He brushes his fingers over
the hem of my dress like he's brushing off my comment. "I'm never going to
love you, Kat. But while we're together, I'll make sure you don't want for
anything."
"What about... it's not
like I can have a secret boyfriend on the side," I say. "Not that I
want to. I mean... you're very handsome. More handsome than any other guys I
know."
"You want to fuck
me." It's a statement, not a question.
"Yes." I barely
manage to get it out. "Not necessarily today. But eventually."
"This part is
real." He leans a little closer. His hands slide over the sides of my
chest. Over my shoulders.
His eyes are fixed on mine.
It's so intense I have to look away. He pulls the strap of my dress aside
slowly, like he's asking for permission. I lean into him, and his lips press
against my neck.
Heat rushes through my body.
It's been so long since I've been kissed, touched, anything. I dated guys in
high school, but I never... I don't have any experience.
I close my eyes and surrender
to the sensation. Blake pulls my dress off my shoulders. He cups my breast,
over my bra. Kisses a trail from my lips to my collarbone.
"What does this
mean?" I ask. "We haven't agreed to anything."
He shifts so we're eye to
eye. "Is there anything else you want?"
"How long will this be?
Is it indefinite?"
"Until I don't need the
ruse anymore."
"And how long will that
be? I want to fall in love one day. To get married and maybe even have a
family. I can't be the billionaire's fake girlfriend forever."
Dread creeps onto Blake's face.
"Six months. A year at most."
I study his expression. It's
something that hurts him, but he's not about to let me in. "Is there an
out?"
"I'll only accept a full
commitment."
Some of that dread passes
through me. So much could go wrong. Blake could turn out to be an abusive
asshole. I could meet Prince Charming and fall madly in love tomorrow.
But agreeing would mean an
end to that awful mortgage, an education for my sister, and at least six months
of living without pinching pennies.
Whatever the risk there is of
losing myself in Blake's role, it's worth it. "Okay." I offer my hand
to shake.
He takes it. "I'll have
my lawyer draft a contract. We'll sign tomorrow."
"Okay."
He stares deeply into my
eyes. "This will move fast. We need to clean you up this week."
I bite my tongue. It's a
role. I need to look a certain way. Nothing personal. "I work nights and
weekends."
"You'll switch to
lunches. No Saturdays."
"I'll never keep my
job."
"I'll have a word with
your manager," he says.
Just like that, he'll snap his
fingers and everything will fall into his lap. Must be nice to have that kind
of power.
"No, I'll convince
her," I say. She does owe me one.
"I'll pick you up at 9
A.M. Saturday."
Jesus, that's early for
someone who works mostly nights. "As long as you bring coffee."
He brushes my hair from my
shoulder. "When you're with me, Kat, I'll take care of everything."
"Coffee?"
He nods.
"Food?"
He nods.
"What else?"
He runs his hands over my
bra. "Clothing."
"Oh, that stands for
clothing, does it?"
He nods.
His lips close over mine.
It's magic. Like one of those scenes in a movie where fireworks explode over a
pretty pink castle. Blake's lips are soft and sweet, but there's something so
commanding about his kiss.
I run my hands through his
hair. It's short, brown, and some perfect mix of billionaire CEO and low-key
programmer. Soft. His lips and hair are so soft but everything else about him
is so hard.
He slips his fingertips into
my bra and brushes them lightly over my nipples.
My body shakes with pleasure.
It's been so long since anyone has given my breasts any attention, and he moves
with a perfect finesse.
I sigh into his mouth,
unwrapping my legs so I can slide into his lap. The details of this deal fade
into the back of my mind. They seem so much less important than my body against
his.
His tongue explores every
nook of my mouth. I dig my hands into the soft fabric of his shirt until I can
feel the hard contours of his muscles.
Desire overwhelms me. I've
never wanted anyone this much. I never even knew you could want someone this
much.
He tugs at my dress, but he's
pulling it back on, back over my shoulder.
My head is spinning. He's
not... but he... he can't stop now, not when I feel so damn exhilarated.
"It's late," he
says.
I blink a few times, but he's
still staring at me with that same impenetrable look on his face. "What
else?" I ask. "Besides food, coffee, and clothing?"
"You'll come when you're
with me, Kat. I'll make sure of it."
"But not tonight?"
"Not yet." He
shifts off the couch. "I'll walk you out."
"I can walk
myself."
I reach for my coat, but
Blake is already holding it. He helps me into it.
His fingers brush against my
neck, soft and light. Heat floods my body. It's everywhere. I can barely stand
it. But not tonight, apparently. Not yet.
Patience is supposed to be a
virtue. I've never hated virtue so damn much.
I squeeze my purse tightly. I'm about to sign my freedom away in exchange for my sister's
future. For our future. A little sexual frustration is the least of my
concerns.
Blake walks me to the
elevator. He waves his key card in front of the door. "I'll have one made
for you."
"Sure."
"Jordan will take you
home. If you need anything, call."
"I'll be fine."
His stare is intense.
"Anything."
That same flutter collects
inside me. He can't mean sex. He just sent me out of his office with my dress
falling off my shoulders.
I clear my throat. Blake is a
mystery I'm not going to solve. My best hope is enjoying the ride.
I step into the elevator. "Goodnight."
He nods.
The doors slide closed, and I
finally exhale. Almost home. It's a quick ride to the ground floor. As
promised, the limo is waiting out front.
Inside, I check the mini bar
for something that will ease the tension. But this isn't the kind of problem a
drink solves.
The door closes. Jordan
speaks into his earpiece. "Understood, sir." The partition rolls up
with a quiet whir.
I'm as good as alone.
My phone rings in my purse.
Blake. What the hell?
I answer. "Hello."
"I said anything,
Kat."
"I was there."
"You want
something."
My heart races. Of course I
want something. He's not an idiot. "Yes."
"So ask for it."
Heat rushes through me,
collecting between my legs. "I..."
"Take off your
underwear. I want to hear you come."
