Intimate Exposure by Portia Da Costa Page A

loved his grandfather had somehow disappeared, only to be replaced by the sharp-eyed demon who loved to tease her.
    “And since then, no matter what else I’m doing in life, I’ve always taken photographs.” The smile widened, white and insolent. “So, do you trust me a bit more now? Or do I have to tell you all about my misspent schooldays and my first-ever crush?”
    Vicki laughed. Her heart seemed to lift as she made a decision. The glimpse behind Red’s mask had made it easy. “No, I’ll pass on school and the crush. Maybe we could save those for small talk over dinner?” She drew in a breath. “But…well…I am in the mood for that adventure. I’ve been working too hard. I feel like some fun, you know?” She stared at him, relishing the return of the game and the chance to strike sparks…fiery red sparks. “I’m probably being a foolhardy idiot…but I’m going to trust you for the time being, Red Webster. Don’t make me regret it.”
    A look of pure joy crossed his face. He was a devious man, but even he couldn’t have faked that glow, and Vicki was struck again how infinitely expressive his face was, in spite of his dark beard. A shiver of something serious passed through her. She daren’t put a name to it, but it made her shake.
    “Are you okay?” His fingers tightened on her arm. “You’re trembling.”
    “It’s all right. I’m fine. I’m just wondering…um…wondering…”
    “You’ve made the right decision, Vicki.” His smile was mischievous now, but not in an annoying way, not anymore. That devilish smirk was promising. Exciting. Arousing.
    “Shall we celebrate?” He leaned forward and popped a catch to reveal a discreetly concealed drinks cabinet. Not giving her time to gainsay him, he fished out a split of champagne and two narrow flutes.
    Vicki couldn’t help checking her watch. “At ten-thirty in the morning?”
    Even so, the decadence of boozing so early was somehow appropriate.
    “This is a fantasy, remember?” With the deftness of someone who drank champagne all the time, Red eased the cork, filled both flutes and handed one to her without losing a drop.“Here’s to our experiment…our adventure.” He clicked his glass to hers and waited, the epitome of good manners, until she took the first sip.
    The wine was sublime, crisp and light yet almost buttery in its richness on the tongue. It was probably the finest champagne she’d ever tasted, and as a distraction, she glanced at the bottle. To her surprise, it bore no label.
    “What is this? Something from the almighty Shanley’s private reserve?”
    Red took a swig of champagne himself, then ran his tongue slowly over his lip again, this time in obvious appreciation. “Yes, it is, actually. The guy appreciates the finer things in life.”
    His glowing eyes were intent. He wasn’t really talking about vintage champagne at all. When he blinked, just once, behind his glasses, Vicki had to hide a dreamy smile. His lashes were obscenely long and lush for such a large and macho man.
    Uh-oh, it’s happening again…
    She took a long pull at the champagne, her mouth suddenly dry. Reality was shifting around her, just as it had done in the gym. The mirror world of the game was opening up again, and the power play was about to begin.
    If it hadn’t begun already.
    Red took the glass from her hand and set it aside with his in the small inset drinks cabinet. For a moment he just looked at her, his head tilted as was his habit when he seemed to be reading her.
    “Touch your breast,” he said quietly, locking her gaze with his.
    Vicki swallowed, longing for more champagne. She cupped her breast, thumb lightly resting against the nipple. She was wearing a cotton jersey cardigan, a camisole and a thin, light bra, and through them she could feel the tiny crest, as hard to the touch as a fruit stone.
    “Pinch it. Give it a little twist. Roll it between your finger and thumb.”
    It was nothing more than she did when she was