Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter Page A

been married three times. The first wife died in a car accident.” Michael pressed another button, and the image of a gorgeous young woman filled the screen. Black hair, green eyes. Flawless skin. “Her brand-new tires blew.”
    â€œConvenient for him.”
    â€œThe second wife died in a car accident, as well.” Another young woman, this one with silvery white hair and big blue eyes, consumed the screen.
    â€œLet me guess. Her brand-new tires blew?”
    â€œNo, her sensors gave out.”
    â€œWhat tragic accident befell his third wife?” I asked.
    â€œAmazingly enough, she’s still alive.”
    She wouldn’t be for long, I thought. Not if Jonathan Parker had his way. I gazed up at the third wife’s picture. Glossy red hair, sparkling brown eyes. A sultry vibe radiated from her.
    â€œObviously Parker likes his women young and pretty. Too bad they don’t live long.” I tapped my knee with one finger, smashing the puffed, satin dress. “There wouldn’t happen to be a hit on him, would there?”
    Michael’s entire expression lit with amusement, easing the age lines around his mouth. “At this time, no, there isn’t a hit on Parker.”
    â€œToo bad.” I took another sip of my Scotch and savored the rich taste in my mouth for a long while. I wondered what type of persona Lucius—a.k.a. Hunter—had donned in order to immerse himself in Parker’s world. Lucius wouldn’t be tattooed. Nor would he be pierced. Most likely he’d have to wear a suit and tie, perhaps sport a pair of glasses. A sigh slipped from me as I set my glass on the small table beside me. No matter what persona he used, he’d be sexy as hell.
    â€œTell me about the man I’ll be interpreting for.”
    â€œHer name is Claudia Chow, and she’s major player in the alien rights movement. Her dedication to other-worlder equality has made her the first human ambassador of alien goodwill.” He grinned a guess-what-I’ve-done-now grin. “As of now she’s on my payroll.”
    â€œAmbassador of alien goodwill?” I snorted. “What did you tell her about me?”
    â€œOnly that my daughter desired a change of scenery and needed a new job. I almost couldn’t convince her to help me. However, the moment she learned her interpreter was a Raka, she relented. I think she sees you as a new prize pet she’ll get to parade around and show off.”
    â€œI can hardly wait,” I said, my sarcasm heavy.
    He pointed a finger at me. “Don’t you dare kill her.”
    All innocence, I blinked over at him. “Give me some credit. I do know how to use restraint when the situation warrants it.”
    A teasing light glowed in his eyes. “I thought so, too, until I saw you with Lucius. You’re…different around him. Why is that?”
    â€œThat man—” My hands clenched. Michael was right. I was different with Lucius. More emotional. Lustful. On edge. Why? I didn’t understand and couldn’t answer Michael’s question. “You trust him completely?”
    â€œOf course.” Slowly he frowned. “I never would have paired you with him otherwise.” Michael lifted his cigar, rolling it between his fingers and causing smoke to waft around his hand. “This is a good plan the two of you have put together.”
    â€œHim. Not me.” I crossed my arms. “I wish I could take credit.” As soon as I spoke, I realized how true those words were and how great my bitterness. I might desire Lucius, but I resented him, too. This assignment should have belonged to me, and me alone. Not Lucius. Yet so far he was moving the pieces of the game on his own.
    Was it wrong of me to feel that way? Yes. Did that matter? No.
    Michael shook his head. “Sweetie, you’ve been injured. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not a competition between you and