combination of anger, adrenaline and arousal pounding through her veins. Sheâd expected the kiss to be urgent and bruising. But Roderick kissed her with a slow, deep hunger that was just as powerful, just as devastating. Even as her mind rebelled, she felt herself weakening against him, drowning in sensation and need.
She almost whimpered when he broke the kiss, dragging his mouth along her throat. âI canât stop thinking about you,â he muttered raggedly, his hot breath on her skin sending jolts of pleasure to her groin. âEver since that night, youâve been on my mind twenty-four seven. I donât blame you for thinking Iâm crazy. The thoughtâs crossed my mind several times over the past week. Iâve never wanted another woman as badly as I want you, Lena. Iâll do anythingâ anything âto have you again.â
Oh, God. Lena closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, struggling to get her choppy breathing under control. No man had ever talked to her this way before. No man had ever wanted her with this kind of raw, primal intensity that left her reeling with frustration and desire.
âSay yes,â he coaxed huskily. His lips reclaimed hers, parting them so that their breath mingled hotly. âSay yes, Lena.â
Reaching deep, Lena summoned her last ounce of willpower and wrenched her mouth away from his. âNo. No. â
He swore under his breath, then reluctantly released her and stepped back. He looked dangerously aroused, and frustrated as hell.
âIâm not for sale, Roderick.â Lena fought to sound resolute when her insides were quaking uncontrollably. âYou canât just acquire me the way you acquired Midwest Arts Foundation.â
He blew out a ragged breath. âI know that.â
âDo you?â she challenged. âYou just tried to bribe me for sex in exchange for a monetary donation. Obviously you do think Iâm for sale.â
He scowled. âI donât, damn it.â
âNo? Then what do you call it?â
âI call it proposing an arrangement thatâd be incredibly beneficial to both of us. Your college gets the funds it desperately needs, and I getââ
âA sexual companion to be at your beck and call,â Lena said caustically.
He paused, his mouth quirking at the corners. âMaybe I could have phrased it differently.â
âWhy?â she taunted. âA sex slave is essentially what you want, isnât it? Someone to cater to your every sexualwhim, to give you blow jobs on demand and call you master at the crack of a whip.â
Roderick smiled lazily. âIt doesnât have to be that one-sided.â
âYeah, right.â
âIâm serious.â His eyes darkened with illicit promise. âBelieve me, Lena, I have every intention of giving as much pleasure as I receive.â
Her nipples tightened and heat swelled between her legs at the memory of just how much âpleasureâ heâd given her the night of the party. The thought of being his sex slave was so damned tempting, it was all she could do not to pounce on him and rip his custom-made suit from his sexy body.
Keeping her voice and expression neutral, she said, âSorry. Iâm not interested.â
âThe hell you arenât,â Roderick growled. âYou sure as hell seemed âinterestedâ when I kissed you a moment ago. If Iâd lifted your skirt and spread you out on that table you wouldnât have uttered a word of protest. Deny it all you want, Lena, but I know damn well you want me as much as I want you. So why are we standing here arguing when all we both want is to fuck each otherâs brains out?â
Lena congratulated herself for not flinching at his deliberate crudeness. âYou have a real problem taking no for an answer,â she said coldly.
His expression darkened. âDamn it, Lena, what are you so afraid of? Itâs not as if we
Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child