Under Pressure [IAD Agency] (Siren Publishing Classic)

learned the price of fame all too clearly.
    It had almost cost Bella her life.
    She inhaled deeply again and blew smoke out in a steady stream that danced trails in the wind. A small click sounded right behind her, and a voice had her tensing up.
    “You realize that smoking is bad for you.”
    Caught off guard, her body went rigid. He had not made a sound during his approach. Bella turned around slowly to see the man from inside cloaked in shadow but knew instinctively that those dark gray eyes were staring straight her as he took a long pull of his own cigarette.
    On the defensive, Bella tried to be flippant. “Yeah, thanks for the service announcement, Captain Obvious. I seem to do a lot of things that are bad for me. And aren’t you one to talk,” she replied sarcastically with a little feminine snort.
    His face remained stoic, but she thought she saw a hint of amusement flash in his eyes as he stepped closer.
    “Where is your man?” he asked after a long moment of silence.
    Huh? She blinked, caught off guard again. “Who?”
    “Where is your escort for the evening? You shouldn’t be out on this balcony alone.” He took another step forward without seeming to move.
    He had a dangerous aura to him. Bella had a difficult time forcing herself not to take a step back, away in retreat, but she would not show this man any sign of weakness. She wanted, no, needed to stand her ground.
    “I wanted to be alone for a moment.” Bella wanted to cringe at the petulant sound of her own voice, but her chin came up in defiance.
    “It is not safe for you to be out here, in the dark by yourself.”
    “Umm, hello, we are not exactly standing in a dark alley. And besides, I can take care of myself.”
    “Can you now?” He raised a brow.
    Bella felt her temper rise, and it had her snapping. “So now you think I’m too young to drink, I shouldn’t smoke, and what, I need a keeper? Do you always insult people like this when you first meet them?”
    “I believe it was you who did that first. Although I appreciate your efforts in providing a champagne shower. Since you failed to introduce yourself after you ran into me, I presume that task is left up to me.” He bent his head slightly in a nod, like a king to his subject.
    That did it.
    “If you hadn’t acted like such a pompous ass, perhaps I would have,” she fired back.
    She was surprised as his eyes flashed with fire.
    “And I did apologize,” Bella reminded him over the rim of her glass as she took a sip of the cool champagne to ease her dry throat.
    His eyes had turned molten silver for a moment, so quick she thought she might have imagined it. His serious expression made her think that it was probably a play of the lights and not any actual emotions.
    “Well then, I accept your apology.” He was staring at her, and his unblinking gaze seemed to be trying to peer into her very soul.
    Careful, she thought.
    This man gave away nothing and that made him dangerous. He was big, too big. Bella found herself stepping to the side, moving closer to the light. He was an imposing figure, but even so, she couldn’t help the attraction she felt.
    Staring back at him, Bella realized that a smile would alter his face from handsome to heart-stopping gorgeous.
    Whoa, where did that come from? She surprised herself with that fanciful observation.
    Even without showing emotions, his intense stare was getting to her. Damn! Lust pooled tightly inside her as she felt herself getting wet. She had not felt this strong a sexual pull from a man in, well, hell, ever.
    Too bad he was so arrogant. Old Bella would have had no problem jumping this guy, but this new Bella, did she dare?
    She saw his eyes narrow, and she couldn’t help but take a step in retreat.
    “You look familiar, but I know we haven’t met before. I would have remembered you.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
    “I do not lie. And I don’t need to use pedestrian lines to attract women.”
    “Really,” Bella drawled out. She didn’t know what had come over her. Every time she opened her mouth, she couldn’t help but bait him. It was like taunting a wild animal. He was dangerous and certainly not someone she wanted to push, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
    He opened his mouth, but Bella was saved by whatever scathing remark he was going to make when someone called her name.
    “Bella, there you are!” Liz hurried up to them waving her hand. “Of course when I