I decide to embrace the acting exercise and try to channel what Eden Crane would do.
I continue my breathing technique while I watch Max interact with his lady friend. She really is stunning. I dislike the sensation I get when she laughs and puts her hand on his chest. I dislike it even more when she stretches up to whisper in his ear. And when Max smiles as he cups her elbow, I get a pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth too hard.
No doubt she’s a client, but seeing him being so affectionate with another woman is ... irritating.
After the whispered exchange, she kisses him on the cheek, and I try to shake off my tension as I continue down the steps toward him.
When I’m almost to the bottom, he turns and sees me, and ... oh, dear Lord ... the expression on his face. It’s like the whole universe is expanding in his chest. His gaze sweeps all over me as I walk, and even though I try to play it cool, feeling my heart slamming against my ribcage makes that difficult.
When I stop in front of him, he shakes his head the tiniest amount before swallowing with effort. After a few seconds of staring, he says in a low voice, “Miss Crane, you’re ... stunning.”
Okay, so, yes. He’s playing a character, and so am I. I’m going to be someone else. Someone open to how he’s looking at me. Maybe even someone who’s able to be gracious.
I try to smile. “You’re too kind, Mr. Roberts.”
“Actually, I’m not.” He takes my hand and brings it up to his mouth where he presses a warm, lingering kiss to my skin. I feel those lips everywhere at once, as if the back of my hand it a conductor for every other cell in my body.
When he lowers my hand, he doesn’t let it go. “If I had a better vocabulary to describe how amazing you look, I’d use it. Unfortunately, ‘stunning’ is all I can come up with.”
I look away. Taking on his compliments is more difficult than I thought, especially when I’m trying to minimize my sarcasm.
“Is this what usually happens when you invite a woman out?” I ask, laughing off my tension. “You dress her up like a goddess then melt her panties with your sex voice?”
“Yes, that’s the general idea. At least, I hope the thing about melting your panties is true.” He glances at my body. “Are you wearing the underwear I bought you?” I give a tight nod. “Good. Then the mental image I have right now is accurate.”
I glance up at him and realize instantly it’s not a great idea. I’ve had men undress me with their eyes before, but that’s not what Max is doing. From what I can tell, he’s mentally tearing my clothes off with his teeth.
I squirm under his scrutiny. This is feeling way too intimate, and I’m not the slightest bit equipped to deal with him on this level. I shift my weight, becoming more and more uncomfortable every second.
“What are you doing?” he asks as I look anywhere but at him.
“I don’t know. This is too strange for me.”
“No, it’s not. Stop fidgeting and relax.” There’s an edge to his voice I haven’t heard before. Rough and bossy. Believably raw.
“Relaxing isn’t in my nature.” I close my eyes and roll my neck. Then I exhale and open my eyes to see him staring at me in concern. “I’m sorry. I’m trying.”
“I can see that.”
“You know, I ran into some interesting women upstairs. They gave me valuable advice.”
He looks wary. “Which was?”
“Stop fighting and surrender. I’m just not sure I’m the sort of person who can do that.”
“Then let me help you.” He steps closer and takes hold of my chin. “Tonight, you’ll do as you’re told. You’ll answer my questions truthfully, accept every compliment I give you, and not flinch away from me or how I make you feel. Am I clear?”
“I –”
“Don’t argue with me, Eden. Am ... I ... clear?” He looks like the god of thunder, ready to strike me down if I defy him.
“Yes. Clear.”
His eyelids get heavy as he continues to stare at me. “Good.” He steps back and glances at my neck. “Before we go any further, there’s one more gift I forgot to send.” He pulls a black velvet bag out of his pocket and turns it upside down into his palm. Inside is a stunning necklace, sparkling in the low light. I assume the stones are crystals, because if they were diamonds he’d need to hire a bodyguard to follow me around all night to make sure I didn’t lose it.
He puts the bag on a nearby table. “When you wear it, think of me.”
He holds it up to unclasp it, and even if it is costume jewelry, it’s still the most extravagant present I’ve ever received.
“Max, I can’t accept that. It’s –”
“... not up for discussion. Turn around, please.”
When I do, he reaches in front of me and leans close as he secures the clasp. I draw in a breath when he grazes his fingers along the edge of my shoulder. “Of all the women I know, Eden, you’re the one who deserves to be dripping in diamonds.”
I turn to him. “These are diamonds?”
“Do you think I’d give you glass?”
I touch the stones around my neck. “No, I just ...” I have no idea what’s going on right now. Is this a normal part of the scenario? Are they really diamonds, or are we just playing pretend?
“Eden?” When I look at him, I see his expression has softened. “Don’t fight it.”
I take a step back. I’m too hot and way too vulnerable. “I need a drink.”
He steps forward and cups my face. “No. No more drinking tonight.” He looks into my eyes. “You’re going to be stone-cold sober when you ask me to kiss you later, because there’s no way I’m letting you blame what’s going to happen between us on alcohol.”
I can’t stop staring at him. “I’m not here to kiss you. I’m here for the story.”
“Actually, you’re here to understand my methods and my clients. Kissing plays into both of those.” He glances at my lips. “And I’m going to enjoy every second while I thoroughly explain myself to you.”
The tension between us is reaching uncomfortable levels when I hear buzzing. With an apologetic look, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. When he glances at the screen, his face looks like the sky before a tornado.
“Excuse, Miss Crane. I have to take this.”
He stalks off to the side of the room and disappears into an open hallway. I look around, feeling conspicuously alone. I know he walked away to have privacy, but I’m curious about who on earth could make him look so murderous.
I casually make my way over to the hallway and peek around the corner. He’s nowhere to be seen.