EIGHT

Reneigh

I sat back in the seat as if this was nothing more than a date, yet my heart was racing, my blood pumping. The single glance of him had created a wave of heat, much like it had before. I was sick to my stomach, another round of embarrassment settling in. I was thankful it was dark. He didn't deserve the satisfaction of seeing me unnerved in any way.

When he leaned over until his hot breath cascaded across my face, I had to fight to keep from slapping him. I knew that would garner me more discipline and I could only imagine what that would be. I applauded myself inwardly when I didn't shrink away, merely turning my head slowly to stare into his gorgeous eyes. "Do you need something?"

He seemed genuinely amused, the laugh sultry, sending a wave of tingles dancing down my spine. Why did his cologne have to seem so exotic, like the forest mixed with the finest spices from China?

"You should always fasten your seatbelt, Reneigh. I don't want anything to happen to my prize." As I would have expected, he performed the deed himself, his hand brushing ever so gently against my breast, sending a shower of electricity. I loathed the way he said my name, as if chastising a bad little girl.

"I can take care of myself, thank you," I countered, double checking the fastener just to piss him off.

He chuckled again, easing back into his seat. "I must ask. Did you wear everything I sent?"

I knew exactly what he meant. "If you mean the wretched plug, I did. Just as instructed."

"As I said, I will check. I am a man of my word."

"I'm sure you think you are."

Sighing, he leaned forward. I hadn't noticed the bottle of champagne or the crystal flutes. If he thought he could ply me with alcohol to get what he wanted, he had another think coming. There was no question about whether I wanted a glass, he simply poured. The moment our fingers touched, the wildfire I'd felt before reappeared, dancing through me like bottle rockets.

He opened his eyes wider, the light from a flashing sign outside highlighting them in a dazzling manner. The man was entirely too handsome.

Damn it.

"We don't have to make this a difficult weekend," Elijah said quietly.

"Then don't make it one."

I jerked the glass away, giving him a wry smile.

"You're a fascinating woman, Reneigh, much more so than I'm used to. You have a brilliant mind, your education suggesting you should be working for a top-notch firm handling every aspect of their finances. However, you have less than four hundred dollars in your bank account and no savings. The car you own is fourteen years old and in truth, you'll need to junk it within a year. Your credit score is in the toilet, the house you live in belonged to your parents, and you can't afford to install the new roof. I daresay the leaks must be horrific, especially this time of year. That begs the question. What did you do with the money you stole from me?"

Once again, I glared at him. He was so damn comfortable in his skin, making fun of my life while we were riding in an eighty-thousand-dollar vehicle. "I've worked hard, Mr. Storm, whether you believe that or not. Life isn't always a picnic, hand delivered just because of our last name."

"Wow. Ouch. That really hurt. Let's put this into perspective, Reneigh. You steal from my company for months and when caught, you truly believe you're the victim. I give you a way out and you balk at everything I ask of you."

"I don't like secrets."

"And I don't appreciate liars and thieves," he said quietly. "And the truth is you don't know anything about me."

The tension was difficult.

"That's where you're wrong, Mr. Storm. You've had the best that money could buy, including the most expensive boarding schools in both Boston and Paris, where you graduated from high school at sixteen. You are Harvard educated and while you didn't graduate first in your class, your 3.8 GPA was still outstanding. You started at your father's firm at sixteen over the summers, working your way up to vice president by the time you were twenty-five and now part owner. From what I can tell, you have several legitimate businesses, although your tactics are ruthless at best. I also know how you treat people, how you don't give a shit. You parade yourselves off to be philanthropists while destroying all who come against you. I'd say I know you pretty well, wouldn't you?"

Elijah lifted his glass. "Touché, Reneigh. Nicely done."

"What I find profoundly sad is that your father sent you away only one month after your mother walked out of your luxurious house and your lives. That seems very cruel in my opinion, but what do I know? After all, from what I've read and seen displayed in the beautiful set of steel and glass offices, you are exactly like him. If I had to make a prediction, Elijah, I'd say you were going to find yourself all alone one day with only your money to keep you company."

I don't know why I regretted the words the moment I said them, but I did.

Even in the raw and ugly shadows, I noticed how his jaw clenched, the flash of real anger directed solely at me. "You know nothing about my family, Ms. Han. That subject is entirely off limits. Do you understand me?"

If I didn't know better, I could swear there was utter and profound sadness in his voice for a family that he'd never been allowed to have.

"Do you?" he snapped when I didn't answer right away.

"Yes. Yes! I'm very sorry. Everyone deserves to have a family." Still, my tone sounded conceited.

He took a drink of his champagne, but I heard the growl coming from his throat. I'd crossed more than one line. As part of me had wanted nothing more than to destroy their reputation if nothing else, but in getting to know Elijah, I wasn't certain I wanted to hurt the man.

A full two minutes ticked by and I didn't have to look at him to know he was doing everything to calm his anger, but who exactly was it directed toward?

I shuddered as I glanced out the window, realizing that we were heading toward the entertainment district in San Diego. "Where are we going?

"We are going to a very swanky party given by my father at the Pendry. Have you been there before?"

"Given you know everything about my financial situation, I'm going to guess you know the answer." The Pendry was well known, the lavish establishment far removed from my price range.

"My father does appreciate fine art, his love of finding new talent well known. Several artists have gone on to make many thousands of dollars after a nod from my father. There is a very special artist, whose collection is being highlighted at the hotel. The party is for the Commission of the Arts. We will be staying at the hotel tonight. While a little quaint for my tastes, it will do for a single night."

I shuddered just hearing that I'd be forced to stay with him. "Since I was required to bring a suitcase, I will assume that there is another part of this... journey."

"Journey. What an excellent word and you are correct. Tomorrow, we fly out to Vail for a couple of days."

"I don't ski," I stated, as if that mattered in the least.

"Soon, you will learn as you will with many aspects of life." He leaned over once again, gripping my chin. "I assure you, Reneigh, that the time you will be required to spend with me will have pleasurable moments. However, as I said to you before, you now belong to me. You will be at my side when and how I desire, no matter what I require of you, and you will show me absolute respect. You will be a good little girl in front of the associates, my father, and at any event that we attend together. Anything less and you will be punished. Severely. When our time is finished, as noted in the contract, you will be allowed to go free. Do I make myself clear?"

"Is there anything else?"

"Mmm... Yes, my sweet cherie. Before the end of our time together, I. Will. Break. You." As he crushed his mouth over mine, thrusting his tongue inside as he dug his fingers into my skin, a series of shivers collided with a sharp jolt of electricity.

I made a promise to myself. No matter the attraction, he. Would. Fail.