“I really do have to get back to my hotel, Mister…”
He smiled, and her flesh prickled. Damn, he was hot.
“Just call me Phantom.”
“Okay…Phantom.” Tiny flashes of electricity skittered along her skin.
“And what shall I call you?”
She giggled. Why not? “Christine.”
“Ah. Willing to play along. I like that.” He ran one long finger over her forearm.
Her insides knotted.
“Christine. My angel of music.”
“I really do have to…”
His finger traveled up her arm over her shoulder to her neck, igniting a blaze through the silky fabric.
“Please. Be my guest. I’ll show you my club. I promise you’ll be safe there.”
“Uh, well…” Was she certifiable? Was she really going to go into a club called Tied Up with a complete stranger? A gorgeous stranger. A kind stranger. A stranger who made her pulse flutter. But a stranger nonetheless.
Of course, ten minutes ago she had been in line to enter the club alone.
What the hell?
“Sure.” She swallowed. “I’d love to see your club.”
He grinned, and a stab of desire shot between her legs.
“I’m glad. But we have a slight problem.”
“What?”
“Tonight is masquerade night at Tied Up. You don’t have a costume.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks warmed. Just as well. What had she been thinking? “Then I’ll just get back to my hotel. It was nice meeting you.”
“Don’t be silly. We’re in Patpong!” He lifted his arm, gesturing to the market. His cape flowed in a rhythmic pattern, a swirling blackness against the neon lighting, and revealed a silky white shirt stretched across a broad, sculpted chest. “We can find you something.”
He led her to a vendor who sold what looked like Mardi Gras masks. Within seconds, he had purchased a half mask that matched the red blouse she was wearing.
“How much do I owe you?” Heidi rummaged through her purse for her wallet.
“Nothing. It’s a gift.”
“But I—”
He touched his fingers to her lips. The jolt from the innocent contact startled her. “It’s only two hundred Bah
t. Please, let me.”
“All right. I guess.”
Phantom leaned toward her and positioned the mask in place, his fingers brushing her cheek. “A shame to cover such a beautiful face,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be much of an owner if I didn’t abide by my own rules, would I?” He smiled. He held out his arm. “Shall we?”