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flickering in his dark eyes that he felt it too. “I've always preferred mergers by mutual consent. It makes for a much better assimilation of assets.”
    His finger was slightly unsteady on her flesh. Was she having such an effect on him? It seemed incredible, but they were so close she could see the erratic throbbing in his temple. “Now?” she whispered.
    “What would you say if I said yes?”
    Her gaze met his steadily. “I don't know very much about deals, but I know about meeting obligations to the people I love. You'll be giving me far more than I will be giving you. Why should I object if you want to collect in advance?”
    “I can see we're going to have to do something about your sense of self-worth.” His finger moved from her throat to her lips and she experienced a burning sensitivity that startled her. The tip of his finger gently smoothed the fullness of her lower lip and the same tingling followed in its wake.Her lips felt soft and swollen. “You're ripe for a takeover, Kira. If you don't start negotiating, we may both be lost.”
    “But you said—”
    “A preliminary foray to seek out weakness.”
    Her gaze was clinging helplessly to his. Lost. She had a fleeting memory of the complete trust she had felt in him at her first moment of awakening. If he were lost with her, she wouldn't be afraid. “Zack…”
    He closed his eyes. How many times had he imagined her saying his name in just that way? The scent of a light floral fragrance wafted to him from those tousled auburn curls. He knew Marna blended a perfume for Kira from gardenias and the very lightest touch of cinnamon. But how could he have guessed the effect it would have on his senses? He'd be drunk and dizzy with the scent of the perfume and of her when he buried his face in her hair and moved over her to… He blocked the thought, but it was too late. His groin was a solid ache of throbbing need and his stomach was knotted with tension. She was here and willing. Why not?
    “Zack?” It was a puzzled thread of sound.
    The
mondava
, dammit. Marna had sent Kira to him. She had expected him to take her. He knew that, yet there was something wrong about rushing her to bed as his body dictated. No, not wrong, but not right, either. And it must be very, very right.
    He opened his eyes and then wanted to close them again. Her blue eyes were mist-soft and questioning and her lips were slightly parted. He had never tasted her, never really touched her, never threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her head back so her throat arched and her breasts pressed against his chest. His gaze dropped to the full swell of her breasts encased in the amber chiffon. It would take so little to brush that veil of amber aside. She drew a deep, quivering breath and her breasts lifted and then fell. He knew she was aware of what he was thinking. She wouldn't stop him. He would take his time and pleasure her. He would roll her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. His lips would pull gently and his tongue would—Hell!
    His finger dropped from her lips and he took astep backward. “Anticipation,” he said thickly. “It makes the pleasure infinitely sharper. I think we'll indulge in a few more preliminary forays before we conclude the merger.”
    She should have been relieved. He was a stranger. She didn't really want—Yet, if she didn't really want him, why was she experiencing such a sinking feeling of disappointment… as if some long-awaited present had been moved suddenly out of her reach?
    Her lips still throbbed where he had touched them and her breasts felt as sensitive and swollen as if he had touched them as well. It was crazy. She had met attractive men before, yet never felt this volcanic sensual upheaval. She tried to smile. “Whatever you say. It's your deal.”
    “Yes.” He turned away abruptly and crossed to the desk. “I'll ring for Juana to show you to a guest room for the night.”
    “I'm checked in at the Hilton in