Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 31081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
“Have a seat,” I instruct. “Would you like a drink?”
“No,” she practically hisses at me as she sits. She takes a deep breath and straightens her spine. “No thank you. I don’t drink.”
Interesting.
I sit down in my chair across the desk from her and lean back, watching her. Now that we’re alone, she’s not as panicked. Coiled and aware. She reminds me of a panther ready to attack if the enemy so much as steps across the boundary line.
“Explain what it is you want from me,” I say, my voice level and calm.
“I already did in the email.”
“I need to hear you say it.” Then, in a gentler tone, I say, “Trust. Remember?”
She lets out a heavy sigh and relaxes. “I have certain needs no one has been able to fill.”
“They haven’t met your expectations?”
“Not exactly.”
I lift a brow, imploring her to continue.
“I never gave them a chance,” she grumbles.
“Why’s that?”
“We never made it this far.”
“How far?”
She waves a hand in the air. “This far. No agreements have been made.”
It grates on me that she’s been trying this with others.
“Why have no agreements been made?” I ask, scratching at the stubble along my jawline.
“It just didn’t…” She frowns. “Each time, something felt off.”
“The person?”
“Maybe…I don’t know.”
“I have a question for you.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Are you afraid of me?”
“N-No,” she stammers out.
Lie.
“Hmmm…”
“No,” she huffs out. “I’m not afraid of you.”
I rake my gaze along her front, lingering at the softest swell beneath her sweater showing the promise of tits. She squirms under my stare. Licking my lips, I dart my eyes to meet hers.
“Sure about that?”
“Positive,” she practically growls. “I won’t be afraid anymore.” Then, as though she can’t believe her words, she presses her palm to her mouth. Oops. Didn’t mean for that to slip out.
“Good,” I say, letting it slide for now. “I have owned this establishment for nearly a decade and wouldn’t feel right if my clients were afraid. My momma would beat the shit out of me if she thought I intimidated any woman.” I smirk. “If it makes any difference, I’m in the business of pleasing my clients, not terrorizing them.” A chuckle escapes me. “That is, unless they request it.”
“I’m not exactly sure I know what I’m requesting,” she mumbles. “I just know I want—no, I need it.” She swallows thickly. “Just tell me what happens next.”
“Before we proceed, you need to get comfortable around me. I, for one, won’t feel comfortable talking about forcing you to do anything if you’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid—”
“Dinner. My place on Friday.”
“No,” she rushes out.
I cock my head. “No?”
“I mean, I’d prefer it at my own home.”
Intriguing.
“I would know where you live,” I taunt.
She bristles, then steels her features. “I’d find out where your momma lives and tell her about your intimidation tactics.”
Maybe not so weak after all.
“Dinner at your place on Friday. We can discuss more then.”
Like why the hell she wants this in the first place.
“Okay,” she murmurs. “So…we’re done?”
“For now.”
Her hand shakes as she lifts her purse and stands. I rise and follow her to the door. Stepping quicker so I can open it for her, I startle her. One second, I’m reaching for the door, and the next, I’m pinned to it with an elbow to my throat.
What. The. Fuck.
Green eyes flared with fury burn into me. “What were you doing?”
“Opening the door for you.”
She still doesn’t release her hold.
“You’re not as afraid as you think you are,” I whisper, then snag her by the throat and whip her around, pinning her to the door.
Her eyes widen in surprise, her lips parting slightly.
“You’re in control,” I rumble, dropping my gaze to her plump lips. “With me, you’ll always be in control.”
Her pulse jumps in her throat against my thumb.
“Are you going to hurt me?” she chokes out.
I caress her neck with my thumb. “Do you want me to?”
Her answer should be automatic. I can tell she wants to shake her head at me. But something stops her. The need. I see it just below the fear and hidden strength. Pulsating and aching.
“I want to come to an agreement,” I admit, my mouth close to hers. “What’s allowed and what isn’t. Hard limits. Maybes. Your desires and your fears. I want it all laid out so we can custom fit your fantasy to the one you crave—the one deep down inside you have yet to voice. Is that what you want, Quinn?” When I lean closer, my lips nearly touching hers, her eyes flutter closed, and she gasps.
“Yes,” she breathes.
I release her neck and step backwards before shoving my hands in my pockets so I don’t do something stupid like kiss her.
Confusion mars her pretty face. And she is…pretty. Really pretty. At first glance, she hides behind her plainness, the desire to blend in nothing but a costume. Beneath the surface, she is fire, strength, resilience and desperation. Desperate to sate a need within her.