Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Okay. Okay,” Shiloh said, raising her hands in surrender. She smiled and shook her head, moving on to safer topics. “How are the interviews going?”
I groaned. “Slow. But I guess that’s okay since my dad hasn’t been pushing for any specific candidates.”
She nodded as we walked out into the busy rush of everyone heading home from work.
“By the way, you need to make sure that you submit your resume,” I ordered with a wagging finger.
Her face scrunched, and she shrugged. “Maybe.”
I leveled her with a hard stare, leaving no room for arguments. “Yes.”
Instead of answering, she rolled her eyes and changed the subject. “Want to get some dinner?”
“Coward,” I muttered with a smile that turned apologetic. “I wish I could, but I have plans tonight.”
“Oooookay.” She heaved an overly dramatic sigh that had us both laughing.
“Seriously. We’ll get drinks soon and talk about how you’re going to submit the most perfect resume and lock in your promotion, saving me from these torturous interviews, so I can just freaking hire you.”
She rolled her eyes again, unaffected by my devious smile, walking backward toward her car. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
I waited until she rounded the corner before messaging Lucian.
My plans consisted of meeting him for another night at The Berkshire. We hadn’t returned since our one visit months ago. Last time, I’d been on edge, clinging to my control, and hatred for Mr. D&D. So much had changed since then, leaving the night open to endless possibilities that sent butterflies soaring inside me, fluttering with excitement.
Excitement that I wouldn’t let stupid, freaking Emily ruin.
“I’m here to meet Lucian Daire,” I announced to the hostess behind a glossy black stand in the foyer of the club.
She studied me with a smile that inched my nerves closer to the edge. The last time I came here, Lucian had escorted me inside, holding my hand the whole way. Now I waited for someone to call me out, exposing me as a fraud who didn’t belong.
“Of course.” She reached under the stand and produced a textured black envelope with my name on it. “He left a note for you.”
“Thank you.” I cracked the wax seal and tugged a paper free.
Meet me where it began. – L
I shoved my nerves aside and leaned into the instinct that had carried me this far—chin high, posture easy, acting like I owned this place. “He’s expecting me inside.”
She held my gaze, her brilliant green eyes piercing as if they were looking for lies or cracks of weakness. “Would you like me to guide you?”
“No, thank you. But you can take my jacket, please.”
Finding no fissures in my armor, she relinquished her role as guardian and offered a demure, welcoming smile as if I were any other member. “Of course, Miss Quinn.”
I passed her my coat before pushing through the imposing wooden double doors. I walked through the restaurant portion of the club, confident in my black mini skirt and burgundy bustier with sheer panels. Knowing I’d meet Lucian here after work, I’d ensured my outfit could go from business to sexy. Before walking in, I’d removed my dress shirt and tights and slid my knee-high black suede boots back over my bare legs.
I wanted as little as possible between Lucian and me. I contemplated removing my panties, but enjoyed watching him take them off me too much.
Making my way down the long hallway, I ignored the rooms that had held me enthralled so much the first time. No amount of group sex, St. Andrew’s crosses, or spanking could inhibit me from getting to Lucian. When I reached the end, I found him leaning against the wall by the door leading into the room where it all began. I doubted he’d worried about what to wear as much as I did, yet he still made my mouth water with his black slacks and dark dress shirt, his sleeves rolled up to expose muscular forearms.
God, he looked good.
My heart thundered with a wild beat, sounding like a chant to get closer, closer, closer. I almost dropped my cool, regal exterior and ran into his arms, biting back a laugh when I imagined his reaction. Lucian knew me as an ice queen, a submissive, and almost everything in between.
Almost.
He didn’t know me in love.
Hell, I didn’t know me in love.
A laugh bubbled free—high-pitched and a little deranged.
“You okay?” he asked, eyes narrowed.
I cleared my throat and regained my composure. “Sorry. Something in my throat, but I’m okay.”
“Good.” His hand slid around my waist, pulling me in for a kiss.
So simple, but so unbelievably meaningful after months of refusing the intimacy.
“I have a surprise for you?”
My brows raised, and I looked past him into the room for a hint, but didn’t see anything different from the white leather couches, white tile, and shiny black stage. Except for what was on the stage. Instead of a wooden chair, a white chaise lounge adorned the platform. I tilted my head and studied the piece of furniture, realizing it wasn’t a chaise.