Grievous (Wanted Men #5) - Nancy Haviland Page 0,38

knees. She went onto her hip and laid on her side with her head on the pillow that smelled of fresh laundry.

Instead of going to his desk, Lucian squatted, and he began petting her. He ran his palm over her silk-clad hip, making a quiet, contented sound. “Perfect. I could not have chosen better,” he mused.

Pleasure flowed through her, and she could have sworn her bones melted when he began scratching her back. God, that felt amazing. When he started playing with her hair, she was done. Her lids came down, and it was her turn to verbalize with a quiet murmur that wasn’t a word. It just sounded happy. As her thought process began to shut down, she slipped her fingers around his ankle in an effort to keep him with her.

When she came to, he was gone. Only a few minutes could have passed because when she opened her heavy lids to locate him, he was still on his feet. He was behind his desk, looking at an iPad. He had his cell at his ear. The very one he’d known she’d used earlier.

“Senator Raine? It is Lucian Fane. Yes, of course. It is no bother. What can I do for you?”

Senator? she thought as her eyes closed again.

“It was my understanding they would desist after one warning. Oh? I see. When was this? Have you shared this information with Gheorghe? Good. He and I will discuss it. I will have him get back to you with a peaceful solution by tomorrow evening. Of course. Goodbye, Senator.”

She drifted in and out as he sat and made another call. God, she could listen to that accent forever.

“I just spoke to Raine. He said his issue has turned their nose up at our warning and has sent troops into the camps on the eastern border. Call the commander and have him perform an airstrike. What? Why the fuck are you risking yourself in an area so volatile?” A note of alarm filtered into his voice. “Get the fuck out, immediately, or I’ll pull your funding and tie you down so tight you will not be able to take a step outside of Brooklyn without my men coming down on you. I do not care. Get your ass home. Before you leave, tell the commander two passes. If any men are left, capture and keep. We will deal with them personally when we find some time. No, Gheorghe, one warning was all they deserve. After what they have done to their people over the last three years, I would have obliterated them without it, but you insisted. Yes, well, you have only yourself to blame since you were the one who brought me in. Exactly. They had their chance, and they did not take it. Let me know when it is done.”

Yasmeen tried to wake up enough to sit up. She was dying to ask what the hell he was talking about. Couldn’t. She was too far gone. She faded then came back. Maybe she was dreaming.

“…taking so long…amateur in comparison…one Baikov every two hours…interested in harming…to his memory…kill them.”

Not a dream, she corrected before slipping away completely. A nightmare.

NINE

The next morning, following instructions found on a handwritten note propped on the bathroom mirror, Yasmeen made her way to the first level of the castle to meet Lucian for breakfast. She had on a pretty pajama set she assumed he’d spread across the foot of the bed before leaving her—his pillow had an indent, proving he’d slept beside her. The nightie and robe left her feeling naked even though she was covered from shoulder to mid-thigh, though, because there’d been no underwear in sight, she was feeling breezy between the legs. She’d been instructed to leave her feet bare.

Because the sun was shining through every window she passed, she was able to take her time and enjoy the walk. She entered a small dining room that had huge windows and gold walls to brighten the dark furnishings and deep red accents.

Lucian turned from surveying the grounds, and she paused, unsure of the protocol. Should she go over and kiss him, hug him, weave in and around his ankles? “Good morning.”

He didn’t return the greeting but did come forward. When he reached her, he slipped a finger into the tie at her waist and pulled it so the sides of her robe fell open. Cleavage and lace were revealed.

“Do not hide in my presence,” he said as he kissed both her cheeks.