The VIP Room(177)

“No—you paid for you.”

“Semantics.” His hands curled around her waist and drew her in, until his breath brushed her lips. “One night, with me. Whatever you want.”

She could barely think with him so close. But she did remember her condition. “With—clothes on.”

“Of course, Miss Frane.” He kissed her cheek, and kept going, until he reached her ear. “Clothes will stay on.” One hand brushed the side of her breast and she gasped, heat shooting straight to her core. “It will be quite the challenge.”

God help her. She was in trouble.

Big trouble.





Chapter 6





Monday came much faster than Leah wanted.

She had spent the weekend hiding in her apartment, her phone turned off, dreading every minute that passed, bringing her closer to her inevitable face-to-face with Marcus.

One night. She would have one night with the former bad boy. One night that would rock her world, and probably shatter her heart.

She stood outside the office building, took a deep breath, and smoothed her hand over the front of her suit. For today she chose a black double breasted jacket and the matching calf length skirt. With black boots covering the rest of her legs, all she had showing were her hands and her face. If she could have covered them without looking like a freak, she would have.

“Just do your work, Leah, and avoid him as much as possible.” Thinking of him led to thinking of what happened between them. Heat flushed her cheeks—and everywhere else, damn him. “Ice water,” she whispered, and pushed the tall glass door open. “Lots of ice water.”

She managed to avoid Marcus most of the day, since he was in meetings with the board of The Hawkins Group. All she had to do was type this last letter and sneak out before he—

“You look hot, Leah.” She froze, the deep voice sending a wave of need through her. Before she could stop herself, she looked up at him. Those blue eyes were more intense without his glasses. “There’s no need to wear that jacket in the office. I’m not a tyrant when it comes to dress code.”

He gestured to his rumpled blue button down shirt, jeans that hugged every inch of him. Every inch. She blushed when she realized she was staring at his crotch.

God help her, she had it bad.

“Mr. Hawkins. I was just finishing—”

“Please join me in my office.”

She swallowed. “Of course, Mr. Hawkins.”

After a long drink of ice water, she wiped her hands on a tissue, made sure every button was buttoned, and grabbed the biggest notepad she could find. It was the closest she had to armor against him.

He ambushed her the second she walked in.

Those graceful hands closed the door before he took the notepad away from her, caught her around the waist and pinned her to the wall.

“You didn’t return any of my calls.”

“I—I was busy this weekend.”

“Did I scare you, Leah? That was never my intention. You’re the one in control.” His full, kissable lips moved closer. She never felt less in control. “I missed you.”

God help her. “Mr. Hawkins—”

“As much as I hate it when you call me that, I have to say, it turns me on.” He showed her exactly how much when his erection pressed against her belly. Even with the layers of clothing, she felt his heat, his need. “You drove me crazy in that gown on Friday night, but you all covered up like that has my imagination on overdrive.”

He tossed the notepad over his shoulder and reached for her waist, his thumbs caressing her belly. She sucked in her breath, his touch sending waves of need straight to her core. Then his hands slid down, spreading over her hips. In spite of the fear coiling through her, she wanted him—more than she did at the auction. Her body throbbed at the thought of him buried inside her—that long, thick length driving her to a shattering climax—

“Mr. Hawkins.” She barely heard her whisper. “Please let me go.”

He must have heard the fear she fought to hide, because he backed away.

“Leah—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—damn it.” He ran one hand through his hair, looking as frustrated as she felt. “I know about your former fiancé.”

Heat scorched her face, and she was so mortified she could barely speak. “How?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me. Please.” She had to know who to protect herself from, who was spreading the story behind her back.

“I overheard two of my employees. They understood by the time we finished our discussion that no one else will know about it. Ever.”

“Oh, God.” Panic shot through her. “You threatened them, didn’t you? Marcus—”

“I would have done the same for anyone who works for me. Privacy is sacred, and our personal lives are not fodder for the gossip queens.” Those two words told Leah exactly who he overheard. “It was a pleasure to put those two in their place, and have a damn fine reason to do it. Leah.” His deep voice caressed her name, as gentle as the fingers tracing her cheek. “You deserve so much more than a former playboy, but I want you. In my life, any way I can get you. I can’t promise I won’t hurt you, but I do promise I will do everything in my power to keep you from being hurt. Give me a chance.”