Page 6 of Obeying His Rules

He has a suit that looks like it costs what I make in a month, an incredible car that I’ve never even heard of–which is valeted to an underground parking garage when we arrive–and the attitude and arrogance of a man who owns a company.

Or several.

He’s greeted by smiles and hat tips by no less than three men when we arrive.

“Good evening, Mr. Carnell,” they all say.

He acknowledges them back, but not as though they are his equals. He doesn’t take me by the hand as though I’m his date but simply expects me to follow him through the lobby to the elevator, where he uses a gold keycard to get us moving.

The walls are mirrored gold as well, along with the ceiling. I feel completely out of place as the doors open and realize the elevator has delivered us not to his floor, but to his actual penthouse.

“You coming?” he asks.

I’ve been gawking, all wrapped up in what’s happening, and Marlon has already stepped out through the doors without me even realizing.

“Oh, yeah, of course.”

“Like the view?” he asks, motioning to the windows, which wrap around all three walls of the penthouse. They’re pure glass panels and provide the most incredible view of Manhattan I’ve ever seen.

“Wow. It’s like a tourist attraction.”

“Only I have it all to myself. Except for tonight.” He smiles, and I watch as he digs into his pocket and removes what I can only suspect is the necklace I saw him toying around with back at the bar. He glances down at it one more time before placing it in a small jewelry box on a small table in the corner of the room.

He turns to me. “Now what did you say it was you wanted from me? Action?”

I can feel myself starting to blush but try to force it back. “That’s right.”

As he walks toward me, he begins to unbutton his shirt. By the time he’s reached me, it’s completely undone.

It falls open, exposing his physique–a muscled chest and perfect abs. I inhale loudly and have to stop myself from covering my mouth with my hand.

“Take it off.”

“Excuse me?”

He nods at my dress as he shrugs out of his shirt, tossing it aside. “The dress. Lose it.”

“Wow, you’re not one for romance are you?”

“What was our one condition?” he asks.

“I know the condition.”

“So say it.”

I frown. “Don’t fall in love with you after you blow my mind.”

“Exactly.” He nods. “So did you really think you’d be getting much romance here this evening, Rain?”

I shake my head. “No, I just–”

“All right then. This may be your first time, but I’m the one who makes the rules here, and I just told you to take it off.” He interrupts. “I can already see you’ve got a crazy body under there, and now I want to see it for real.”

Crazy body? Did he just say that about me?

The blush I’ve been trying my best to force back wins over, and I feel my cheeks go hot and red, so I lower my eyes and let my hair fall across my face, hoping Marlon won’t notice.

Never in my life have I had a man speak to me in this way. So direct. So brazen. There’s something terrifying about it, but at the same time, something intensely attractive, and the next thing I know, I’m turning my back to him.

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