The Black Sheep and the English Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

are.”
    â€œHonor among thieves, you mean.”
    â€œIn a manner of speaking, yes.”
    â€œI still don’t think this is wise. Our agendas—and we have them, no matter that you’d like to spin that differently—are at cross purposes.”
    â€œWe’ll sort out who gets what after we succeed in—”
    â€œWho gets what?” she broke in. “There is only one thing we both want.”
    â€œThat’s where you’re wrong.”
    She opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Wrong, how? Are you saying there are two priceless artifacts in the offing here? Or that you can somehow divide the one without destroying its value?”
    He moved closer still, and her breath caught in her throat. He traced his fingertips down the side of her cheek, then cupped her face with both hands, tilting her head back as he kept his gaze directly on hers. “I’m saying there are other things I want. Things that have nothing to do with gemstones, rare or otherwise.”
    She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t so much as swallow. She definitely couldn’t look away. He was mesmerizing at all times, but none more so than right that very second. She wanted to ask him what he meant, and blamed her sudden lack of oxygen for her inability to do so. When, in fact, it was absolute cowardice that prevented her from speaking. She didn’t want him to put into words what he desired.
    Because then she might be forced to reconcile herself to the fact that she could want other things, too.
    â€œDo we have a deal?” he asked, his gaze dropping briefly to her mouth as he tipped her face closer to his.
    Every shred of common sense, every flicker of rational thought she possessed screamed at her to turn him down flat. To walk away, run if necessary, and never look back. But she did neither of those things and was already damning herself even as she nodded. Barely more than a dip of her chin. But that was all it took. Her deal with the devil had been made.
    â€œGood. Then let’s seal it, shall we?”
    She didn’t have to respond this time. His mouth was already on hers.

Chapter 3
    S o much for playing it safe.
    She tasted better than he’d remembered. And he’d remembered her tasting pretty damn sweet. “You know,” he said, moving his lips to the corner of her mouth, “for someone with a tart tongue—”
    The rest of his sentiment was lost as she turned ever-so-slightly and slid that tart tongue of hers along his own, making him groan as he accepted her deep into his mouth. God, what in the hell had he gotten himself into here?
    She lifted her head first. “Deal sealed, I’d say.”
    His response was more along the lines of a hoarse grunt, which was all he could manage. That made her smile.
    Serious trouble, that’s what .
    â€œSo,” he began, paused to clear his throat, then said, “let’s order up an early dinner and discuss our strategy.”
    She walked across the room, paused in front of the mirror to apply fresh lipstick, then continued to the door leading to the penthouse suite’s private elevator. “Why don’t we go to Antoine’s, have his chef prepare us something perfect, perhaps add a bottle from his wine cellar as an accompaniment, and let the rest take care of itself?”
    She didn’t wait for his response. She merely pressed the button to summon the elevator.
    Finn didn’t bother with a debate on the pros and cons of their being seen together in a high profile spot like Antoine’s, which was the latest on the list of Manhattan’s hot spots. Instead, he crossed the room, paused in front of the same mirror, decided there was no hope for his now crumpled linen shirt and somewhat wrinkled trousers, raked his fingers through his thick blond mess instead, then gave up altogether and followed her into the elevator. “Why Antoine’s?” He knew she hadn’t just