Cursed (Touched urban fantasy series) by S. A. Archer, S. Ravynheart Page A

know I do.”
    With a sharp nod to her vampire guard, Selena directed him to precede her from the room. Selena reached the doorway before turning back to London. “Don’t touch him or you’ll regret it.”
    The words had not been a threat. Not in the conventional, “don’t touch my man” kind of way. What exactly she meant by that warning was a mystery, but Selena left without further explanation.
    The force of Rico’s striking gaze brought London’s body to immediate attention. She became hyperaware of herself as a woman in the presence of a dominant male. He sat up and gestured for London to come closer. Those dark eyes beckoned and she obeyed. The whole scene had a serious “come into my web”, said the spider to the fly vibe to it. Only she had a sinking feeling that she was already snared in his web.
    London settled for the red velvet wing-back across from Rico. With effort she tore her attention from the smooth, muscular chest revealed by his open shirt. His face was just as potent, with eyes as hypnotic as a cobra’s. She crossed her legs, a protective gesture. “Selena may have introduced us, but she does not select my clients.”
    Rico pulled a business card from the pocket of his slacks and read it out loud. “London Eyer, Special Investigations and Security.” He held the card between his first two fingers as he grazed his thumb over the raised ink. “This is your business. Money is not enough for you?”
    Was it wrong that seeing him fondle her business card made her blush? Or that it turned her on knowing he had been carrying something of hers in his pants? Yeah, most definitely wrong. Something more insidious than just the magnetism of a pretty face was affecting her.
    “Money is a start, but I don’t just do anything for money.” The two bodyguards wandered closer to her, but stopped when she snarled. “Wanna stay on your own side of the room, boys? I’d hate to have to kick your asses in front of your employer.” Bravado on her part, acting like she was all badass, but it worked. When they retreated a few steps London focused back on Rico. “What’s the job?”
    He leaned forward so his elbows rested on his thighs. One hand still cupped the handkerchief against his throat. He turned the card over in his fingers, as if something might be written on the back, then tossed it down onto the coffee table between them. “Selena said you have contacts among many of the parahuman and nonhuman groups. Which ones?”
    He’d ignored her question and kept on asking his own, she noticed. Probably a control freak. London let it go for now, but in the end if she didn’t like the job, she’d walk. Period. “Vampires, obviously. Weres. Demons. Wizards.”
    “Wizards,” he repeated, calmly. As if he’d been waiting for her to reveal that one. “How good is your contact?”
    “Good enough.”
    “You worked for them? These wizards you know?” He removed the handkerchief and tossed it down next to the card. His wounds had healed. She could not see any marks marring the perfection of his skin.
    “That is confidential information.” She gave him the shadow of a smile. “Just like your case would be. Certainly you can appreciate that.”
    Rico rose, graceful and swift. “If you work for me, you work for me. No one else.”
    London bolted to her feet almost as soon as he started moving. “I don’t work for you.”
    The bodyguards flicked out of sight. Teleporters.
    Shit.
    London reached for her gun as Rico stepped up onto the coffee table. The bodyguards reappeared beside her, one snatching each arm. London struggled uselessly against them. Rico dropped down to the floor before her. Nothing but calm confidence shone on his wicked handsome face. “This is not the way to work a deal.” She jerked against the restraining hands. Besides bruises she accomplished nothing else with the effort.
    Rico touched her face. His palm caressed the curve of her jaw and immediately a jolt of pleasure shot