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mean to make you angry.”
    “You didn't make me angry. I guess it was natural for you to think that of me.” His eyes narrowed on her face. “I suppose your brother Stefan would consider me beyond the pale as far as bloodlines go. I know nothing about my father, except that he was a white man. It was the only thing my mother would tell my grandfather about him.”
    “You're probably right about Stefan,” she said frankly. “I told you he was a
chitka
. But your money would endow you with a very tolerable patina in his eyes. What difference does it make?You said you didn't want to marry a princess anyway.”
    “Yes, I did, didn't I?” He rose to his feet. “But I said nothing about not wanting to take Kira Rubinoff to bed. Do you think Stefan would object if you took me as a lover?”
    She gazed at him blankly. “Sex?” She didn't know how she got the word out. Her throat had closed and she couldn't seem to catch her breath. “You want to have sex with me?”
    He slowly shook his head. “I want to be your lover. I want to sleep in the same bed you do; I want you to let me make love to you whenever and however I wish, for as long as it pleases me.” His voice lowered to a velvet softness. “I believe I can guarantee it will please you as much as it will please me.”
    She didn't doubt it for a minute. Sexual magnetism radiated from Zack Damon in an almost visible aura. She felt a languid heat begin to flow through her at just the thought of his intimate touch. “Why?”
    He smiled. “I don't believe a woman has ever asked me that question when I asked her to go tobed with me. The answer seems self-evident. However, I can make it much clearer, if you like.”
    She moistened her lower lip with her tongue. “We've just met. I'm not unattractive, but I don't exactly exude feminine allure, either. You're willing to jeopardize a merger to go to bed with me?” She shook her head in bewilderment. “I don't understand this.”
    His rare smile widened to warm his dark face. “Perhaps I have peculiar tastes. You happen to appeal to me very much, and I can afford to let the merger slide. You had no problem at all believing I would want to marry you for status, and you agreed to that without a second thought. Why are you having a problem with the idea of being my mistress? The position would be much more advantageous for you. You'd have your freedom and still get what you want from me.”
    “I don't know.” She gazed at him, frowning. “I think it's because I thought I had something to offer you in the title. This is entirely different.” Her hand left the mantel and her fingers raked distractedly through her hair. “Look, I don't know anything about being a mistress. It isn't very sophisticatedof me to admit it, but I'm a virgin. I don't know how to please you, dammit. One time and you'd probably drop me like a hot potato.”
    “I doubt that.” He suddenly chuckled, his dark eyes dancing. “Undoubtedly I'd be magnanimous and give you a second chance. Practice makes perfect.”
    “You don't mind—”
    “I don't mind anything but this inferiority complex you appear to have acquired.” He rose lazily to his feet. “You agree to my terms. I agree to yours. Deal?”
    She nodded. “I guess so, but—”
    “Hush. Never quibble after a deal is made. It's very unprofessional.” He was walking toward her.
    “I don't know much about deals and—”
    “I do.” He was standing beside her and she felt suddenly smaller and more womanly than she ever had in her life. His warmth was surrounding her and she could catch the scent of soap and musk and something vaguely woodsy. “I'm an expert on making deals. I'll teach you. The first thing you should know is the difference between a takeover and a merger by mutual consent.” Hisindex finger touched the pulse point on her neck. It rested lightly, as if testing the pounding of her heart. She felt the throbbing go wild beneath his touch. She could tell by the sudden