Page 13 of Vex
Luisa had her way of finding information, he had his. If he played it right, he'd let the Mountain come to him. Places like this always had a black market. He knew it existed, knew someone was selling IDA data. The concierge had already practically offered him the services of the room attendant or anyone else on the property.
He wouldn't be shocked if the Mountain employed the blonde.
So Vex would throw around his cash and reputation, and if Luisa didn't find anything, someone would come to him.
He'd done enough for one day. Though there was one last way to flash his cash.
The elevator ride to the penthouse felt longer than usual.
He opened the suite door to find Luisa curled on the couch in silk pajamas, her dark hair loose around her shoulders. The look of her went straight to his cock.
Gone was the sharp-edged professional he'd left behind, replaced by something softer. Silk clung to her curves in ways that made his mouth go dry, and her hair fell in dark waves.
She looked like a woman waiting for her lover to come home.
Waiting for him.
Possessive heat that slammed through him was immediate and overwhelming. His dragon roared to life. Every instinct demanded that he cross the room, gather her into his arms, and take.
Professional. Keep it professional.
She looked up with a grin. "How much did you win?"
Vex reached into his jacket and withdrew a small velvet box. He'd seen it in the casino's boutique and bought it, driven by an impulse he didn't want to examine too closely. The necklace inside was gold set with emeralds and rubies that would unquestioningly put his mark on her. It had cost more than most people made in a year. He didn’t give a damn.
"For me?"
"Anything for you." Vex the rake wouldn't say that. Vex the dragon didn't care. He'd seen the necklace and could only imagine Luisa wearing it.
And nothing else.
He wouldn't ask for the latter. But he could indulge himself in this one thing.
She smiled and gestured for him to sit beside her, sweeping her hair so he could put the necklace on. Once it was in place, she slid into his lap.
Vex froze.
The weight of her settled against him like she belonged there, all soft curves perfectly fitted to his body. Her scent surrounded him. This close, he could see the pulse beating at the base of her throat, could feel the rise and fall of her breathing against his chest.
But there was something in her eyes, a subtle warning that cut through the haze of want clouding his judgment.
She wasn't being affectionate. This was part of the performance, another layer of their cover that he needed to maintain no matter how much it was killing him.
Her lips brushed his ear. "There are eyes in the room," she whispered.
He didn't look around, but if he strained, he might have been able to hear the attendant.
Of course. The ever-present surveillance that was as much a part of the Mountain as the marble floors and crystal chandeliers. They were never truly alone, never able to drop their masks completely. Every gesture, every touch was being catalogued and analyzed by someone whose loyalties lay with the casino's management.
But knowing it was an act didn't make it any easier. The body pressed against his was real; her warmth seeped through his clothes and set every nerve ending on fire.
The way she fit in his arms was real, perfect in a way he couldn’t let himself think about.
His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.
"What did you find?" he murmured against her neck.
This mission was going to kill him.
