Angel in the Shadows by Amy Deason Page B

memory card, knowing it was gone before she even felt the reality of its absence.
    “If you’re looking for the memory card, you won’t find it there. Really, Ms. Sinclair, what a place to put something. I had a devil of a time finding it.” His grin was light and playful. And infuriating as hell.
    There was only one way he could have found that. The crazy bastard had taken advantage of her while she was knocked out and searched her! Anger and embarrassment lit her face on fire.
    “What gives you the right? Who in the hell do you think you are?” she asked, advancing on him.

Chapter 8
    Standing still as a statue, Seth watched her approach him, temporarily mesmerized by both the courage and stupidity of her actions. She really had absolutely no idea who she was dealing with. Here she was, alone with a virtual stranger, that not only saved her life but also drugged and kidnapped her and still she came toward him, brown eyes hot with anger and a hostility he had not expected. He felt a begrudging admiration for her.
    Madison reached out to slap his face but he easily caught her wrist. She tried again but failed just as miserably with the other hand. He held her wrists firmly within the circle of his palms, rigidly holding her in place. She struggled to free herself but he was unrelenting and harsh. There was no way she could hurt him but there was no sense in letting her try either.
    “Damn you. Let me go!” she yelled up at him.
    Seth gazed down at her, letting his admiration fade away, once more feeling nothing as he held her captive. Her brown eyes stared up into his, stormy and troubled, unaware of his ability to read her like a book. He could see both the anger and fear clearly but he also sensed her attraction to him simmering just below the surface. Not surprised in the least by her response to him, he simply let the moment linger, watching the play of emotions on her face. His eyes fell to her lips. Flattened in anger, they still managed to draw his attention. Should he try to kiss her again, he knew that she would try to fight him but only half-heartedly. She was pretty enough to be a distraction when he clearly couldn’t afford one. And while the idea had merit, he quickly pushed it away before he could act on it.
    “Behave yourself, Ms. Sinclair,” Seth replied gruffly.
    He knew she wasn’t stupid enough to think that she could get away from him easily. There was no way she could outrun him to the door but she was a terrified woman and therefore marginally unpredictable. Even as he watched, her gaze softened in the pretense of interest. He allowed her this gesture, knowing full well where it was headed. Gazing up into his artic-blue eyes, she stepped even closer so that her body pressed comfortably against his.
    “Listen, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I mean, you did save my life and I didn’t even thank you,” she said, her voice dropping into a husky whisper.
    Seth continued to stare at her, his body utterly still. “You’re welcome,” he replied coolly. Her body felt soft against his. He knew though a part of her did want him, she was just looking for a way to distract him so she could possibly escape. Unfortunately for her, he was not easily distracted. Usually. But maybe he would see just how long she was willing to play this little game of hers before she lost her nerve.
    “Well, I can think of a way for you to thank me properly. But it would involve you losing this dress,” he murmured softly, releasing her wrists, letting his hand brush her bare shoulder and skim down her arm. Her skin was smooth against his fingertips and abruptly, he gripped her waist and yanked her to him so she was even more firmly meshed against him. He could feel every contour of her body, the gentle curve of her breasts, and the angle of her hips. Oh yeah, he could play this game and he could play it well but she may not like the ending.
    Moving his other hand up, he felt the pulse pounding as he caressed the