Eine reizende Diebin (German Edition)

put his arm around her waist. His touch was reassuring, as was the knowledge that he was as surprised about the police showing up at his door as she was.
    “Would you care to elaborate?” Marcus asked the inspector.
    “We’ve apprehended an employee of the auction house,” Inspector Chadwick explained as Mr. Hammerlein cringed. “The employee was trying to smuggle the item out of the country, no doubt to sell it to a foreign collector.”
    “What makes you so sure that his is the real one, and this is the forgery?”
    Marcus’s hand around Olivia’s waist held her closer to him as if he felt her unease around the policeman. His thumb stroked her tenderly.
    “He confessed, and we found the workshop where he made the replica. We’ll of course have to test both items to make sure. Therefore, we’ll have to confiscate the artifact for now.”
    “Baby, why don’t you give the armband to the inspector?”
    She was unable to move. Marcus took the armband from her hands and passed it to the inspector.
    “Very sorry, Madam, Sir,” Mr. Hammerlein apologized. “The auction house will of course make sure you receive the real armband once the investigation is closed. And your money will be put in an interest bearing account for your benefit. May I say, we at Christie’s are shocked and—”
    Marcus waved him off. “I’m sure you’ll sort it out.”
    Then he looked at Olivia, and a big smile spread over his face. He seemed completely unfazed about the revelation that he’d purchased a forgery.
    “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse us. My girlfriend and I have plans . . . ”
    The way he said girlfriend and plans in one sentence coupled with the way his eyes devoured her told her exactly what he wanted.
    “Of course,” Hammerlein stammered.
    After an exchange of business cards and a receipt for the fake armband, they were alone.
    Gone was the armband, replaced by the knowledge that there was no legend or magic attached to the forgery.
    It was worse than she’d thought. If there was no magic, no legend, then what had compelled her to come back to Marcus, the man she’d robbed? Whatever it was, she had no intention of finding out.
    “I’ve got to leave,” Olivia burst out and made for the door, pushing past him.
    He gripped her arm and pulled her back. “You’re not going anywhere, love.”
    Her lips trembled. Shit! “But—”
    “Let’s talk.”
    “We’ve got nothing to talk about.”
    Marcus nudged her until her back met the wall. With his arms braced on either side of her body, he towered over her.
    “Oh, we’ve got plenty to talk about. Because from where I stand you still owe me. You broke our deal last night.”
    “I did nothing of the sort. We had sex in exchange for you letting me escape the police.”
    He shook his head. “That was for your first offense: breaking and entering. But then you left with the artifact. That’s a second offense.”
    Her breath hitched.
    Slowly a smile formed around his lips. “That’s right. Now you’ve got to pay for stealing the armband.”
    “But it was a fake!” she protested. “That guy from Christie’s said so just a minute ago.”
    “Yes, but you didn’t know that last night. In any case, it’s still theft.”
    Marcus moved closer, pressing his body against hers. His eyes were dark, his lips parted. When his breath fanned over her face, she inhaled, taking in his intoxicating scent. It reminded her of the night she’d spent in his arms. Against her better judgment, she moved her head closer to his, inviting him.
    “What do you want this time?” she husked, knowing at the same time that it was stupid to give into him. Yet, she couldn’t resist the erotic pull he exercised.
    “Now we’re talking.” His lips brushed lightly over hers, then trailed along her jaw down to her neck.
    Her body began to tingle under his touch, her nipples beading involuntarily.
    “I enjoyed the way you sucked me last night. I think we’ll start with that . . .”
    “Start?” she murmured, her mouth already watering at the thought of licking him again.
    “Yes,” he answered and stroked his hand over her torso, cupping her breast. “Since you’ll be in my bed for an entire week this time, I figured we’ll take it slow.”
    An entire week? Was he trying to kill her? She’d never survive a week in his bed. He would turn her into a sex addict. “You can’t be serious.”
    He pressed his growing erection into her stomach. “Oh, I’m dead serious.