said to me.

An anonymous tip had been provided. But Wilder had gathered the sense the man was under duress. Just like Brant. Another person used for this elaborate game.

Christopher hadn’t completely kept his mouth shut. Nor had I expected him to. I fingered the jump drive I’d obtained from Brant, trying to determine how I wanted to handle the information. I’d know that when I learned more about his father.

I stood with a drink in my hand, staring out the set of double French doors. I sensed Sara’s tension and remained where I was, tilting my head by a few inches so I could gather her reflection in the flicker of fireside flames illuminated by the glass panes.

Sara stood silently in the doorway, her small hands fisted at her sides. She almost appeared lost, only I knew better. Thebeguiling woman knew exactly what she was doing, a clever girl with a penchant for embracing the exact same level of dark needs I’d grown almost bored with.

Until she’d entered my life.

Bold.

Beautiful.

Brilliant.

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