What She Thought She Knew (Rachel Moore Mystery Book 1), стр. 18

I cringed inwardly at the sight.

Hill picked a simple maroon leather love seat that faced the solitary fireplace. I could have felt the vein on my forehead throb in annoyance due to my horrible karma.

Martin Hill jumped onto the left side, and eagerly patted the seat next to him. He smiled crookedly at me.

A wave of disgust threatened to overwhelm me before I forcibly took deep breaths.

I sat down on the seat as far from Hill as possible without being rude.

Luckily he didn't seem to notice as he waved a butler over, and took two sleek glasses of champagne.

After giving the butler a rather generous tip, Hill turned around, and focused his attention on me. His crooked smile was still glued to his face as he passed me my champagne.

I all too eagerly gulped it down. If I was to seduce this man, I'd need some alcohol to "set the mood". Maybe I would get woozy enough to not remember what I did.

Feeling bold, and wanting a death wish, Hill placed a heavily ringed hand on my knee. He slowly messaged the bone. "What brings a gorgeous woman like you here?" He asked, still smiling.

I shrugged a bit. "Oh, I came for the music. I heard that Salute to Vienna is a lovely performance." I answered lightly, though I was just dying to smack that grin off of Hill's face.

I placed my empty glass on the table in front of my seat. I wished then more than ever that I had brought my gun. All I would have had to do was point it at Hill, and he would have started babbling out all the information I wanted.

My physical reaction didn't betray my dark thoughts for Hill shuffled closer, still smiling. "You like music, huh?" He asked.

I hummed my agreement. "Yes I do. It really allows one to portray their inner thoughts without the need or the uneasiness of expressing words."

Hill's light eyebrow rose in interest. "Very true. I take it that you're a woman of few words."

A genuine small smile appeared on my face. "Something like that." I replied softly.

Hill proceeded to study my face in interest as he evaluated my personality. "You are remarkable. I've met only a few other women who were like you. Most of the ladies these days are just too superficial for my tastes."

My eyebrow delicately rose in amusement. "Well, I'm not exactly 'superficial'."

Hill chuckled in reply. "Indeed. I'd say you're a more sophisticated woman who likes to follow her own rules. I admire that: it shows that you are your own person."

Despite the situation and who I was with, I couldn't help but feel flattered by Hill's compliments. So he's a man with smooth words.

I crossed my legs to expose more skin. Hill seemed to have gotten the message for he daringly rubbed his hand across my thigh.

I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol, his charm, or even a combination of both, but I felt a tiny flash of heat travel over my skin. I had to suppress a shudder as I forced myself to stay still.

"I love music too," Hill eventually said, "but mostly I come here for the view."

I cocked an eyebrow in mock interest. "Oh? You have an appreciation for art as well?"

Hill glanced at me, and then chuckled while looking away. "Yeah, you could say that."

Shockingly, the way he chuckled gave me a hint of excitement too. It seemed like Hill was seducing me instead of the other way around.

I mentally slapped myself, and quickly pointed at a random painting. "That's such a lovely painting!" I remarked too eagerly.

Hill glanced at the painting in interest, and leaned back into his seat. "Yes it is." He replied. "It's a copy of 'The Annunciation' by Leonardo da Vinci. It was painted during 1472 and 1475. The amazing detail about this specific painting is that when it is observed under x-ray, Gabriel the angel disappears." He finished, a sense of pride accounted in his explanation.

I nodded, both as an excuse to keep him talking, but also in true interest. The long-dead Italian painter certainly was the most talented artist of his time.

"What's your explanation behind the angel disappearing?" I asked.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Hill regard me curiously before he turned back to the painting. "I would have thought that was a complete accident on da Vinci's part. However, after years of studying the painting more thoroughly, I think that da Vinci did it on purpose."

I turned to Hill. "What makes you say that?"

Hill smiled slightly, and seemed amused at my question. "There's always a force at work that is greater than man. We're all just puppets for the grand masters that decide on how to rule the world." With that said, Hill turned his head towards me, a faraway look in his eyes.

What he described was sickeningly similar to our current state. If there was any doubt in my mind that this man was not affiliated with the Phantoms, his remark was definitely hard evidence.

I decided to play it cool, and kept up the conversation. "You're very knowledgeable. I've never known many men who have expressed interest in much aside from food, sports, and you know the last."

Hill chuckled slightly. "Anyone can pass of as 'intelligent'. Being cultured, however, is an entirely separate thing."

"Indeed. I can see that you're a man with fine taste." I replied in the same manner as Hill did earlier.

Hill glanced at me slightly, his green eyes darkened with what I assumed was desire. They ventured down to my cleavage as he gave the area a look-over. "Indeed I am." He said lowly.

I barely managed to suppress another shiver as warmth spread through me

I was momentarily shaken from my chaotic thoughts by