Free Ruthless Temptation by Ravenna Tate Page A

Really? How long have you known her?”
    A
noise in the hallway caught Viggo’s ear. He didn’t
want Madison to overhear any of this conversation. “I have to go. I’ll talk to
everyone about this tomorrow.”
    He
disconnected the call, not caring that it was rude or that Blaine was his best
friend. The man had a point, and Viggo hated that it
had been made. He’d known her less than twenty-four hours and simply because
he’d made love to her, he now trusted her.
    He’d
let his dick do the thinking today, and Blaine had called him on it. There was
a lot at stake here and they all knew that, but he didn’t need Blaine chiding
him as if he were a child. He knew what the price was for fucking up.
    Viggo closed the laptop and went out
into the hallway. Madison was rounding the corner toward the kitchen, wearing
the red robe. Fuck me sideways . What
a sexy sight she made in that thing.
    He
followed her, wondering how much she had overheard because when she turned
around, she wasn’t the least bit surprised to see him. Had he screwed up
already? That wasn’t like him at all. He usually had very good instincts when
it came to people.
    “ I’m thirsty and wasn’t sure where to find water.”
    “ There’s a fridge in my room, and one in the guest
suite you used earlier. Mine is already stocked with beverages including
bottled water, and the guest suite will be by morning.”
    She
looked disappointed and confused. “Oh. Okay. I feel foolish. I assumed I’d
spend the night with you in your bedroom.”
    “ I hope you will.”
    “ When I woke you were gone.”
    “ I often work late at night, Madison. That doesn’t
change when I’m dating someone.”
    He
had to ask, no matter the consequences. “Were you outside my office just now?
Before you came in here?”
    “ I heard your voice. Why? Do you think I was
listening?”
    “ Were you?”
    She
looked like he’d slapped her, and it wasn’t fake. He could tell. Viggo went to her and put his arms around her, but he might
as well have hugged a lamppost. Fuck .
“Madison, I’m sorry. I had an uncomfortable call with one of the Weathermen.
There’s a lot riding on the question of where Ralph got his information.”
    “ What does that have to do with me listening to your
conversation?”
    “ Nothing.” Liar .
“I’m stressed over this, that’s all. I didn’t mean to accuse you of
eavesdropping.” Your pants are on fire .
    She
glanced up at his face. “If you don’t trust me, I might as well go home. We’ll
be nothing more than business partners.”
    He
had a quip ready, but realized it would sound like he was playing games again,
in addition to minimizing her concerns. She was right. If he didn’t trust her,
he couldn’t have a physical relationship with her. It wouldn’t be fair to
either of them, and it would complicate things with the others.
    “ Did you seduce me hoping I’d be more willing to find
out what you want at work?”
    “ No.” He couldn’t fault her for asking. If he was in
her shoes right now, that’s exactly the conclusion he’d reach as well.
    “ Why did you seduce me, then?”
    “ I told you already. I meant everything I said
earlier.”
    “ I need to know if you trust me, Viggo .”
    Her
voice was quiet, but he heard the finality in the tone, and he admired her for
it. For all her inexperience, she wasn’t a woman who would let a man use her
for sex, and thank goodness for that. He wouldn’t want her to be that way.
    He
stroked her hair. “I do trust you.”
    She
watched him for a few seconds, no doubt looking for any sign of bullshit.
Finally, her expression softened.
    “ All right. I trust you, too. I’ll just get my water
and go back upstairs so you can return to your work.”
    “ I’m not in the mood to work after all.”
    She
grinned. “Are you sure?”
    He
reached between them and stroked her left breast. His dick twitched when she
let out a soft gasp. “I’m sure.”
    She
surprised the hell out of him by