Page 4 of Obeying His Rules

“You’re an odd little thing, aren’t you?”

“I’m a virgin, Marlon.” I see his eyebrows perk up. “Interested now?”

I have no idea where this is coming from. Normally I’m a lot more reserved–especially when it comes to men. Maybe it was the forceful way Marlon rejected me the first time. That and the way Jasmine and Taylor were goading me on. It just brought something out of me.

Not to mention he has to be the sexiest man alive.

He also smells incredible, and I don’t think he’s wearing any cologne. I think it’s just him. Pheromones or something.

Marlon finishes off his whiskey and sets the empty glass down on the bartop then looks at me.

“You should just walk away.”

“What did I just say?” I ask. “I said I’m not taking no for an answer.”

He looks down, makes a sound approximating a chuckle, then looks back at me. “You really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Do you know who Janelle Blanc is?” I ask.

“Should I?”

“She is the most feared woman in the fashion industry,” I explain. “Like Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, played by Meryl Streep, who of course was based on Anna Wintour, the real-life editor of Vogue.”

“And you’re telling me this why?”

“Because I work for her. And if I can handle her, then I can handle you.”

Marlon’s chest rises and falls as a single laugh moves through him. He sits back in his chair and drags his eyes up and down my body, examining me from head to toe like I’m at the doctor’s.

I feel like one of the many models I’ve seen go in and out of Janelle’s office with a dream of making it big, only to be told she doesn’t have what it takes and then to be sent back to wherever it was she came from.

I’m suddenly self-conscious when seconds ago I was feeling relatively good about myself.

My body starts to grow hot, and my heartrate rises, but I focus on my breathing and do everything I can to keep myself under control.

He takes his time scrutinizing me. I’m almost on the verge of saying something when he finally raises his eyes to mine.

“It’s a big step–giving someone your virginity. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do,” I reply, doing my best not to shift uncomfortably in front of him. “Are you gonna give me an answer or are we just gonna keep talking here all night?”

Something that’s almost a smirk appears on his lips.

“Fine. But if we do this, you’re not allowed to fall in love with me after I blow your mind. Deal?”

His arrogance is palpable. I can almost feel it fill the air around me.

I groan and blow air through my lips as he stands and slaps two crisp hundred-dollar bills down on the bar and nods to the bartender.

“Deal. But you’re not allowed to ask me to marry you after I blow your mind!”

I’m not sure Marlon even hears me as he snaps his fingers at me like an owner beckoning their dog to follow and then begins threading his way through the crowd toward the door.

I do the only thing I can do and follow quickly after him. I do, of course, have to rush to my table to grab my purse, which Jasmine is already holding out for me.

“He said yes!” I exclaim.

“Go, go!” She waves me on, raising a toast with Taylor as I rush away in pursuit of my date.

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