Of course, he was implying that it was her taste on the straw that was doing it for him, and she seemed to freeze at the implication of his words, a response that he knew was reflexive and not one she probably cared for. As a soft blush bloomed on her cheekbones, a blush that he instinctively knew she hated, the reason he was stalking her became secondary. There was no question that he wanted satisfaction against her family, but now, more compelling than that, was the need he felt to pin her down naked to a flat surface.
Was it because she was a Rule? Did that make her more enticing to him? The answer that came to him was no, her family ties had nothing to do with his compulsion to find a place where they could be alone so that he could strip her naked. It was all her.
While he admitted the truth to himself, she remained silent, mixed messages shooting from her eyes. He took the straw from his lips and put it back in her glass, another small intimacy he felt the need for—mixing his bodily fluids with hers—even in this small way.
Unable to resist touching her, in fact feeling a compulsion he had no intention of fighting, he reached across the space that divided them and held out his right hand. “Max Santiago.” While his number one purpose was to maneuver her into being alone with him, he still had enough snap to know he needed to remain somewhat incognito. She very well might be acquainted with the Villarreal name, and if so, his reputation.
She glanced down at his hand, and slowly, her tongue came out and she licked her lips before placing her palm precisely in his—as if making a carefully considered decision. “Erin Rule.”
As he touched her for the first time, a wave of possession overcame him, almost flooring him; it was now only a matter of time before he owned her completely, but he had to keep his reactions in check—he didn’t own her yet. He shook her hand, enjoying the soft feel of her skin, then released it and quickly exchanged it for her left hand, which he’d already known would be ring-free. She let out a semi-startled breath at his quick maneuver, so he loosened his hold somewhat, not wanting to push too hard, at least for the moment. “Just checking for rings, sweetheart. No need to panic. There can only be two people involved in what I have planned for us.”
Her pulse showed in her throat and he knew she was trying to regain control of a situation that was spiraling away from her. “You’re cocky,” she snapped from lips that glimmered.
He smiled demonically and retaliated quickly. “You’re beautiful.”
Her eyes narrowed even as interest radiated from them. “Does this approach usually work for you?”
“It’s not my habit to fail, if that’s what you’re asking me,” he boasted without hesitation.
Her eyes sharpened. “Well, I repeat, I’m not leaving with you.”
“All right—that’s a fair warning. You’re wrong, of course, but I’m going to give you credit for a fair warning,” he said with a half-smile that he forced to his lips. Play the part, Villarreal. Tease her—make her think she has a damn choice in the matter.
“Now you’re being arrogant as well as cocky.”
“Yeah?” He casually looked around before focusing on her brown eyes once again, the hint of challenge in his voice something he couldn’t contain. “How else do you suppose I should go about getting what I want?”
She began shaking her head, not as if she didn’t know how to answer, but as if she were turning him down, looking at him from underneath her eyelashes with just enough rejection to make him even more determined. He wanted to get back at the Rule family, yeah, but even if that weren’t his main concern, this girl would tempt him no matter what the circumstances.
“You’re delusional,” she enunciated clearly.
“I’m honest,” he shot back, knowing he was being anything but.
“You’re cocky and arrogant and too damn bold for your own good.” Her gaze drifted to his lips for a second, filling Max with heat, letting him know that no matter how much she was fighting it, she was feeling the sexual pull as well. “But you are good-looking, I’ll give you that,” she stated with sexy, narrowed eyes.
Her words confirmed her sexual interest, and even though every instinct he possessed was demanding that he extract her from the restaurant and get her on his private jet—willing or not—he steeled his guts and answered as non-threateningly as he could manage. “Honey, I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me. At least you’ve noticed me.” Fuck—he sounded like a prick. How long could he possibly keep up this bullshit?
She refrained from answering so he continued, “We’re in Las Vegas, sweetness. Who or what could it possibly harm if we spent some time together? You’re not married, are you?” He forced himself to frown, continuing to play his role, knowing damn good and well that her single status was the only reason he was allowing himself to move in the direction he was going.