Tanner stared back at her, unconcerned. “No.”
Her fists clenched at her sides. “Why?” she snapped. “Afraid I might actually believe his lies? That I might cause you more trouble to return to his loving arms?” she sneered.
“No,” he said softly. “I’m more worried that if I have to smell the scent of your pain much longer, I’ll end up losing control and go after his throat myself. Which would do nothing to help you.”
She sneered hatefully. “Of course it would bother you that he beat me,” she snarled. “Now, why didn’t I think of that? A Breed would, of course, be concerned for a Tallant’s welfare.”
Not.
She knew better than that.
“You didn’t rescue me from Chaz, Tanner—you kidnapped me for your own ends and you’re keeping me here for the same reason. Is it all about f**king me?” she bit out sarcastically. “Oh, yeah, I can just see that one. You’re just dying to f**k the daughter of the man who tortured your entire f**king family.” Cold, hard mockery finished the sentence. She knew better. “Just tell me what you want, Tanner. What is the cost of my freedom?”
“Your safety.”
She glared back at him, her expression twisted with disbelief. Only her father’s spy would care how she intended to cover her own ass.
“My safety,” she repeated chillingly. “Tell you what. Release me, give me a secured cell phone, and within hours, I’ll be safe. I promise you that. All you have to do is let me go.”
“Tell me who you would call first.” He rose from the couch with a smooth flex of muscle. “The same bastard who stole that information in New Mexico last month?”
“I could only get so lucky,” she snapped. “No, Tanner, my contact isn’t your unknown thief. And who it is is none of your business. Now let me go.”
She stood in place as he stalked closer to her, his body rippling with tension, his eyes swirling with it. Like this, he reminded her more of the animal than the man. He had the same controlled, graceful movements of the Bengal. Almost lazy, calculating, every bone and muscle flexing with an innate animal grace.
She couldn’t control the shiver when he touched her though. When his hands settled on the thin silk covering her h*ps and his chest brushed against her suddenly distended ni**les.
“I can’t let you go,” he said softly, his head lowering until her vision was filled with the sexual intensity in his gaze.
“Why?” Her hands settled on his chest, not to push him away, not to pull him closer. Just to touch him, to feel the warmth of him. “You’ve had me. It’s time to end this game now.”
One hand moved from her waist to cup the side of her face, his thumb brushing over her lips as they parted helplessly. Anger was melting beneath pleasure despite her attempts to hold on to it. She needed to stay angry with him. She needed a defense against his touch other than the suspicion that he could be her father’s spy.
“I don’t know.” His brow gathered into a frown. “Maybe because I don’t trust you. Because too many people are out to kill you. And maybe because I need more of this.”
His head lowered and his lips were on hers again. Parting them, his tongue slid inside as she whimpered against it.
Tearing herself away from him was almost impossible. Almost more than she was capable of. As she backed away from him, she was aware of her weakening thighs, the soft, heated dampness between them and the tingle of pleasure that lingered on her lips.
“You can’t keep me forever.”
“Don’t bet on that,” he sighed roughly. “At this point, Scheme, don’t bet on anything. Not until I figure out the puzzle you’ve become. Fucking me won’t change that; it will just make the time pass more pleasantly.”
“I’m not a puzzle for you to figure out.”
His short laugh was mocking. “Sorry, love, that’s exactly what you are. From the reason your father wants you dead to the reason you don’t like old reruns. I could make a list of questions to start with if you like.” His eyes were suddenly gleaming playfully, inviting her to join in.
“I’ll find my way out,” she warned him desperately.
“Not going to happen, darlin’.” He sighed, moving back to the couch. “But I tell you what, come here and cuddle with me and I’ll let you watch the INS. I like it better.”
The International News Service. It was better than nothing.
“Cuddle with you?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yep. Cuddle with me.” He sat down, stretching one long leg out on the couch as he propped the other foot on the floor. “Come on, Sugar, we’ll watch the news together or I can watch Gilligan. There’s several hours left.”
She shuddered as he patted the area between his legs. “I dare you.”