Page 32 of The Silent Note

“I’m hurt, tiger.”

“Feel how you feel. I don’t want our deal hanging over my head tomorrow.”

“Are you dreading it that much?”

I can’t tell if he’s mocking me or if he’s trying to get a feel for where my head is at. I try to gauge his expression. This smile of his… I don’t think I’ve seen it before. Maybe because it’s so small and unsure?

“I’ll keep my end of the deal,” I say harshly. “Worry about yourself.”

“I’m not worried at all,” Zane responds. His eyes slide down my body the way they did earlier in the hallway.

Desire grasps me by the throat and sends a pulse between my legs.

I press my thighs together and lift my chin.

“Just so we’re clear,” I face him and then glance at the driver before lowering my voice, “this is a one-time thing. I have no intentions of sharing a bed with you, even if we’re married.”

“Ah, tiger…” his smile is bitter, “I didn’t think you’d make it easy for me anyway.”

I frown.

He winks.

My heart beats in response, fast and eager.

I turn away, looking out the window again. At least Sloane disappeared. I don’t think I could handle her smack talkandZane’s.

Sloane wasn’t there in the first place.

Right.

The scenery outside my window changes, becoming more and more isolated. I sit up straight when I notice how far out of the city we’ve traveled. As far as I know, all the fancy hotels are downtown.

Unless we’re driving all the way across the state to make sure no one sees us entering a hotel together, there’s no reason we need to be on these back roads.

Before I can ask Zane where we’re going, we pass a sign signaling a right turn for the state penitentiary.

A cold sweat drifts through me, getting stronger the closer we get to the frightening brick building. Barbed wires curl atop giant, barricaded fences. Guards roam the towers hiked high in the yard.

“This isn’t a hotel,” I say hesitantly, looking over at Zane.

He touches my mouth with the tip of his finger. “No, it’s not.”

“What’s inside?”

“Your wedding gift.”

“So soon?”

“Yeah, I got you something nice.” He extends his hand to me. “I think you’ll like it.”

Anticipation builds in my blood.

I take his hand and climb out of the car.

Yes, I think I’ll like it indeed.

Chapter Nine

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