Hot for His Hostage by Angel Payne Page A

baritone filled the line. “How’s
     la-la land, hot stuff? Everyone good and passed out now? Have you tucked everyone
     in and are calling to squee about meeting David Gandy in the hotel bar, who insisted
     on showing you what really rhymes with ‘candy’?”
    Zoe had no idea how she kept a straight face. “Actually…it’s better than that.”
    There was a rustle on the line. She’d made Ry sit up. “What the fuck? You’re serious,
     aren’t you?”
    “Yeah. I sorta am.”
    “Fuck. Me.”
    “That’s my line tonight.” She tugged her bottom lip with her teeth and bashfully glanced at
     Shane. “At least I hope. That’s why you’re getting the honor of the safe call.”
    “Thank God. Your ticket is way overdue for a punch, Zo-Glow.”
    She couldn’t help a soft giggle at his nickname for her since high school. “Thanks
     for the vote of support.”
    “So…” Ry extended the word with anticipation. “ Is it David Gandy?”
    She laughed harder. “Better, sweetie. Much better.”
    After Ry confirmed details with her then expelled a celebratory whoop even Shane could
     hear, she disconnected the call with a smile.
    Her mirth dipped into perplexity all too fast when she looked up—and found a similar
     smirk on Shane’s face.
    “What now?” she blurted. “Did I do it wrong?”
    He instantly frowned again. “Why do you keep obsessing about ‘doing it wrong’?”
    She tugged at the edge of a pillow. “You were smirking.”
    “I was smiling .”
    “Why?”
    “Because it’s beautiful when you smile.” The admission caused a chain reaction across his gorgeous features, as if
     bigger doors of comprehension opened in his mind. “Actually, baby girl, you’re breathtaking.”
    Zoe dropped her head to hide her flush. This was loco . So silly. She was a dancer in one of the sexiest shows in Las Vegas. She was used
     to a lot of people ogling her, cheering for her, and desiring her, all while she was dressed
     in a lot less than a T-shirt and jeans.
    But none of those fans, even the ones who came to the show weekly, ever truly knew
     her. None saw her as this man did only an hour and a half after meeting her. Had ever
     studied her as Shane did now and called her breathtaking in a way doing nothing with what she wore, how perfect her makeup was, or how alluring
     her dance steps were. Could stand more than six feet away yet awaken her whole body
     with the knowing caress of his molten gaze.
    Most profoundly, how he fhad her blinking back tears because of the thousand ways
     she felt connected to him already.
    Dios . They hadn’t even taken their shoes off.
    Had she ever felt this way with Bryce?
    Contemplating the answer made her clench teeth to fight off the tears.
    “Whoa, baby girl.” Great . Their chemistry included him taking instant notice of her struggle, despite how
     she tucked in her chin to hide it. He crossed to stand in front of her again, tugging
     her face with a couple of long, beautiful fingers. “You’re not supposed to be crying…yet.”
    She attempted a dismissive laugh. “And you’re not supposed to be smiling.”
    He dipped his head. And the timbre of his drawl. “Is that so?”
    “Doms don’t smile.”
    “Hmm. Is that what it says in the ‘Dungeon Rules for Dummies’? Same place you got
     the notion you’re a sucky subbie? Guess I missed that riveting bestseller.”
    She looked back down and pressed her lips together. If she didn’t, a zinger of a retort
     was certain to fly from them. She wouldn’t be able to sift the snark from the words,
     either—which meant she’d get hammered with his look again. And now, any of the methods he’d choose to enforce it…
    Ohhh, yes. Best to callate —shut the damn mouth—than lure out too much of the Dom who lurked so close to the
     man’s surface. She wasn’t stupid. She only had a few hours of Shane’s time. A sweet
     taste of his power and passion would have to be enough, so tempting him to share a
     whole meal