His Perfect Match

“But you didn’t. And now that you know why I’m here can you in good conscience turn me away?”

He glared at her over his shoulder. “Don’t you dare try to preach to me about good conscience.”

Liz removed her hand and circled around to stand before him blocking his view of the luau. “If there was any other way, believe me, I would’ve chose it. My son is everything to me. I would do anything for him. I’d make a deal with Satan if it would save his life, so swallowing my pride and coming to you was small by comparison.”

His brown eyes narrowed on her face in the same analytical manner she’d seen earlier than day. “A deal with the devil, huh?” His full lips kicked up at the corner. “That sounds about right.”

As hungry eyes roamed over every inch of her body Liz only then considered the lack of intelligence involved in luring a man who hated her to a deserted portion of beach. She glanced over her shoulder to be sure the hotel guests were within screaming distance.

She swallowed and determinedly pushed forward. “Will you do it?”

His eyes came up to hers and he simply stared unblinking while she waited for the verdict that would either condemn Marc or save his life. As he stared she felt her skin becoming covered in goose bumps, knowing her greatest fear was his immediate rebuff. Still, having no idea of what he would say, she never expected the next words that came out of his mouth.

“What’s in it for me?”

She frowned, not sure she understood the question. “What?”

“Your Marc gets a new kidney, but what do I get?”

“Is this a joke?”

“No more of a joke than you asking.”

She shook her head, realizing she’d failed. He was not only refusing to help, he’d decided to taunt her in the process. “If you’re not going to do it just say so.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it. But everything costs.”

Liz focused on his face trying to determine if he was serious. She couldn’t tell. “So what’s your price?”

“Well.” He thoughtfully rubbed his chin as if he didn’t hold the weight of her world in his large hands. “The devil would require your soul. I can at least promise you my price will be much smaller.” He huffed. “Quite honestly, I’m not certain you have a soul to bargain with anyway.”

Liz swallowed the sharp retort that immediately came to mind. He hadn’t said no. She could stand any insult if it meant he’d do it. “So what now?”

He took a deep breath. “We go back and enjoy the rest of the evening. Get some sleep—if you can. And in the morning I’ll tell you what I require in exchange for one of my kidneys.”

She narrowed her eyes on his handsome face. “What the hell happened to you, Darius?”

“You did.”

She bit her lip, knowing that was probably true. What she’d done could make a man hard and bitter. Was it really any surprise that he would keep her dangling miserably now that he could?

His eyes widened. “Of course, there is always a chance I won’t be a match, and then any stipulations would be null and void.”

“You’ll be a match.” She turned and headed back to the hotel.

He frowned at her retreating back. “What makes you so sure?”