The Burlington Manor Affair
“Have I?” The way he smiled, so knowingly, was unbearable.
“You said you were willing to do a deal, to pass ownership. I mean to buy you out.” Her face heated when she realized that she’d inadvertently referred to the ludicrous offer he’d made.
Rex stared across at her. There was such deliberation flickering in those eyes of his. “I did mention a deal.”
“And I told you I came here to discuss a monetary exchange.” She shot the response back quickly, eager to clarify.
“I’m not interested in the monetary exchange. You knew that, and yet you still came.” He lounged back in his chair, and ran his fingers along the edge of the table while he observed her.
“Might I remind you that I own fifty percent of this property. That’s why I came.”
“And you want to own one hundred percent.”
“Exactly.” She narrowed her eyes at him. It was imperative that she stress her seriousness on the matter.
“My offer remains the same. Four weekends in my bed, during which time I can have you—sexually, any way I choose. That’s my deal. Take it or leave it.”
He’d said it again, as if it was so simple. The idea of it shocked her to the core, but it was undeniably arousing. Desire flared at his suggestion, intense and palpable.
Rex cocked his head. “If I’m not mistaken, the idea interests you.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“I’ll give you the property outright at the end of the time.”
Carmen fumed silently as she considered her reply. Even while she searched for ways to emphatically deny him, her mind and body launched a wave of erotic scenarios on her, sending her libido wild. Stray, errant questions forced their way into her consciousness. Why not? It was just sex. Haven’t you always wanted him? No, it would be fatal. She couldn’t afford the heartache. The logical part of her, the businesswoman, reminded her that Rex had his obli
gations in the racing circuit. If she could bargain with him for a sale, then the house would be hers. “I insist you consider a more rational exchange. I’m not giving in to such an outrageous whim on your behalf.”
“No?” He inclined his head at her. “You already appear to be giving in to my whims...as you call them...by degrees.” He nodded at the dress she was wearing.
Carmen bristled, regretting the so-called gesture of goodwill he’d requested.
“It’s only a matter of time,” he continued. “We both know that. It’s always been a matter of time before you and I ended up in bed together.”
Carmen gave a dismissive laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not some bimbo you can toy with and then cast aside.”
“On that point we are agreed. You’re definitely no bimbo. Alas, that makes you all the more attractive to me.”
His dangerous charm had not faded one iota. Instead, his devious talent had magnified and he wielded it with ease and cunning. A master of seduction, he thought he could have any woman he wanted.
“Tell me,” he added, “if you don’t want to sleep with me, why did you come here?”
Try as she might, Carmen couldn’t summon a response—because she wanted him, wanted him so badly that she felt as if she’d lost her mind. How could it be even worse than before?
She hated him for it. Her pride was in danger, but even though she felt it slipping away she couldn’t muster the strength to hold on to it.
The sight of him made her weak with lust.
It hadn’t gone away, and now it was even worse.
It was completely unmanageable.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE BRITTLE TENSION Carmen gave off failed to dim her beauty. Instead, it drew Rex to her. It made him want her even more. This situation with the ownership of the estate was, quite simply, the perfect opportunity to pursue her. Never had he felt so eager and willing to be here at the house.
The startled look in her eyes accentuated her fragility and her unusual looks. Those dark chocolate eyes of hers were so expressive, and the way her hair was cut, tapered under the jaw, seemed to emphasize that even more. She’d matured into a lovely creature and the old craving he’d harbored for her suddenly felt insignificant compared to what was stacking up now.