My belly contracted and I turned away. If I stayed any longer, I’d give in to the temptation.
I looked back. He stood there on the terrace, the cool, night breeze blowing his thick hair, his shirt tucked into the narrow waist. There was strength under those tailored clothes. I’d felt it.
“I’m sorry.” I had to hurt him, use him, and take a piece of what was his.
Just like everyone tried to do.
He frowned and stepped toward me.
I turned and ran.
I rushed back inside and shoved through the party guests. God, my hands were shaking.
When I made it to the elevator, I stabbed the button. When the doors opened, I stepped inside, sure he’d catch me. The doors closed, and I sagged against the wall.
I’d gotten my photos. My stomach churned.
And I’d kissed Zane Roth.
Desire still fluttered through me, and I reached up and touched my lips. God. I should never have let him see me.
He’d wonder why I was here. Again.
And I’d told him my name. Idiot.
I blew out a breath and pressed my palms against the wall. At least I hadn’t told him my surname. Once the necklace was gone, there was no way he’d ever trace it to me.
The elevator stopped, and I half ran out into the lobby.
“Good night, miss.”
I managed a nod to the doorman before I burst outside.
I strode down the street at a fast clip. Around the corner, I yanked the wig off my head, my real hair falling loose.
Pausing, I glanced up at the tall, slender tower that housed Zane’s home. “I’m so sorry.”
Then I set my shoulders back. Mag’s life depended on me getting the necklace.
Zane Roth would recover. He’d forget about the woman he’d kissed on a balcony. He was probably kissing another woman right now.
The thought felt like claws in my belly.
I flagged down a cab and climbed in. After I’d given the driver my address, I leaned back and closed my eyes.
No more intimate tête-à-têtes with Zane Roth. I needed to steer clear.
What I really needed was a way to crack his safe. I’d get in, steal the necklace, then get out. Then I’d get Mag home safely, and life would get back to normal.
A life where I didn’t run into billionaires, and I certainly didn’t kiss them.
Of course, I’d be a criminal, just like my father.
The thought was like black oil on my skin.
Zane would come nowhere near me, if he knew everything about me.
I really am sorry. I touched my lips again and fought back the surprising burst of pain.
Zane
Zane leaned on the railing, feeling a strange sense of loss.
He should never have let her leave.
Here he was, ignoring his guests, although he didn’t miss the banter and inane conversations. He knew several of them were lurking, wanting his time to get advice, or ask for money.
They never wanted him.
He looked at the number scrawled on his wrist in bold writing. He lifted his cell and dialed her number.
“Anthony’s Pizza.”
Zane’s gut curdled. “Is Monroe there?”
“Don’t know a Monroe, man. You must have the wrong number. Got pies to make.” The man hung up.
Dammit. Zane ground his teeth together. She’d lied to him.
She’d slipped through his fingers again.
“He looks far too solemn for a guy who was kissing a gorgeous woman only moments ago.”
Liam leaned on the railing to Zane’s left, one brow arched.
Mav appeared on his right. “Can we kick the guests out yet? Then we can open a good bottle of Scotch.”
Liam studied Zane’s face. He always was a perceptive bastard. It made him good at his work.
“I spotted the sexy woman in green first,” Liam said.
An ugly sensation crawled through Zane’s gut. “No, you didn’t.”
“I didn’t make a move. Don’t worry.”
Zane’s fingers curled into a fist. The numbers on his wrist mocked him. “I don’t know who the hell she is.”
Mav frowned. “Really?”
“It’s the second time we’ve run into each other.”
“A beautiful mystery lady who wasn’t keen to stay and drink your champagne, fawn all over you, and tumble into your bed?” Liam mused. “Interesting.”
“I’m going to find her,” Zane said.
“Uh-oh,” Mav muttered.
A smile curled Liam’s mouth. “Someone’s sounding a little infatuated.”
Zane’s head whipped up. “Fuck you.”
“Definitely infatuated,” Mav agreed.
“Intrigued,” Zane countered.
Liam shifted. “Both start with I.”
“Don’t lose your head over a pretty face and a gorgeous set of legs,” Mav warned.
Mav had been burned in college by a pretty woman who had been after his money.
“There’s something about her…” Zane tapped his fingers on the railing. She was definitely hiding something. “She was on my cleaning crew the other day.”
Liam’s brows drew together. “And tonight she snuck into your party?”
“Alarm bells are ringing, Z,” Mav said.
“I’m going to get the full story from her.” Those gray eyes and sharp cheekbones appeared in his head.
She’d dreamed of him. His lips curved. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.
She’d come for him. Heat filled his gut.
He was going to track her down, and he wasn’t going to let her run again.
It took another hour, but finally, the party wound down. Then it was just him, Liam, and Mav.
They opened a bottle of Lagavulin, and Zane handed glasses to his friends.
“I need to go soon.” Liam leaned back in an armchair. “I’ve got an early meeting at our latest construction site downtown.”
“And I’m working at the tech lab tomorrow.” Mav swirled his Scotch. “That way I can avoid as many boring meetings as I can.”
“Howton chasing you to invest?” Zane asked.
“Every fucking day.”
“Kensington, I saw an article about your impending engagement to Fernanda Alende,” Zane said, referencing the statuesque, Brazilian supermodel.
Liam scowled. “I met her once. She was handsy, and always posing anytime a camera was around.”
“And looking to snag a billionaire husband,” Mav said darkly.
“Things were easier before we became successful and rich,” Zane said, quietly.
“People were…real,” Liam noted.
“Everyone wants a piece of us now.” Mav knocked back his drink. “I’m taking my brooding ass home to bed.” He rose.
Liam stood too. “We’ll let Zane dream of sexy blondes in green dresses.”
He shot his friends a look. “Bye, assholes.”
Finally, he was alone. He wandered through the empty penthouse. The cleaners would come in the morning to tidy up.
He headed down the hall to his office and froze.
The door was unlocked again.
He scanned the shadowed room.
Someone had been in here. He circled the desk. It looked undisturbed. He glanced at his new Riv3000 and it looked as shiny as ever.