The Ultimate Playboy(25)

                ‘You were saying?’

                She brushed her hair out of her eyes and saw him tugging off his shoes. When he unhooked his belt, she scrambled off the bed.

                He caught her easily and placed her back in the centre. ‘Are you going to be a good girl and wait for me?’ Silver eyes speared her.

                ‘Wait for... Hell, no!’

                He stepped forward and caught her chin in his hand. When his head started to descend, she jerked away. ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’

                ‘Capturing your attention for a moment. You don’t need to be frightened, dolce mia. Nothing will happen in this room without your consent.’

                Oddly, she believed him. ‘You don’t need to kiss me to capture my attention.’

                Slowly he straightened and dropped his hand. ‘Shame. Let me remind you of some ground rules before we proceed. We’re not supposed to reveal ourselves to each other. However, since you’ve done me the honour of revealing your name to me, I’ll grant you the courtesy of removing my mask. But you’ll give me your word that it will stay between us, sì?’ He started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing mouth-watering inches of golden skin.

                Heat slammed into her chest and she sucked in a gulping breath.

                Crunch time. Time to get this dangerously bizarre situation over and done with.

                ‘There’s no need. I already know who you are. You’re Narciso Valentino. You’re the reason I’m here in Macau.’





                                      CHAPTER FOUR

                HE FROZE AT her announcement. A second later, he drew the mask over his head, and Ruby got her first full glimpse of Narciso Valentino.

                He was breathtakingly gorgeous. With a definite edge of danger that sent her already thundering pulse straight into bungee-jump mode.

                She watched his face grow taut. Watchful...condemning.

                ‘You know who I am.’ His words were icily precise, the warmth in his tone completely gone.

                Licking dry lips, she nodded. His other hand dropped from his belt, leaving her curiously disappointed.

                ‘You’re American.’

                ‘Yes, I live in New York, same as you. That’s where I came from.’

                ‘And you followed me all the way to Macau. Why?’ The clipped demand came with eyes narrowed into cold slits.

                A mixture of anger and trepidation rushed through her, propelling her from the bed.

                He caught her easily. ‘Move again and I’ll be forced to restrain you.’

                Panic flared through her. Tugging at his hands, she fought to free herself. Before she could fathom his intentions, her wrists were bound to the bedpost with velvet rope he’d pulled from the side of the bed.

                She looked from her wrists to his face, unable to believe what was happening. He tossed his mask on the bed, whipped the unbound tie from his neck and flung it across the room, barely suppressed fury in the movement. ‘Okay, fine, you’ve made your point. But you can’t keep me prisoner for ever.’