Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Thank you. Now, we will go in through a small foyer where you will sign the NDA before entering the main area. If you’re hungry, we can grab a bite to eat there before exploring the rest of the rooms.”
“I’m okay,” I dismissed. I hadn’t eaten since this morning, but the knots in my stomach would make it impossible.
“If at any point you would like to leave, please let me know.”
“How sweet of you to offer to let me leave of my own free will.” Sarcasm dripped from my polite smile while my eyes dared him to try to stop me. “I imagine you wouldn’t want to deal with me if you kidnapped me.”
I expected a sharp response. I expected a bored stare with an arrogantly raised brow. I expected him to roll his eyes.
I did not expect the heavy silence.
I did not expect the increasing weight with each passing second.
I did not expect his eyes to rake across my body inch by inch.
I did not expect my nipples to pull tight.
I definitely didn’t expect his response.
“Trust me, Aspen. I’ve imagined about a million ways I’d like to deal with you. So, maybe kidnapping is still an option.”
And with that bombshell confession, he exited the car, thankfully missing my slack-jawed shock.
Lucian Daire imagined me?
An explosion of questions filled my head—too many to focus on just one. Before I could latch on to any of them, he opened my door. I twisted to get out to find him looming over me, blocking the light. I took my time trailing my eyes up his long legs, soaking up the way the material hugged his thighs, studying the bulge straining against his pants before continuing up his imposing height.
The shadows swallowed him, casting him in a darkness that managed to intrigue me rather than scare me. When he offered his hand, I didn’t waste time pretending I didn’t want to take it. His rough, calloused fingers engulfed mine and led me to the illuminated double doors of The Berkshire.
Just as he said, we entered a small foyer that held dark velvet seats and a black, glossy hostess stand that reflected the sparkling lights of the chandelier above.
“Welcome to The Berkshire,” the hostess greeted. She reminded me of an intimidating Snow White with her sharp eyes and blood-red lips, stark against her pale curves and black dress.
“Hello.” I smiled, but it lacked my usual confidence. My heart raced in discomfort and excitement. I hated standing there, uncomfortable in my own skin. It pulled too tight around my muscles, twisting and tensing in fight or flight. I didn’t know what came next, and I braced myself, attempting to find control of the situation.
Lucian’s palm rested against my lower back, grounding me—reminding me that tonight wasn’t about me having control. Tonight was about the possibility of finding another way to let go. Tonight was about my ability to turn to him and let him take control for the both of us.
“Hey, Kendra,” Lucian said. “This is Aspen Quinn. She’ll be my guest tonight. Corbin said that you would have an NDA waiting for Miss Quinn to sign.”
“Of course,” Kendra responded, taking a moment to look me over.
She reached under the desk for a leather-bound binder while I attempted to find that stoic composure Lucian accused me of having. I couldn’t remember the last time I struggled this hard to portray an aloof calm I didn’t feel. I couldn’t remember the last time I tried something new that left me out of my depth and floundering.
How do you truly know this is what you want when you’ve tried nothing else?
My father’s words replayed from weeks ago, as if waiting for a moment to prove he was right.
I hadn’t done much beyond dedicating myself to work and, in the process, unintentionally, keeping myself in safe, familiar situations. I hadn’t realized how much until I stood there like a fish out of water.
“If you’ll read over this, initial when required, and sign at the bottom. If you have questions or issues, you can ask any of the staff.”
“Thank you, Kendra. I’ll make sure she is taken care of,” Lucian assured.
I read over the contract, focusing on the bold words. Respect. Discretion. Safety. Rules. Consent.
Eager to be inside, I scrawled my initials and signature. She filed it away and gestured us over to a set of large wooden doors around the corner.
Lucian gripped the handle, but turned back to me before opening it. “You sure?”
I stared at his long fingers around the ornate ebony handle, waiting to open Pandora’s box. Adrenaline raced just under the surface of my skin, spreading doubt and excitement. It whispered that once I saw the other side, I couldn’t go back.
Remembering the stinging heat of Lucian’s hand against my ass, burning away the tension always clinging to me, shoved the doubt aside. With a deep breath, I nodded. “I’m sure.”