Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(12)

Unless he was with her. The tantalizing thought floated through her mind like a butterfly refusing to be netted.

He turned back to her, his eyes growing cold. “And were you the only one to watch me?”

“We do not cater to voyeurs—not unless the client wishes to be watched.” She felt her own hackles rise. She’d worked hard to make sure that everything that happened between her walls involved willing participants.

“So it was only you.” His voice softened, slightly. “And how long did you watch?”

“It only takes a few seconds to ensure that everything is fine.”

“So you watched for only a few seconds?”

“Why would I watch for more? It was clear you were not hurting Tilly.” She had to force the girl’s name from her mouth. She must remember what this was really about, how it was that she made her living.

“I notice you are not answering.” Did his lips curve, even if just slightly?

“Yes, I watched you—for some time. I quite like dragons.” She had to force herself to hold his gaze; she would not be cowed. She was a woman of some experience. She could manage this.

One of his hands dropped to his waistband and skimmed across his belly, stroking the hiding beast. “You did watch.”

“Yes.” Keep it simple. She was a woman. He was an attractive man. There was nothing wrong with staying with those facts. “I had never seen anything like it. I’ve seen tattoos, of course. Not all that many. My normal patrons do not sport them and not many sailors can afford my house. It is quite something.” She allowed her eyes to drop to the hand that still stroked across his hips.

“So, you like him?” Another stroke.

She could almost imagine the dragon moving as his hand stroked his muscles. Only in her imagination it was not his hand that stroked, but her own.

Stop it, she told herself firmly. “It does not matter what I like. I am here for business, not pleasure.” Reaching into her bodice, she pulled out the small piece of cloth she’d wrapped about Tilly’s coins. The parcel spun in the air as she tossed it to him. “Here. Let me know if it is all there. I do not know how much you gave her. I trust my girls, but I always check.”

He grabbed the parcel in the air, his eyes locked on her bodice, and the fingers that still hesitated there. “I am sure it is fine.”

“Check.”

He opened the fabric and glanced down. “It’s here.”

“Did Madame Hawkes agree to help you? Did you find a girl for your mate?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I did not ask. I still think Tilly is the girl.”

“You mean you don’t think one pretty whore is as good as another?” The harsh words spat from her lips. A reminder.

He took a step nearer.

She wanted to back away, but held her ground.

Another step. His eyes fastened on her lips. “No. I’ve always seen women as quite different. I definitely do not find one as good as another.”

Small fires glowed in her belly. She must put them out—she must. “Then should I send her to you? You clearly have the money to pay.” Her eyes fastened on the cloth-covered coins. This was business. Business.

“No. I’ve decided that Tilly is for Thompson. I don’t know how yet, but I will make it happen. And I do not like to share.” His eyes blazed in the candlelight.

Neither did she. Her foot lifted to step toward him. Why not? It would be so easy. This room did not have peepholes. Nobody would ever know. Her breath quickened. It had been so long. She deserved this, deserved him.

She stepped back, turned, drew in a breath. “Is there no way you can get Thompson here?”

“At the moment I am considering throwing him over my shoulder and just carrying him. I am not sure, however, that it would do much for his sense of being a man.” He took another step, following her, a cat on the prowl. Or the hunt.

This must be stopped. She must not let herself feel this way. She knew better. “If our business is finished then I will take my leave. I must take care of that little situation you just witnessed—make sure the girl really was willing. And then I must smile and make sure all are welcome.”

She turned to leave. “Do you wish me to send you a girl other than Tilly?” The words had to be said.

“What I saw in the hallway. The woman with the whip. The welts on her thighs. The bound girl within the room. Does that happen often here?”

Was the captain getting ideas? She did hope not. Bondage had never been to her taste, although her tastes did not matter, not in the slightest. She did not look back at him. “If you mean the disturbance, no, my house is very orderly. If you mean a little mastery and control, Madame Rouge’s is known for it, although only between willing partners. My girls are rarely involved. Most who seek mastery are not seeking to pay for it. I only supply the rooms and the equipment. Are you interested? There’s often a willing player waiting.”

“God, no. I am a man for simplicity. Quite happy with a good hard f*ck. Never have understood the need for toys.”

Was he a little embarrassed by the conversation? His voice had become suddenly clipped.

She smiled over her shoulder. “I don’t know. Some toys can be quite—quite fun.” Let him think on that.

“I would like the room for the night. This room.”