Free Primal Passion by Mari Carr Page B

that. “What do
you mean?”
    “If you refuse to cooperate, we’re going to
have to treat you as subordinate. A captive.”
    “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “Actually we would.” Gunner’s voice startled
her, coming from the door that connected to the rest of the suite.
Somehow he’d unlocked it.
    “Take off your clothes, Denise.”
    Her gaze flew back to Price. “What?”
    “Get undressed. Now.”
    There was a hard, demanding edge to his voice
that left no doubt in Deni’s mind she would be finishing this
conversation naked. “Why?”
    Gunner walked into the room. “Deni. Do it
now.”
    She struggled to understand the compulsion
that had her reaching for the hem of her T-shirt. She’d never had
problems with people in positions of authority. Hell, she’d been at
the mercy of others for most of her career—the lab director, the
executive committee who controlled much of what her facility did,
colleagues with seniority, research lobbyist, politicians. She
played the game in order to protect her research.
    But this was different. Wasn’t it?
    “We’re losing her again.”
    Gunner’s comment captured her attention and
she realized she’d frozen in the middle of pulling off her shirt,
baring herself only to her midriff.
    “Does she do that a lot?” Price asked.
    Gunner grinned and nodded. “Our Deni’s a
thinker. One of these days, I’m hoping she’ll start sharing some of
those deep thoughts out loud instead of disappearing into her
head.”
    Deni pulled her shirt back down. Price
scowled and made a deep sound of disapproval. “Wrong way.”
    “Why do you want me to take my clothes off?”
Deni didn’t have problems following orders if the reasons why they
were issued were explained to her.
    “Gunner’s going to take your outfit and hide
it.”
    Price’s answer confused her even more. “Why
would he do that?”
    “You can’t leave the hotel room if you’re
naked. Given your attempt to escape this morning, this seems the
easiest way to ensure your compliance. Plus, it provides some eye
candy for Gunner and me.”
    Deni was mortified. “You don’t seriously
expect me to walk around this hotel room completely nude all day,
do you?”
    Price reached for her T-shirt and stripped it
over her head with ease. “Yes. I do.”
    Gunner had moved forward during their
conversation and was kneeling behind where she sat on the bed. He
made quick work of her bra and added it to the pile.
    Topless, Deni covered her breasts with one
hand while trying to fend off her lovers with the other.
    Gunner grasped her and wrapped his arms
around her, preventing her from using her hands. When Price reached
for the button on her jeans, she kicked out, her last-ditch
attempt.
    Price sidestepped her kick easily, then
pinned her legs to the side of the bed with his. Once he’d
unfastened her pants, Gunner lifted her slightly to allow Price to
tug them and her panties off. The entire disrobing had taken less
than a minute.
    She was completely outnumbered. “I think it’s
only fair that you two take off your clothes too.”
    Gunner chuckled. “No. We’re not trying to
escape.”
    She twisted, trying to break his hold. “What
if I get cold?”
    “We’ll crank up the heat.” Gunner released
her, but her freedom was short-lived. Price leaned forward. Deni
resisted the urge to back away from his angry face.
    Last night, he’d been kind, even sweet in his
own way. Today she was facing the man she’d met in her lab. He was
irritated, scowling, looking far too serious.
    Before she could move, a knock sounded on the
door in the living suite.
    “That will be breakfast. Price and I ordered
room service. I’ll get it.” Gunner stood, gathered her clothing and
started to leave her room. He stopped at the doorway. “Unless you’d
prefer to sign for it, Deni.”
    She smirked at his joke and he laughed,
mercifully shutting the door behind him. Standing naked in front of
Gunner and Price was one thing. She didn’t intend to