Free Ready for Him by Tanith Davenport Page B

through the open doorway towards the pair. The blond man’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t allow herself to meet his gaze—if his attacker noticed, she would lose the advantage.
    And this was dangerous enough as it was, although the alcohol coursing through her system seemed to make that thought much less important than it should be.
    The attacker was now directly in front of her. His dark hair was tousled, his skin sweaty. Jade could smell smoke on him, mixed with the tang of too much aftershave. He wore a black shirt and trousers, all the better to conceal him if he made a break for it in the dark.
    “Look.” The blond man spoke, his eyes focused on the man. He’s holding his attention. “I don’t carry cash. This is pointless.”
    “Cash?” the other man sneered, not moving, the knife still glinting against the blond man’s throat. “That doesn’t—”
    Jade moved.
    In one sharp motion she gripped his right arm and pulled it back, using her other hand to force his wrist into an unnatural bend. The man cried out, either in shock or in pain, and the knife fell from his hand.
    Leave it.
    Jade already knew what his next move would be. The man spun round, his left arm raised, ready to strike. Jade’s arm was already up, blocking the blow. She kicked out with one foot, catching his ankle, and with an angry shout the man was falling, his legs swept out from under him.
    Before he could recover, Jade had dropped to the ground behind him, wrapping one arm tightly around his neck.
    “Jesus Christ,” said a breathless voice behind her. “Fuck.”
    Yeah, I know, Jade thought grimly, tightening her hold as the man struggled against her. Skinny little chick saved your neck. How terrible.
    There were footsteps behind her, and the voice spoke again, this time angrily.
    “Oh, now you rock up? Where the fuck have you been? This asshole had a knife ! Get him out of here!”
    “I’m sorry, sir.” The second voice was also male, deeper, with a curious timbre to it that suggested military, or ex-military at least. Someone squatted down beside Jade. Turning, she saw there were two more men, both in dark uniforms, carrying walkie-talkies and weapons on their belts.
    “I’ve got him, ma’am.”
    Jade surrendered her position, watching as the newcomer—a bodyguard, possibly?—forced the attacker’s hands behind his back. Standing, she turned to face the blond man, who was glaring at his other guard, apparently oblivious to the stream of angry cursing and struggling that was going on behind her.
    “We need to get upstairs and”—the blond man glanced at her appraisingly for a moment—“I need a drink. This young woman deserves one too.”
    “Oh, look, you don’t need to—” Jade automatically responded, even though her mind was screaming. Shut up! He’s offering to take you up to his room! Take it!
    “Oh, I insist.” The blond man looked at her, cool green eyes locking with hers, and Jade met his gaze unflinchingly, forcing herself to ignore the tingling in her gut. He held out his hand to her.
    “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Will.”
    “I’m Jade.” Jade took his hand, feeling her face form into a smile that matched his own.
    “It’s good to meet you, Jade. Not the best circumstances, I admit. Let’s go up to my room and I’ll make us a nightcap.”
    It was the best offer she had had all night.
     
     
     

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    Okay , Jade thought. This is just nuts.
    Will had invited her up to ‘his room’ for a nightcap. By ‘room’, Jade had assumed that it would be similar to her own standard double room—or maybe a king or queen, since he was obviously able to afford his own bodyguards. At no point had she expected to be where she was now.
    It was the fucking Penthouse Suite.
    The ‘room’ covered the entire top floor of the hotel. At the moment they were in the living area, carpeted and furnished in shades of white and teal green with accents of gold. Through a door at