The Millionaire's Seductive Revenge

“Then we’ll drop you off first, if you don’t mind,” Brant said as the gray Mercedes glided to a stop in front of them.

Serena smiled shyly. “Of course I don’t mind,” she said, and before Kia could do a thing about it, Brant was holding the back door open for Serena and she had slid onto the backseat.

Kia was tempted to slide in right next to her, but as if he knew, Brant took her by the elbow and walked her to the front passenger door.

His touch made her shiver in the balmy night air. Soon she’d be alone with a man who had no need to touch to get his way. A man who had perfected foreplay with just a look. Perhaps it was as well she was an “engaged” woman now.

Three

Kia consoled herself on the way home that at least her presence wouldn’t give Brant the opportunity to seduce the innocent Serena. Not that she really thought he would now, not after the brotherly way he’d been treating the younger woman all night.

Then she remembered her father and all the young women who’d passed through his life and she knew that some men just couldn’t help themselves.

Five minutes later, she watched from the car while Brant walked Serena to the front door of her house. The security light had come on at their approach and Kia saw everything clearly. She breathed a sigh of relief when Brant gave Serena a smile and a quick peck on the cheek, then strode back to the car.

“Was that chaste enough for you?” he mocked as he started the engine.

Chaste? A kiss from this man could never be considered chaste. Not for her, anyway.

She forced a cool smile. “I didn’t think you knew what the word meant.”

He smiled grimly as he pulled out from the curb. “I could say the same about you.”

“Me?”

He glanced sideways, his eyes boldly raking over her. “Sweetheart, you ooze sex appeal. Why do you think young Danny was falling over himself?” Obviously seeing her surprise, his eyes narrowed. “Surely Phillip’s told you how sexy you are?”

Sexy? No, Phillip had never told her that.

“Yes, of course,” she lied.

“You don’t sound too sure.”

She stiffened. “Of course I’m sure. It’s just that…” Think. “Well, since the accident we’ve been concentrating on him rather than me.”

He appeared to consider that. “He’s going through a tough time right now.” Once more his gaze slid over her, almost contemptuously this time. “But if any woman can make him think like a man again, it’s you.”

She didn’t appreciate the comment. “You’ve missed your calling. You should be doing talk shows.”

This time he laughed. A deep, rich sound that made her catch her breath and confirmed why women of all kinds wanted him. She didn’t even like him and this was her reaction.

Luckily for her, they came to some night roadwork and Brant had to slow the car and concentrate for the next kilometer. After that, except for her directing him, they both remained quiet until they reached her street.

“It’s the house at the end,” she said as they came around the corner into the leafy cul-de-sac.

A few moments later he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. “You live here by yourself?” he asked, his eyes going over the ground-level house nestled amongst the lush garden. It was obviously too big for one person.

“I live by myself, yes, but the house has been divided into two. The owner lives in one apartment and I live in the other.”

It was a bonus that June didn’t drive, so Kia got to use the garage at the far end of the driveway. But why, oh, why hadn’t she driven herself tonight? If she’d known Phillip would leave early and she’d be stranded with Brant, she would have insisted on taking her Porsche.

The Porsche Brant thought Phillip had bought for her.

He opened his door, letting in the late-night sounds of a tropical summer. “I’ll walk you inside.”

She’d known he would. Her front door was actually around the back of the house, so it wouldn’t be possible to dismiss him easily. The minute he saw her walking down the driveway alongside the house he’d be out of the car and following her anyway.

“It’s around the back.” She moved to get out of the car, but her long dress proved difficult, and before she knew it he stood beside her, offering her his hand. For a moment she hesitated. Already her pulse was skittering all over the place. What would his touch do to her?

Having no option but to appear unruffled, she held her breath and put her hand on his. Her skin immediately tingled from the contact, but surprisingly his fingers didn’t close around hers. His hand remained open, palm up, allowing her to grip him as she chose.

Is this how he lets a woman make love to him? At her own pace?

That thought spread the tingle through her body as her fingers closed around his hand and she pressed her palm against his, using his strength to bring her to her feet.

He stepped back before their bodies could touch further, making her grateful for small mercies.

“It’s this way,” she said huskily and hurried forward, the path illuminated by small garden lights mingling through the palm trees, the clicking of her high heels in competition with a chorus of green tree frogs.

But when she came up to the door, it was standing open. She began to frown, then gave a soft gasp as realization hit. Someone had broken in.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered in disbelief.

“Stay there.” Brant strode the few feet to the door, swearing softly when he tread on some broken glass. He reached inside for the nearest switch, flooding the kitchen with light.

Kia came up behind him and they both stood there looking around. At first it appeared as if nothing had happened but the glass on the floor showed that someone had smashed one of the panels on the door.

“Careful,” Brant warned, stepping over the mess, then helping her while she lifted the skirt of her long dress with one hand and gingerly stepped over the glass.

Kia’s heart was almost jumping out of her chest. “Do you think he’s still here?” she whispered.

Brant peered toward the darkened hallway, his expression hard. “If he is…” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. “He’s going to regret it.”

Kia shivered as he dialed the police and spoke quietly for a moment. She almost felt sorry for the robber if he was still here. He’d be in for a shock if Brant got hold of him.

He swore as he ended the call. “They’ve had a busy night. They could be a while.”

Kia’s stomach churned with anxiety. She’d hate to think what would happen if she were here alone. For the first time, she was glad of Brant’s presence. “What now?”

He reached over to grab a knife from the block on the sink. “I guess I’m going to play the bloody hero,” he muttered, stepping toward the hallway, but he stopped when he saw her face. “What’s the matter?”

“You’re not going to use that, are you?”

He grimaced. “It’s only for protection. Come on. Stick with me.”