Circle of Danger by Carla Swafford Page A

lip. Had he even realized he’d done that?
    â€œYeah.” She could only manage one-word answers. The emotions the drug produced were so much like what she normally felt, yet different. For some reason, she knew at this moment she experienced something purer and not driven by an artificial stimulate.
    â€œGood. I asked the cook to send dinner to your room. I figured you’d enjoy something less formal for your first night here. We can talk without interruption.” Neither his voice nor face betrayed what he was thinking.
    Being alone with him could be good or bad. It depended on how her body reacted and how he responded. What was she thinking about? She was scared spit-less. Attacking a man, begging him for sex, was something she never imagined doing, even with the man she’d loved for most of her life. She needed to keep her mind on food and not think of how his warm skin felt beneath her fingertips. Or how his hands gripped her thighs, dotting her with bruises he didn’t mean to leave.
    Stop, stop, stop!
    A knock on the door broke their silent perusal of each other. Ryker let in the cook and the housekeeper. They laid out the dinner with silverware and crystal. A bottle of wine on ice was uncovered with a flourish and a brace of candles lit. As the couple left, one reached over and turned off the lights. The flames from the candles brought an immediate intimacy to the room. Marie wasn’t sure what to make of the romantic dinner.
    â€œSit. Eat.” He waited until she was seated and he began slicing his steak. “I told them to cook yours well done; I know how you hate to see it pink inside.”
    Following his lead, she cut a piece of the steak and bit into it. She closed her eyes for a few seconds as she chewed. The juicy, smoky flavor burst across her tongue. When she opened her eyes, Ryker looked down and expertly sliced a sliver and brought it to his lips without lifting his head. He’d been watching her eat.
    Her gaze followed his hands as he worked the knife. Her breath shortened. She hungered for his touch more than food.
    Instantly, she shut the thought down.
    When he poured her some wine, she asked, “Do you have a soda? I’m not much for wine or any alcohol.” With the drug in her system, she imagined it best not to take a chance.
    â€œSure.” He called downstairs. Within minutes, a tall glass filled with ice and a bottle of cola sat next to her plate.
    By the time they finished, the candles had burned to half their length. The dessert of strawberries and cream was a perfect final touch. Their conversation remained light throughout the meal. He’d touched on popular books and current events. Nothing too in-depth or controversial like a perfect gentleman on a date. Marie leaned back in her chair and looked at him. Was that his intention? Offer her a chance to experience what they had skipped over? She’d never imagined being with him in this way. Nor, for that matter, had she imagined yesterday ever happening.
    She loved being here, having him sitting across from her. Another new memory for her to tuck away. No way would this last. Too many bad memories shared.
    Yet, the way he watched her allowed her to return the favor. His white dress shirt and navy blue slacks brought out his dark good looks. Perfect with the eye patch and scars across his cheek and down his neck. His hair, a little longer than normal, hid and revealed the scars as he moved. He looked like a swashbuckler. He looked relaxed, maybe a little contented.
    â€œYou’ve got a little cream near your mouth.” He grinned.
    She wiped around her lips.
    â€œYou missed it. Let me.” He came around the table and leaned down. She lifted her chin and waited, closing her eyes. She shivered. Instead of cloth, she felt his lips pressed the corner of her mouth and his tongue traced her bottom lip. “There. All better.”
    â€œRyker?” She wasn’t sure how she did it,