Luck of the Dragon (Entangled Covet) Read Online Free Page A

here is priceless to me.” Luciana replaced the knife and leaned back on her heels, her features tight, looking like she might run. Back off, you’re scaring her , Alec’s human mind interceded. “We need to have your appraisal done before we can open the exhibit to the public in September,” he said, his voice casual. “When can you start?”
    “But there must be fifty cases in here.” Luciana peered over his shoulder and pointed behind him. “Are all the cases as full as this one?”
    “I was told you were the best?” Alec let the challenge dangle.
    “I am. But getting an accurate value on this many gems will take time. And it’s going to cost you. A lot.”
    Alec laughed and ignored the urge to touch her again. “I imagine I can afford your price.”
    Lucy scowled. “Let’s get something straight. I’m not interested in your private collection of obscure etchings …or anything else private you might have.”
    “How do you know? The reviews on my, what did you call them… etchings are quite flattering.” Alec watched her face, liking the way heat flushed her pale neck, and her brown eyes snapped with annoyance.
    “I am a gem appraiser. That is it.”
    “But etchings can be so very stimulating.” Alec brushed her arm again, feeling the warm tingle in the tips of his fingers.
    Lucy shook her head. “Quit messing with me, or you can find another appraiser.”
    “Okay,” Alec said. “No more messing.”
    “Okay?” Lucy stepped backward—heel to toe, heel to toe—to the stair landing. “Just like that, you’re going to back off?”
    “Just like that.” Alec held still, waiting to see what she would do. “What do you need to start your appraisal tomorrow?”
    Lucy looked behind her to the steel door on the bottom level. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think this is a good idea.” She clomped down the stairs, the sexy sway of her hips completely gone in her hurry to escape.
    The exhilaration of the hunt flared through Alec’s system.
    Silly woman. You should never, never run from a dragon.
    “One hundred thousand dollars.” He followed her flight down the stairs with a light step.
    “What?” Lucy stood in front of the closed steel door, her eyes wide and unbelieving.
    “One hundred thousand dollars now. And an additional one hundred thousand when you finish the appraisal.”
    “That’s three times my usual fee,” Luciana said, anger again firing her face. “I told you, I don’t do etchings .”
    “The fee is just for appraising the exhibit, but you must begin tomorrow and be done in a month.”
    “Mr. Gerald, thank you for your generous offer, but I’m going to have to decline.”
    “I have important guests arriving specifically to see the exhibit.” Alec let his aggravation coat his words, but from the way Luciana’s eyes flitted from him to the closed door, he could tell she wasn’t listening. She wanted out of the room.
    Alec closed in on her and considered her nervous side-to-side movements. If she hadn’t taken his keycard for a surprise rendezvous, what was she up to?
    “I want to leave now .” Luciana met his stare but couldn’t disguise the strain in her voice.
    “Dr. De Luca. Is there something else going on here? Something you need to tell me?” Alec let the question dangle, and the woman’s quick averted glance told him he was right. She was hiding something.
    Something big. His predator’s instincts flared and his keen hearing picked up the pounding of her pulse under her skin.
    “Of course not,” she insisted and put her hands on her hips, affronted. “Open this door.”
    Again with the demands. Alec smiled, admiring her bravery. He reached around her and pushed the door release, letting the back of his hand brush her bare arm.
    Luciana jumped at the contact, and Alec smelled the sharp release of adrenaline as it rushed through her body. She was scared. Why?
    Alec stepped out of her way and swept his hand to the beckoning hallway. “After