Page 8 of Taboo

“An ex-finance.”

One eyebrow rose and he studied her. “Not in the picture anymore?”

She shook her head. “No. Well, not really. He won’t let it go, but that’s why I’m halfway around the world working for my family.”

“You shouldn’t let him chase you away from your home.”

She chuckled. “The truth is the break is good for me. I’ve been a bit of a dull prat these last few months.”

“Mourning your relationship.”

“No. I was the one who called it off. I just…well, he’s well-known and the tabloids are not nice.”

“Ah, well fuck them.”

There was a moment of silence and then she let out a bark of laughter.

“Yes, fuck them.” She raised her glass again and clinked it against his, then tossed the rest of it back. The burn was good. Amazing, even.

She hadn’t gotten pissed in years, so maybe tonight would be the night for it. Julienne held her hand up to order another drink.

“I’d rather you not be drunk,” Alek said, the rumble of his voice sending a wonderful tingle down her spine. He was still on his first drink.

She smiled at him. He truly was a beautiful man. Even with the crooked nose. In fact, it kept him from being too pretty. His eyes were dark, rimmed with gold, and his lips were full and sensuous.

“Why is that?”

He leaned closer and his scent seemed to surround her. He smelled of fresh ocean air, seduction, and escape.

“I had plans to take you to bed, and if you’re wasted, I won’t be able to.”

Her breath stuttered. Men didn’t talk to her that way. Not to Julienne Rebecca Wulf. She was cold, aloof, the perfect daughter. Men tended to ask permission before they kissed her. Not this man. He plainly stated his plan to shag her tonight. And god help her, she liked it. He was as bold as he was beautiful.

“Indeed?”

He chuckled, the sound slipping down her spine, sending another wave of heat slapping through her blood. She pressed her legs together and that just made it worse somehow. She didn’t even want to know the state of her panties, even though she was sure they were soaked.

He nodded, his dark eyes sparkling with humor.

“Yes.”

She wanted to pick up her glass and down the whole damn thing, but her hands were shaking. Her entire body was trembling, begging her for relief. It’s not like she didn’t have help waiting back in her room. She even had backup batteries.

“And why is that?”

His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Are you begging for compliments?”

She shook her head. “I’m serious.”

“You have to know you’re the most beautiful woman in here.”

Julienne blinked. “I do not.”

He sat back and studied her. “You really don’t think you’re gorgeous?” She shook her head, and he leaned forward, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear him. “From the moment I saw you, I’ve been imagining what you’re wearing under that dress.”

Oh, bloody hell. Her nipples tightened against the lace of her bra. Julienne knew she should respond. She should tell him a lady didn’t like being talked to in that manner. Only, her body was betraying her. Even now, she leaned closer, the very heat of him seeming like an aphrodisiac.

“Cat got your tongue?”

---