"You know," he said, the words leaving his mouth as his eyes stared at the ceiling. "I would like to believe that I'm not a stupid man." He inhaled sharply, then exhaled several rings of smoke. "I would like to believe that I am not easily fooled. That I am not easily taken advantage of, and yet, here I am." His chin dropped so that his stormy grey gaze focused on her, sitting uncomfortably erect in the chair opposite his desk.