Chapter Seventeen
Indigo’s words replayed in her head despite telling herself she wanted this. The steely-eyed look Indigo had given Rhia as Lucian led her to the outer elevator felt like a nail in some proverbial coffin.
She could brew on that all night or turn her attention to the shit ton of trouble she just walked into. That seemed the better bet.
Lucian stood beside her. Tall, handsome as fuck, and every time he moved she caught a faint smell of his aftershave.
A trio of assaults to her defenses. She needed to stay focused. Remember why she was here in the first place. And then a warm hand eased over her bare back.
Good Lord above, help her. Her lashes fell against her cheeks and she managed to draw in a deep breath before she turned.
Matteo moved in close and that hand on her back eased around to her hip. He dug his fingers into her flesh and she felt his possessiveness reach out and stroke her libido.
She was so fucked.
He smiled down at her but the wolf in a fine suit didn’t fool her. One wrong move and he’d have her against a wall again, her dress around her waist and her panties on the floor.
She turned to Lucian. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“I’m sorry it’s taken so long to have you at our side.” In an easy glide, Lucian stepped in front of her, his penetrating gaze locked on hers as he offered his hand.
Whoa. Talk about double-meaning.
Lucian pushed the call button for the elevator, and within a few seconds, the doors opened with a soft swoosh.
“After you, Ms. Carmichael.”
Beside her, his body reflected his expression. Calm and stoic. He had a graceful male confidence about himself she liked. But there were rolling waves of danger in his eyes. Sparks of electricity lit the grey depths and the allure to stand there captivated by them grew.
She didn’t care what anyone said. If you looked close enough you could see everything a person thought and felt. All you had to do was calm your own mind first.
Did he know about her and Matteo? Her and Sevastyan? Did he realize she felt the same attraction to him?
God, save her, she hoped not.
With a delicate step forward, she followed his lead. Inside he punched in a code different from what Maddox had used and no security key this time.
“I see you’ve changed up security measures.” No amount of control could hide the humor that hugged her words.
He held his elbow out for her, Matteo doing the same from her left. She softly gasped when both men slid their fingers over hers as she took their arms.
Warm, callused. Steady.
And wildly unlike her erratic heartbeat.
“It’s come to my attention that key cards are easily swiped by pretty women with innocent smiles. Numbers make it a little harder.”
She didn’t miss the hint of amusement and teasing in his words.
Matteo leaned into her. “I’m glad you accepted Sevastyan’s offer.”
She turned her head up to look at him. “Me too,” she responded nervously.
He tightened his hold around her hand. She flashed him a small grin.
Rhia forced the shudder of unease from her body and willed herself to take a steadying breath as they descended to the second floor.
She stroked the strong line of his jaw with her gaze. Smooth and clean-shaven. Fine lines from his tattoo peeked from the black rim of his collar.