Helen Bianchin - Seduction Assignment

A relief which proved short-lived when the phone rang again minutes later.

She tossed up whether to answer it or not, for she couldn’t discount the possibility it might be a legitimate call. Indecision warred for a few seconds, then she took a deep breath and unhooked the receiver.

Her heart sank. No answer, only heavy breathing. She resisted the temptation to crash the receiver down on its cradle. ‘Damn you,’ she said fiercely. ‘Try this again, and I’ll contact the police and have them put a trace on the line.’

There was the faint click of a receiver being replaced, then the hollow sound of a cut connection.

‘Problems?’

Anneke whirled at the sound of that deep, faintly accented voice, and saw Sebastian, tray in hand, standing just inside the kitchen door.

Her heart was thumping in her chest, and her eyes, she knew, were stark and wide. Control kicked in, and she forced her voice into even tones.

‘You heard.’ There was no point in pretending he hadn’t.

With ease, he crossed the room and deposited the tray on the servery. ‘You didn’t answer the question.’

Why fabricate? ‘Someone seems to be having fun at my expense.’

He leant a hip against the cabinet and regarded her carefully, noting a face devoid of colour, eyes that were far too dark. ‘How many such calls have you taken?’

‘That was the sixth call in three days, if you count my mobile.’

‘He’s persistent.’ He waited a beat. ‘Abusive?’

Anneke shook her head. ‘So far he hasn’t said a word.’

‘Tomorrow we notify the phone company and arrange an unlisted number.’ His eyes hardened, and he kept them partially hooded. ‘Shaef stays with you.’

‘ We ? I can take care of it. And I don’t need Shaef.’

‘It’s Shaef or me. Choose.’

She shot him a look of disbelief. ‘Aren’t you going just a tiny bit overboard with this?’

His eyes were obsidian, his gaze hard and unblinking. ‘No.’

Anneke drew in a deep breath, considered telling Sebastian to go take a running hike, then thought better of it.

‘It’s probably a random call by some idle teenager who, hearing a female voice on the line, has decided to play a stupid game.’

‘Maybe.’

‘You think it’s my ex-boss? If he’s caught, and I press charges, the Law Society will suspend him from practice,’ she qualified slowly. ‘Why take the risk?’

Sebastian’s gaze remained steady. ‘Some men get their kicks skating close to the edge.’

‘He already has my mobile number. Why not use that instead of the house phone?’

‘It’s too simple. He wants you to be aware he knows where you are.’

Her eyes darkened until they resembled the deepest emerald. Was Adam that cunning? That devious? She could recall telling him she had an aunt who lived in a cottage on a northern coastal beach, but she was willing to swear she hadn’t mentioned Aunt Vivienne’s surname, or which north-coast beach.

Get a grip, she mentally cautioned. You’re not in any danger.

‘Don’t answer the house phone, and switch your mobile onto voice mail.’

‘Any more instructions?’

‘Don’t be sassy.’

He loomed too close for comfort, and it took an effort not to step back a pace. ‘You’ve done your good deed for the day. Twice over.’

‘Is that a subtle hint for me to leave?’

‘I’d hate to keep you from your work.’

‘The computer can wait,’ Sebastian drawled, moving forward a pace. ‘This won’t.’

‘This’was his mouth on hers in what proved to be a devastating invasion. He possessed the touch, the instinctive mastery to make a kiss seem like an extension of the physical act itself.

Worse, to make a woman feel a kiss was nowhere near enough . That there was more, much more to savour in the realm of sensual delight.

A demanding lover, Sebastian Lanier would take everything a woman offered, and encourage her to give more.

Anneke suppressed a slight shiver. The reward would be magnificent, she acquiesced. Electrifying.

Her heart pounded, and her pulse raced almost out of control as he trailed his mouth to the edge of her jaw. She cried out as he savoured the column of her throat, and she arched her head to allow him greater access.

His hands were warm against her clothing as they moulded her close, and the barrier was something to be dispensed with as the need arose for skin against skin.

Sebastian was the first to move, tugging her blouse free, his fingers deft with buttons as he freed each and every one.

Her own sought purchase on soft cotton, and yanked hard until the tee-shirt slipped out from his waistband.

Dear Lord, he felt good. Hard ribs, corded muscles, broad back, wide shoulders. Her hands curved higher, then clung as he crushed her to him.

His mouth claimed, staked a possession that brooked no denial, and for one brief second she almost threw common sense out of the window.

Sebastian was aware the exact moment she began to retreat, and he reluctantly and very slowly broke the kiss, allowing his lips to brush hers, savouring each corner, then he pushed her gently to arm’s length.

‘I want to take you to bed.’ A faint smile curved his lips. ‘But I have the feeling you’d only hate me in the morning.’

As well as herself. Twisted sheets and an energetic coupling wasn’t on her agenda. With any man.

‘I’ll write down my phone number. Should anything go bump in the night, call me.’ He slid a hand to her cheek, cupped it, and traced her lips with his thumb. ‘OK?’

Anneke inclined her head fractionally.

‘I’ll whistle up Shaef.’

Five minutes later the Alsatian was instructed who he had to guard, and how. Both doors were securely locked, and Anneke settled herself in bed with a good book.

It was after eleven when she put out the light, and on the edge of sleep it was Sebastian’s image which came to mind. His sculpted features, the piercing grey eyes that saw too much.

Someone who had experienced more than his share, and had dealt with it. Only a fool would surmise otherwise.

She thought of his kiss, the way his mouth felt on her own, the familiarity of his hands as they moulded her body. And hated herself for wanting more.

CHAPTER SIX

ANNEKE woke early, stretched, then slid out of bed and almost stepped onto a sleek-coated animal curled protectively on the floor. A very large animal.

Oh, my God. Shaef .

Memory surfaced in one fell swoop, and a soft curse fell from her lips.

With considerable caution she skirted round the dog and crossed to the bathroom. The dog followed.

Five minutes later she returned to the bedroom, filching her swimsuit from the shower stall where she’d hung it over the taps to dry.

It fitted snug over her slender curves, and she pulled on sweat-shorts and top, then made her way into the kitchen.

Fresh orange juice added a certain zing to her palate, and she looked at the dog with a degree of doubt.

‘OK, I guess you need to go outside. Water,’ she declared decisively, and hunted for a bowl. ‘Food.’ The dog’s ears pricked at the mention of it.

Dammit, she was a cat person. Dogs gnawed on bones, ate meat, and munched on dry food. A goodly amount of each, she surmised, judging by Shaef’s size. None of which she had on hand.

‘Sorry, fella.’ She placed a bowl filled with water onto the floor. ‘This will have to do for now, then you can go home for breakfast.’

When she let him out of the back door, he promptly lolloped to the nearest tree, then, considerably more comfortable, returned to sit on the step.

‘Divided loyalties, pal. I’m going for a run along the beach. You get to choose whether you guard me or the house.’ She smiled and leant down to fondle one silky ear. ‘Personally, I’d go for the house.’