Her taste lingered on my lips. She’d given herself to me, offering me her sweet cries. My fingers curled in my pocket. The image of her lying on that bed, coming on my mouth, was burned into my brain. I wanted to forget about all the calls and meetings waiting for me when we got back to the hotel. I wanted to drag her up to my penthouse, strip her, and spend the afternoon gorging on her pretty body.

I blew out a breath. This wasn’t like me. I kept my personal life and work separate. On occasion, I took a woman to dinner, and, more often than not, that ended with a pleasurable night in bed. But I never, ever thought of tossing my responsibilities aside for sex.

My jaw worked. I was not that man.

Everything would be fine. I’d get the upgrade plans for the Langston Windward underway, Tessa and I would enjoy each other, and then I’d move on. I didn’t have time for a relationship, and nor did I want one. I’d seen up close and in gory detail that they didn’t work.

We walked side by side down the path. Every now and then, through the trees, I’d get a glimpse of the valley below. I breathed in the scent of trees, grass, and fresh air.

She didn’t say anything, but the silence wasn’t awkward. I always had so many people clamoring for my attention. Usually they wanted things: my time, my money, answers to decisions. This was… nice.

Suddenly, a scent hit me. I slowed and grabbed Tessa’s arm.

She frowned. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure…” Then I realized what that coppery scent was and I stiffened. “I smell blood.”

Her dark eyes went wide.

“Careful.” I moved ahead cautiously, and we slowly navigated a curve in the path.

Every muscle in my body stiffened. I stepped in front of Tessa, blocking her view.

“Ro, what is it?” Her voice was sharp.

I sighed. I couldn’t hide it from her. I stepped forward and crouched beside the dead animal.

She gasped. “Oh, God, is that a deer?”

The gentle-looking deer lay right in the middle of the path. I pressed my lips together. Its throat had been slit, and blood matted in its fawn fur and pooled underneath it. It was fresh. Someone had done it very recently.

I scanned the trees, wondering if the sick bastard was close by.

“Why would someone leave this here?” Her voice was a mix of anger and shock. “No one should be hunting in this area.”

“I’m guessing that it was left for us.” Anger churned through me as I pushed to my feet.

Tessa’s eyes got even wider. “You think the person pulling these pranks did this?”