Billion Dollar Bad Boy (Big City Billionaires)(24)

After all, I still was.

Now, leaning into the booth, I sipped my cocktail too fast. “Different than what? The first time we met up, I wasn't exactly in my element.”

Considering my question, he lingered on it more than seemed right. Then he shook his head, mouth turning into a half frown. “In general. It's like your mind isn't fully here.”

He's right, I thought sullenly. A sliver of my brain had been focused on my meeting with Detective Roose. He'd crept into my life like a black beast from an old nightmare. Everything had been going so great, I didn't want to dredge up my damn history from five years back.

I won't let that guy ruin my mood. Forcing a smile, I gave Silver my most brash grin. “Maybe I'm just thinking about all the amazing things you've done for me.”

“You mean you've been enjoying my gifts.”

“Very much so.” I lifted a finger, brushing one of the mercury-folds of my gown pointedly.

“I'm glad,” he said softly. “But I wonder if you've enjoyed all of my gifts?”

It took me a second, but the wolfish edge to his mouth gave him away. I knew what he was referring to, and it made my knees push together. Oh yes, I'd 'enjoyed' the special vibrator he'd sent my way. Shit, was my whole face glowing red?

Winking, he sipped from his glass. “I'm proud of that toy. I spent a while designing it.”

“Is that what you do?” I asked, leaping at any info about him. “You design—ah, sex toys?” My blush was growing hotter.

“I do a lot of things, my hands are in a few companies. I like to stay busy.”

“You mean you run multiple businesses?” My eyes popped wide. “That sounds exhausting.” It also explained his obvious income.

Silver cocked his head. “I have a partner. He helps run things behind the scenes, the less exciting areas.”

That word, 'exciting.' It had me thinking about the vibrating purple dildo all over again. “I can't get over the fact that you sell...” I covered one side of my mouth. “Sex toys.”

He waved his hand in the air. “I don't sell toys. I design an interaction. An encounter. I want to make sure whoever uses them remembers the experience that I gave them.”

His eyes focused on me, catching fire as the chandelier glinted off of them.

I swallowed and mumbled, “That's kind of arrogant.”

His face fell, and I realized what I'd said. I winced, but he cut off my explanation with a loud laugh. Holding his forehead, he peeked at me through his fingers. His smile was raw, real. “That's more like it. I love that kind of honesty.”

Fidgeting, I finished my drink and willed another to appear from thin air. “What I meant was—”

“Don't apologize.” He lowered his voice. “It is arrogant. That's who I am. I know what I want, and usually... I can figure out what other people want.” His fingers crossed over, brushing mine. “Did you come while thinking about me?”

My brain sizzled, white hot energy stealing my thoughts.

“That good?” he asked. “Wait until you play with the real thing.”

I rocked on my chair, enjoying the pressure that came from scissoring my thighs. I was still buzzing from his sensual massage, but more than that, he was getting into my head.

Just like with his very first letter.

“Who are you?” I whispered.

He gripped my wrist, his sinful aura covering me. “I'm the man who's going to f*ck you until you see stars. When I take you, it won't be with just my mouth. Or my hands. Or my cock. I'm going to make you mine down to your very soul. And then I'm going to go even deeper.”

It was a wonder that I could keep from gasping out loud. My nipples were tingling from how solid they were, rubbing at the gown's material. I felt like one big, pulsing vein, everything was connected to the shaking muscles in my lower belly.

I said, “I meant what kind of man are you. Who sends packages to a stranger, who takes someone to a sex club? This money, this attention... I don't understand you.”

“Of course you do.” His fingers trailed down my arm, but they never left. “You understand who I am because you're the same as me.”

That made my spine go stiff. “I'm nothing like you,” I laughed bitterly. “I'm plain, I'm boring. The most exciting part of my day used to be when a new show I could marathon dropped on Netflix.”

Silver breathed out, managing to bring his face ever closer to mine. I could see nothing but him. “You're exactly like me, Pet, otherwise you wouldn't be here. But if you doubt this side of you... the brave and curious part that would go to a sex club, or fantasize about someone while grinding on a vibrator he's sent her...”

Fuck, could I be any redder?

He said, “If you're confused, then maybe we should help you find out how far you're willing to go.” His teeth flashed, and I imagined them on my jaw. “Let me help you understand who you are.”

My voice sounded like a breeze through a corn field. “What do you mean?”

“You could have backed out of everything... if you really wanted to. But you didn't. I want to see where your desires truly lie, what darkness lives deep in your bones, what wickedness sleeps in your core.”