"No." Rachel turned back to the file despite the sudden jump of her heart as she made the denial. It was never, ever easy to challenge Jonas Wyatt.
"I know a volcano hungry for a sacrifice," he muttered behind her. "You'd make the perfect candidate."
"Hungry volcanoes only accept virgin maidens," she informed him tartly. "That leaves me out of the running."
She almost grinned at the disgruntled growl that sounded behind her.
"Fine. Pack a bag. You're going with me."
Rachel froze.
She turned to him slowly once again, her fingers still poised on the keys of the electronic display board.
"Excuse me?"
Jonas moved closer, the lean, powerful shift of muscle holding her gaze even as she fought it. Hell, fighting it was becoming harder each day.
"I said, pack a bag. You'll be going with me. For the meeting as well as that insane embassy party you scheduled for me. Afraid to have me at home, mate?"
She swallowed tightly. Actually, she was. She wanted him out of the cabin, at least for a single night--long enough to rebuild the defenses she could feel weakening against him, despite his arrogance.
"I can't leave Amber . . ."
He snorted at that. "Merinus was taking Amber tonight anyway. Did you think Callan wouldn't inform me of that? What did you think you were going to do, Rachel? Get rid of me so you could rid yourself of the desire plaguing you?"
Actually, that had been her plan.
Her lips thinned mutinously. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Do you think I don't know about those very intimate toys that you picked up when you went shopping with Merinus last week? For God's sake. Those Breed guards on your ass don't take their eyes off you, Rachel, no matter what you think."
Mortification flamed in her face.
She'd been so certain she had managed to slip her purchases past the guards who had trailed after her and Merinus as they shopped several days previously. After all, she hadn't even bought the items herself. She'd convinced the sales clerk to take care of everything and then slip her the bag.
"Let me guess." His voice dropped to a husky, sexy croon as he flattened his hands on the top of her desk and leaned forward. "While the cat's away, the mouse thinks she's going to play?"
"That was the general idea," she gritted out. "So go away so I can play in peace."
She had no doubt in her mind that those ultra-sensitive ears of his would pick up the sound of a vibrator.
"Forget it." He straightened with a snap, his silver eyes like dark flames raging in his face as he glared down at her. "Now pack. You're going with me."
"I will not." Rachel came to her feet now, anger churning inside her at the complete arrogance of the order. "I am not required at either the meeting or that insane party being held for the ambassador to Switzerland. He's a jerk."
&nb
sp; "Yet you thought I wouldn't mind attending?" he asked with carefully banked sarcasm. "How kind of you, Rachel. Pack a bag before I pack it for you."
Hadn't Merinus said something about Breed males enjoying spoiling and giving in to their mates?
"Come on, Jonas," she tried another tactic. A sweet smile. She batted her lashes at him. "You don't really need me there, do you? You know I hate these parties. You've always let me out of them before."
Amazing.
She watched his expression, and for the briefest second, she thought she was actually going to get away with it.
"You know," his voice dropped, became harder, "I'm certain that sweet little act would work if you were actually sharing my bed. But since you aren't"--he flashed those wicked incisors at the sides of his mouth--"pack that fucking bag."