And she was lying. Unlike other liars, the scent of her little deceit wasn’t nauseating. It was soft, with a hint of mockery and a soft undercurrent of surprise. He liked the smell of her lies. That didn’t mean he was going to let her get away with it.
“Liar,” he accused her softly.
“We won’t go there. ” Her head fell back against the rough wall behind her as her eyes glittered behind her lashes.
“Where do you want to go then?” he asked her instead, rolling his hips against her heated pussy.
“Where you’re about ten feet away from me. ”
She flexed, her knees tightening on his hips as though to hold him in place.
“Ten feet?” he mused. “It’s going to be damned hard to turn that little ripple of release into a burning orgasm that far away, pretty girl. You sure that’s what you want?”
He could smell her need for more. It was burning inside her, taunting both of them with a hunger he could barely resist.
“It would be a very good idea. ” She licked her lips. He wanted to lick them.
Before he could cover them again, she was pushing at his shoulders, her legs dropping from his hips. He was a fool to let her go. Giving her time to rebuild her defenses against him wasn’t a good idea. But the challenge it presented called to him, had him smiling in anticipation as he released her.
“Impressive. ” She smoothed her hands over the soft velvet top before adjusting the hem and turning to stalk back into the room. “You can leave now. ”
He chuckled at that. “I don’t think so. ”
Her hair whirled around her like a silken cape, thick, falling nearly to her hips as her eyes sparkled back at him in anger and desire.
“Play time is over, Bengal. ”
Rather than arguing with her, he closed the balcony door and pulled the curtains together.
“Play time has only begun. ”
Turning back to her, Tanner hid his smile as he sensed the sudden insecurity running through her. Scheme was said to be without vulnerabilities, without weaknesses. He had always known better. What he knew about her and what he sensed from her wasn’t meshing. Until it did, there wasn’t a chance in hell he was letting her go.
For years he had plotted to kidnap Tallant’s little darling. First, because he wanted Tallant to suffer. Now, he didn’t give a fuck what the general felt; he wanted the woman. The secrets. And now he wanted the hot kisses and shuddering releases. And until now, Jonas had always managed to foil his plans for one reason or another. Tonight, he would die before he released her.
And that thought brought a shadow of discomfort. Nothing should be this imperative. He shouldn’t need any woman this desperately.
He checked his tongue again. Nope, no swollen glands. It might not be mating time, but it was definitely play time. And Tanner did like to play.
Her lips parted, her lashes drifting over her eyes as he stalked toward her, moving slowly around her.
“Tanner. ”
He could hear the warning in her voice, but he also heard the excitement. And that was good. Real good. Because the next time that sweet pussy clenched in climax, he intended to have his dick buried so deep inside it that he felt every luscious ripple.
“I smell you. ” He nipped her ear, his hands tightening on her waist as he pushed her against the wall.
“I said no,” she panted.
“No, you didn’t. ” He chuckled against her neck. “You’re not a coward, Schemer. Or are you?”
His fingers spread open just below her breasts before sliding down slowly, burrowing beneath the soft elastic at her hips.
Her fingers curled against the wall as she rolled her forehead against it with a moan.
“I think I hate you. ”
“That’s not hatred, that’s hunger. Admit it, you’re as hot for me right now as I’m hard for you. ” He pressed his erection against her ass.