Page 33 of Worth the Risk

‘Are you sure it’s a lesson you want to learn?’

‘Probably not but I look forward to it all the same.’

I shook my head but before I could walk away, he captured my elbow. ‘Please don’t disappoint me by not turning up on Monday, Leonora.’

I knew I’d be there. Over and above the tantalising promise of sexual fulfilment, something inside me wanted to discover if Gideon Mortimer was different from the man I’d initially judged him to be.

‘I’ll be there,’ I murmured.

‘Excellent,’ he breathed.

‘Goodnight, Gideon.’

‘Before you go...’ He casually reached for my clutch. With a deft flick of his fingers, he pulled out my panties. ‘I’m keeping these. I think I’ve earned them.’

I’d never be sure what prompted my response when he released me. ‘You can keep them if you want, but next time I’m taking a souvenir of my own. I’ll let you decide which form it comes in.’

His smile widened, respect gleaming in his eyes alongside a whole load of anticipation.

‘I look forward to our journey together, Leonora,’ he echoed my thoughts, then, lowering his gaze to my panties, he twisted them between his fingers for several seconds before tucking them into his pocket.

I walked into my apartment building on unsteady legs. Inside the lift, I turned and saw that his limo still idled on the kerb, the window wound down as he stared at me from across the space between us.

As the lift doors slid shut, I accepted, with more than a little trepidation, that I might end up surrendering a lot more than a pair of silk panties.

---