Billionaire's Contract Engagement / Money Man's Fiancée Negotiation by Maya Banks Page A

might have even given the man a raise. But my brother. My spoiled, overindulged brother. No, that was the one thing I couldn’t forgive.”
    â€œWell, if their relationship is based on all you say, then I’d imagine they’ll suffer enough in the long run without you wishing them ill.”
    He regarded her for a long moment. “You’re not going to lecture me about harboring childish grudges?”
    She smiled, and those gorgeous green eyes cut right through him. She took his breath away until he was helpless to do anything but stare back.
    â€œNope. Not a word. Considering I have my own grudges and I don’t plan on forgetting them in this lifetime, I could hardly chastise you for the same.”
    â€œOh, do tell. You sound so … vicious. I like it,” he teased.
    Her expression grew serious. Pain flickered in her eyes, and she turned away, her mouth drawn into a tight line. Hewas immediately sorry that the light mood had dissolved. As much as he wanted to know her secrets, he wanted to see her laughing and smiling even more.
    To cover the sudden heaviness in the air, he got up to pour a glass of wine. Without a word, he offered one to her, and she took it, gratitude easing some of the tightness around her eyes.
    He wanted to touch her so badly. Wanted to ease the strain and the unhappy tilt to her lips. He wanted to kiss her plump mouth until he owned her very breath.
    He forced himself to return to his chair. The remains of their dinner was scattered across the coffee table. Some had fallen to the floor, but he wasn’t inclined to clean it up. They sat there sipping their wine as evening fell all around them.
    Finally he could remain silent no more.
    He leaned forward to set his glass on the table. For a moment he looked down at his hands and imagined her flesh beneath his fingertips. Then he glanced back up to see her studying him with the same keen interest flashing in her eyes. She wasn’t immune. He wasn’t the only one who felt the magnetic pull between them.
    â€œWhat are we going to do, Celia?” he murmured.
    He saw her swallow nervously. She hadn’t misunderstood, but neither did she respond.
    â€œI want you so damn much I hurt. I’ve hurt for weeks. Every time I look at you, I get so many knots that I can’t function. I’ve thought of all the ways I can explain to you that our business relationship has nothing to do with the desire I feel for you. But the simple truth is I don’t give a damn. I want you in my bed, and I don’t care what has to be done to make that happen.”
    Her eyes went wide and frightened. He hated that. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him.
    â€œYou feel it, too. Don’t deny me that much.”
    Slowly she nodded. Her fingers went to her forehead and she dug them into her hair. Still, he could see them shaking,and she swallowed again, her slim neck working with the effort.
    â€œPlease,” she whispered. “I can’t do this, Evan. It’s the one thing I can’t do. Don’t ask it of me. If you want me to admit it, fine. I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted another man.”
    Savage satisfaction gripped him. Didn’t just grip him but lunged for him and wrapped a hand around his throat and his groin. His entire body reacted to that simple statement. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone else.
    She turned on the couch until she faced forward and her feet met the floor. She looked in turns miserable and scared. Her eyes closed in what looked to him like self-condemnation. He swore, startling her with the force of his curses.
    â€œWhatever you’re thinking, I don’t like it,” he said flatly. “I have no idea what the hell kind of blame you’re placing on yourself, but I can guarantee that you didn’t use your feminine wiles to seduce me into signing with your agency. I wanted you from the first moment I saw you. Want to know