And that was exactly what he was. A powerful, magnificent, predator. He’d wasted no time proving it to her, either. The way he’d treated her… Making her stand naked before him. Watching her dress. Putting his hands on her.
His hands.
An electric tingle shot through her body.
What a horrible thing to have done. Touching her so intimately. Caressing her nipples. Pretending he was searching her and cupping her breasts. Touching her between her thighs.
She shuddered.
She’d hated it. Hated him…
Hated herself for responding. For wanting to moan as much as she’d wanted to weep. For wanting to close her eyes. Lean back. Feel his hard body supporting hers. Turn in his arms, seek his mouth…
Mia swung away and stared blindly out the window.
She knew why he’d done it. It was all about power. Domination. Making it clear that he was in charge. She even knew…she shut her eyes, then opened them again. She even knew why she’d had those insane reactions when he touched her.
In situations as highly charged as this, fear could give way to something darker. A bond, between captor and captive.
It could benefit him by making her compliant.
Or it could benefit her.
Unless she’d read him wrong, he was attracted to her. She swallowed dryly. False modesty was stupid at a time like this. He was more than attracted.
He wanted her.
Maybe sex and violence were all part of the same thing in his head.
Knowing that, understanding it, could give her power. She could use his desire. Work him. Finesse him. God
help her, seduce him, if she had to.
And the probability was that she’d have to because if he took her back to Cartagena…
If he did, she was as good as dead.
Hamilton would have her killed. What she’d suspected about him had made her dangerous. What she’d found and taken before she left, marked her for removal.
At least she had some kind of a chance with this man.
Mia cleared her throat, then looked at him.
“You’re wrong, you know.”
He glanced at her. Was that amusement in his eyes?
“Really.”
She nodded. “You know my name. I should know yours.”
“Meaning, I’ve forgotten my manners?” His tone mocked her. Then, to her surprise, he nodded. “Why not? I’m Matthew. Matthew Knight.”
“And you work for…?”
“I don’t work for anybody.”
“You’re a private contractor.”