Her fingernails drummed a rhythm on the table beside her plate as she contemplated his statement. “And how long do I have to stay?”
She was smart as well as beautiful, he thought with a smile. Needing to give her some time frame, even if it wasn’t accurate, he said, “Everything should be finished by the end of the weekend, middle of next week at the latest if everything goes according to my plans.”
She debated with herself long and hard, but in the end, it wasn’t really a question. Of course she would stay here. Or maybe she could mentally prepare to stay here just as long as he followed through on his end of the bargain. If she thought he was just stringing her along, she’d be out of here! “How do I know I’ll be the first reporter to get the story?”
He laughed, loving the sparkle in her eyes and the rosy flush of excited color in her cheeks. “I can’t guarantee that you will be the first, but I can ensure that you’ll have the most thorough story, if I have your cooperation to stay here until everything is finished. The other reporters will only be getting the parts. I promise, you’ll get the big picture.”
As she contemplated his offer, she was unaware of her tongue poking out the side of her mouth or the way her head tilted, giving him a tempting view of her full breasts. “And if you end up in jail because of my report?”
Rocco threw back his head and laughed. “I’ll even let you film the handcuffs being put on.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Is this one of those too-good-to-be-true situations that I should be running from?”
He smiled and nodded his head. “Probably.”
She sat back in her chair, something not calculating properly. He seemed too open to the idea and it worried her. But wasn’t this what a good reporter would do? Take the risks? Dive into the story with both feet?
“Fine,” she stated firmly and was rewarded by something bursting in his eyes that she couldn’t quite define, but that made her feel all warm and gooey inside. “After you’re arrested, I want a jail cell interview as well.”
He leaned forward and poured her more coffee. “I’ll agree to that, as long as I get to use the handcuffs as well when it is my turn.”
She blushed painfully with his words and ignored the sexual innuendo.
It occurred to her that the man was astoundingly calm for someone who might be facing jail time. But then she realized that Rocco Antoniv man had international contacts. He might be out of the country by the time she put everything together.
She picked up her coffee cup, staring at him over the edge. “So you’re going to continue to be cavalier about this?” she asked, wiggling in her seat in discomfort despite the fact that that was exactly what he wanted her to feel. She fought against it, but in the end, she was just too embarrassed by the mention of handcuffs. She wasn’t even completely sure what one would do with handcuffs but she was fairly certain she didn’t want to find out.
“I don’t think there’s any other option,” he said and leaned back against his chair. “Since you’re going to be staying here with me, what would you like to do today?”
Brianna almost choked on her orange juice. “With you?”
“Of course.” He looked at her with that amusement that never failed to irritate her. “I’m your host. I am here to entertain you.”
She shook her head. “Why don’t you just go about your business like I’m not even here?”
He chuckled. “What kind of a host would I be if I ignored you?” he asked, leaning forward. He reached out and, before she knew what he was going to do, pulled a lock of hair away from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. The gesture would probably be sweet and kind if anyone else had done it, but when he did it, she felt all those terrifying tingles in her cheek that quickly radiated outwards towards every part of her body. Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn’t breathe for a long time.
“I know what I’d like to do,” he said softly, his eyes holding hers, captured and not relinquishing his hold.
She felt his words, and the intention behind them, all the way down to her toes. “Not that,” she whispered back, telling herself to look away, but she couldn’t move. She felt stranded, gasping for air while he controlled her somehow.
He smiled wickedly. “I know you’ll like what I’m going to suggest.”
“Not that,” she repeated and somehow, deep within her, she found the will to pull her eyes away. “I’ll never do that again with you.”
He watched her as she pushed the remnants of her omelet on her plate back and forth, finding her nervousness very telling. She was startlingly beautiful in the morning light. She didn’t have any makeup on and her eyes were bright with anxiety. He almost wished he could ease her concern, but he didn’t know what was bothering her so much. Well, besides the fact that she thought she was consorting with a criminal. He couldn’t help but enjoy the irony of that idea but focused on the day ahead.
“I was only going to suggest a game of chess,” he said and almost laughed out loud at the surprise in her eyes. “What did you think I was going to suggest?” he asked, already knowing the answer but wanting her to tell him. He wanted to see if she would actually say the words out loud.
And he was right. She looked down, still playing with the food on her china plate. “Chess would be lovely,” she finally got out, the telltale blush moving up her neck and flaring into her cheeks.
“Excellent. Are you any good at chess?” he asked, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
She leaned back, taking a sip of her coffee so she could hide behind her coffee cup. “Not at all,” she lied.
He chuckled and finished off his coffee. “Good. More lying. I’m glad to know that you’re consistent at least. Let’s me know where you stand.”
He stood up and Brianna downed the rest of the coffee as fast as she could. “Why do you think I’m lying?” she asked, knowing she should feel affronted, but somehow, she was only intrigued.
“Come along,” he told her but didn’t wait for her reply as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. She almost choked on her coffee but was able to put it back down on the delicate saucer before she was launched out of her chair.
“I guess we’re playing chess now?” she asked, but it wasn’t really a question since he was leading her down a very long hallway covered in black and white tiles. She’d always wanted a room with black and white tiles but they were surprisingly hard to find lately. She would have done her entire kitchen in the tiles. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to admire the décor since the illustrious and suspicious Rocco Antoniv was dragging her through the doorway and into a smaller room. She was about to sit down in the chair when he stopped her and pulled her around. She was startled when his arms moved around her, holding her close to his hard physique. “What…?” she was about to say, pushing her palms against his chest, trying to hold him away if not push him away so there was more space between them. As it was, they were connected from knees to stomach and the feeling was not so much disturbing as…terrifying.