"Woman… you really are special."
Whether it was praise or mockery, even Victor Steele himself didn't seem inclined to clarify.
Her lips had brushed his with a gentleness that surprised him. There was no calculation in it, no seduction learned from experience. And precisely because of that, he didn't respond right away.
Instead, he looked at her.
Really looked.
Those dark gray eyes of his searched hers slowly, as though weighing something invisible.
"However," he continued calmly, "in an equal exchange, that kiss is worth no more than a single day's interest."
Just like that.
Cold. Precise. Ruthless.
A businessman to the bone.
Her anger surged, burning hot in her chest, but she crushed it down before it could reach her face. She didn't have the luxury of pride anymore.
"How long?" she asked, her teeth clenched so tightly the words were almost torn from her throat.
Victor Steele didn't answer immediately.
