Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
For you not to be working with Ivanov. For me not to be a fool. “What could you possibly have that I need?”
“Besides money to gamble with and skill?”
“I have plenty of patrons, and I was running tonight’s game successfully before I ever saw you.”
“But you can be even more successful with me. You have to admit I did a good job tonight.”
His hands lingered on my thighs, squeezing gently. I tried to ignore the warm pressure as I held his gaze. “You’re acceptable.”
He raised a brow. “Really?”
“I caught you.”
“I wanted to be caught.”
“What game are you playing?”
He shrugged. “I’m making money and having fun.”
There was no way it was that simple.
“I told you I don’t work for anyone but myself,” he said, anticipating my question.
“You’re lying.”
“You just want to be right.”
“Is that what you think I want?” I ask, shifting closer to the edge of the desk, bringing myself so close I could feel the heat of his body.
“I think you want a lot of things. I think you’re a very greedy man.”
I forced myself to smile. “So what if I am?”
“That’s not a criticism. Just an observation.”
“So what are you greedy for?”
He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip. I forced myself to stay still. I didn’t want him to guess the intensity of the reaction I was having inside. Heat and need raced through me. I wanted to haul him against me. I wanted to kiss him hard, like I was punishing him for taunting me. I wanted to shove him to his knees and make him suck me off.
Do you really?
No, dammit. What I really wanted was for him to flip me over, lay me out across the desk, and fuck me. That kind of dominance was what I often wanted with men, but I very rarely asked for it, and even then, I made sure I was in control.
“Do you want this?” he asked.
I nodded. “Say it.”
“Yes.”
His lips brushed mine. It was too gentle, too soft. I needed more. I slid my tongue along the seam of his lips, and he groaned as he deepened the kiss, opening for me. He cupped my face in his hands, holding me still so he could assault my mouth, and I took it willingly. I grabbed his belt loops and yanked him in closer, desperate for more. When he pulled away from me, I couldn’t stifle a whimper. A fucking whimper.
His smirk told me everything. He was so fucking pleased with him. He winked at me as he took another step back. “I’ll see you next week.”
Fuck. Was he really going to walk away now? The bastard was leaving it up to me to make a move or to let him go. No way in hell was I going to beg for his attention. “I’ll see you then, Gordon.”
“Not my name.” He strode through the door and closed it behind him. I should be more concerned that he was on his own back here, but I was sure my security guards would notice him wandering and escort him to the parking lot.
I dropped into the chair he’d sat in the last time he’d been in my office and let my head fall into my hands as I drew in a few shaky breaths. My heart was pounding so hard, I worried it might give out.
What the hell had just happened? How had he gotten the upper hand?
If he’d been sent by Ivanov to worm his way in, find ways to punish my family, and get his revenge, why would he have walked away? Why would he be playing a long game when I showed him how easy I was? Wouldn’t he want to pump me for information after he’d fucked me senseless?
That didn’t make sense, right? Or was I trying to make things the way I wanted them to be?
No. I didn’t want anything from G. I didn’t play games with men. They either wanted to fuck, or they didn’t. I didn’t have time for that nonsense.
But damn, I wanted him. There was something about him, the way he moved, the way he challenged me.
He’s not afraid of you. He’s ready to put you in your place.
I ignored the voice in my head. I didn’t want to think about things like that. I needed to investigate him further, but to do that thoroughly, I’d have to tell Remington about him. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to handle this myself.
Are you going to kill him yourself when you find out he’s from Ivanov?
Fucking intrusive thoughts! I would though. I would do anything to protect my family and to protect innocent children who would be hurt by Ivanov. It didn’t matter how much I liked G. It didn’t matter how my body responded to him; I would do what I had to do.