Lured (Team Zero #1) by Rina Kent

“No. You’re not.” He grits out with a hint of irritation – or frustration?

Although every part of me is itching to scream Bordel and just stay, I don’t. This has to do with my self-worth. I might want an adventure, but I won’t be a forgettable name.

My parents didn’t raise me like that. Papa always taught me to respect myself. If I don’t, no one will.

I keep facing the closed door. “Yes, I am. You can’t make me stay.”

Dominic clutches my shoulders and although he’s touching me over the robe, my skin tingles. He whirls me around. My back hits the door as I face him.

A mischievous gleam sparks in the depth of his dark eyes. “Maybe I can.”

“Sorry to blow your endless ego, but no.” I’m thankful my tone is calm. “I’m sure you will recover with the next nameless woman.”

“You’re not nameless, Camille.” He enunciates my name as if proving a point. “You’re so fucking challenging and the attitude is grating at me. Hell. I should let you go.”

“Then do it.” I fight the hurt trying to slip through.

“I can’t.” He blows a breath as if he doesn’t want to admit it. “I fucking can’t. I want more from you.” His fingers trace my jaw. “I have this need to break you and watch you come apart, knowing that deep down you want this.” He stares at me with something I can’t fathom. Awe? “You like the darkness I offer and fuck me if I will let that go.”

Something crumbles inside me. I don’t know if it’s the last wall of resistance or the sheer reaction I have for this man. Ever since I first saw him, he hit something in me. The more he touches me, the more I feel myself disintegrating.

It’s like I’m losing myself to him and enjoying every second of it.

“You have the other women.” I pretend to be nonchalant.

“The other women run away once I give them a way out.” He traces a sensual finger down my cheeks, tone amused. “They certainly don’t pass out on me.”

I swallow as a tint of heat smothers my cheeks. I’m not sure why he sounds so proud of that particular moment. Is it because he likes that I take whatever he dishes my way or…?

“Stay.” His voice is authoritative – typical Dominic – but there’s a hint of uncertainty in the slight drooping of his shoulders.

“If you don’t…” His finger strokes down my neck, my collarbone and down the valley of my breasts. I suck in stuttering breaths as my core pulses to life.

Damn Dominic’s touch.

“I will kidnap you,” he says casually while slowly, too slowly, tracing my breast but not my aching nipple.

“You will be a criminal,” I croak out, trying to keep my ground.

He flashes me his full-of-shit grin. “If I get to tie you to my bed, it’ll be worth it.”

My lips part. I’m not even sure if he’s joking or for real. One thing for certain, he won’t stop unless he gets what he wants.

Maybe I should do the smart thing, give up and get it over with. It’s not like I don’t want him.

But where’s the fun in that?

Seems that a sociopath’s habits are already rubbing on me.

“I will try to escape.” My tone is playful. “I’ll be the worst captive anyone can have.”

“You will be punished.”

“I will still escape.”

His other hand reaches to my ass and he squeezes. I gasp, both from the burn and from the wetness pooling between my thighs. “I will keep you pleased enough so you don’t think about escaping.”

I gulp the dryness in my throat and stare at his sinful mouth. I want to kiss him. I don’t know why I need the intimacy, but I just do.

“Do you kiss the nameless women?” I ask before I can stop myself.

He shakes his head once, but his gaze is on my mouth. Maybe that’s why I do a slow show of licking my lips. Why isn’t he kissing me?

A phone rings. I flinch from my fantasy. Dominic cuts a harsh glare to the source of the ringing. His phone peeks from the trousers resting on the floor.

The name Sophie flashes on the screen.

An arrow of jealousy stabs my chest. This is the second time she calls him in a span of an hour. Obviously, she’s not nameless either since he’s saving her name.

He throws me a poignant stare. “Don’t move.”

Not that I can. I keep watching his ass and the confident way he strides with. Nothing will purge this image from my memory.

He picks up and barks. “Now isn’t the right time, Sophie.”

Wait. Maybe this Sophie is his wife or something. I never thought about that possibility, but the fact that he doesn’t do relationships could mean that he’s married and a serial cheater.

I shake my head. That’s so silly. I doubt Dominic is the marrying type.

He remains silent as he listens to whatever this Sophie is telling him. I have a side profile of him, but it’s visible how his shoulders square. His lips curve in a boyish grin that knots my insides.

“Keep a close watch.” He traps his phone between his shoulder and his ear while shoving his legs in his boxer briefs and his trousers. “Give me numbers.” Silence before his lips lift in an accomplished smile. “Excellent.”

My stomach falls as he continues enumerating some technical terms. I silently open the door and head to the adjacent room. I find my clothes neatly folded on the sofa. I slip them on in silence.