Page 42 of Pride: The Rogue
He peered more closely at her and an even more dark possibility slipped in. Had he revealed the imminent deal closing, it could have driven down the overall value of the club, and the amount his partners would be willing to pay for his ownership stake. They’d take a temporary hit, and Latimer would receive less money with which to rebuild his future.
“Did someone send you?” he whispered softly.
“Send me?” She wrinkled her brow. “Who would possibly send me to meet you and for what purpose?”
“Those seem like questions you’re more suited to answer,” he said coolly.
“May I remind you—”
“You were conveniently given my room.” It made so much sense—too much sense.
“Do all women expecting a man to enter their rooms respond by physically attacking said gentleman, Lachlan?”
Her pert question gave him only a brief pause.
“Then there’s been you here, drilling me with questions.”
“Because I’m curious,” she exclaimed, tossing her hands up in exasperation.
“Curious about a sex club?” he jeered.
Her blush deepened. “About you, Lachlan.”
“Forget about me for a moment. I want to know about you.” Nor did curiosity about his beautiful, spirited, table partner drive that need.
Bloody liar. Your desire to know more stems from far more than the place of self-preservation it should.
“Me?”
He nodded. “You?”
“Why?”
He sneered. “That’s a peculiar retort from a lady who, since I joined her, had nothing but questions for me.”
“Yes, butyou’reinteresting.”
He froze.
“There’s nothing interesting about me,” she said.
“How about you let me be the one to decide that, darlin’?”
All the while, she chewed at her lower lip, Latimer scrutinized the imp across from him and attempted to discern whether she could possibly be as innocent as she let on.
She sighed. “Very well. I have two sisters; one who is married to a nobleman and the other who was aboard the other carriage.”
“The other sister,” he pressed. “Who is she married to?” Lord knew Latimer acquired enough enemies through the years.
She scoffed. “Whyever would I divulge that?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” he shot back.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she said dryly, sitting back in her chair. “Perhaps because I don’t make a habit of sharing details that can see me and my younger sister ruined and tarnish my family’s name.”
“You know my identity.”
“No, I knew about yourclub, Lachlan. I did in fact, share my name. You just didn’t happen to know it. As such, it’s not at all the same.”
