The Tycoon's Seductive Revenge by Kristi Avalon Page A

“Want to test me?”
    “All I need is one more reason to sue your ass for what you did to me.” A muscle worked in Carter’s jaw. “Because now I have the cash to haul you into court.”
    “Heh, heh, heh.” Marquell chuckled like a serial killer who’d just buried a body and destroyed all evidence. “Statute of limitation. Isn’t that right, Avery?”
    Prevaricating, Judge Avery replied, “Well, of course, you know it all depends...”
    Carter talked over the judge. “I’ve got enough time, funds and resentment to tie you up in legal battles for the next decade, Marquell. I’ll make sure your badge is suspended the entire time. So you won’t have the authority to intimidate everyone you think is beneath you.”
    In unison, the other three guests stepped back, anticipating the fallout.
    “You can try,” Marquell parroted Carter’s phrase. “But your pretty little girlfriend still has to pay up.”
    “Leave Ellie out of this.”
    Marquell laced his fingers behind his head. “I’m not here to waste my time with you, son. I’m here to carry out the order.”
    Carter tensed. “What order?”
    “Nothing’s been decided yet,” Mayor Flemming inserted calmly. “There’s plenty of time to discuss things over dinner.”
    Marquell grunted. He busied himself with tapping the ash from his cigar into an ashtray. Read: conversation over.
    The sexy sound of high heels on a bare floor met his ears. Carter turned.
    He nearly fell off his stool.
    Two words described Ellie. Smoking. Hot.
    The slit up the side of her black dress flashed a peek at her long legs. Legs he envisioned tangled in sheets and entwined with his as plunged inside her. His pulse spiked.
    Overheated and aroused, he fought the urge to throw every man out of the room. Because after he got her alone, he’d carry her to the long table, tear off the tablecloth and let everything fall to the floor. He’d lay her down and consume her like a feast spread before him. Then he’d make love to her with the untamable force swelling inside him.
    All night, baby. You’re so mine .
    When Ellie’s gorgeous amber-colored eyes met his, he forgot to breathe. Until his chest started searing. Something in her step, in the way she held herself with poise and self-assurance, told him she was on a mission. And that mission was him .
    Carter sighed. He was in for a long night.
    Because what he wanted right now had nothing to do with sound investment decisions, or revenge, or her surrender—and everything to do with his craving for this woman. Mind, body and soul.
    That was a problem. It meant he was losing sight of his purpose.
    Exiled from the daily grind of financial reports, property inspections, building codes and the art of the sale, he could find plenty of reasons to stick around on the island. He wanted to reclaim Ellie. She would be his to possess.
    As his mind shifted into territorial realms, Carter recognized the last piece of his plan had just fallen into place.
    Tonight he’d issue his ultimatum to her.
    Instinct told him it was time to reap the rewards the Montgomery family had denied him, back when he was underprivileged and unimpressive. The time had come to seal the deal and enjoy his revenge.
    As she drew closer to the bar where he and the other male guests loitered, he noticed a diamond-shaped cutout in her dress, positioned at her cleavage, leaving little to the imagination.
    Running a hand through his hair, he exhaled slowly. Oh yeah, this should get interesting .
    “Gentlemen,” Ellie greeted.
    Judge Avery raked a lecherous gaze up and down her form, surreptitiously removing his wedding band and sliding it into his suit pocket. “Miss Montgomery, you look beautiful this evening. What can I get you to drink?” Then, to James, he said, “She’s on my tab.” James nodded.
    Unfaithful prick . Carter took a long taste of his scotch on the rocks.
    “Something decadent,” Ellie replied, berry lips spread in a stunning smile.
    “Espresso