probably bluffing but she couldn’t take that risk . T he more she thought about Carlotti and what he might be prepared to do to get the information she had the more she realised that disappearing for a while wasn’t a bad idea. But did it have to be with Matthew Dark?
“I don’t have the time to go anywhere, I’ve a job to find, rem ember,” she reminded him.
She’d never imagined Matthew would react like this. She’d expected him to be angry, she’d stolen from him and she’d betrayed his trust but never once had she considered that he’d want to hide her away , take her prisoner . And wh ere did that leave their relationship, she wondered. That was if it ever had a chance . Dark’s attitude to women was so selfish that the only relationship he’d tolerate was one run strictly on his terms .
“No, what you need to do is to pack a few things and find your passport,” he continued taking no notice of her complaints. “I’m not leaving here without you so the sooner you get on with it the more time you’ll have to get organised.”
So that was why he’d been so keen to accompany her to her home. He’d known all along what he intended to do.
“You don’t have to worry, Mrs Deverell,” he said turning to Grace. “ This is for the best and I can assure you Gina won’t come to any harm. In fact, she really is one very lucky young woman. I’m about to whisk her off for a f ew weeks of wonderful surroundings, glorious food and warm sunshine.”
Gina didn’t know what to think. Whisk her off but to where, she wondered? In what far flung corner of the word was he going to imprison her? But on the plus side this little bombshell did have its upside. Now she’d get to spend some time with him, quality time she could use to mend a few fences. Matthew Dark, despite his dubious sexual predilections, fascinated and intrigued her to the point of obsession.
“Come on then, Gina, let’s go and pack your stuff,” he said taking her hand and helping her off the chair. “We have a plane to catch later on today.”
Gina didn’t really have much choice and led the way up to her flat at the top of the house. She had a living room, small bathroom and a bedroom. She took a suitcase from a storage cupboard on the landing and placed it open on her bed. Dark sat himself down on a cushioned wicker chair and watched her choosing which clothes to take.
“I’ll be very warm where we’re going, so think shorts, tops and sandals,” he advised checking his watch. “Perhaps something dressier for the evenings , ” he suggested.
“So we’re going to socialise, are we? And just how will you introduce me to your friends, as your captive, your captive spy who you daren’t let out of your sight,” she scoffed.
“I might, but then whose fault is that,” he asked dryly. “But perhaps if we can get past this then I could introduce you as my ‘captive lover’. Does that label suit you better?”
He watched her - a half smile lingering on his lips as she shook her lovely head and considered this . Gina’s heart missed a beat. So he did still want a relationship with her. Now she was nervous again as she realised what that would mean.
“I think i t does. I think that title suits you perfectly, Gina . The words ‘captive’ and ‘lover’ in the same breathe, what do you think? ” He asked her . “You know very well , after this afternoon, you’d like to give my brand of sex a go. You might be able to fool yourself for a while but you can’t fool me.”
He was looking at her again with that moody, sexy look he did so well. It made Gina’s heart race and her toes curl. He’d got her so right – seen right through her - to her very core but she couldn’t just admit it – could she?
“You know nothing about me Matthew Dark so don’t go making any
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