Victor felt her emotions running rampant as he led her through his vast home, her heart beating faster as she became aware of the size until finally she blurted out breathlessly, “Just how many rooms are there here?”

Shrugging he tried to make it sound less imposing than what it truly was. “Not that many.”

“Yeah, right,” Kimber snarked back. “And I’m the Queen of England. Jeez, the art on the walls is worth a fortune. I’ve spent a lot of time in museums and I know originals when I see them. Just how rich are you, Victor?”

Again he shrugged, his lips tugging up slightly. “I’ve been around for a long time and have a good head for business.”

“You’re good at avoiding answering questions.” Kimber tugged on his hand sharply. “I don’t like that. Not one bit. I like honesty and if we’re going to make a go of this Bloodmate thing, then I think that’s important. Don’t you?”

He looked down into her emerald eyes that were now flaring with a hint of red anger and he could also see her nostrils flaring as her ire rose. Victor never answered to anyone so this was strange to him, to be brought to task by this tiny female who was glaring up at him, but he supposed she was right. If they were to have a future she deserved that he answered her questions and not deflect as was his usual. Victor cocked his head to the side before giving a slight nod. “Of course, honesty is very important between us. I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable with my wealth, that’s all.”

“I’m going to feel that anyway so there’s no need to hide things from me.” She looked around then back up into his eyes with a steely glare. “But just so you know, I don’t want your money, and I won’t steal from you. So, if you need me to sign some kind of legal paperwork or something then go ahead and get it ready ‘cause I don’t have a problem with that. If this doesn’t work out between us then I’ll walk out that door with what I walked in with: nothing.”

He noted the jut of her chin and knew without a doubt she meant every word. The fact she didn’t want anything from him when everyone else usually tried to garner something made his heart thrum all the more for her. “I hear you,” he merely said, knowing if he attempted to argue that it would be in vain.

He also didn’t think now was the time to reiterate that he wouldn’t allow her to go anywhere, and that he would do whatever it took to ensure her happiness and to make sure that this did indeed work between them. Victor knew without a shadow of doubt that he’d shrivel up and die without her by his side. How he knew that was a mystery to him. All he was aware of was that deep inside his very soul was that it was the damn truth.

“Good, because I’m not after your money,” Kimber reiterated before her body relaxed. “Now, can you please show me to the nearest shower because I’d do anything to have one? It’s been ages since I’ve been able to relax and . . .”

Victor stepped closer, invading her space and cutting off her words. “Anything? You’d do anything for a shower? You should be careful what you say, Kimber, because you’ve conjured up some images in my head that I’m pretty sure you didn’t mean when those simple words slipped from your mouth.”

Sliding one arm around her waist he tugged her against him, his other snaking up to tangle in her hair. Her eyes staring up at him as her breathing hitched in her chest. He could hear every heartbeat as it started to increase, her blood rushing through her body, her small hands flat against his chest but she didn’t push him away or try to break free. Leaning down he allowed his lips to caress softly over her thick, plump ones that were open and waiting, a soft gasp escaping her as he claimed her mouth. His tongue probing for entry, Kimber stretching up on her tiptoes and opening herself to him with eagerness, their tongues lashing together with lust and . . . damn it to Hades!

“Victor! I hope you’ve not forgotten you’ve got that meeting scheduled and I’ve managed to get the personal shopper here early. They’ll be here in around twenty minutes so you need to hustle,” Suzette called from down the hall.

Kimber pulled back, smirking up at him as she licked her lips. “I guess this will have to wait.”

He couldn’t help the growl that rumbled up his chest as he laid his forehead against hers. “I’d prefer you naked . . . maybe we could forego clothes altogether?”

She traced a finger along his lips softly but shook her head as she stepped away. “I don’t think so. Shower?”

Victor raised his voice and replied to Suzette, “I’ll be down momentarily.”

“All right, I’ll get set up for your meeting in your office,” she answered.

“Fine,” he replied gruffly before returning his attention to Kimber. “Our room is just down here.”

“Our room?” She side-eyed him.

“Yes,” he nodded curtly. “Our room.”

Snatching her hand, he led her to the door, opening it wide and ushering her in. “Make yourself at home. Suzette will bring the shopper up when they arrive but I’ll be busy with a meeting for some time. I’ll try and get it over with as soon as possible and join you when I can. It’s one that I cannot cancel, my apologies, if I could I would.”

“I’ll be fine.” Kimber smiled. “So long as there’s a bathroom and warm water, I’ll be in heaven.”

“Over there.” Victor pointed, trying to hide his smirk, knowing she’d be impressed.

“See you later.” She gave him a wave and a wink as she turned and walked away.

His eyes roamed over her swaying hips as she left, his cock twitching in his pants with longing and desire. He wanted nothing more than to follow her and join her naked body beneath the cascading water to soap her soft skin and run his fingers through her long tresses before trailing his fingers lower to tease her clit and sink inside her . . .

“Victor! I’m waiting!” Suzette yelled, breaking into his dirty thoughts.

“Fuck, Suzette, I’m gonna kill you,” he snarled as Kimber disappeared inside the bathroom and he turned and stormed away to take on his usual persona of Victor Strong the cold, hard businessman that the world knew. Although at this moment, that was definitely not who he felt like right now. Not one iota. He wanted to tell Suzette to go to hell in a handbasket and rush back to devour Kimber and take her to heights of pleasure so high that she’d be a quivering mess and not know what day of the damn week it was. He wanted to taste every inch of her skin, feel her writhe beneath him while she screamed his name as her body filled with ecstasy. Instead he was stomping downstairs to be the hard-nosed businessman that everyone knew him to be.

“Damn it to hell,” he muttered as he marched down the hall to his office, clenching his fists so hard his nails drew blood from his palms. The wounds healing instantly only to be made again and again as he failed to relax his hands.

“There you are.” Suzette jumped up from her place at his desk. “I’ve set up the conference call. You’ve got about five minutes before it’s set to start and everyone is already online. It’s muted just now so you can speak freely.”

Victor cracked his neck, relaxing his body before he sat down. “I’m ready.”

“I hope so because this is huge, Victor.” Suzette scrutinized him as only she could. Her eyes boring into his. “Are you sure about doing this now? I could postpone and reschedule if you want?”

He gave that a brief thought. Wanting to desperately return to his bedroom . . . and Kimber. No. He’d been working on this deal for months and he couldn’t jeopardize such a momentous moment in the company’s history. It should be over soon and then he could get on with his day. Shaking his head, he replied curtly, “No. I’ll get this over and done with now.”

“Fine. If you’re sure. I’ll go and deal with the clothes for Kimber and make sure everything in that department is taken care of.” Suzette’s eyes twinkled as she looked up at him. “She’s beautiful and full of spunk . . . just perfect for you.”

“Go, now, Suzette, before I decide I need a new PA,” Victor growled.

“Ha! As if anyone else would put up with you!” Suzette laughed as she dashed away.

Victor didn’t let her see the smirk on his face. She was right after all.

“Okay, let’s get this show on the road,” he mumbled as he put his game face on and strode to his desk, sitting down and activating the meeting. “Good morning. Now, can we get started?”