The Flyboy's Temptation by Kimberly Van Meter Page A

confess, it’s been a bit of an obsession for me since the first time I tasted it.”
    Hope stared as he levered himself into an expansive leather executive chair behind a huge mahogany desk. “Are you kidding me right now?” she asked, going straight to the point. “Why have you kidnapped me and brought me here against my will?”
    â€œAh...” He steepled his fingers and said, “My apologies for the rough transport, but you are a difficult person to procure.”
    â€œPerhaps a phone call would’ve been more efficient,” she returned, narrowing her gaze. “Forgive me for being less than eager to make your acquaintance after you killed my friend and tried to shoot me out of the sky.”
    She was going off a hunch, but he didn’t try to deny it. Spreading his fingers as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he said, “One must regrettably crack a few eggs to make an omelet. As a scientist, I’m sure you can appreciate that concept.”
    â€œMy friend was no egg for your omelet. She was a human being with family and friends who are grieving her loss.”
    â€œIf it appeases your ruffled feathers, it was not my intention to have your plane shot down. That was an error in judgment on my employee’s behalf. Thankfully, we discovered you are quite resourceful. I was impressed with your ability to evade my attempts to bring you here.”
    â€œAm I supposed to be flattered? Who the hell are you?”
    â€œLet’s not waste energy bickering about things in the past, as the future is what interests me most. My name is Anso DeLeon. It is my pleasure to finally meet the woman who will help me make history.”
    â€œYou’re insane. I wouldn’t help you walk across the street after what you’ve done.”
    He rose and walked to a lion’s head hung midsnarl on the wall. Gesturing to the trophy, he said, “You see this here? This is an African lion, the alpha. He had testicles the size of dinner plates and lionesses twitching their tails in his face all day long. It was a genuine pleasure to watch him in action, awe inspiring, really. He was living large, king of his universe without apology. I respected that.”
    â€œSo you responded by killing him and sticking his head on your wall? The cost of your admiration is too high for my blood. Maybe you could’ve just snapped a picture on your phone like most normal people.”
    â€œA picture has no soul,” Anso responded as if that made perfect sense. “The local people believe that when they take the life of an animal, they absorb the spirit, the strength of the animal.” He stroked the big cat’s lifeless cheek. “I ate his heart from his still-warm body. I felt the spirit of this creature become part of me and it was beautiful.”
    â€œI think the lion would disagree.”
    He shrugged. “You will never understand the power of taking a life,” he said, adding, “You are a woman. Your power is to give life. I do not fault you for your ignorance.”
    Ignorant? Who was Psycho Suave calling ignorant? She held her tongue, choosing bored silence over obvious indignation as her weapon of choice.
    Anso mistook her silence for one of acquiescence and smiled indulgently. “You have journeyed far and I have not shown my best hospitality. Let me amend that error. Fresh clothes, a bath and a room fit for a queen await. You will join me for dinner.”
    She wanted to shout, Dream on! but she needed time to think, to process, and she couldn’t do that while suffering this bastard’s banter. Hope lifted her chin. “Very well,” she said stiffly as she bent to pick up her pack, but he stopped her with a cold smile.
    â€œThe pack, if you please, will remain with me.”
    Hope felt the color drain from her cheeks. “My pack stays with me.”
    Anso smiled and snapped his fingers. Two men appeared. One grabbed her arm