Legally Bound 

 At the challenge, Eve lifted her chin a measure while the wheels in her head nearly flew off their tracks. This could be her chance to finally put Donavan’s doubts about her being a Mistress to rest. “Care to make a friendly wager, then?”

Donavan studied her thoughtfully. “I’ve been known to make a bet or two. What did you have in mind?”

As if deep in thought, Eve tapped one freshly manicured fingernail against her lips. She wasn’t however. She knew exactly what she wanted.

“All right, if I win this case, we will attend the masquerade together—ah,” Eve wagged her finger when he tried to interrupt. “But you will be my slave. You’ll peel me grapes, rub my feet, and if you’re lucky I might just let you fan me with one of those giant feathers.”

For the first time in ages, Eve saw Donavan hesitate. It was only for a split second but it was there. Perhaps the stakes were just a bit too high for him.

“And if you lose?” he asked, intrigue evident in his tone.

There was no chance in hell of her losing now that she had the tape. Although it was underhanded to make a bet with an ace in the hole, he would never find out. No harm. No foul.

“If I lose, I’ll willingly submit to you for the entire weekend.”

His eyes narrowed and Eve’s pulse skipped a beat. Could he smell the bet was fixed? Did she look too eager? Too confident? Were her lips twitching and giving her lucky ace away?

Her throat dried further as Marcy proudly clutched the tape to her chest and marched toward them. If Donavan spotted that cassette, he wouldn’t enter into a wager that could land him on his knees without seeing what was on the tape first. She needed his answer. Now.

“What do you say, Carver?”

With his scorching gaze hot enough to melt the buttons clean off her ivory blouse, Donavan scanned her from head to toe. He brought his eyes back to hers. “You got yourself a bet, counselor.”