Exactly at six, a black SUV pulled up outside my house, with two other identical vehicles in front and behind blocking street traffic. I'd been ready for the last hour, pacing, nerves jumping in my belly. Now that he'd arrived, my pulse leapt, lodging in my throat. With trembling hands, I gathered my purse and a royal blue wrap to go over the sequin-covered square neck of my little black dress. The flirty mid-thigh-length chiffon skirt swirled around my legs as I locked the deadbolt and carefully descended the uneven stairs to the street where the same black-clad driver held the rear door open for me.

As I stepped up, Paz extended his hand, pulling me in and tucking me against him with his arm around my shoulders. Those black eyes cast a heated wave over my skin.

"You look stunning, Anna," he purred, as he brought my hand to his lips.

His deep voice sent shivers down my back, with no lessening of the impact in the sixteen hours we'd been apart. The press of his lips against my skin made my breath catch and nipples peak. It seemed I was just as susceptible to him as last night, regardless of what I'd learned in my internet stalking.

"Thank you. You do as well," I murmured. And it was the absolute truth. Almost as if he'd known, he'd paired a black suit and a royal blue shirt, again with the first few buttons undone showing a glimpse of bronze chest. The pop of colour brought out the deep tone of his skin, the midnight of his hair, eyes, and shadow on his jaw. How did one man look so entirely scrumptious yet radiate such lethal menace? I'd normally be the first to run from such a red flag, but instead, I wanted to climb onto his lap.

Those sensuous lips twitched, a little curl to the edges, and remembering what he'd done with that mouth last night had me squeezing my thighs against the slick arousal building.

"It's dangerous the way you look at me, little one. It makes me want to forget my plans and start devouring you right here." He emphasized the last few words, and I bit back my whimper, mashing my lower lip between my teeth.

Paz growled and lifted me sideways onto his lap, his hand at the nape of my neck clenched in my hair and his other at the front of my throat, caressing my thundering pulse. I squeaked at the sudden change in position, unable to move in his hold, not that I wanted to. Instead, I clung to his suit jacket.

"You are such a wicked temptation. You have no idea what you do to me, Anna. The lengths I'd go to have you. Tell me to stop, to not kiss you," he rumbled as his mouth descended.

But I didn't want him to stop. God, no. I wanted that kiss more than I wanted to breathe and I strained towards him. He halted, our lips a centimetre from touching. I pushed against his hold, trying to reach him. A smile flirted on his mouth as he held me like that for a few aching seconds, then closed the distance and took possession. Like a spark devouring dry grasses, the kiss turned incendiary. His tongue parted my lips, delving in teasing, taunting touches that had me following, chasing after him. His grip at my scalp tightened, and the kiss grew more forceful, almost bruising in its intensity, and I squirmed at the heat coiling within me.

When he drew back, my eyes flew open, and I panted, not wanting him to stop. Damn it, I wanted more.

Paz chuckled, tugging gently at the hair at my nape while caressing my lower lip with his thumb. "We've arrived at the restaurant. No dessert before dinner, little one. As much as I'm tempted."

The man in the front passenger seat exited the vehicle, opened my door, and helped me out. Paz followed, then rested his hand on my back, heat and possession radiating from his touch. A second black-clad man walked beside us, with another in front and more behind. Had Paz had these bodyguards last night? Had I been that oblivious, blinded by the erotic fog woven by the sensual man at my side? With wide eyes, I caught the glimpse of a holstered gun when the first bodyguard opened the door to the restaurant, his dead flat eyes scanning the surroundings as he ushered us inside. The complete lack of expression on his face was chilling, and I had to fight the instinctive shiver. These were very focused, intensely dangerous men, and there was nothing casual about the way they moved around us, ensuring others couldn't approach.

Perhaps it was normal for the wealthy to travel with multiple cars of armed bodyguards, but it was certainly beyond my experience. It definitely gave credence to the rumours I'd read. Was he actually associated with organized crime? With the Turkish mafia? Somehow, I couldn't see Paz taking orders from anyone, nor bending to another's will. I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Did that mean he was a mafia boss? A wave of cold swept down my spine.

Paz looked down, meeting my gaze at the same time I turned my head towards him, a little smile on his lips and a warm glint in those dark eyes. Unnerving to think of his connections, perhaps, but maybe I didn't care. He'd certainly never given me any reason to fear him, despite his lethal aura. That commanding attitude was insanely arousing. So damn sexy.

God, maybe I had gone a little nuts. Maybe I should be more worried about getting in deeper with Paz.

Ah, cork it, I told the little niggle of doubt. If I left things up to you, you'd be crying over Netflix and still unaware there were real men in the world with far more experience than your two lame ex-boyfriends who couldn't find your clit on a map and thought oral sex was kinky. My fingers reached into my clutch, rubbing the lucky coin between the pads of my fingertips. To hell with my doubts. I was going to enjoy myself.

"Right this way, Mr. Deabru," the impeccably dressed and groomed maître d' said. Not a hair out of place in his short, clipped hairstyle and with sharp pleats in his tailored black pants, he led us to a quiet table overlooking Elliott Bay. The sun reflected off the waves in a sparkling dance of light that lit up the space. The bodyguards—holy cow, ten of them—sat at the nearest three tables with the closest still more than four metres away. Seriously Anna, how had I missed the bodyguards last night? I couldn't imagine the restaurant was unique in needing more security compared to the nightclub.

Pushing the issue of my past complete obliviousness out of my mind, I focused on the menu in my hands and the waiter who'd arrived in a crisp white shirt and black pants, waiting to take our drink choices.

"Do you drink wine, Anna?" Paz asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Yes."

"We'll have the Pierre Gimonnet & Fils champagne with the oysters rockefeller to start," Paz ordered after a quick glance at the menu.

The waiter gave him a little nod. "Yes, sir. I'll have that right out for you." He left and before I'd decided what I wanted, he'd returned with the wine, displaying the dark green bottle with its white label and silver foil-wrapped top to Paz for his inspection. Paz approved, and the waiter opened the pressurized bottle with a loud pop of the cork, pouring an inch into a champagne flute.

Paz lifted the glass, smelled the wine, then sipped. He waved a hand for the waiter to continue, and once we both had filled glasses, he lifted it in a toast.

"To tempting company," he said, a half smile on his lips as his gaze travelled over me, leaving gooseflesh shivering in his wake.

Trying to control my reaction—thank goodness for sequins to hide my pebbled nipples—I clinked my glass with his, taking a sip of the fizzy wine. The bubbles popped against my tongue. It reminded me of the crispness of apples.

"Do you like the wine?"

I smiled, flushing slightly. My wine knowledge was extremely limited. That he'd asked my opinion was both flattering and a little intimidating. "Yes, I do," I murmured.

"I'm glad." Paz took my hand, capturing my gaze and holding it in his deep, dark depths. "I need to know if you don't like something, little Anna. Are you familiar with the concept of a safe word?"

I frowned. "You mean, like in kinky sex?"

He chuckled, eyes twinkling and smile broadening. "Yes, exactly like in kinky sex. What do you know about that?"

Heat crept up my cheeks as I looked down, trying not to squirm. Paz squeezed my fingers lightly, and I looked up through my lashes.

"Answer me, Anna. I won't judge you, but I don't want any misunderstandings between us. I'd very much like to enjoy your sexy body and mind this evening."

Oh my. Yes, please. Despite my best efforts to control myself, my breath came in unsteady little pants and I licked my lips. "I don't... I don't have any experience with... with that, but I know it's a word you say when you don't like what the other person is doing, when you want them to stop." I took a gulp of the champagne, trying to wet my suddenly dry mouth. Why hadn't I asked for water?

"Yes, that's exactly correct. You always get a choice, little one. What word would you like to use?"

The waiter arrived, set the oysters down, took the rest of our order, and left again. And the entire time, my pulse pounded in my veins like molten lava, searing my body, shattering my ability to think of anything but sex as my mind imagined what kinds of things Paz might be referring to. It had me shifting in my seat, pressing my thighs together against the wetness of my panties, the throb of my core and the heat building in my flushed sex. Good god, I might self combust right here.

"What word have you chosen? It should be something you wouldn't accidentally say. A colour, a favourite fruit, a hobby, or an item."

I couldn't see shouting out 'reading' or 'window shopping'. Camping was something I'd done with my parents every summer, but maybe... the image of my favourite native shrub came to mind. A treat I always looked forward to when we hiked.

"Like huckleberry?"

He smiled. "Yes. As long as you'll remember it easily, that's an excellent choice."

My fingers played with the champagne flute. "They're my favourite berries. I eat handfuls, stuffing my face with them, when my parents and I go hiking in the forests outside the city."

"That sounds fun."

"Yes, it... was." The last word came out choked as grief welled in a sudden wave, lodging in my throat. My vision blurred, and I looked away, blinking against the tears.

Paz squeezed my fingers. "Did something happen?"

I pulled my fingers from his, wiping at my eyes with both hands. "I'm... I'm sorry. My parents just... just died last week. A car accident." A sob accompanied the last, and I covered my mouth with my hand as I bit back another. Damn it. Not now.

Paz stood from his chair and drew me into his arms, then seated me in his lap with one hand gliding over my hair and the other rubbing my back, soothing me, easing me, until I gained control again.

"Don't apologize for your grief. It's been some time now, but I, too, understand the loss of family. My wife died... was murdered... a number of years ago when she was pregnant with my child, my son. It's a loss I'll never forget," he murmured in my ear as he held me close.

My heart melted at his admission. No, I didn't care what red flags surrounded him. This man was worth enjoying. I hugged him tighter, my arms under his suit jacket and on the warm, firm male body underneath. His scent filled my nose, easing the tightness in my chest. "I'm sorry. That must have been awful."

"It was. Are you sure you want my company right now? You wouldn't rather be with family or friends?" he asked.

The last of my doubts fled, quieted by his tender care. "They were my only family. I have no one else I'd rather be with than you, Paz," I told him, looking up into his dark, concerned gaze.

Some expression flashed over his face, so fleeting it was gone before I fully registered its presence, then his eyes focused on my mouth. "I, too, prefer to be with you tonight, little Anna." His lips tightened, a slight frown on his face. "But I only have tonight to give you. I leave Seattle tomorrow morning and I don't expect to be back for quite some time." His fingertips traced over my face, my cheek, my lips. "I'm sorry my business takes me away from you."

A spear lanced through me, disappointment sinking claws into my gut, but I shoved it away. I slid my hand up his chest, watching his eyes heat and feeling my body respond. "Then I guess we'll have to make the most of tonight," I murmured as his thumb caressed my lower lip, dipping inside.

"Yes," he growled. "We will."