East End (Hear No Evil Trilogy #1) - Nana Malone Page 0,42
to know he was too close. I could smell him from such close proximity, and he smelled like leather and something musky. He smelled… absolutely delicious. It swirled around me, entranced me.
His voice was a low, coaxing rumble, and I could feel myself softening, my posture changing, my lips wanting to curve into a smile. That was the danger of this man. He knew his effect on women and wielded that power expertly.
“That’s interesting. I haven’t really given you much thought.”
His grin was quick as a flash and just as devastating as that low purr of his. “You really don’t have to play hard to get with me, Agent Kincade. I assure you, I’m already quite enchanted. Matter of fact, I think we should have dinner. You know, to get to know each other better before you accompany me as my date to Ben and Livy’s wedding.”
“I already told you, I’m busy.”
Another grin from him, and there went my panties. Eviscerated into the ether. “You don’t know when it is yet.”
“And I will always be busy. I don’t date bad boys.”
“Said no woman ever,” he said with a laugh.
“When will you give up?”
“As soon as I can forget that that little whimper you made at the back of your throat and once I can erase your taste from my tongue. Dinner. And I promise by morning you’ll be more than happy to be my date.”
“Morning. My, my. So sure of yourself.”
His eyes danced, and I could see he was having fun. Sadly so was I.
“Let’s just call it hopeful. Besides, I said dinner. I didn’t say what time zone.”
“Ahh, flexing those billionaire muscles. Sorry, but it’s still a no. I also don't date dodgy men with secrets. You tell me you’re not a thief, but yet I caught you up to something.”
“All these rules. Tell me, Agent Kincade, have those rules ever gotten you kissed like last night? My guess is no.”
A pulsing heat concentrated between my thighs. Time to bring it back, Nyla. Focus then get to safety.
I cleared my throat. I had to right this ship, or I’d become a cliché by shagging him on his desk. “I want to ask you a couple of questions."
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “Fine. Business before pleasure. I can respect that. I do have to tell you I’m not going to answer any questions about last night. Anything other than that is on the table.”
Of course he wasn’t. I cleared my throat. "My understanding is that you are the London representative for the Royal Museum in Monaco. You and a Miss," I checked my notes, “Analisse Du Mont.”
He blinked in what seemed like honest surprise. "You would be informed correctly.”
“Might I ask your connection? I thought you were in the hotel business?”
The corner of his lips twitched and distracted me. The way he lazily leaned against his desk, I had full vantage point of his long lean body. He was every bit the rogue billionaire.
“Analisse Du Mont is my mother. She inherited a sizeable art collection upon my great-grandmother’s death. My grandmother had always wanted to display the works the family had, but for several reasons never managed to, so the task eventually fell to my mother and sister. We’ve consigned the entire collection to the Royal Museum in Monaco. My sister is the curator.”
As he spoke, I quickly jotted notes. “Your mother. That certainly makes more sense.”
“Mum finds herself quite busy with charity work, so somehow I have become the London point of contact. A part of me thinks this was her evil scheme all along to bind me to her family’s legacy. It might have broken her heart that I went the route of my father into business.”
“But still, you don’t work for your father.” That had nothing to do with the case. More of a curiosity.
His lips compressed ever so slightly, his tone becoming sharp when he said, “I do not.”
I wanted desperately to poke at the obvious sore spot, not to cause him pain, but because the urge to know more about him was nearly eating at me. But I kept on task. “Three years ago, your collection reported an attempted theft and forgeries of a visiting collection.”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. There was a problem. I believe the thief and forger was caught.”
I nodded as I took more notes. "If you don't mind, I would love to see your collection. I’m particularly interested in the authentication process the museum used. Any security from that time.