Stolen Heart - By Bennett, Sawyer Page 0,14

the offer, but I’m just not interested. I wish you and Ava the best of luck.” Annika turned to walk back into the bedroom.

Dumbfounded, Kieran just watched her. He couldn’t believe she just flat out refused without even naming a price. He followed her.

Annika was sitting on the bed, buckling up those sexy shoes when he walked in. He wondered if there were any other condoms hidden in them.

“You are just going to say no without even hearing what I have to offer you?”

She gave him a little smile and shrugged her shoulders. “I really don’t need anything. Thus, I doubt there is anything you could offer to entice me.”

Kieran was stumped. He had no clue what to say. Annika stood from the bed, both shoes firmly in place and walked up to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers in his hair. She pressed her body up to his. Lifting her face up, she planted a small kiss on his cheek. Then she moved her lips to his ear to whisper.

“Last night was fantastic. Thank you.”

Kieran watched as she walked out of the bedroom. He didn’t bother to follow. He had to regroup and figure out what to do. He heard the suite door open, and then softly shut.

Grabbing his grounding object, he decided a quick trip to Kestevayne to discuss this with Ava and Carrick was what he needed.

CHAPTER 6

Annika Foss sat at her desk, running through some paperwork. It was 10:00pm and the boom of techno music playing out in the club slightly vibrated under her feet. The door opened and Marcus stuck his head in the door. The music amplified by tenfold. It was the reason she had her office soundproofed.

“Hey, boss. Cindi didn’t show up for her shift so I called Tama in to take her spot. Everything else is rolling smoothly tonight.”

Annika looked up at Marcus Grayson. He was her manager and one of the few she could count as a friend. He was also an ex-pat from Vryonas. He helped her run Itch as well as her other enterprises.

“Keep an eye on Tama. I had heard from one of the girls that she has been selling alcohol to some underage customers. All I need right now is for ABC to bust us on that.”

“Will do.” Marcus walked in farther, closing the door behind him. He leaned back against it.

Annika lifted her eyebrows up at him. “What’s up?”

“Just curious how your meeting with Kieran Dunne went last night?”

“It went fine. I got the information I needed.”

“And?”

“He wants me to work a theft job with him.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, but I turned him down.”

“Why? Your price would be high enough to really help out.”

“I know, but it’s just not something I’m interested in right now. Plenty of work to do here.”

“Got it. Well, let me get back to work.”

“Thanks, Marcus. I’m just going to finish up this paperwork and then we have that job to do tonight.”

Marcus nodded his head in understanding. “Sure thing. Good luck tonight but then get some rest, you look like shit.”

Annika gave a loud snort. “You do know how to charm the women, Marcus.”

“I’ll see you later tonight as planned.” Marcus left giving her a wave over his shoulder.

She was glad for the little diversion Marcus had provided. All night she had been trying to concentrate on her paperwork but her mind kept drifting back to Kieran Dunne. More specifically, to the amazing time they had last night.

She truly did intend to get near him just to read his emotions. She got a clear picture while they swayed on the dance floor. But the attraction she felt to him was so overwhelming, she knew she would end up in his bed before the night was over.

Although she had received a good read on his emotions while they were dancing, her empathic abilities were heightened beyond measure during the act of sex. The fact that she took control, leaving Kieran with nothing more than the duty of opening himself up to pleasure, brought his emotions out in a tidal wave that poured over her.

She may not know specific facts about Kieran Dunne, but she had a pretty good picture of his character. Her reading told her that he was honest and loyal. He did not have any malicious intent toward her, but she did sense a level of menace directed at someone or something. After he told her about retrieving the stolen object, she figured that was what the anger