“It would only be for a few days.”
“You can’t know that.” She held his gaze, silently warning him she wouldn’t be screwed with. “It could take you weeks or even months.”
His teeth clenched. “Then stay with one of your daughters until I’ve cleared up this mess.”
“And put them in even more danger?” She shook her head. “No way.”
His fingers encircled her neck, not in a threat, just an expression of frustration.
“You are ...”
“The boss.”
Their gazes clashed and Luc swiftly shifted through his limited options.
He could physically force her to go to Miami. He had the brute strength and the training necessary to manhandle all but the king.
But even as the thought raced through his mind, he was dismissing it.
He knew without a doubt that turning her into his virtual prisoner, even if it was for her own good, would break something fragile inside her.
“Obstinada,” he breathed, leaning down to yank off his boots.
Then, ignoring her sudden scowl, he rose from the bed to strip off his T-shirt. He had tugged off his belt and was unzipping his pants when she found her voice.
“If you’re auditioning for a position at my club, I have to warn you we only take experienced dancers,” she rasped.
He shrugged, pulling down his pants and kicking them aside to stand in nothing but his black satin boxers.
“If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed ...”
“Then he gets kicked in his nuts?”
He stretched out on the mattress beside her, hiding a smile as he caught her covert gaze ogling his thickly muscled legs before lifting to linger on the broad expanse of his chest.
She might want him gone, but that didn’t keep her from lusting after his body.
And frankly he was good with that.
For now.
“I can’t protect you if I’m not close to you.”
“That doesn’t include sharing my bed.”
“As a matter of fact it does.” Lying on his back, he tucked his hands behind his head. “At least until I get a security system set up.”
She bent over him, her expression hard even if she couldn’t disguise the scent of her smoldering arousal.
“If you have to stay, then you can sleep in another room.”
“Too far.”
“Then use the chair.” She pointed toward the charcoal-gray chair set next to the window. “There’s an extra blanket in the closet.”
“What’s wrong, Sophia?” he teased. “Afraid you can’t keep yourself from jumping me in my sleep?”
Unexpectedly the emerald eyes darkened, as if he’d injured her.