Satisfied 2X

“You are sexy as sin, sweetheart.” He reached for her hand, drawing her wrist toward his face. She blushed when he turned her hand over and kissed the inside of her palm. She was worried this time they both saw her shiver.

“Shall we?” Drew offered his arm. Hunter was quick to follow on her other side.

Alison let them lead her to the dining room, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that they eyed her as if they wished she was tonight’s dessert.

Seven

Alison

She didn’t know if she could eat. The only thing that made any sense was to douse the night in alcohol. Lots of it.

Drew sat on one side of her and Hunter on the other. They acted as if this a normal dinner. There was nothing normal about it. Alison was determined they wouldn’t forget it.

She wasn’t here voluntarily. Only moments ago she was scouting a way out of this palace prison. The hand-laid stone and the imported glass didn’t make it a home.

“Do you like your room?” Drew asked.

Alison pushed her salad around on her plate.

“It will be fine.”

Hunter’s eyes bore into hers. “Would you like to look at another suite? You could move. You can take your pick.”

“It won’t make a difference.”

“If you don’t like it, you can move, Alison.”

“Can I? Really? How generous of you both.” She glared at them. “Is sleeping in my own bed an option?”

“While you are staying here, this is your home. You can choose any room you like. There are several that might make you feel more comfortable.” Drew didn’t take her bait. He was calm. His voice almost too cool.

She dropped her fork on the plate with a clatter. “Nothing you can do other than letting me go with my full freedom is going to make me feel comfortable.”

Hunter pressed his lips together. “We can’t let you go, Alison.”

She reached for the wine, eager to feel the numbness take over her thoughts. “I figured. Why would you?”

“Exactly. Why would we?” Hunter seemed satisfied with his rhetorical response. There was something about him that exuded masculinity. He was broad chested. His shoulders expansive. The tuxedo seemed to stretch at the seams to accommodate him.

“I think if you give this situation time, you’ll enjoy living here. You can have anything you want.” Drew tried to make the situation better. His eyes were softer than Hunter’s. He had long lashes that were hard to ignore.

“The only thing I want is my freedom, but that’s not an option.”

“No. It’s not.” Hunter refilled her glass. “You might as well drink up and enjoy the night.”

“But not too much,” Drew warned. “We all have a full day at the office tomorrow.”

The office. Again, he tried to make something surreal sound normal.

“I’m not sure I completely understand what you expect me to do for HiTech Global. Maybe you could fill me in.” Alison sat in her chair and waited for a response.

Hunter leaned forward on his elbows. “I’d much rather get to know you. We can talk work tomorrow.”

“I think it’s a fair question.” Drew took a sip of wine. “We could use a talented artist. I’m hoping that’s you.”

Alison twisted her lips together. “I’d like to propose a deal of my own.”

Hunters eyebrows rose. “Really? Like what?”